You need not look far into the world, in order to observe the exemplification of the important truths, which I have been solicitous to recommend to your serious attention, The effects of evil principles, and corrupt maxims, are unhappily too general, not to afford many instances of the fatal effects of irreligion, at your period of life. Observe, then, the indevout youth, who throws off the salutary restraints of religion, laughs at the counsels of piety, and yields himself to the uncontrolled guidance of his passions; rejecting all concern about the future, he seeks only the gratification of the present moment; regardless of the consequences of his conduct, he gives his heart to know evil, and withholds not himself from any of the guilty pleasures that the world affords. One vicious indulgence leads on to another, and he pursues with eagerness a course of evil conduct, the very thought of which would have once filled him with alarm; his mind becomes enfeebled; the fruits of his own, or of the industry of his friends, are wasted in riotous living; others are affected by his crimes, or their innocence ruined by his example; he becomes injurious to society, and lays perhaps the foundation of a painful disease. At length the scene closes in the midst of his pursuits (alas! how often does it happen) he is arrested by the hand of death; just

entering upon the world, he is compelled to leave it: with his mind hardened by vice, he departs with brutish insensibility, or, as is more commonly the case, with inexpressible terror and dismay. The wise man had long ago warned him of his danger, but he treated it as an idle tale; the hour of death convinces him of its reality. "Because I have called and ye refused, I have stretched out my hand, and no one regarded; but ye have set at nought my counsel, and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when darkness and anguish come upon you, then will ye call upon me, but I will not answer; ye will seek me early, but ye shall not find me; for that ye hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord; ye would have none of my counsel; ye despised all my reproof; therefore shall ye eat of the fruit of your own way, and be filled with your own devices." Is this the enjoyment the votaries of Folly choose? Is this the termination of the transient pleasures to which they devote themselves? "O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, my honour, be not thou united."

How different the character and the fate of him, who in the days of his youth remembers his

Creator; and, aware of the important consequences which must result from his present conduct, wisely and diligently endeavours to acquire pious dispositions. Seeking after that pleasure alone, which accords with reason, he does not seek in vain; engaged in pursuits not forbidden by religion, his mind is continually at ease, and his desires are all gratified. Enjoying all the cheerfulness and vivacity natural to youth, depriving himself of none of the rational amusements that may offer themselves, and which prudence will allow; he is a stranger to those misgivings, and to those fears, which are the sure consequence of evil conduct, in a heart not hardened by continuance in folly. He knows that "seriousness is not hard constraint; nor levity, freedom ;" and that gratifications which end in disappointment and in pain, are sought for only by the foolish and the thoughtless. He does not fly from the youthful companions whom na ture points out to him, but is careful to avoid those who think the privilege of youth consists in lawless pleasures, whose example would lead him from virtue, whose intercourse would pollute his mind; while he selects those who choose the path of wisdom, whose conduct will aid and encourage him in the pursuit of what is good, and who, in the future part of life, may prove constant and valuable friends. In the active scenes into which he is

thrown, he is distinguished by diligence and fideli¬ ty; and obtains, by his virtue, the esteem and affection of those with whom he is connected. A stranger to disease brought on by irregularities of conduct, his piety enables him to bear, with perfect resignation, all that Providence inflicts; he discovers no impatience, he utters no repining under the dispensation that deprives him of that degree of health which the young around him are enjoying; he betrays no fretfulness at the want of those innocent amusements, in which others of his age indulge; he knows that Almighty God has ordained whatever happens to him, and that all which he ordains is wise, and, in the end, will prove benevolent. These pious sentiments beguile the hours of pain, and smooth the bed of sickness. As virtue cannot shield any one from death, nor excellence afford a refuge from the grave; the pious youth is sometimes seen falling the early victim of some fatal disease, and prematurely retiring from the scene in which he seemed destined to move with honour and with usefulness. Behold him in that solemn hour: with perfect composure he receives the awful summons to resign the being bestowed upon him, with unruffled calmness, he reflects upon the past; with joyful hope, he looks to what is to come: Had Providence seen fit to prolong his life, he hopes it would have

been honourably and usefully spent, and recom mended him still more to his Maker's favourable acceptance. But how severe might have been his trials! how hazardous the contest with the temptations of the world! Assured, therefore, that God will abundantly reward the attainments he has already made, and place him in a scene more favourable to an unlimited progress in virtue and piety, he commends his spirit, with unfeigned gratitude and submission, to HIM who gave it; and who, in His wisdom, thus early requires it again. Amidst the unavoidable tears of his friends, and the regrets of all who knew him, he sinks to rest, before the labour of life is well begun; and in God's due time, joins the society of just men made perfect, in another and a better world.

Such, my young friends, are the characters between which you are to choose. I may safely leave it to you to determine which shall be yours. May Almighty God direct your choice, and pros per all your virtuous resolutions!