AMONG all the evils of life, that of slavery one of the hardest to bear. To be totally subj to the will of such a mischievous, capricious cr ture as man, is certainly very grievous.

In compassion to this miserable part of human species, the apostle St. Paul is frequ in his advice to them. He tells them in ge ral, that he was not authorized to make a change in the civil establishments of manki All he could do for them was to administer pics of consolation. Many of them, no doub one, we know-he converted to christiani and if he could not make them happy in one w he did it in another.

Among christians, the idea of service is cha ed; and (except in one instance, which is a grace to a christian legislature,) the servant is free as his master. But though the nature service is changed; yet still, as there must

effectual to a well-disposed mind than the text: in which all mankind are taught to consider themselves as the members of one great family, under God. As in a private family there are different stations; so there are likewise in God's great family. And all people should make themselves satisfied with those stations, in which they are placed, by considering themselves as connected with a still greater Master than their earthly one; and should look upon their stations, rather as employments under God, than as services imposed by man. And though many of these employments may be hard, yet it is a consolation to those who suffer under them, that they have a great, and kind Master in heaven, who beholds their patient sufferings with a tender eye.

The happiness, that would result under this great principle of doing service as to the Lord, and not to man, might be considered at large, both as it respects mankind in general, and individually.

THE fate of the world from the time of Ada

to the time of Christ; and likewise of that in nite number of human beings, since that tim who have never heard of the gospel-has oft excited the compassion of good christians. Th have bewailed the everlasting perdition of many millions of people. It is true, our Savio gave a short answer to some, who made an i quiry about a matter of this kind: Lord, a there few that shall be saved? Trouble yourselves, said he, with the case of others. Lea them in the hands of a merciful God. But let be your care to attend to what concerns you selves.

Such passages, however, as the text, of whi there are several, seem to throw light enou upon this subject to give us all the satisfaction want. We may be assured, that God will nev punish men for what they cannot help; but w judge without law, those that have sinned wit out law.

what occasion is there to advance the gospel further? That the great and gracious atonement should be made at some time, we can easily con⚫ ceive: but when it was made, was not all done, that was necessary to be done? If men may be saved as well through the merits of Christ in a state of nature, as in a state of grace; why should the apostles be so earnest in propagating the christian religion themselves, and in their injunctions to all succeeding ministers to follow their example?

This, I own, is more of a difficulty than the other; because this earnestness has the appearance, as if the souls of men were really concerned. I shall endeavour to solve it.

Some have endeavoured to solve it by supposing christians to receive, at the end of their la bours, a greater reward than other men. I think we have no authority for taking upon us to portion out God Almighty's favours. We are told indeed, that the dead in Christ should rise first.

But