of extending those institutions which have for their specific objects the amelioration of the condition of humanity, the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom, and the care of their juniors. To them, moreover, they are looking for some of the brightest jewels which shall adorn their "crown of rejoicing."

Impressed, then, with the value of young men to their families, to society, and to the church of God; but, at the same time, aware of the unceasing efforts made for their destruction by the great adversary of souls, by a corrupting world, and by the facilities which they themselves afford to being drawn aside, let christian ministers, like St. Paul, "travail in birth again till Christ be formed in their hearts." Let them bring all their learning, all their experience, all their knowledge of the world, all their talents, prayers, and exertions, to bear upon this great question. Let the clergy especially, as a body, combine their influence, and all they have and are, and the beneficial results will soon be apparent. Their example will be imitated; the sympathy will

soon spread; and accessions of young men to the church will gradually be made, till it shall present an unbroken front to the enemy, which all their combined efforts can never force.

Independent, then, of those catechetical exercises which, imitating the primitive church, form so interesting a part of ministerial labours among the young; and of those comparatively few periodical lectures which are established in the metropolis; let the addresses of ministers from the pulpit, in their stated ministrations, to young men, be more prominent. They will awaken attention; they will lead to reflection, will convince their understandings, and interest their feelings, by showing, that you constantly bear them in particular on your spirits, and are specially concerned for their welfare; while it will tacitly substantiate the importance of their claims in the estimation of others.

Aided by your advice, stimulated by your exertions, awed by a deep sense of the authority of God's word, and impress

H

ed by your repeated addresses, Christians in general will respond to the call; parents feel their own immense responsibility; employers practically avow the connexion between superiority in manual labour and mental improvement, between scriptural morality and the divine benediction; while the public at large will step forward and recognise their superior claims.

None are better qualified, because none are, perhaps, better acquainted with practical life, or oftener frequent those scenes where truth, if ever, is sure to be elicited. Whose eye painfully observes the first wrong step of the wanderer? Whose ear listens to the declaration of the infidel as to what first distorted his views of moral truth, and first subverted his moral principles? or whose ear, again, listens to the dying, but penitent, confession of that which first led the young man from the path of virtue?-It is the christian minister's. It is his eye that wept, and his ear that was pained. The quicksands have been pointed out to him, let him fix a

buoy upon them. The place where the insidious, because unseen, rock lies has been shown to him, let him erect a beacon. At the entrance of that path down which the listless, or uninformed wanderer strolled, let him place a finger-post, with this broad inscription upon it-This leads to misery and to death. And without, of course, mentioning the party, let the facts thus elicited be publicly announced for the benefit of all.

Of the claims of young men upon ministers there can, then, at the present time especially, be no doubt; the only questions are, what is that line of conduct which ought to be pursued in reference to them, and by what means may they most effectively promote their interests? These questions can, perhaps, be most accurately answered by themselves, for the reasons stated at the beginning of this section. Still, I may be permitted to reply,—in addition to the remarks already made,-aim at gaining their confidence and esteem, as well as convincing them by indubitable

evidence, that you are interested in their welfare in every sense of that term. And in order to this, extend your influence among them.

Tertullian, in his Apology, c. 37, appealing to the Roman emperor, or governors, writes, "We were but of yesterday, and we have filled your cities, islands, towns, and boroughs, the camp, the senate, and forum, &c.

Mechanics' Institutes are springing up in most of our towns, and though religion (as well as politics) is excluded,-wisely, perhaps, in the present state of society, inasmuch as they would otherwise become mere arenas for the display of polemical prowess,-let christian ministers unite themselves with them; their advice, their occasional presence, and their associating with the members, will produce a most salutary effect. In that capacity they may act as "watchmen," and, observing every movement of the enemy, give the alarm, if occasion require it.

Let them form and cherish small asso