union and abiding fellowship with Christ.  Ye that are mourners here this day: ye that have come to this house of God with bleeding hearts.  Dear Brethren, let your hearts be comforted.  Think of her union with Christ.  Remember well her past fellowship with him.  Think of her now as sleeping with him, and soon about to return with Him.  See what He has already done for her, and let the thought serve to raise your own heart heavenwards.  Let it tend to satisfy your own soul in Him.  Let it lead you to say, “All my fresh springs are in thee,” and may He “supply all you need according to his riches in glory by Chris Jesus!”

And, lastly, you that are still strangers to that blessed Saviour; still unconverted persons, with the burden of sin still on you; with no hope in the advent, and quite unprepared to die; let the death speak to your heart now if the life has failed to reach it.  Perhaps you may be young persons trained in the schools, and under her influence from your very childhood, but still strangers to Christ.  Remember then the earnestness of her exhortations, and the fervour of her prayers.  Remember how she longed for your souls, and let this be the last day either of hardness or indifference.  Could that voice speak from the grave how earnestly would it now appeal to you, and let the recollection of that voice now silenced move each stubborn heart to turn to God.  The offer is now made to you, and none can say he is excluded.  The atonement was made for all, and the offer is made freely to each individual.  “Hear, and your soul shall live.”  It is impossible that any offer more magnificent could be made to the sinner.  Here is pardon, peace, joy, union, resurrection, and everlasting fellowship with God, all offered to the most guilty sinner, and all without money and without price.  Shall men remain hardened?  Shall the sinner remain indifferent?  Shall there be none this day resolved to cast themselves at his feet, that all sin may be blotted out through his blood, that when they depart hence, they may sleep in Him; and that when the trumpet shall sound, they may rise at his bidding, and spend eternity in the full enjoyment of his everlasting love?

John Colbran, Printer, High Street, Tunbridge Wells.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLESSED HOPE***