the most plooming cheek, and dim the brightest eye. The first loss of a near friend is an era in life. It seems to awaken us from the dream we had so long indulged—to open to our view the realities of the unseen world. A tie is formed between us and the Invisible, and now a familiar form appears to us among the unknown ones of that spiritland. The heart can hardly believe that the friend on whom it had lavished such affection, with whom all its plans of bliss for life were blended, is indeed removed, and shrinks back from forming any bond which can be so suddenly, so entirely annulled. It had given its affection with a fulness and confidence, unlike the trembling insecurity of those whom years have reft of many dear ones; and this confidence has been completely destroyed. Then first is realized the truth, that the lost cannot return to us-that we must go to them. Too often this bright world is then viewed, not as a sphere where we have allotted duties to perform, but a dreary void, where they are not; and we look up to heaven with delight, not because it is our Father's mansion, but because they are there. Happy are those who have learnt from their first affliction to set their heart on things above!

Anticipated trials are a class of troubles which meet with little sympathy, but must often cloud the brow of the thoughtful and imaginative. The propensity to look forward is natural, and is, in our lighter moments, a source of pleasure; but there are times when the dark side of the picture will present itself. Even with the flush of delight, when we anticipate the acquisition of some long-desired object, blends the idea of melancholy changes that must occur ere our wishes are fulfilled. If our own lives are spared to any length, we must see the decay, if not the death, of our best friends. For the moment, the grief at such calamities is ours, without the strength to sustain it which mercifully accompanies real trials. The first gray hairs that steal around the brow we venerate, carry a chill to the heart; for they remind us, that, when age has set its seal upon that brow, the strong mind we reverenced may

be broken down, and the firm tread changed for the totter ing step of infancy. O, who can anticipate without emotion the helpless second childhood of the honoured and loved! But we must sustain the departure, as well as the decay, of many of these dear ones. How fraught with wretchedness is this idea! It seems, indeed, "easier to die for those we love, than to live without their vanished light," and we cannot believe a ray of joy will fall upon us when these stars are set.

To a woman, the view of the future must be a source of deep anxiety. The uncertainty where her home will be, is more trying, because her greatest happiness or misery will centre within that home. How must she, the timid and retiring, shrink from the idea, that a time may come when she must stand alone and unprotected, a solitary woman, a forsaken wife, or a desolate widow. The possibility of such an event steals upon those who, to all outward appearances, have the greatest prospect of happiness.

"O prophet heart! thy grief, thy power,

To all deep souls belong

The shadow in the musing hour,

The wail in mirthful song."

Such are some of the trials to which the young of our sex may be subjected, even in the bosom of their own kind families. To those arising from misplaced or hopeless affection, we will not advert. They who have felt them know their bitterness; and may those who have not long remain in ignorance! A thousand little perplexities and contrarieties are common to all, and of daily occurrence. Though small in themselves, by their frequency they may injure the temper and impair the happiness.

Yet, after this terrible array of possible and probable trials, we would assert that uniform cheerfulness is imperatively a Christian duty. The worldling may turn away from trouble; the philosopher look upon it with calmness; but the Christian only can smile upon it. Turn now to your blessings and privileges, and see how far they outnumber privations and sorrows. Nay, were your lot all darkness, with no ray

of hope for this life, the possibility of attaining immortal happiness were enough to fill your heart with gratitude. How have you ever deserved the kindness that has reared you, made you capable of enjoyment, and surrounded you with blessings? Do you not fear, if in the midst of these you indulge in repining, something may be taken from you, whose loss will make all you have ever suffered before seem as nothing? You acknowledge, perhaps, the claim3 of gratitude, and desire to fulfil them, but cannot maintain your composure when the pressure of trouble is upon you. It will require great effort to attain that even tenor of mind; but still it is possible. Many suppose that persons of naturally excitable dispositions can easily preserve uniform cheerfalness; but this is far from the truth, for they have constantly the double task of guarding themselves from elevation or depression of spirits. There is continual danger that they will incur the charge of inconsistency, by the appearance of levity or thoughtless mirth. But such should not despair; for if they can properly regulate their unruly spirits, they will become an honour to the cause of religion, and a blessing to those around them.

Cheerfulness may be essentially promoted by the cultivation of a firm trust in the providence of God, active benevolence, and a constant sense of the realities of the world to

come.

All evils, excepting those attendant on our own sins, whether coming through the instrumentality of our fellow-beings, or what are called the chances of life, are inflicted by the hand of God. Let us bear this constantly in mind, with his assurance that all things work together for good to those who love him. If it be ascertained that we are of those who love him, we have no reason to fear, whatever they may be, that our trials will result in anything but our best good. Your cheerfulness, then, should be founded on the belief that you are one of that number, to whom the Father of all has vouchsafed so many promises of his care and protection. It is sometimes difficult to realize that the most trivial events are ordained by the Omnipotent; yet he often brings from

them the most important results. Some slight occurrence will suggest to our minds a thought followed by a train of others, producing a material change in our conduct. Trace in your lives and your hearts the steps by which you have been benefited, and you will see that what at the time seemed to be trials have proved blessings. With the firm persuasion that every affliction is intended for some beneficent end, study, as it were, the purposes of God, and see how you can aid in rendering his chastening useful to yourself. Is a wish denied? Think what evils might have resulted had it been granted. Are those who are nearly connected with you unworthy of respect, and the inflicters of continual pain? Here is a special call upon you to let your light shine, to exercise kindness and forbearance, to avoid those faults which produce such misery, and to place your affections more strongly on that Friend who knew no sin. Do not seek to forget or veil from yourself the extent of your trials. Nothing can produce a more unhappy frame of mind than that caused by turning away from an evil, yet carrying the consciousness of its existence, like a load upon the heart. View, then, your situation in all its bearings, and school yourself with divine assistance, till you can exclaim, with deep sincerity, "Thy will be done!"

From all anticipations of future suffering, perfect faith alone can secure us. How often in the Bible we are exhorted to refrain from anxiety as to what may befall us, and encouraged to cast all our care upon the Lord! If you have consecrated yourself to Him, you have placed yourself entirely at his disposal-do you fear that your confidence has been misplaced? Many of the evils you dread will never happen; and if they do, your Almighty Father has promised, that as your day is, so shall your strength be." The fear of death may have obtained dominion over you, but it may be conquered by fixing your eyes on Him who will guide you through the dark valley himself has trod, and who will receive you in his everlasting arms. Trusting in the wisdom and love of an Almighty Friend, what is there in your present afflictions or future prospects to cloud the sunshine of Christian cheerfulness?

The cultivation of active benevolence is of great assistance in promoting this virtue. Selfishness is always a cause of misery, and the more disinterested we can become, the more our happiness is increased. The mind that continually dwells upon its own thoughts and feelings, will inevitably become gloomy; but, when it looks away from itself, it finds a healthful glow of satisfaction. How many, almost heart-broken, have engaged in works of philanthropy, and found, in their prosecution, that cheerfulness which they feared had for ever fled from them! The consciousness of being the instrument of good, of adding to the sum of human happiness, if only by a kind word, will drive away sad thoughts. When you compare what you deem trials with those of the poor and ignorant, you will learn to blush for your ingratitude. Education has opened to you a thousand sources of pleasure, and competence and station have given you the means of enjoying them. See what bitterness is mingled in every cup; and until you can find one with whom, in every respect, you would wish to exchange, deem not yourself unhappy. Let your life be a succession of efforts for the happiness of others, and you will never complain of being miserable.

But a habit of looking forward to our brighter inheritance is the greatest solace amidst the cares of our present condition. Who heeds the inconveniences of a wintry journey, when at its close he finds himself in the bosom of his dearest friends? How very slight should every evil appear, while the hope of that blest state remains to cheer us! "It will be all the same a hundred years hence," is a common saying; but it is not the language of Christian resignation, or founded in truth. Every trial, if improved, will help us on our way to that rest, where we hope, when ages have elapsed, we may dwell. The sainted spirits that stand around the throne, who "have through great affliction trod," will not consider as of little importance any chastening, which, by purifying their hearts, may have aided in preparing them to sing the song now swelling forth, of "Worthy is the Lamb."

Christian cheerfulness is a valuable auxiliary to Christian morals. They who witnessed that of the ancient martyrs,