I will give

go on his

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you in that great day, if you continue in a careless state. Godly children will then be witnesses against other children. God, in having servants of all ages and in all stations, will leave others of all ages and stations without excuse. If therefore you are tempted to sin with ungodly children-so as to tell untruthsto break the sabbath-to slight instruction--to disobey your parents, and to wish to break loose from their restraints that you may follow the course of this world ; Oh beware, lest God in judgment to you should say, " Let that wicked child take its course. him up to his heart's lusts. He shall

way

to destruction !" * For the day shall come that shall burn as an oven, and all that do wickedly shall be as stubble. But, to such as fear my name, shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings :' Mal. iv, 2.

3. The case of this child offers ENCOURAGEMENT to children. God has put it into the hearts of your parents and friends to bring you to the House of God for instruction, and He has put it into the hearts of others to instruct you there. They would, with his blessing, take you by the hand and guide you from that 6 broad

way which leads to destruction,' into the ‘narrow path which leads to everlasting life. They will feel well rewarded for all their pains and expense in . bringing, if but one of you, into the right way. They know one soul is of more worth than a whole world. You are shown, in the success that has attended their labours with this little boy, what they would do for

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YOU.

Watch, therefore, against the temptation of Satan, of a wicked world, and of a deceitful heart, which would discourage you, and tell you that you are but a child, and cannot yet seek God: know and trust in Christ; and be truly religious. This account proves how well a young child may, by divine grace, enter God's ways, and prepare to meet Him. This child

was born with the same corrupt nature as yourselves; yet, by the help of his God, he turned out of the course of this world, and took the same path as Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and others of the saints of God. Like the child Samuel, he early knew and served the Lord in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom he shone as a light in the world. He owned his God, and his God owned him, and blessed him in life and in death.

It should also afford great encouragement to you, Dear Children, that God has set his mark of approbation on this our endeavour in setting up a school for you. He has said, “they that seek me early, shall find me;' Prov. viii, 17, and he has fulfilled this promise before our eyes in this little boy. We see Jesus still taking young children into the arms of his love and blessing them. Take encouragement from this, and call upon him with Jabez, 1 Chron. iv, 9, 10, “Oh, thou that wouldest bless me indeed, that thine hand may be with ME, that thou wouldest keep ME' from evil, as thou didst my late schoolfellow, that, with him I may finally inherit thine everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen."

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EARLY PIETY RECOMMENDED

IN A

DISCOURSE,

ADDRESSED TO

THE SCHOOLS FOR RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION,

AT

TO THE CHILDREN OF THE SCHOOLS OF

ST. JOHN'S CHAPEL.

Your kind friends, who superintend your Schools, ever watchful for your best interests, have requested me to print for your use the substance of the Discourse which was delivered to you last MayDay. Though it was not intended by me for publication, yet, submitting to their judgment, and desirous of promoting your welfare by all means, and also that of other young persons who attend your Anniversary, I readily comply with their wishes, and remain Your affectionate Minister,

R. CECIL. Mav, 1802

A

DISCOURSE,

&c.

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 pleasure in them. My dear children, this discourse is particularly addressed to you.—Our hearts desire and prayer to God for you is, that you may be saved.' We cannot but recollect the errors and snares of our own childhood : we admire and adore the Hand of God, by which alone we escaped: we bless him for timely help afforded us by our friends : and, in turn, we would now assist you.' Oh! that your prayers and endeavours may join ours, and that the divine blessing may rest upon us both, while we call you to remember

your Creator in the days of your youth !!

The Wise Man concludes a variety of instruction with an Admonition to youth; and, in order to your more clearly perceiving the meaning and importance of it, I proceed to state,

I. How, you are called to remember your CREATOR. II. When, you should specially remember Him: 'In the days of thy Youth.'

III. Why, such remembrance should not be deferred: because evil days come, and years draw nigh, in which thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them.'

1. Consider HOW, you should remember your CREATOR.

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