fulness, and to rejoice that the Saviour had shewn himself "able to keep them from falling;" and they found more and more, that "all the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies." PSALM. xxv, 10. It is very often by making a sacrifice that the sincerity of our religion is proved; but in this country so full of trade and business, many seem really to think as those men "of corrupt minds," mentioned by St. Paul, (1 Tıм. vi, 5.) that "gain is godliness."

How seldom does it happen that any person, supposing he has the power, chooses the place of his resider.ce because he shall have better opportunity of serving God, and enjoying higher religious privileges for himself and his family! So also when the hiring day comes round, and lads and girls begin foolishly to think of changing their places once more; what sort of advice do they receive? Why, if their parents knew their own duty, or really cared for the happiness of their children, they would say to them, "you have got a good place, be thankful for it and remain in it; "

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instead of which, if they can get a very little more wages, and often merely for the sake of changing and seeing something new, they are allowed to leave a comfortable family, to go they know not where. This they call bettering themselves, when it would be much more proper to say that they make themselves worse. This constant desire of change, and unwillingness to settle down to their proper duties, works out the ruin of many young people. Yet if their parents seem only to care about their getting on, without regarding the dangers and evils they may meet with in the way; can we be surprised if they often go astray, or fall never to rise again? The lessons of vanity and worldliness which many young women learn at home, encourage them to dress out in showy colours, and in a manner quite unbecoming their station. Young men very naturally believe that the wearers of these fine clothes, must have weak and vain minds; and thus the pride and folly displayed in dress, is the great temptation to sin. It is indeed a dreadful truth, that many parents seem more afraid that their daughters should appear poorly clothed,

than that they should disgrace themselves, sin against God, and run the risk of eternal ruin. We sometimes hear fathers and mothers lamenting when it is too late, over their children;" “He is a nice kind-hearted lad, but he has no conduct." We long to answer; "if he is good tempered, he has not you to thank for that; if he has bad conduct, the blame is to be laid on you." No wonder, when young people hear and see such things as they do at home, that they turn out often no better than they do: and that thus unhappiness and wickedness is continued from generation to generation.

Yet it is delightful here and there to meet with a family, who know the blessedness of serving God. Thus, when any change is necessary, or any thing important to be undertaken, the resolution of the pious Moses comes before them, "If thy presence go not with us, carry us not up hence." And by the mercies of His providence God answers; "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” EXODUS, Xxxiii, 14-15. Under the guidance of him who can

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not lead astray, the righteous are often enabled to exclaim, "The lines have fallen to us in pleasant places, yea we have a goodly heritage." Ps. xvi, 6. If anxious cares intrude, faith will recall the comfortable words of Christ: 'Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feedeth them-are ye not much better than they? Consider the lillies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, Oh ye of little faith?" MAT. vi, 26, &c. And thus amidst the various events of this changeful life, hope still looks upwards and exclaims, "surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." Ps. xxiii, 6.

That is an excellent precept which we are taught, 1 TIM. v, 8. "If any provide not for his

own, and specially for those of his own house, (or kindred,) he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." A good father must feel and provide for his family-The more he loves them the more anxious will he be for their welfare. If he knows, (and who does not know?) that they must live for ever, his first care must be to secure their eternal happiness. Charity therefore is truly said to begin at home; but true charity never ends there. The most re

markable feature of the religion of Christ is disinterestedness, a disposition to do good upon principle, without hope of return or reward. Those solemn words, "what shall a man give in exchange for his soul!" apply to all. "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth;" and every pious person upon earth, as well as the angels in Heaven, feels intensely interested about the same great and eternal object. It is therefore most satisfactory to know, that in our own favored country, there are at this time, so many Associations of Christians, formed to promote the spiritual welfare of mankind. We have societies for providing the holy