AN ORATION

DELIVERED

AT THE GRAVE OF MRS. DAVIES, JAN. 18, 1809.

HAD we been called to attend the funeral of a sinner dying without repentance and faith, our thoughts would have descended still lower than the grave; they would necessarily have been carried down to the pit from whence there is no recovery, to "that place of torment" which admits of no relief. He who does not repent, inevitably perishes. He who believes not in Christ is a stranger to his salvation. Were we at the grave of such a sinner, fear and trembling would take hold upon us, and with horror we might cry out, "how dreadful is this place!"

Blessed be God, on the contrary, we meet at the last home of a true believer-we have come to the funeral of a saint. He who hath said, "Behold, I make all things new," has altered the nature of death and the grave to his redeemed people.

"Death is no more the king of dread,

Since our Immanuel rose.'

Nor is the grave now to be viewed as a prison,

but a chamber of repose where the heavenly traveller rests and sleeps in Jesus. This is not an eternal sleep; it is but for a night, the blessed morning of the resurrection will assuredly succeed. The archangel's trump "with sweet salvation in the sound" will awaken such. Yes-then the dead in Christ will arise with a new and heavenly form possessed of undecaying vigour and eternal beauty; and so shall they meet their Lord, and be ever with him.

These, these are the sure and certain hopes we entertain of our pious friend whose mortal remains we now inter. She was one highly favoured of the Lord; she knew him, or rather was known of him, in early life. The sacred love which drew her heart to God, fixed it also in attachment to his truth, his interests, his people, and his glory. By a life of vital faith in Christ Jesus and communion with him, her religion became like a river both deep and broad; it possessed a depth of genuine experience and a breadth of uniform practice. It was in connection with a growth of faith and holiness, that she highly valued, and conscientiously observed the sacred appointments and ordinances of the Lord.

This gave an attractive influence to her closet. This made the religion of the family truly pleasant to her. This made the sabbath of the Lord and his worship her delight. Without enlarging, permit me to say, the gracious presence of her God was the object of her supreme desire. The gracious presence of her God was her support and her theme

unto the last. The glorious presence of her God is her blissful, her eternal portion.

On her account we have cause for joy and praise. We may mourn for ourselves. Those who knew her cannot wonder that the poor regret her removal, that her pious friends feel their loss, and that her surviving partner grieves. Let us, however, meditate upon those truths which properly regarded, may preserve us from immoderate sorrow. Should I suggest any thing which may contribute to comfort one who has been the honoured instrument of comforting many of the Lord's people, I shall be amply rewarded.

Let us, then, remember that this event was necessary. It was of necessity that she passed through Jordan to possess the Canaan which she loved. It was of necessity that she put off her earthly habiliments in order to put on the robes of glory. It was of necessity that she should conflict with the last enemy, that her victory might be complete.

In connexion with the necessity, let us also remember the mercy, the peculiar mercy afforded unto her. That the adversary, that "roaring lion" was so checked that he could not terrify her, was no small mercy. That her inward man was renewed day by day, while the outward was day by day perishing, was great mercy. To be kept in perfect peace of mind, and thus enabled to bear an honourable testimony to the power, grace, and faithfulness of Christ as she did, to see beyond the dark valley the path of life and angelic conductors

beyond the dark valley, were mercies afforded to her, but withheld from many of God's dear children.

Let us also remember her eternal gain. How great the deliverance she has obtained! What a vast accession to her knowledge! what perfection of purity! how consummate her joy! what glory to crown the whole! An exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Wherefore, comfort yourselves and one another with these things.

We should not leave this solemn place without a solemn inquiry-What prospects open to myself? what prospects for eternity? for eternity? This is inseparable from personal state and character. What will it avail me to have a fair prospect for this world, but all darkness and gloom for the future? Have you been convinced of sin and melted in contrition? Have you fled as for your life to Christ? life to Christ? Are you born of the Spirit from above? Are you a follower of the Lamb? Do you show forth his praise?