gained. If you be not heard, if you be laughed at, you will have no room for painfully reflecting on your own conduct: you did what you could to win souls. But recollect this, you need not renounce your gay companions; for if you be open and consistent, they will either soon tread in your steps, or they will renounce you.

"I cannot go there I cannot associate with such persons-I shall have no pleasure, no comfort there I shall be very glad to return." All this may be very true: but, I ask, how much is there of self-will and self-pleasing, of folly and weakness, in it? Most certainly you are not to throw your selves in a heedless manner into company that is unpleasant from its secular spirit and conduct: but if, in the way of duty and of respect, it be proper that you should go into it, you undoubtedly have no business to keep from it. Such a visit is not pleasant but are we only to consult our own pleasure? If you go where duty and propriety lead you, keeping your heart with great care, and looking to the Source of strength, you will go no where without either receiving good, or doing good, or both.

Remember the example of our blessed Lord. He certainly did not morosely shun the society of sinners. "Upright souls," says an old writer, "strive as much to imitate Christ as to enjoy him:' and they practise Imitation in order to Fruition. We cannot hope to have our passage through the

world sweetened with the presence of Christ, unless we learn to be as He was in the world."

But,

3. Act as true Christians towards those who are called the world. How others think and speak of religion is no primary concern of yours: your business is to behave towards all persons as young Christians ought; so that, in spite of their prejudices and aversions, they may be compelled to admire your spirit and conduct. "O, he is a mere worldling, a mere man of the world-very moral perhaps but he knows nothing about religion." Something of this sort is often said: and then no attention or kindness is shown to such a person. Nay, it may be accounted a sort of virtue to keep aloof from him. "He that winneth souls is wise. God has been gracious to you, or you would now be of the number of those whom you despise. God has been gracious to you; and it is your duty so to order your conversation, that, as far as in you lies, others may seek the participation of the same grace. "Honour all men." Show that you respect all men in their respective ranks and stations. Show that you would gladly promote their happiness. Every thing that would lead men to suppose that you admire yourselves and despise others, is to be carefully avoided. It is in its own nature altogether unchristian; and in its effects it is most injurious. Maintain, and that most sacredly, the integrity of the Christian character: and demonstrate to all reasonable persons,

that pride and self-admiration, that censoriousness and moroseness, do not belong to the real Christian. Imitate Him who causes the rain to fall, and the sun to shine, upon the just and upon the unjust. Further,

4. Act as true Christians towards servants and inferiors. Your profession of religion will be known: your conduct will be closely inspected; and by none more closely than by those whom I have now mentioned. Are servants around you? You have an opportunity of inviting them to become the servants of Christ. When they see the good and delightful influence of religion on their young master or young mistress, you may, by God's blessing, bring them to the knowledge of the way of life. If you be kind, gentle, affable, condescending, your character will exert a beneficial influence on all around you. Once more,

you

5. Act in a becoming manner towards erring, feeble, or mistaken Christians. You may find some Christians who, from the weakness of their minds, or defective education, or warm fancies. hold some odd notions, or speak or act in what account a strange manner. You may observe far more painful cases-those who have stumbled, or even fallen, in their Christian course-having been guilty of some gross inconsistency. As to the former, remember that the gem may be brilliant, though it be lodged in a grotesque or homely casket. It may be of inestimable worth, though

it has not been cut and polished with exquisite skill. As to the latter case, be thoughtful, patient, and humble. Remember those words of Scripture. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." In this case some persons show great severity, and seem more ready to give up the offender as lost, than to aim at his recovery. This is unchristian conduct. So far as you can, promote the recovery of the fallen Christian: at any rate, improve his misconduct. "Be not high-minded, but fear." "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall."

From these few remarks, you will see, my young readers, the necessity of looking into the world around you, and of reflecting in a sober and serious manner on your various duties-on what you owe to all men. While you live for your own salvation, you will live for the salvation of others. In order to lead a truly Christian life, something more is necessary than warmth and decision-even that wisdom which leads you to reflect on your relations and duties in life; on your talents and circumstances; and which urges you to attend to them in a practical manner. If you would enjoy the consolations of the gospel, you must bear the yoke of the gospel.

THE COLLECT.

Grant to us, Lord, we beseech Thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as be rightful; that we, who cannot do any thing that is good without Thee, may by Thee be enabled to live according to Thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord." Amen.

THE PRAYER.

O Holy and Blessed God, while I see that salvation is entirely the gift of divine mercy and the work of divine grace; while I look solely to Christ, and rely upon the continued agency of the Holy Spirit; let me never be forgetful of the service which Thou requirest at my hands. Let me delight in Thy law, and always make it the rule of my conduct. Impress upon my heart, I beseech Thee, a due sense of what I owe to all around me to my parents, relations, superiors, equals, and inferiors: and grant that I may in every respect demean myself towards them according to the requirements of Thy holy word. Let me never entertain the thought, that piety justifies my trampling on lawful authority, or my acting disrespectfully towards any person, whoever he be. If any are perverse, harsh, and unkind in their language or conduct towards me, grant me grace to possess my soul in patience. If any are in error, or abuse Thy goodness, let me pity them,

T

may