thority, which were originally uttered by the voice of Omnipotence.

It is pleasing to observe the minds of the young thus early imbued with principles, on which all the dignity and happiness of their future lives depends, and from so auspicious a morning, we naturally prognosticate a favourable day. We must not, however, forget, that it is not sufficient to instruct them merely in the words of duty, without endeavouring to make them comprehend the spirit of those laws which they are taught; and it may not, perhaps, be an unprofitable exercise for ourselves, to look back upon that ancient form of Moral and Religious instruction, with which we have been familiar from our childhood; but of which, from that very cause, we may have neglected to examine the import, or to feel the value. I trust, therefore, that I shall not be employing your time uselessly, if, in the present and

in another discourse, I should offer some illustrations of the truths contained in the Ten Commandments.

The foundation of all sound and consistent virtue is Religion; and, accordingly, its precepts are first inculcated in these rules of duty. In the solemn words with which they open, the principle of Religion is contained. This is gratitude,―gratitude on the part of man for the benefits he has received from God. The people to whom these words were originally addressed, were reminded in them of that peculiar blessing which they had lately experienced, the wonderful deliverance which had been wrought for them, and their selection from the other inhabitants of the earth, to be the chosen nation of Heaven. "I am the Lord thy God, which have "brought thee out of the land of Egypt, "out of the house of bondage."

In their immediate application, these expressions were, indeed, peculiarly adapted to the circumstances of the Jews; but they contain a principle which applies equally to all the race of mankind. Who, indeed, that feels the value of existence,the importance of a rational and a moral nature, the innumerable blessings of society, but must have some sense of gratitude to the Being from whom all those benefits are derived? Is it not at once apparent, indeed, that this must be our highest duty; and, on the very threshhold of Religion, do we not perceive the truth of our Saviour's assertion, that "the "first and great commandment" must be, that we should "love the Lord our God?" As we are men, therefore, we must recognise this first of duties; and, accordingly, we find that it was recognised even under all the darkness of idolatrous Superstition, by those who trained their

their minds in the discipline of wisdom and virtue. What excuse, then, have we, my brethren, if we do not recognise it, on whom that light has shone, which has dispelled the darkness of Religion,and has brightened all the future prospects of our being, and has shewn that our present blessings are the least for which we have cause to be grateful? As we are Christians, the words which were spoken from the sacred Mount apply to us in a still higher sense than to the people who heard them; to us who have obtained, not a temporal, but a spiritual deliverance; who have been freed from worse than Egyptian bondage, from the slavery of sin, from the gloom of superstition, and from the horrors of the grave! If we permit our thoughts to dwell on these blessings, we must perceive the obligations which arise from them; and shall find, that we

are really without excuse, if they become not the guiding principles of our minds.

The Four Commandments which form the First Table, are not any extension of the principle on which Religion rests: they are merely certain cautionary admonitions, adapted to the weakness of Human Nature. In the two first, we are taught perfection in piety; in the third, reverence for the Deity; and in the fourth, to accustom our minds habitually to Religious reflection.

In the first place, then, it is not so much in the capacity of acquiring just opinions or sentiments in religion, that we are commonly defective, as in that of rendering them a regular principle of conduct. Whenever they are suggested to us, we must perceive their truth, and feel their importance; yet our minds are in constant danger of being misled from them, and our actions too often proceed from