604 DEATUI Or KINDRED. have behaved aright or no, and when it quickens our duty to sur- viving relatives. While they are alive, and present with us, our neglect of duty towards them does not so soon strike our consciences ; but when the stroke of death divides them from us in this world foe ever, we are ready then to bethink ourselves, whether our carri- age toward them has been just and kind : And if our enquiry finds out out guilt, our hearts are tender at that season, and we soon yield to the conviction. " Did I pay that duty to a father, which he well deserved, and which God required? Did I treat amother with that filial affection, and submissive tenderness that became a child? Did I pay that just deference and honour to the counsels and advice of my parents as I should have done ? Did I treat my sisters with that decent affection and respect that became me ? And did I exercise brotherly love toward all my equal relatives ? Or lias my conduct been undutiful, unkind, and unbecoming? And' especially if we have this to charge ourselves with, that we took no care for the welfare of the souls of those that are dead. Such thoughts as these will hang 'heavy about the heart, and press hard upon the conscience in that day. " Did I not see my child ormy brother walk in the ways of sin : and yet (lid I ever give him a hint of his dreadful danger ?. Did I fear that hewas a stranger to the grace of God, and yet did I not neglect to invite him to receive the gospel ? Had I not reason to ques- tion whether he was a sincere convert or no ? But how little have I done toward his conversion ? " Or if he was ever concerned about the affairs of his soul, and awakened and thoughtful about death and hell, did 1 direct him in the way ofpeace ? Did I endeavour to lead him to Jesus the Saviour ? Or did I let him go on without instruction, and without comfort, till death laid its cold hands upon him, and he plunged into the eternal world at a mournful uncertainty ? O my heart ! my heart ! The anguish of it pains me beyond what 1 am able to bear. O that I could retal my bròther, or my son from the grave ! How would I follow himwith counsels and en- treaties ? And neither give him nor myself any rest, till I had good hope, through grace, that he had fled for refuge to lay hold on Christ and his salvation. I would never be at ease, norwould I cease pleading for him at the throne of grace, fill I had found some evidences of a new nature in him, and a change of heart from sin to repentance and holiness. " Or suppose my departed relative was a true christian, what did I do toward the increase of his faith ? Did I ever allure him to holy conversation? Did I take occasion now and then to introduce religious discourse ? Did I converse with him
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