heaven. And, for this purpose, let us be encouraged by the good example of those who now inherit the promises in the heavenly mansions; whose advantages were not so great as those which we enjoy, and consequently whose virtues we ought at least to equal, if not to surpass. Let the courtesy and pity of the good Barzillai excite our emulation, that they may not hereafter be produced against us, as a just occasion of shame and reproach. Listen, then, with due respect, to the delineation of this amiable character; and, to every person present, let me address this serious exhortation" As opportunities arise in the changes and "chances of this mortal life, go, and do thou like"wise."

I shall, first, call your attention to a virtue seldom to be met with, in the intercourse which man holds with man, in this selfish world; and that is, his unchangeable affection and disinterested liberality to a friend in distress. When David was suddenly thrown from his elevated situation, and involved in deep and unexpected calamity; when Shimei and others were pursuing him with unrelenting malevolence; when even his own son was conspiring with his ungrateful foes to deprive him of his honours and his life; nothing could shake the fidelity of Barzillai. His conduct was the very reverse of that of mankind in general; it was reserved to those who are in prosperity, but most zealous in offers of assistance to those who stand most in need of aid. When David was invested with power, and surrounded with all that affluence could procure, we hear nothing of this faithful friend-no proffers of needless succour, no ardent declarations of inviolable attachment, no humble strains of soothing

adulation. But, when the same person was reduced to distress, and was wandering in want of all things in the wilderness of Mahanaim, he then steps forth to distinguish himself by providing sustenance for David, while he lay in that destitute and perilous condition.

The world is commonly inclined to give, only to those who can give as much again. When Job wanted the consolations of friendship to alleviate his complicated distresses, his friends had either entirely deserted him, or, if they drew near, it was only to aggravate his calamities by their unjust reproaches. But, we are informed-" When the Lord turned the

captivity of Job, and blessed his latter end more than "his beginning; then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had "been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread "with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, "and comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him. Every man also gave him "a piece of money, and every one an ear-ring of gold." When he wanted no pity, they were ready to bemoan him. When his sorrows were dissipated, they came to comfort him. When his wealth was restored, they offered him money. Actuated by interested motives alone, they did eat bread with him, only because his board could now be abundantly furnished; and they zealously offer him all kinds of assistance, only because he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen. Such is the selfishness, the obduracy, and base ingratitude too often to be met with on this busy stage of human affairs! Let a bare representation of such unworthy deportment excite your abhorrence. Let the words of

consolation flow, and the act of benevolence be displayed at the moment when they will do most good to others, and not when it is supposed they will be most productive of temporal advantage to ourselves. Is thy friend unjustly censured? Vindicate him. Is he poor? Assist him. Is he sorrowful? Endeavour to console him. Let the stream of benevolence be conducted through the dry and parched ground; the verdant meadow wants no extraordinary assistance. This sentiment is thus forcibly expressed in the figurative language of our divine Teacher-"When thou makest a "dinner or a supper, call not thy kinsmen, nor thy "rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a "recompense be made thee. But when thou makest "a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the "blind; and thou shalt be blessed, for they cannot << recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at "the resurrection of the just." By such liberal and exalted motives was. Barzillai actuated; and as the example is rare, it ought to be the more highly commended.

2dly. The next thing which deserves our attention, in this amiable character, is his indifference to the vain amusements and fleeting gratifications of the world. He discloses the prevailing sentiments of his heart in this pathetic and very impressive language-"I am this

day fourscore years old; and can I discern between "good and evil? Can thy servant taste what I eat, "or what I drink? Can I hear any more the voice "of singing-men or singing-women? Wherefore, then, "should thy servant be yet a burden unto my Lord "the King?"

The sensualist will petulantly observe-" Well may VOL. II.

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"he disparage pleasures of this sort, when the infir"mities of old age have thus overwhelmed him. No "wonder, that he sighs for calmness and retirement, "when the senses have thus become dull, and when

every power of life and enjoyment is almost entirely "exhausted." But, do we never see the frivolous amusements and heedless dissipation which are most prevalent in youth, struggling hard to retain their influence even in the decrepitude of age? Do we never see the old fondly cherishing their early habits; sometimes amassing wealth till they stumble into the grave; sometimes indecently attempting with trembling hands to crown their hoary heads with the garlands of boisterous festivity, quite insensible to the many warnings which nature has afforded them of the brevity of human life, and of the necessity of retireing in time, and with becoming dignity, from the fantastic chace of earthly pleasure? If this be too often the case, let us not hesitate to hold up in the most favourable point of view, the deportment of the venerable friend of David. The historian informs us, that he was a very great man. His wealth was not collected merely for the satisfaction of adding store to store; but, for the purpose of divine benevolence. was not the pool of stagnated waters, but the flowing stream which refreshed and fertilized all the neighbouring country. It was used as the instrument to procure rational entertainment, and not dissipated in riot and debauchery, disgraceful in all, but in the aged peculiarly disgusting. He was just retiring from the world, and he murmurs not that the moment of departure is at hand; for he is prepared to retreat with dignity, and can then rest in peace. Let the young look

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forward, in time, to this interesting period of human life. Let them remember, that a virtuous youth is the best mode of providing relief for the infirmities of old age; and that whether our continuance here be of a longer or shorter date, to learn to die well is the great business of man. Let the words of the wise king of Israel sink deep into their hearts-“Truly, the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold. "the sun. But if a man live many years, and rejoice "in them all; yet, let him remember the days of dark"ness, for they shall be many-all that cometh is "vanity. Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and "let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth; " and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of "thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things "God will bring thee into judgment."

3dly. We may observe, that amidst all the infirmities to which our mortal bodies are subject, the affections of the soul may remain vigorous and unimpaired. For himself, Barzillai expressed no concern; but, at the same time, testified a becoming solicitude for the welfare of his son. The wise man hath observed-"That love is strong as death: the coals "thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement "flame. Many waters cannot quench it, neither can "the floods drown it." The love of parents for their offspring is a natural passion, emitting, indeed, a most vehement flame, not to be quenched by floods of care and pain, nor drowned in the deep gulf of mortality and death. When God would express his lovingkindness to man in the most emphatical manner, he employs such allusions as these "Like as a father

pitieth his own children, even so is the Lord merciful