on most favorable
for its true estimation. Transplant yourself into the heavenly state;
contemplate a blood-washed soul in all its peace, its joy, it
ravishment, as it circulates about the throne of love, approaching
nearer and nearer to its blissful centre, constantly increasing in
capacities, and more and more joyful in its high hallelujahs, till it
shall enjoy more blessedness in a single hour, than Gabriel has enjoyed
since the moment of his creation. Behold it, as it shines, a star, in
the Saviour's diadem; gaze upon it purifying and brightening there as
revolutions of eternity's time move on, till it shall attract the
admiration of the heavenly throngs, and call forth from their wondering
harps symphonies louder and more rapturous than have yet been heard in
that world of sweetest hosannahs. The comparative worth of money
hoarded or wasted, and the of the ransomed soul to itself, to the
Saviour who redeemed it, to the adoring hosts whose fruitions are
enhanced by the displays of grace evinced in its redemption, will be
then clearly seen. Oh, how trifling will that money which has been
squandered or grudgingly withheld from charity then appear, contrasted
with the results in glorified souls of what was cheerfully and
prayerfully bestowed. The condition of the churl and the liberal, how
different then! He who hoarded most will then be found the poorest; and
he who gave most with the greatest sacrifices, the richest.

17. The brevity of the period allotted us to labor and to make
sacrifices for the salvation of men. "A point of time, a moment's
space," is all we have. What we do in charity, the labors we perform,
the privations we suffer, must all be accomplished or endured soon. The
distress we relieve, the souls we save, the joys we inspire, must feel
the quickening hand of mercy without delay. Time is on his rapid wing.
Thousands who need our help are perishing daily; the entire generation
now occupying this stage of toil and probation, the great Destroyer will
speedily sweep from the scene. Almost "in the twinkling of an eye" we
shall stand together before the judgment throne. He who died to save
the poor as well as the rich, the heathen as well as the evangelized, is
now speaking from heaven; "whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with
thy might."

These are some of the intellectual views and obligations which should be
_systematized_ in the mind, forming both inducements to, and a
constituent