FRIENDS’

REVIEW. 291

 

hopes and wishes on the transient, uncertain,
and fading things of this world, the most delicious
honey lies at their feet unnoticed, though offer-
ing itself to their taste, and suited to appetites
which were given to reach after and feed upon
things eternal, permanent and unchangeable.
These are plants of that soil where happiness
grows, and is only to be found, affording sweets
which neither tongue nor pen can describe.

The path that leads to the mansion of bliss,
is calm, resigned and humble: in this path the
mind is brought into a state of acquiescence with
the dispensations and the will of heaven; and
into a cheerful and steady observance of his
precepts who called us into being, and whose
all-sustaining power preserves us these few hours
from mixing again with our mother earth. On
his almighty arm the whole creation leans and
is supported. His all-seeing eye is constantly
surveying his rational creatures and taking cog-
nizance of their conduct. He beholds the in-
most intentions and secret desires of mortals.
He knows them that love, fear and obey him,
—gratefully acknowledging his goodness, and
seeking opportunities to serve him, and to do
good to his creation. It is these who sow the
seeds of joy, and reap the balm of the harvest
of peace ;—peace in life and in death; in joy
and in sorrow; in prosperity and in adversity ;
—a peace which the world cannot give, neither
can it take away. This is indeed a continual
feast. Oh! thesweet and self-approving thoughts
which abound in the hearts of these dedicated
children. It is a treasure of more worth than
all the glory and glitter of this world, and all
the sensual pleasures here to be enjoyed, even
if there was no hereafter. But when eternity,—
—awful and tremendous pane, ‘is contem-
plated, and that those who sow pleasure in this
world shall reap misery in the next,—how tri-
fing and insignificant dothese momentary grati-
fications then appear!

O my soul! though others dote upon these
fading, transient pleasures, do thou soar above
into the regions of light.—the place of thy na-
tivity,—and look down with pity and compas-
sion upon these creeping insects of the earth.
While they are striving after polluted pleasures,
and destroying one another in the pursuit,
do thou mount above them, and labor for heay-
enly riches,—treasures which cannot be cor-
rupted, nor taken away; but which will remain
through the endless ages of eternity, as a river
of pleasure—a fountain of joy,—an inexhausti-
ble source of delight; where thou mayst solace
thyself, and adore thy Creator, with living
praises to thy King iit Redeemer. These are
the riches and pleasures worth seeking—the
treasures worth coyeting—a possession worth
laboring for. It is the one thing needful for us
poor, dependent creatures to strive for.

If I have an assurance of this pearl of great
price, what matters it how I fare during these

 

few moments here? or what the trifling, vain
world says or thinks of me? whether I am called
a fine man, a rich man, a wise or powerful
man, or the reverse? Is it nota folly to be
affected with a name? A. pleasure that lives
upon the breath of mortals can last but a few
days, and soon will be annihilated, as to myself.
But oh! when I am bidding adieu to time, and
stepping into eternity, my ever-during habita-
tion, then will appear the advantage of having
treasure in heaven; then,—+then, the smiles of
conscience will be of more worth than millions
of worlds. An age of labor will appear but
trifling for such a purchase. May the procuring
thereof be my chiefest aim in all my labors,
May it ever be my morning’s earliest wish, and
my evening’s latest desire, to be in favor with
Him that made me ;—a Being to whose merey
I owe all my blessings, and to whom may grati-
tude ascend for his fatherly compassion, in that —
I have not been cut off in my sins. And in my
future life, may I live to his honor, that so
praises may ever acceptably ascend—a tribute
eternally due to the universal Father from all
his works. David Cooper. — i

 

For Friends’ Review.
THE MESSAGE TO EPHESUS.
THOUGHTS FOR A NEW YEAR.

Amid the wondrous beauty and fervor of
description of the Patmos vision, he that “saw
the heavenly city” did not forget to transmit to
the various Christian churches of the earth, the
important messages sent to them by Him who
“holdeth the seven stars in his right hand.”
And one of the most beautiful of these, is the
loving and tenderly reproving message to the
church of Ephesus: “These things saith He
that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand,
who walketh in the midst of the seven golden
candlesticks ; I know thy works, and thy labor,
and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear
them that are evil: and thou hast tried them

which say they are apostles and are not,
and hast found them liars: and hast borne,

and hast patience, and for my name’s sake

hast labored and hast not fainted.”

How encouraging is this! Every time that
these have labored for His name’s sake is known
to Him, who, amid the glorious light of the

heavenly city, has not for one moment forgotten
those, who, walking in the ofttimes o’erclouded

pathways of earth, are striving to labor for Him
there. Not one little labor of love forgotten, if

it bear the inscription, “for His name’s sake.”

After this precious acknowledgment that all
is known to Him, follow the tender words of re-
proof: “ Nevertheless, I have somewhat against
thee, because thou hast left thy first. love.”
How touching is this! And how many of us
are there at the present time, who deem our
selves belonging to the one great Christian