ever he sends his word, he sends the influence of his spirit to accompany it. The gospel is called the ministration of the spirit; and men are said to receive the spirit in the hearing of faith. This gracious influence is especially promised and vouchsafed to the young. This is God's promise to his covenant people-I will pour my spirit on thy seed, and my blessing on thine offspring. There is undoubtedly a time, when the spirit of grace strives with them, to awaken serious sentiments, convictions, and resolutions, and to excite their attention to their immortal interest. He may strive with sinners in a more advanced age: But in youth he fails not to strive often and earnestly. There are some, whom God gives over to a reprobate mind. But. these are such as have rebelled and vexed the Holy Spirit. There are some, from whom the things of their peace are hidden. But there was first a day of visitation.

Remember, my young friends, the peculiar advantages which attend this early period of your life. You not only enjoy the external means of religion, but in addition to these, there are some attendant influences of the spirit, of which you are the subjects. And let me ask you, Have you not experienced them?-Can you not recollect some sensible convictions of conscience-some deep remorse for your youthful follies-some sober resolutions for a virtuous life, which have been excited in your attendance on the appointed means of religion ?—Are not these the fruits of that promise of the spirit, which God has made to the young? This is the voice of divine wisdom; and it is directed particularly to the young-If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her, as for hidden treasures, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Turn ye

at my reproof; behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you.

How precious is this opportunity! You have not only the means of religion in common with others; but calls and encouragements peculiar to yourselves. Say not, There is nothing, which you can do. Impotent you are in yourselves. But you are not left to yourselves. Under the instructions of the word, and the strivings of the spirit, there is something which you may do. Imagine not that all your pray. ers and endeavours are abomination to God. Those prayers and endeavours, to which you are excited by the convictions and strivings of the spirit of God, are not to be called by this name. God does not abhor the work of his own spirit. I beseech you, neglect not this season. 'When will you find another as good? You may, perhaps, still enjoy some of the same means; but you will not enjoy them all. Parental instructions, admonitions, and restraints, will soon cease. You will gradually out grow your native tenderness and sensibility. Vicious indulgences will introduce a hardness and obstinacy of heart. And, what is especially to be regarded, you will soon get beyond the encouragement arising from the promises made peculiarly to the young. There is indeed always room for the awakened and thoughtful to hope in God's mercy. But the encouragements given especially to the young, you can apply no longer than while you are young. In a little time you will have no more right to them than your grandsires have now. You will have lost the benefit of them. Your hope must be drawn from more general declarations of God's mercy. Is it nothing to throw by an encouragement, which God has vouchsafed peculiarly to you? Is it not yeur wisdom to improve an opportunity so kind and favourable as this?

You cannot possibly get forward to mature age, in a state of impenitence, without aggravated guilt. The guilt of abusing youthful advantages, and of opposing the spirit of God, will pursue you through all the stages of an ungodly life. If you believe that, in the work of your salvation, you are dependent on the grace of God, attend to it at this time, when you have the express offers of his grace. You know not, but when this season is past, his grace may be forever withdrawn.

4. The various contingences, which attend futurity, prove the necessity of early religion.

If religion is necessary to your eternal happiness, it demands your immediate attention. Rash adventures in matters of everlasting importance, ought never to be made. The frailty and uncertainty of human life, are plain to your observation, and ought to be familiar to your thoughts. The continuance of reason depends on God's good pleasure; not on your intentions. What changes of condition await you, and how soon you may be placed beyond the enjoyment of the means of salvation, you know not. Nor can you tell what temptations and inticements may meet you, when you step forward on the stage, mingle in the affairs, and associate with the men of the world. If the principles of virtue are not early fixed in your hearts, the dangers before you may be fatal. There is such a thing as the final withdrawment of God's grace, and a heart hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. We hope this not to be the case of the young. But the highminded and presumptuous youth, knows not how soon it may be his case.

You see then, that you have no security of any opportunity but the present. All before you is darkness and uncertainty. If you consider religion as necessary, it is your wisdom to engage in it immediately. Remember now your Creator, before VOL. I. F f

the evil day comes. Put not far from you this evil day. Give glory to God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble on the dark mountains; lest, while you look for light, it be turned into the shadow of death.

5. Besides those solemn arguments, which are taken from another world, the scripture often urges youth to early religion by arguments taken from this world; which, though far less important in themselves, are adapted to influence tender minds just opening to worldly prospects.

Come, ye children, says David, hearken unto me, and I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it. In the writings of Solomon, similar observations often occur.My son, forget not my law, but let thine heart keep my commandments; for length of days, and long life, and peace shall they add to thee, Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase; so shall thy barns be filled with plenty.-Happy is the man that findeth wisdomLength of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour; her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

Virtue has her native charms, which, properly displayed, will command esteem even from those who have not chosen her for their companion. But her charms never appear to greater advantage, than when displayed in the character of the young. Did you ever see a youth, who, impressed with the fear of God, and a sense of futurity, carefully shunned the follies and vices of the world, and steadily pursued the path of wisdom-whose natural gaiety was tempered with a religious gravity-whose language, though cheerful, was always discreet; and whose

manners, though social, were strictly chaste and pure--who had prudence to decline the known occasions of evil, resolution to withstand a bold temptation, and fortitude to reject a wicked inticementwho could, on proper occasions, mingle with his youthful companions, and yet have no fellowship with their unfruitful works, but rather reprove them -whose governing aim was to act right, without the vanity of human applause-and who, while he maintained a virtuous character, ever preserved a modesty and humility becoming his age?-Did you ever see such a youth? Tell me, if you did not esteem him; if you did not covet his reputation, and almost envy his happiness. Have you ever seen a contrary character? and, Did you not despise and condemn it? Believe then, that the virtuous youth has favour and good understanding in the sight of God and men.

As you are rational beings, you have a part to act in the world. You are to be members of society, and to take a share in the common concerns of human life. It is not your wish, nor was it the Creator's design, that you should pass through life solitary and unconnected. No man lives merely to himself. Early piety will lay a foundation for your future dignity and usefulness. Religion has something to do in every station, and in every calling; nor can you properly fill your circle without it. Whatever may be the business assigned you, truth, justice and benevolence, are the principles which must govern you. These you ought early to possess, that you may always feel their influence. A habit of duplicity, fraud and unrighteousness, formed in youth, will operate in the concerns of manhood, and soon plunge you into infamy and ruin. If you now banish religion from your thoughts, you banish all reasonable hope of worldly reputation and prosperity, as well as of future glory.