fuch a treasure as time, why have I fet no greater value? I am now entering the world, but what are my qualifications to discharge the various duties of a worthy member of society? Is my mind fufficiently informed? Do I know any thing of mankind? Have I that acquaintance with books, which has become neceffary in an enlightened age, and among an among an inquifitive people? Have I qualified myfelf for busi nefs? To thefe queftions I am furnished with a ready, but most unfavourable anfwer. I am but too confcious of my deficiency in all those branches, in which a youth of fpirit would wish to excel; my errour, therefore, must be repaired without delay. In proportion to my paft indolence, I must be active in future; and I muft inftantly prepare for fome useful and honourable profeffion, that my friends may not be ashamed of me, nor fociety blush at fo unworthy a member.

Thirdly. By taking heed to his way, a young man would be cleanfed of a vio lent paffion for fenfual and intemperate gratifications; he would be cured of the love of pleafure; and a difpofition to wafte his fubftance in riotous living would, by this rational procedure, be abfolutely extinguished. He would reflect within

himself,

"

himself, I was not born merely to eat drink, and enjoy myself. My fubftance was not given me that I might fquander it in amusements. Nor was I originally bleft with health, that, by a courfe of high and irregular living, I might try the vigour of my constitution! What am I to do when my fubftance is fpent, and my conftitution exhaufted?. What courfe am I to take, when, with an unabated love of pleasure, I have loft all the means of gratification? Shall I faften myself upon the prudent and industrious, and devour the fruits of their labours? Shall I flatter the vanity of fome great man in order to drink of his cup, and feaft at his table? Shall I receive protection from fociety; without rendering any return? No: my fpirit is too great to lie under the burden of fuch a debt; I will fhow myfelf a reafonable being. The time paft has been facrificed the time to come fhall be improved. To be a good member of society, and a good chriftian, fhall be the only object of my future ambition.

In my mind there is no doubt, that fuch an attention to his conduct would produce these reflections in the mind of a fenfible youth; and that these reflections would be attended with the best

effect.

effect. I would, therefore, earneftly recommend my young friends to take heed to their way according to the divine word. Examine those writings, which are faid to contain your duty, and to reveal your future deftination. Inquire what the Father, and the Saviour of mankind expect from perfons of your ftanding. Having difcovered your duty, try your behaviour by its unerring rules. In the gospel do you find any thing that will countenance the liberty which fome profanely take with facred things? Is any countenance given to idleness and diffipation? Does the religion of Jefus furnish any apology for rioting and drunkennefs, chambering and wantonnefs? Does it hold out any defirable profpect to those who are guilty of these things? by no means its invariable language is, that fuch as offend in this manner fhall not inherit the kingdom of God. Whether they be young or old, they are declared unfit, as well as unworthy of the heavenly bleffedness.

You will, therefore, pay an immediate attention to your way, and use every appointed mean to cleanfe it of all impurity. Confider how you are now employing the time and talents which God

hath

hath beftowed upon you. Are you laying a foundation for a life of honour and ufefulness in the world, or a foundation for future fhame and difgrace? If you are doing well, go on; we wish you God fpeed. May your early virtue receive every encouragement. Under its influence, you will have that peace, which paffeth all understanding, which may God grant through Jefus Chrift. Amen.

Sezmon VIII.

OUR CREATOR TO BE REMEMBERED IN YOUTH.

ECCLESIASTES, XII. 1.

REMEMBER NOW THY CREATOR IN THE DAYS OF
THY YOUTH, WHILE THE EVIL DAYS COME
NOT, NOR THE YEARS DRAW NIGH, WHEN
THOU SHALT SAY, I HAVE NO
THEM.

PLEASURE

IN

THE feafon of youth is of all others moft expofed to the fnares and temptations of a deceitful world; to the dominion of the lufts, appetites, and paffions; and to the crafty wiles of "that roaring lion who is fecking whom he may devour." Unpractifed in the arts of that grand foe, heedlefs of the prefent effects,. and regardless of the future confequences of their folly, they pass on," as the ox to the flaughter; and as the bird hafteth to the toil, not knowing that it is for life."