PROCRASTINATION OF RELIGION. 'Procrastination is the thief of time. YOUNG. AMONG the innumerable snares which Satan continually spreads to draw souls to destruction, there is none more prevalent, more ensnaring, nor more fatal than procrastination. Once under the power of this delusion, vainly the Spirit awakens the conscience, and instils fears? Alas! too transient, it is quenched by the awful phrase, not now, but at a future convenient season; and the soul again relapses into slumber: as dangerous as the sleep of travellers in snowy regions. Vainly warnings strike from death-beds and from the chilly grave, vainly contemporaries perish suddenly and in the pride of youth, the deluded heart closes itself against the pleadings of death, conscience, and the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, and entrenches itself in the determination of future amendment. Alas! year after year sees this amendment still adjourned, year after year the spirit wanders farther from its Maker: it becomes more frozen with each winter of absence from the Sun of Righteousness, while guilt after guilt is added to the avalanche which must finally fall, and crush him who allowed it to accumulate. Oh, the unspeak able fearfulness of growing daily more torpid, while the entreaties of the Spirit become fainter and fainter, until the soul is perhaps left to itself and hears them not: for the mandate is gone forth, "My Spirit shall not always strive with man." What performer upon the harp or flute, has not found that after long disuse of the instrument, the most familiar strains will refuse to come at a summons? Yet man, frail man thinks that at any time he can tune his heart in concert with the harps of heaven. Now, were it in the power of the human heart to change itself, man might dare to procrastinate, though with fearful risk: but it were easier for the Ethiopian to change his skin, or the leopard his spots. Therefore, O rash soul, why dost thou turn away the Spirit of God when he strives with thee, when "thou knowest not whether after long rejection and scorn, it may refuse to come at thy bidding." Hear the word of the Lord, "Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof; I also will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer: they shall 'seek me early, but they shall not find me." Prov. i. 24. &c. O, that this awful passage might rouse every soul, and urge all to flee from the wrath to come, before that night cometh when no man can work. The procrastinator often argues, 'Since it is the Holy Spirit which must change my heart, I can do nothing but wait for its operation.' What a different conclusion does St. Paul draw from this fact: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in you to will and to do of his own good pleasure." Phil. ii. 12. The Spirit alone can waft you back to the post of peace, it is true, but would you not deem a mariner mad who should lie under bare poles, waiting for the wind to convey him to a distant shore? You too must 'Spread the sails, and catch the breezes Sent to waft you through the deep.' We will not dwell upon this pretext, because those who use it are aware it is an excuse to soothe their conscience, and not the real motive of delay. O procrastinator, reflect upon thy present position. Thou art shutting thyself from the smiles of a Father; thou treadest a path unshielded by his providence, for "the Lord preserveth all them that love him;" (Psalm cxlv. 20.) but thou dost not love him ; thou wilt not that thy Saviour should plead for thee, for "he maketh intercession for those that come to God by him;" (Heb. vii. 25.) but thou hast not come to God by him. God keeps "in perfect peace the mind who is stayed upon him, for he trusteth in him;" (Isaiah xxvi. 4.) but thou dost not trust in him, and hast no peace except that produced by thine opiate. "All things shall work together for good to them that love God;" (Rom. viii.) but thou mayest tremble, for at present they work not thy good. Canst thou live in such a state, without one promise, and leaving all to the future? Where is the future? It is not-it may never be." Go to, now ye that say to-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city. Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? vapour, that appeareth for a little vanisheth away." James iv. 13, 14. 66 It is even as a time, and then "Boast not thy self of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Prov. xxvii. 1. Thou who hast not one day's lease of thy life, darest thou build upon years? These words may seem harsh, but he who would guard a trifler upon the brink of a precipice should point out its depth; how much more so when the consequences of a fall are eternal. The writer is not authorized by holiness of life, or consistency of Christian conduct to write thus, but we are commanded to “exhort one another daily, while it is called to day, lest any of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Heb. iii. 13. 66 Behold, now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation." Hear now the Saviour's voice of love: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me." Rev. iii. 20. 'To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts; "stifle not the conviction which would bid you open unto them. 66 The example of Felix is a fearful one ; tremblingly he said to Paul, Go thy way for this time, when I have a convenient season I will call for thee." Acts xxiv. 25. The convenient season never came. Reader, be not thou a Felix, neither say with some giddy youth, Let us enjoy this world first, and then seek the next.' If you wish to enjoy this world really, let the exceeding love of God the Father induce you to take refuge under the wings of his providence, there to pass life secure, that he will guide you by his counsel, and afterwards receive you to his glory; and that all things, even bitter afflictions, shall work your good. Let the intense love of the Saviour induce you now to consecrate life to him who not only died for you, but waits, he lives to make intercession for you. Oh that you may seek the Holy Spirit, who is able to revive the slumbering soul and strengthen the weak; whose breath can kindle the warmth of genuine devotion to replace the cold lip-worship, the semblance of prayer which man is so prone to offer. So shall you journey on in perfect peace. The beauty of a passing world shall dimly pourtray the transcendent loveliness of that world whence the blight of sin is excluded; the flood of moonlight, bathing creation in its silvery beams, shall remind you of the sleepless providence which still watches with all pervading light over a slumbering world; the bright starry worlds, as "they beckon to heaven" shall soothingly remind you that the boundless power and love which formed and preserves them, shines upon your path, and is pledged to guide and shield your steps. Yet creation's many voices are dumb compared with that internal world which exists within the Christian's soul. Then, whatever open or hidden trials may disturb, what anxieties may or do assault your mind, you will feel the unspeakable blessing of pouring them all out in prayer; of casting all your care on him, secure that he cares for you, and rising with happy hope and faith, having rolled the whole burden on the Lord. You will not wish "to enjoy this world" only, when once the love of God is shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Ghost; when you feel that the eye of omniscient love watches over you with more than a |