as though you thought either that everlasting concerns are so trifling, as not to deserve a place among those objects that should exercise your reason and understanding; or else, that without reflection or consideration, you were to be carried to heaven by the operation of chance, or the necessary current of things? In vain are you assured, that although without reflection or exertion you may be borne to hell; that although in order to enter that doleful region, you have only to yield to your corruptions, and resign yourselves to slumber; yet that serious thought and consideration are necessary before you can become an heir of heaven: still you refuse to listen; still, while you "take heed" to your fortune, your health, your worldly pleasure, human science, or political events, you will not "take heed to your way." In vain do we cry, that by such inconsideration you lie at the mercy of your tempter and your corruptions, and become the certain victims of those subtle enemies of your salvation, who are watching to destroy you. Still you go without forethought or serious reflection, wandering "like blind men upon the narrow summits of deep and dismal precipices, in the midst of a thousand dangers, which if seen would make the stoutest heart to quake." [Gale.] If consideration, at some lucid intervals, forces itself upon you: if by some means of grace or affecting providence, some solemn discourse, or the death of a friend, or your own sickness, you are made to pause, and ask, "Where am I, and whither am I going?" how soon do you succeed in shifting this salutary conviction, and hardening your hearts. You close your eyes, as though by refusing to see your peril, you could annihilate it. You sustain yourself by a fond presumptuous expectation, that in

some mode, you think or care not how, you will be rescued from misery and raised to glory. Oh! how awful are the consequences of this neglect to take heed to your ways. Hence the gross ignorance of divine things, that with surprise and grief we find in so many young persons who have been educated in a Christian land. Though means of instruction abound, they are in vain, for the want of consideration. Hence that deep insensibility, that security in sin which we see and lament in so many. Refusing to reflect on the nature and consequences of sin, they mock at danger, they make a jest of admonitions, they laugh at those who pity them. Hence the blind submission to appetite, and lust, and passion, and the readiness with which they yield to temptation. Hence the false peace, that so many derive from grounds of hope that cannot sustain the scrutiny of reason or of revelation, that will" perish when God taketh away the soul," and that they will too late find delusive, when its foundation shall be searched by the fires of judgment, and by the sanctity and omniscience of the Most Holy.

Awake then, immortal souls! Use the faculties which God has given you, for the purposes for which they were bestowed. Attend to your principles, your affections, your lives. Bring this great question to a determination, "Am I treading in the way that conducts to heaven, or in that which leads to hell?" And that you may properly decide on this momentous subject, and be taught in all respects how to cleanse your way," have recourse

II. To the word of God. This is the second great means pointed out by the inspired Psalmist.

Would you then, my young friends, be holy here and happy hereafter, receive this sacred volume, not

as the work of man, but as the voice of the Eternal to you. In it your Lawgiver and your Sovereign, whom you are bound to obey by every consideration of reason, duty, and interest, utters his commands ; and opposes the most venerable and awful authority to the impetuosity of passion. Listen to his laws with as much solemnity as did those who stood at the foot of Sinai, when it trembled at the special presence of its Creator. In it the voice of the tenderest of Fathers is directed to his wandering children, expostulating with them on their folly and ingratitude, and inviting them to return to his bosom, that is open to receive them. Listen to him with the sentiments of the erring, but repentant prodigal, and cry, "I will return again to my Father." In it the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ declares to the perishing children of Adam the infinite value of that victim for our sins, which he has provided. Believe the record which God has given of his Son; and with faith, with gratitude, and joy, accept the

atonement.

Every thing in this word of God has a tendency to cleanse the way of the young: its doctrines, its directions, its examples, its promises.

Can your hearts, my young friends, be affected by all that is most sublime, most awful, or most tender? all this is presented in the doctrines of the scriptures. The infinite perfections of the All-perfect; the creation and providential government of the universe by him; the ineffable glories of the third heaven; the deep and eternal agonies of the lost; the fearful splendours of the judgment-bar; and above all, the cross of Immanuel; these are some of the doctrines that are calculated to touch and rouse the soul of

him whose way is polluted, and make him desirous that it should be cleansed.

When this desire is formed, we are in this same holy volume supplied with the clearest directions in what manner to obtain this inestimable blessing. It points to that Lamb of God who alone can atone for our sins; in the fountain of whose blood we can be washed from our guilt. It directs us to the grace of that Spirit who alone can sanctify our hearts, and inspire us with holiness. It shows us the mercy-seat accessible through the atonement and intercession of Jesus, and directs us to prayer, as the channel of the divine mercies to us. And when after repairing to the blood of Jesus by faith, committing our souls into his hands, looking to his righteousness for justification, and his Spirit and grace for sanctification, we have resolved henceforth to live to God, here we have a light to our feet and a lamp to our path,' "a sure word of prophecy, whereunto we may take heed, as unto a light shining in a dark place, until the day" of everlasting glory "dawn." Here we are taught the arts of our enemies, and furnished with armour of celestial proof, whereby we may obtain the victory over them.

Lest you should be discouraged by a sense of your weakness, the word of God adds examples, to convince you, that by the grace which God has bestowed upon others, and is willing to bestow upon you, your way may be cleansed, your souls renewed, and your lives devoted to him. He animates and encourages you by the example of a Joseph, who rose superior to youthful excesses, and repulsed with holy indignation solicitations to sin against his God; an Obadiah, who feared the Lord from his youth; a Samuel, from the tenderest years serving and loving

his heavenly Friend; a Timothy, acquainted with the scriptures from his youth, and early by them made wise unto salvation; a John, the youngest and most beloved of the disciples: these, and other names, shine with honour in the sacred oracles. They invite you to tread in that happy path in which they walked: they show you that grace can cleanse the heart of the young, and make them the devoted servants of God.

And, finally, this holy word gives you the most precious promises: promises to support you under weakness, to deliver you from enemies, to preserve you here, and crown you hereafter; promises common to you, and those of all ages, who truly flee to the Redeemer; and, also, promises peculiar to the pious youth. If you seek him early, you shall find him." "Having, therefore, these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit."

And now, my dear young friends, what effect shall this discourse have upon you? Shall it be added to the number that have been heard without improvement, and that have been forgotten when you have returned from the house of God to the world? I beseech you not to regard the address which has been made to you as merely words of course. They are solemn and serious truths which have been announced to you; truths, the unspeakable moment of which you will hereafter feel. You were early and solemnly dedicated to God as your Father, your Saviour, your Sanctifier, in the holy ordinance of baptism. Alienate not yourselves from him, whose seal is upon you, and trifle not (for you do it at your peril) with your sacramental consecration to the Eternal. The whole of your time and life is little