Page:Sermons preached in the African Protestant Episcopal Church of St. Thomas', Philadelphia.djvu/216

212 region above, where is fulness of joy and pleasures forevermore. I entreat you then, above all things, to get this wisdom—the wisdom that includes a preparation against that hour, when the earth shall recede and disappear, and eternity with all her awful realities, shall break in upon your astonished sight. Prepare, by breaking off your sins, by righteousness and turning to the Lord, in full purpose of heart. Prepare, by obtaining an interest in the merits of Christ, who died for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. He is your only hope. He is the only rod and staff that can comfort you when called to pass the valley and shadow of death. He is the "bright and morning star" that can light up your pathway from earth to heaven. Then be wise. Choose him for your portion. Take him for your "all in all." Pass through things temporal, so as not to lose those things that are eternal; counting all things but loss, so that you may win Christ, and be found of him in peace.