The Greatest Joy of Life.
DR. CHALMERS said : "Unless I make religion my great and engrossing concern, I shall be a stranger to all peace and enjoyment. I have at times caught a glimpse of the comfort which it yields to the spirit, when I merge my will into God's will—when I resolve to have no will of my own separate from God. I feel quite assured that this renunciation of self, and entire devotion to God's service, would give a simplicity and grandeur to my existence—would throw an unclouded sunshine over all my ways—would raise me above the cares and provocations of life—would enhance even my sensible gratifications of a higher order, which constitute the main and essential blessings of Heaven. O my God, may it be thus with me! Call me out of nature's darkness into thine own marvelous light. Give me to aspire after the graces, and hold forth to my acquaintances, and, above all, to my children, the example of righteousness! Conform me to the gospel economy under which I sit, that as Christ died for my sin, I may die to it; that as he arose again, I may rise to a newness of life and feel it is my meat and drink to do thy will."