IZ mo 1>TTU4 r , ddti + #5f3 \ ! OJ (440* No. 27- THE LIFE PI; EIL trmh* .-,du/H Cay upon most of our\voster|v Lakes and rivers, I took the j .recant ton lu pro\idc myselfwith a lit' t construction, isousfor doing this v I great coiijiufm-. in thes*s siyiple instruments. They are construc- ted on principle perfectly philosophical. Several individu- al.-, from the qirele of my own acquaintance had been paved by them when in imminent peril. The expense of the article was vr- v trilling. It was tiol at all in the way. So far from |His, j found it a positive convener.! cushion by day ami a pillow by night. !Mj cu&tprn was, every night Vcfore retiring to sleep, io v life-preserver, an 1 see tliat it was where I could place my hand upon it in otU-n when tiie winds blew, and the -.it. I fr\t a n the post i hatwhich.with the bless- ing of pod. might preserve me in an emergency ; and this of it iejf amply repaid me for my piiffcbs ■ ■ Sooiiarterenterin.il the Mississippi river, we wore not a little agitated by an accident whieh befell the boat. The night nk and tempestuous;, and the "Father of svaters" angry and irighttiil. The passengers sprung from their heiths, and rushed together into the main saloon. The accident, proved to bo of small consequence; and th • erv goou subsi- de. 1. Returning to my state room %\ i'li this incident fresh in mind T fell into a Sort o'f waking dream, 1 thought I was oft one of our inland seas, in a violent tempest. Our vessel, dismasted - Tiir. LIFE PRESERVER. and disabled, was rapidly driving on a lee shore. Death, in one of its most frightful forma, was staring ns in the face, for the captain was heard to say, "We arc all gone for this world." The passengers were evidently making ready for the last struggle. And now 1 observed, for the first time, that some, amid the general consternation, seemed perfectly calm and oomposed. They were very solemn but gave no sign of fear On looking again, I saw that they were provided with life- preservers, large and strong, of the very best kind. These they had already attached to their persons, and feeling the utmost confidence in this means of preservation, they were quietly awaiting the issue. An emotion of joy was depicted on their countenances, as if they were thankingGod that they had secured, in good season what was now of great price*. But how shall 1 describe the terrors and dismay of the other passengers, as they passed to and fro before my eye. Very few had any hope of reaching the shore. Their faces were pale, and they wrung their hands in despair. '• What a fool I was," said one. " that I did not buy a life- preserver before 1 loft home. I always meant to do it. They were exposed for sale right before my eye every day. My friends entreated me to procure one, and I promised that I would. I thought 1 could obtain onoat any time. But I put it ojr\ and noiv it is too late." '* I did not believe there was any danger." naid another. ''I have passed over these lakes many times, and never saw such a storm before. 'Tis true, I was warned that come they would, in an hour when I looked not for them ; but as I had passed safely without a life-preserver before I concluded to run the risk anain." Another I observed hastening to his trunk, and returning instantly with the case of a life preserver in his hand, but an expression of blank despair on lus countenance. The article had once been good, but he had not taken care of it. Tie had thrown it loosely among his effects, and it had been punctured by a pin. It was now a .mockery of his woe. He tried to mend it. but this was impossible. There was not time for this. Another produced with groat joy what seemed an excellent life preserver, but when he proceeded to adjust it, he found that he had been cheated It was a counterfeit article. Ho did not procure it at the right place. To all appearance it was sound, It would retain its shape and buoyancy for a while VTIT. LTF1 PRF..31 R V > R - ; but would not bear the pressure or' a man's u ' \ it would answer very well for a few minute-sin smooth water, but rovkl net b* relied on in an emergency. He had never examin- ed it before; and now, in the hour of need, found it utter- ly worthier. At length my eye was arretted by a young man who had been notorious throughout the voyage for hi* gayety and frivolity. On one occasion, during a pleasant day. he had made sport of those who had wisely prepared for the time of peril. He pronounced their forethought a waste of money. And now I saw him addressing a gentleman whom he had previously ridiculed, and in a subdued and anxious manner inquiring whether his life-preserver was not capable of saving them both. The man replied that he would most gladly ex- tend any help in his power, but it was made only for one person and was not warranted to sustain more. Reader, tukrris a Hoi'K WHICH is as an ANCHOR TO THE SOUL, both sure and STEADFAST. The ground on which it rests is the mercy of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The time fa floating when you will certainly need it. Life may now be like a smooth and sunny sea, but very soon you will be amid the swellings, of Jordan. A good hope in Christ is certain to sate. Never did one per- ish who possessed it. It was never known to disappoint in the time of need. Millions have been saved by it ; and God has promised that it shall never make ashamed. Is it not wise for you to obtain it 'i To say the least it can do yon no harm, should there be no judgment nor retribution. It cannot encumber you during your lifetime. It is worth every thing even in prosperous days and beneath cloudless skies. The sense of security which religion creates is ot great price. To know that whatever may happen, you are safe: to be confident that "neither life nor death, things present nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord;" is it not worth more than all silver and gold ? Moreover, this hope may easily be obtained. It is "set be- fore you." It is pressed upon your acceptance. Because of this, do not say that you can obtain it nt any time. Fortius is not true. There is no time to forge and bend an anchor when the storm is raging. It" you postpone repentance too mi: 1.1 rt: v)\y. i n \ long, UUappuiiUiucut and de jtruel i outjemerfy. l>o not delay the pursuit of region. Seek H first of all. Pious friends entreat you to seek it now. The experience of those who have delayed too long, and died "without hope, " warns you to be wise in season. Be careful that your hope is of the right. I mil. There i "hope whiMi perisbeth y.h.-n CJod taketh nwav the soul! Th<-r.- are false spirit-, false religions, false hopes, and countertei'i graces- Examine werl the hop!' which is in you, P>e sure that it rests on the right .foundation, Jesus Christ being the chief corner-stone. If you have found hope in Christ, take earr of ymr hop?. Protect it from injury; watch it ; keep it with all diligence And as you cannot toll the day nor the hour when the Son of man com'eth, be always ready. Let your light be trimmed and burning as men that wait for .their Lord. Death e*ftn- n over be unexpected, if yon are always anticipating it ; nev- er sudden if you are always prepared fur it. Remember, that religion is a concern between your own soul and (