AN IMPORTANT ERA. 113

friends. With what grateful joy did I rest upon my
pillow that night!

In two days more another letter came. It was in
an unknown hand, sealed with black. I hastily opened
it. My father was dead ! “Tt was sad, but not unex-
pected news. “Your father died happy, happy ! com-
mitting his soul, in confidence, into the hands of his_
Redeemer, and happy in the hope that-his son had
_ found the same Refuge. His last words were as if
speaking to you: ‘You have got all now, Robert:
compass, chart, anchor, rudder, all !—you are heading
right—keep on your course, my dear boy! Thank
God! thank God !’”

What a satisfaction it has ever been to me since,
that my good father’s last hour was brightened with
such holy joy ! .

‘*Time is earnest, passing by;
Death is earnest, drawing nigh;

Sinner, wilt thou trifling be ?
- Time and death appeal to thee.

* Life is earnest; when ’tis o'er
‘Thou returnest never more.
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