take away that which is another's. Nothing is thine own, but what thy parents and friends do give unto thee, nor will they let thee want what is necessary and proper for thee. But if without their knowledge or consent, thou takest more than they allow, this is a secret robbery, and base purloining from them; this is to cheat and defraud thy friends and parents in a private and clandestine way.

I mention this first, because this is the foundation of most children's growing up into thieves. They begin at home with a liberty of being their own carvers; they take things without asking leave; they learn to hide and to convey away, and to sharp in little trifles within doors; till by degrees, they go abroad to practice other arts of stealth and mysteries of iniquity.

But, dear child, be just and honest in all thy dealings; keep thy hands from picking and stealing; and covet not another man's goods. Take what is thine own, and go thy way. Content is the greatest virtue, and the greatest blessing. Any stolen treasure will prove, like Achan's wedge, a cursed thing. There have been many examples of unhappy children, who began pilfering with pins and trifles, till the devil had drawn them into grosser acts of thievery, and brought them to a place of execution upon earth, and to a worse place of torments in hell.

Thirdly, IDLENESS, my child, is to be avoided, as the temptation which will draw thee into all other mischief. Consider, thou art not born to be a useless burden of the earth, thou art born to be an active creature, and to do good

in thy generation. Thou art to be bred up to industry in some honest employ; to support thyself and to provide for others. This is rational and manly: but idleness and sloth are the property of brutes, and even of the worst of them; for the Apostle from the poet does imply, that they are the 'evil beasts' which have the 'slow bellies.'

What a misfortune it is to some younger persons, that partly by the negligence of their friends, and partly by their own sluggish temper, they doze and dream away their precious time! They contract a habit of laziness and dulness while they are children, which they can scarce shake off all the days of their life. They are left to loiter abroad, and to linger at home, till their body is all heaviness, and their very soul is a lump; till they are stupified into drones or sots, to feed on others labor, and devour what is not their

own.

Therefore the Scriptures have so many lessons of industry and application to business. And the Apostle Paul is so hearty a promoter of pains and labor, so zealous an enemy to idleness and ease, that he would have it made into a law, that' if any would not work, neither should they eat.'

My dear boy, be not of a slow and softly nature: have a sprightly, nimble body, with a bright and ready mind. Love exercise, and have somewhat to do, though to never so little purpose. Follow your book with an edge and appetite for learning; and then return to thy sports and recreations with activity and all thy strength. Move light and easy; have thy hands and feet at command; be rather a

little eager than mopish; thy reputation and thy fortune will depend upon it. Hear Solomon, observing by experience and wisdom from above, that' drowsiness will clothe a man with rags: But seest thou a man diligent in his business: He shall stand before kings: he shall not stand before mean men.'

Lastly, ILL COMPANY, is a fatal danger, which thou must decline, as thou wouldest diseases and death. For indeed vice and sin are the leprosy and plague of the mind and soul, and like the same infectious distempers in the body, they seldom breed of themselves; they are caught from some others.

And therefore it is as dangerous for young persons to converse with those who are corrupted in their minds, as with those who are tainted in their flesh and blood: the poison does insensibly spread and communicate itself, so that all catch the same malady, who keep the same company.

Alas! how many hopeful young persons have we seen, beginning the world in sober and industrious ways, who falling among ill companions, have quickly been made like unto them, and have followed them on to a scandalous life, and perhaps to a shameful death!

My child, mind and observe thy school-fellows and companions; where thou findest any of good nature and good manners, disposed to virtue and religion, make choice of such for thy familiar friends; love their sweet and innocent society, and imitate their good example. But where thou findest a naughty, vicious boy, where thou canst point out

a liar, or a thief, or a swearer, set a mark upon him, and shun all manner of conversation with him. Hearken to the wise man of God, My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, come with us, or cast thy lot among us: my son, walk thou not in the way with them, refrain thy foot from their path.'

And now, my dear child, I have no more to say to thee, but to beg and to pronounce God's blessing on thee.

And may you be taught knowledge and discretion, and the Lord prosper thee in all thy ways.

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A MOTHER'S WISH.

SWEET smiling cherub! if for thee
Indulgent Heaven would grant my prayer,
And might the threads of destiny
Be woven by maternal care,

No golden wishes there should twine
If thy life's web was wrought by me,
Calm, peaceful pleasures should be thine,
From grandeur and ambition free!

I would not ask for courtly grace
Around thy polished limbs to play,
Nor beauty's smile to deck thy face,
(Given but to lead some heart astray.)

I would not ask the wreath of fame
Around thy youthful brow to twine;
Nor that the Statesman's envied name,
And tinselled honors, should be thine!
Ne'er may war's crimsoned laurels bloom
To crown thee with a hero's wreath,
(Like roses smiling o'er a tomb,
Horror and death lie hid beneath ;)
Nor yet be thine his feverish life
On whom the fatal Muses smile;
The poet, like the Indian wife,
Oft lights his own funereal pile!

No! I would ask, that virtue bright
May fix thy footsteps, ne'er to stray,
That meek religion's holy light

May guide thee through life's desert way.
That manly sense, and purest truth

A breast, contentment's chosen shrine,
May through the slippery paths of youth
Unstained, untarnished, still be thine!

That love's chaste flame-that friendship's glow
May kindle in thy generous breast:

That peace, (which greatness ne'er can know,)
Be thy calm pillow's nightly guest.

Sweet smiling infant! if for thee
Indulgent Heaven would hear my prayer,

Thus should the web of destiny

Be woven by a mother's care.