season of youth, we must make nearly the same general observations, as we did with respect to those of childhood. The suggestions we have to offer respecting the duties of a youth, are not interesting exclusively to him, but also to those who may have charge of him. And, with respect to the period of life to which our observations may apply, it may be difficult or impossible to draw the precise time which shall touch all cases, and mark exactly the point, wherein the character of youth may be said to be distinguished from that of childhood, or to be merged in that of a young man. As we stated in the preceding discourse, these different in different individuals, according to the maturity of their judgment, the diligence and capacity of those who educate them, or the particular circumstances into which they may be thrown, calculated either to exercise, or to render inert, their faculties. But it may serve as a general, though not accurate rule, if we fix the period of youth, as contemplated in this discourse, to the season of life between the ages of twelve and twenty years.

periods must be

As every period of human life is a step in that progress, which we are all making towards the grave, and through it to eternity, the duties of each preceding period will be in some degree connected with those which follow; and will be usually only less perfect efforts, in which each successive period should exhibit continual improvement, and to which it will present some additional objects.

The duties of piety towards God, of docility, love, and reverence to parents, or other instructors, are not only to be cultivated in youth, as well as in childhood, but also to be cultivated to a greater extent, and with an increased comprehension, and sense, of the reasons on which they are founded. You now stand as a traveller ascending a hill upon an eminence, from which you can take a more extensive view of the surrounding objects, and perceive more plainly the point to which your road tends. But the difference of your position as a youth, will be better understood by comparing the several points of it, with those of a corresponding description, which we considered in treating of the duties of childhood.

In the case of a child, we observed that the goodness of God in our creation and preservation, would be probably the first step by which he would be conducted to the love of God; and that the mercies of redemption, though taught to him, would make a less feeble impression upon his feelings, and would be rather viewed in the light of truths, acquiesced in, and acknowledged, upon the authority of our teachers, than of benefits properly appreciated by our understanding. But a youth will begin to advance beyond this point, and to love and reverence God, on the peculiar grounds of those blessings brought to light in the Gospel. He now prepares to take a new station, and more enlarged views. He was heretofore in the position,

in which the Church regarded him, when she admitted him, by Baptism, into the Christian covenant. She regarded him then as unable to estimate the benefits of that covenant, or fully to comprehend its obligations, and therefore left him under the guardianship and conduct of parents and sponsors, to watch over his unfolding powers of mind, and to imbue them, as they might be able to receive it, with more full knowledge of Christian truth, till he should be able to present himself to the Bishop, and take upon himself the vows and covenant made in his name in Baptism. I have already largely treated of the solemnity of the engagement, into which we enter in Confirmation, and of the preparation which is necessary, if we would enter into those engagements as we ought. A youth, then, is to be brought into a closer acquaintance with the ground-work of his hopes, and with the greatness of his privileges under the Gospel covenant. I exhort my youthful friends to endeavour to act worthily of that higher station, to which they are now invited, in the scale of Christian and intellectual advancement. You are now beginning to act more on your own judgment and responsibility. You are justly expected to exhibit an acquaintance with the leading principles of Christian knowledge, and to have a more comprehensive sense of the importance of the redemption of mankind by Jesus Christ, and of the benefits whereof we are partakers by the atonement He has made

for our sins. Though not altogether left to your own guidance, you are appealed to, more as reasonable and responsible beings,-you are more capable of understanding such an appeal. You cannot plead the ignorance of childhood. Your prayers and thoughts should begin now, not only to connect themselves more with those spiritual blessings, but also to excite you to such efforts as may be consistent with such a connexion. The Scriptures should be studied with increased earnestness and attention; and, as the application of them to your case becomes more familiar, you will be more and more thankful to those who have made it so, and will rejoice, like Timothy, that from a child you have known them, and are now more and more able to perceive their excellency, in making you "wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus." The more you perceive the importance of the knowledge, the more also will you be desirous to co-operate with your parents and teachers, who are endeavouring to make you perfect in it.

Hence it will follow, that your docility, your fitness and wish to be taught, will advance to a more active disposition than the docility of a child. You will have greater inducements to self-exertion, and greater encouragement to perseverance, inasmuch as you will see more clearly the value of the object in view, and the usefulness of those measures which have already been adopted for your benefit

and improvement. Though your own judgment is beginning to act, yet you can perceive how insufficient it is for your guidance, and how much advantage is possessed, and can be imparted to you by those who have greater knowledge and experience. What you have attained by such aid, shows you more clearly what you may attain. Instead, therefore, of merely rendering a kind of passive obedience to their directions, it becomes a youth, who has any proper sense of duty, to be himself a voluntary and active agent in the work, working with his parents and teachers heartily and earnestly, being thankful that he has the benefit of their teaching, and sensible that his benefit is the object of their joint labours. You should, therefore, my youthful friends, diligently attend to all those studies which are marked out for you, but more particularly to those which relate to your heavenly calling, to your salvation, through Christ Jesus, and your escape from the condemnation which will overwhelm the wicked on the last day. And, if you would do this, you must take the Word of God for your instructor, and, remembering that it is God's word, receive it with humility and faith. Without that guide, many things, which will meet your notice as you advance towards manhood, you would be at a loss to account for, and thus might, at the outset of life, be involved in doubt and hesitation, and lost for want of a compass to direct your