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BY THE SAME AUTHOR.

The CHRISTIAN Contemplated in a COURSE of LECTURES. Fourth Edition. 12s.

TWO VOLUMES of SERMONS. Fourth Edition. £1. 1s.

FOUR VOLUMES of SHORT DISCOURSES, for the USE of FAMILIES. Fourth Edition. £1. 16s.

The DOMESTIC MINISTER's ASSISTANT; or, PRAYERS for the Use of FAMILIES. Eleventh Edition. 9s.

A SERMON on the DUTIES of HUSBANDS and WIVES. Seventh Edition. 1s. 6d.

MEMOIRS, SINGLE SERMONS, and ESSAYS.

MORNING EXERCISES

FOR THE CLOSET.

JANUARY 1.—" On the first day month shalt thou set up the tabernacle."

of the first Exodus xl. 2.

AND why was this period chosen for the erection? God has always reasons for his conduct; but He does not always "give account of any of his matters." We may, however, make two remarks here. First. Things that are the same to God, are not the same to us. Our goodness extendeth not to Him: religion regards the exigencies of man: and when these are subserved, its provisions will be needless. John saw no temple in the New Jerusalem. All places are alike to God; yet we never feel in a common dwelling, the solemnity that seizes us in the sanctuary. The first day of the year was no more to God than any other; but it would render the service more memorable and impressive to the people; therefore says He, "On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle." Secondly. It is well to begin a new year with some good work; and to commence serving God after a new manner.

And have we no tabernacle to set up on this first day of this first month?

Let us begin the year with solemn reflection-and say, with Job, "when a few years are come I shall

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go the way whence I shall not return." Let me not only believe this; but think of it, and feel the importance of the sentiment. Yes, in a little time I shall be no more seen. How? Where? shall I be disposed of? The seasons will return as before: but the places that now know me, will know me no more for ever. Will this be a curse? or a blessing? If I die in my sins, I shall return no more to my possessions and enjoyments; to the calls of mercy; to the throne of grace; to the house of prayer! If I die in the Lord, I shall (O blessed impossibility!) return no more to these thorns and briers; to this vain and wicked world; to this aching head; to this throbbing heart; to these temptations, and troubles, and sorrows, and sins.

Let us begin the year with self-inspection-and say, with the chief butler, "I do remember my faults this day." We are prone to think of the failings of our fellow-creatures, and often imagine, because we are free from their faults, that we are faultless: but we may have other faults; we may have worse; and while a mote is in our brother's eye, a beam may be in our own. Let us be open to conviction. Let us deal faithfully with our own hearts. Let us not compare ourselves with others, and especially the more vile of our fellow-creatures; but with our advantages; with our knowledge; with our professions; with the law of God.

Let us begin the year with a determination to abandon whatever appears sinful-and say, with Elihu, "If I have done iniquity, I will do no more. Should the evil course or the evil passion solicit, let it plead in vain, while the Saviour-Judge says-" If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."

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