A Christian must be sober, solemn, earn-
est. He must not treat as a light matter his
responsibilities, his duties, his vows, his re-
lations to man and God, and his solemn ac-
count at the last great day.

You need not be morose, gloomy, cheer-
less. You may “rejoice always,” but let
it always be “in the Lord.” But be ear-
nest still. Life is not a play; sin is not a
trifle; death is not a sport; judgment and
eternity, heaven and hell, are not a dream!

Our own lost condition by nature, our own
lying under the power of sin and death, is a
reality that ought to arouse us, and cause us
to tremble and pray. We are candidates
for eternity; we are hastening towards its
awful realities; and shall we amuse our-
selves and sport with vanities upon this
dreadful brink.

Eternity! stupendous theme!
Compared herewith our life’s a dream;
Eternity! O awful sound,
A deep, where all our thoughts are drowned!

The thought of what Jesus has done for
us, ought to make us earnest. Redemption
was not a trifle! The humiliation, the sacri-
fice, and the sufferings of our Immanuel,
were such as to astonish heaven, earth, and
hell. There, in our nature, hangs the aton-
ing God!

The skies He formed, and now He bleeds for me!
There hangs all human hope; that nail supports
The falling universe: that gone, we drop!
O what a groan was there! a groan not His;
He heaved the mountain from a guilty world!

Think often of that price, “all price be-
yond;” and neglect not that soul which is the
purchase of such agonies and blood.

Think often of your vows. They are
heard on earth. They are recorded in heaven.
They will meet you in a dying hour! They
will meet you before the “great white
throne!” Fulfil your vows, by a life of
piety. Often refresh and animate your
heart, with the solemn remembrance of
them, at the table of the Lord. And may

High heaven, that heard your solemn vow,
That vow renewed still daily hear,
Till in life’s latest hour you bow,
And bless in death a bond so dear.

PART II.