What availeth to live long, when we are so little the better? Alas! long life doth not always mend us; but often increased guilt. O, that we had spent but one day well in this world! When it is morning, think thou mayst die before night. When evening comes, dare not to promise thyself the next morning. Be therefore always in readiness; and so live that death may never take thee unprepared. Many die suddenly, and when they look not for it; for “in such an hour as you think not, the Son of man cometh.” Matt. xxiv: 44. When that last hour shall come, thou wilt have a far different opinion of thy whole life. How wise and happy is he, that laboreth to be such in his life as he would wish to be found at the hour of his death. Whilst thou art in health, thou mayst do much good, but when thou art sick, I know not what thou wilt be able to do. Few by sickness grow better; and they who travel much are seldom sanctified. Trust not in friends and kindred, neither put off the care of thy soul till hereafter, for man will sooner forget thee than thou art aware of. If thou art not careful for thyself now, who will be careful for thee hereafter? The time present is very precious; now are the days of salvation, now is the acceptable time. But alas! that thou shouldst spend thy time no better here, where thou mightest purchase life eternal. The time will come when thou shalt desire one day or hour to amend in, and I can not say it will be granted thee. Ah fool! why dost thou think to live long, when thou canst not promise thyself one day! How many have been deceived, and suddenly snatched away! How often dost thou hear, such a man is slain, another is drowned, a third has broken his neck with a fall; this man died eating, and that playing? One perished by fire, another by sword, another of the plague, another was slain by thieves! Thus death is the end of all, and man’s life suddenly passeth away like a shadow. Who shall remember thee when thou art dead? Do, do now, my beloved, whatsoever thou art able to do: for thou knowest not when thou shalt die, nor yet what shall be after thy death. Now, while thou hast time, lay up for thyself everlasting riches. Keep thy heart free, and lifted up to God, because thou hast here no abiding city. Send thither thy daily prayers, and sighs, and tears, that after death thy spirit may happily pass to the Lord. _Amen._ POLITICAL ECONOMY. By G. M. STEELE, D.D. III. EXCHANGE. 1. Exchange is the mutual and voluntary transfer of the right of property held by different persons. This implies, (_a_) the existence of the _right of property_; (_b_) that the transfer must be _mutual_, otherwise there is no exchange; (_c_) that it be _voluntary_, otherwise it would be robbery.