them to the only refuge and way of salvation, (Isaiah xxxii. 2; John xiv. 6.) they take shelter in the approval of their fellow-men, or run under the fostering wings of the world.

Epaphras. It is a fearful mark of final reprobation, when any class of mankind, either old or young, have their life spun out to the latest span, and their age prolonged to the last period and power of nature, only that they may fill up the measure of their wickedness; and yet, I quite agree with you, painful and distressing as is the admission, that there are multitudes who, by old age, have learned little else than old habits of sinning; others there are who, though prodigals and spendthrifts in youth, have learned not only not to become reformed, but only worse and more depraved in their old age; many that were once known to have been liberal and bountiful, growth of years has so hardened, that they are now full of policy and contrivance, and very misers. How many are there in every place, in every city, town, village, hamlet, through the land, from whom there is nothing good to be learned, and no wisdom to be gathered; they have come into the world and go out of it, but they have not profited either in religion or in selfknowledge-either in the ways of grace, or in their manner of life; they die without hope and perish in their sins, and therefore are lost without remedy!

Timotheus. It is, however, dear Sir, a great mercy that there are many and great exceptions; old men, who are at once full of years and full of

grace. But, for my better information, and the settling of my own mind, as regards this stage or growth in grace, it will delight and profit me much to have your thoughts on the subject.

Epaphras.-Ever remember, the oldest and most experienced saint was once but a mere babe in Christ; at that period, to ascertain growth admits of no difficulty; for as babes, (if healthy and well, grow in strength naturally,) increase in vigour and in stature; so the little ones of Christ's fold advance as they proceed, in wisdom from above, in saving knowledge and experience; in all which respects, they resemble, to a certain extent, the Lord Christ; of whom we read, that he "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." (Luke ii. 52.)

Afterwards, as you well know, succeeds to infancy the season of childhood; and this stage is marked with the greatest weakness, versatility of disposition and temper; a word will make a child your enemy, another will make it your friend; it is the little creature of passing circumstances, and the confluence of every kind of passion and feeling; and such is a little one of Christ's flock; in the first stage of its growth it is very weak, and yet it feels strong; it aims well, and yet it continually falls short of its aim; when it first sets out in divine life, it resembles a child shooting at a mark; it tries to hit it, but, because its arm is weak, and strength but little, the arrow wriggles and struggles along most unequally; this is the experience of childhood in the things of God, and it is easy to decide when it is en

tered upon and where it ends; for when the powerful hand of faith pulls the bow of eternal truth, the arrow of conviction flies full and even, and goes direct to the mark.

In the hey-day of youth and manly courage, who can be at a loss either to discern or describe it? Can you fail to observe the blush of health on the cheeks, the activity of the limbs, the sprightliness of the countenance, and the vigour of the whole constitution? and when there is spiritual activity and energy for God, when there is the gracious determination of serving the Lord faithfully, and promptly, and decisively likewise; when there is the power of thinking and acting on his behalf, another stage in divine life begins to develop itself; the strength of manhood appears, and, in its train, unsuspectedness and temerity; the flower opens in all its freshness and loveliness, and throws out all its fragrance; it is its meat and its drink to do the will of God; it is full of boldness and zeal, even approaching to impetuosity for God; it is not fearful, nor fainthearted, like unto a part of Gideon's army; but it is strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, and the same characteristic features are observable in the parental state. And, as there are plainly successive stages in the life of God, even as there are in the life of nature, and all of them have their exact lineaments and features, why should you be at fault to fix the aspect and general features that belong to a good old age? for here, as in every other point of view, the analogy is complete

Timotheus. This stage of experience then, I

way:

suppose, I in old men discover in this may there is always a growing feeling of bodily weakness and infirmity; these are often so sensibly felt, that they have not unfrequently proved the occasion of unholy complaining; (Psalm xc. 10.) he, therefore, who has been the longest in the beaten path of grace and salvation, and who has had the greatest knowledge of his own heart, has the greatest readiness to confess his sins and to lament his unworthiness and growing weakness; the more he sees of himself, the farther he advances in divine life, the more is he convinced that he has no spiritual life in himself.

Epaphras. And hence, the oldest saint always writes the bitterest things against himself; in surveying his past life, conscience speaks out, and accusations spring up in his breast, like succeeding waves on the bosom of the sea; but, when he speaks of his Saviour, his unchanging love, his providential care, his unerring promises, his eye glistens with delight, his heart swells with gratitude, and his tongue with praise; but when he looks off from the Saviour, and looks at himself, how vile he appears! how great his demerit! how deep his convictions of sin! how sensible of his short-comings and infirmities! how disposed to condemn self! and to ascribe all the good of gone-by days to the Lord, and all the evil to himself! to his omissions of duty, the grieving of God's Spirit, and to living below his privileges!

Timotheus.-But when an old man has thus attained to a practical and experimental knowledge of his own misery, is he not then in a posi

tion to instruct others, and to magnify God's free mercy?

Epaphras. Decidedly so; and no one can look upon such an aged saint but with the greatest reverence; for he is no dead and withered branch, but a living tree in the garden of the Lord his great age has brought with it great grace, manifold experience, and much influence likewise.

Timotheus. Is it not then our duty, no less than our privilege, to defer much to those who rise superior to us in wisdom, by reason of their gifts? to listen to them with attention, when they give us such a shining example by the meekness of their spirit, and try to lead us onward by the ornament of every christian grace? Is not that precept of Moses to that effect? (Lev. xix. 32.)

Epaphras.-Whatever is commanded of God, we know that command is to be honoured; and if we have grace to respect God's precepts, we are sure always to regard our own profit.

Timotheus.-May we profit much from converse with old men in Christ. God enjoins great reverence to them: there is no fear of God, where there is no reverence for old men.

Epaphras.-An old man, full of grace and full of days, bears the moral image of Jehovah. God has set his mark on his forehead, and his signet on his breast in each successive stage of his life he has, after a sort, been made to wear his sacred impress if he is in the majestry, he is the image of God's power; if he is a parent in the bosom of his family, he is the image of his providential care; if skilled in science, or practical knowledge,