whose habits of vice are already fixed. For who or what can alter the skin of the Æthiop, or take out the spots of the leopard? But may it not be hoped that some who have been only occasionally seduced, may henceforward be deterred from the paths of the sorceress, and put upon their guard against the allurements of guilty pleasure? In special, may it not be hoped that those young people among us who are as yet in a measure uncorrupted, will receive the warning, and by fleeing youthful lusts and their attendant pollutions, preserve their innocence? Should temptation assail you, my young friends, should sensual pleasure, that enchanting harlot, spread her allurements for you,-will you not call to mind what you have now heard of the dreadful calamities which follow her footsteps? Will you not remember that by being taken in her embraces, you will be despoiled of your health, of your substance, of your reputation, of your energy and peace of mind, of all solid comfort and enjoyment, as well as of all usefulness in life and of all hope in death? "For her house is the way to hell, and her feet go down to the second death."

As your period of age peculiarly exposes you to her snares, the greater vigilance and circumspection are necessary to your safety. You cannot look with an eye of too great suspicion on that flowery path where death lies in ambush. You cannot be too cautious of that company, of those

places and occasions, amusements and habits, by which many others have been gradually seduced and ruined. Above all things, avoid idleness. Never suffer yourselves, under any pretence, to saunter or trifle away your time. Let every day, and every hour of the day, be spent in improving your minds or your circumstances, or in being useful to others. Pursue with unremitting diligence your professional studies and the business of your respective callings in life. Establish habits of industry. They who are always engaged in worthy and laudable pursuits, are generally out of the way of temptation.

Let me entreat you, finally, to accompany your other precautions with a spirit of devotion to God. The quickening influence of his grace will effectually secure you. For "the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death."

SERMON XV.

TO THE YOUNG.

LUKE ii. 52.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

WITH these words it is proposed to introduce a discourse to children and youth; and call their attention to an example the most worthy of their imitation. In the life of Christ, we behold an exemplification of whatever is amiable and excellent in a human character. To set such a model before us was undoubtedly a part of the design of his mission. It is indeed but little that is recorded of him during the interval from his birth to his entrance on his public ministry. Yet this little is sufficient to satisfy us, that, through this early period of his age, he conducted with perfect propriety, made a rapid progress in all those accomplishments which dignify and adorn our rational nature; and by his proficiency in these things, is

a pattern after which it is the duty, and will be the wisdom and honour, of all young persons most diligently to copy. How much is implied in the brief account which St. Luke gives of his youthful years in the text! "He increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."

My young friends, can you think of any thing more excellent or more desirable, than to be what the Evangelist here affirms your Saviour was at your age? Do you not wish, that, as your bodies increase in stature and rise towards maturity, so your minds may improve in wisdom and knowledge, in all those intellectual, religious, and moral attainments, which will at once recommend you to the favour of God, your adorable Creator, and to the esteem and regard of your fellow-men?

If you aspire at these attainments, if so noble an ambition glow in your bosoms, let me remind

you,

First, How necessary it is, that piety to God be the ruling principle of your hearts and lives— that your heavenly Father be the object of your supreme respect, and his approbation your chief and ultimate aim. We are no sooner capable of knowing God, than we ought to feel our obligations thus to regard him. To love him with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, is the first and great command. The life of Christ was a continued series of perfect obedience to this most

In his early childhood,

comprehensive precept. piety and devotion were his prevailing temper; and continued to be more and more displayed as he advanced in the progress of life. It was by the exercise and display of such a temper, by his cheerful and unreserved obedience to the divine will, and his growing delight in holding converse with his heavenly Father, that he so speedily advanced into peculiar favour with the Almighty. All this is evidently implied in the language of the text. But in the preceding context, we have a remarkable instance of the warmth and zeal for the divine honour and service, which possessed and animated his youthful mind. He was but twelve years old when his parents took him with them in their annual journey to celebrate the passover at Jerusalem. With the solemnities of this religious festival, and the sacred entertainments of the temple, he was so charmed and delighted, that, in the enjoyment of them, he seemed to forget all other objects and concerns. At the end of the days of unleavened bread, his parents set out on their return home, and supposing him to be in the company of their acquaintance, had proceeded a day's journey before they were convinced that he was really missing. With no small anxiety they went back, solicitously inquiring and searching for him. On the third day, to their joyful surprise, they discovered him in an apartment of the temple,