, 1861-02-01

ance are thlS nl8ment> well oehned,-anOiD-
srmoment you look, not an outline, not q
trace Of il is 10 be seen. Such is life.
Job WI, 6-T: "My days are swifter
than a weaver's shuttle.R Have you ever
watched the swim passage Of the shuttle
between the threads Of warpi Such is life.
20, remember that my life is wind" A
puff. blast, and it is gone.
Ps cII, 3: "My days are consumed like
SMOKE Every chimney top breaches q
sermon on the brevity Of life.
Why then should man presumptously
assert bis purposes 10 get rich in a year Oh
such uncertainties. Another moment past
even. and be may be in eternity,
8 But suppose be could be certain that he
would live to atcare it, what assurance has
he that be shall live to epjOy it? Just the
same assurance that the rich man in the
Saviour's parable, Luke XII, 1921, had:
His land brough forth plentifuly. He
knew not what to do with his produce. He
bethinks himself, what shall / do? Ah,
this VIII do: / will tear down my old
barns, pot up new and larger ones, and
store It away there for my own use in
future. will not distribute any to the
poor. ] will not give any for benevolent
or religious purposes. / will not expeud it
IL any wise for the good Of others or the
glory Of God; but l win store it all in my
barns aud granaries and spend it on self"
Il win say to my soul, soul thou hast
much goods laid up for many years; eat,
drink and be merry" He was Just fixing
himself then to enjoy his gains. But what
says God to himi Thou fool, this night
shall thy soul be required Of thee, then
whose shall those things be which thou hast
provided" Little certainty have men that
they viii live a single day to enjoy their
goods after they have gained tho. On
the very night on which they wind up their
affairs and lay plans for spending their
wealth in self-indulgence, God may summon
their souls into eternity. Then what good
will their wealth do them?
Bot the Apostle suggest the platform Of
principles upon which men should lay their
plans for the transaction Of business in fn.
ture, "For that ye ought TO say, IL the
Lord will. We shall live and do this or
that" This platform is that which recog-
nizes God as the dispenser of all things.
Gods will as the rule Of action, and Gods
glory as the end Of life.
II IS the duty Of men to exercise pru.
dent foresight and vigilance in their plans
for the future. Bot Iet this be done with
spirit Of entire reliance and implicit conf
dence in God. This disposition, whilst ID
vii not ordinarily render the uncertainties
Of the future any less to human foresight,
nevertheless ayerts all the evils which at
tach 70 the contrary disposition, aud TO the
disappointments consequent upon failure.
The man who, under oil circumstances, can
say, Thy will be done, With childlke trust
puts bis hand into the hand Of God, and
lets him guide him where be will. Aud
whilst be IS "fervent in spirit, serving the
Lord be Is none the less diligent In busi.
ness II. however, he meets with reverses
Be says &c Is the Lord, let him do that
which seemeth good in bis sight" He has
said that be ~will make oil things work to-
gelher for good to those that love him"
and l believe he will, even failures aud mis-
fortunes" So be bestirs himself with rs
much energy as ever, ito provide for those
Of bis own household and to labor with
bis hands that be may have TO give to.them
that have need.
In many ways Indeed, is this spirit of res
ignniion 70 Gods will and endeavor after
his glory, promotive Of advantages.
Whilst Il thus places all things at the
disposal Of Him who holds them at his bid
ding, Il takes from the mind a world Of
troubles and auxieiies. Such q man liter
ally takes 20 thought Of the morrow, 10 the
seuse forbidden By the Saviour. Is not
oFeranxions and oyersolicitous as to what
be shall cat drink, and wear. Knowing
that since life is more than meat, aud the
body more than raiment, God, who has
given him the greater, will so order it that
he shall enjoy the less also, so long as be
goes right on in the discharge Of duty
80, he seeks FIRST the kingdom Of God and
bis righteousness, being assured that all
things else shall be added unto him, and
suffers the morrow to take thought for the
things Of itself.
fhis disposition begets and fosters a spir-
itof calm delberation. This is Of great
edFaniagein laying and executing plans
for the future. The man who takes pains
70 ascertain what the will of God is before
he enters upon any project, will never enter
upon i rashiy. Itproduces aud strength.
ems eharacter for unswerving rectitude.-
Honesty is the best policy. The man who
follows the viii Of God will always be hon.
est. Il secures the favor Of God, which /.
life, and bis loving kindness, which is better
than life. 'They that honor me, will
honor"
Finally; 1t secures permanent and eter.
nal good, whilst the contrary spirit secures
ct best. but ephemeral, vanishing gratiica-
ton. The world passeth away aud the
lust thereof but be that doeth the will Of
the Lord abideth forever"
Whist then if man should live TO old
age and gray hairs in the enjoyment Of
gains gotten apd used on selfish PRINCIPLES
the time Of bis separation from them must
come. The night will arrive on which God
shall say to himt ''thou fool, this nigbt
nhall fhw aon1 ho raonirad at 49,