counter duty of consulting, in all their predilections, the hearts of their children. I know of no act of tyranny more cruel, than availing themselves either of the authority with which the laws of their country arm them, or the influence with which nature invests them, to urge against the affections and the judgment, the formation of a connexion which cannot be dissolved, and which must necessarily involve the happiness, or misery, of an entire life.

The example of Moses-at the height of his power and grandeur-in the reverence which he paid to Jethro, who was only his father in-lawshould teach filial duty.

Solomon never appeared so great, as when he rose from his throne, and bowed himself before his mother, Bathsheba-when she appeared as a petitioner, and he was discharging the duties of a sovereign.

Ruth-gentle, excellent Ruth-throws upon filial duties the lustre of an almost unrivalled example. "Entreat me not," said she, "to leave thee, or to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest I will go, and where thou lodgest I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. Where thou diest I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me." And she received a full recompense from "the Lord God of Israel, under the shadow of whose wings she came to trust."

Timothy, sitting at the feet of his mother Eunice,

and his grandmother Lois, and learning from them the truths of those "Scriptures which were able to make him wise unto salvation, through faith that is in Christ Jesus," must interest every youthful heart.

But a greater than all these, "JESUS himself subject to his parents," put the crown of glory upon the head of filial duty.

These claims are also indissoluble. Oh! I would not, for the universe, carry in my bosom, for one hour, the scorpion stings which must torment the ungrateful child, when he turns from the grave of his parent. But he, who has carried his filial obligations and tenderness to the last sad offices, and fixed to them no limit but that which death prescribes, may in that solemn moment lift his eyes to heaven, and to the Parent who reigns there, and say, "My Father, thou shalt be the guide of my youth❞—and he shall be accepted!

SUICIDE.

No sophistry can justify, no eloquence can palliate, no example can consecrate this offence against God, society, and the individual himself. Insanity, indeed, if it be really substantiated, by depriving the individual of a reasonable control over his passions, absolves him from moral responsibility. But in the face of this offence, it is such a palpable sin against nature and providence, that charity induces

the conclusion of mental aberration, frequently upon very slender evidence. This reluctance to believe that the act could be done, except under the influence of a disordered judgment, speaks loudly the general conviction of mankind as to the guilt of self-murder. That will admit of no satisfactory defence which the common sense, and the common feeling of mankind regard with abhorrence; and which their compassion for the offender, condemns but the more strongly. Although nature is depraved, there are certain great principles remain not wholly obliterated-the traces of original rectitude-and which are recognized in all ages, and among all nations: and when these are restored by divine influence, the man becomes a christian. This is called "the renewing of the mind." But in their common state, they revolt from self-murder, as an act equally condemned by reason, conscience, and religion. The last is the infallible guide; and serves as a light to the operations of the former.

The origin of suicide may be, therefore, traced almost uniformly to infidelity—either of the heart, or of the judgment-or of both. It is because men either persuade themselves that "that there is no God"-and this conclusion is so great an absurdity, that even the fool dares only to whisper it "in his heart”— —or they suppose that he takes no cognizance of human events; that he is too great to be interested in what is passing among men; that he has abandoned the world which he made

to chance; and that, even if his general providence be admitted, he leaves unregarded the interests of the individual, who may, therefore, slide away unnoticed from the aggregate of society-or they conclude that there is no future state, and that the worst that can happen befals them here; from which calamity they may deliver themselves by self-destruction-or they judge of him, rather by their wishes and exigencies, than by the revelation of his character which he has made in his word; and hope that he will not visit for these things, and that the extremity will excuse the offence-or they boldly set his justice, his power, his laws, and his authority, at defiance; and as they were not parties to their own being in its grant, they are not bound to wait its close, or they will not obey his mandate to that effect:-to one of these causes, all of which spring from infidelity, must the crime of suicide be traced, whenever it does not originate in insanity. The only exception that can be imagined is, a sudden frenzy, induced by uncontrollable circumstances overpowering reason but this, if it unseat the reason only for a time, is insanity: if it be a burst of passion, to which the reason yields without being dispossessed of her throne, whatever be the provocation, the result is criminal: because the passions ought to have been so habitually guarded, as in no case, so long as the understanding remains, to gain the supposed ascendancy. I have said, that the several causes already assigned, with the ex

ception of insanity, either constitutional or temporary, arise from infidelity. For religion asserts the being of God-and Nature establishes the position. Religion maintains the Divine sovereignty, and that the moral government of God extends over all things-and Providence confirms the fact. Religion reveals a future state of rewards and punishments, involving man's responsibility-and Conscience admits, in its hopes, and fears, and premonitions, the doctrine. Religion explains that the Judge eternal is the avenger of guilt, and will try the offender by his own rectitude, and the principles established in the Scriptures, and not by human caprice or infirmity—and Reason recognises a conclusion so consistent. Religion asserts the right, and the exclusive right of Deity, to dispose of man, and to limit the life which he has given-and Justice agrees that a demand so obviously arising out of the relation between the Creator and the creature, cannot be resisted without treason against the eternal Majesty. Suicide, involving the converse of all these propositions, advanced by revelation, supported as they are by nature, Providence, conscience, reason, and justice, must originate in infidelity.

The justification also of this act, attempted to be drawn from the example of eminent men in antiquity, and from the opinions of others, among the most distinguished heathen philosophers-induces the inference of doubt upon the subject, if not of suspicion. That which is plainly right, carries its