you

year has flown and you have approached so much nearer the term of your probationary state. But of you who are still inattentive to religious duty, I would ask, whither are you tending, and what is the progress which have made? Every year which you have hitherto lived, you have been departing wider and wider from the path of duty and happiness; and this deviation will most assuredly issue in irretrievable wretchedness. It is time now to endeavor to retrace your steps-it is proper that you lament over your ruined happiness-that you deplore your past errors and endeavor to amend them, and that you now select as your highest and dearest object, that which is most worthy the attention of one who is destined to live forever.

The present season is, however, not merely one in which the past may be reviewed with profit; it is one at which we naturally look into futurity, form anticipations in regard to its events, and project plans for the regulation of life. The first reflection in view of the future which strikes our minds, relates to the great uncertainty which characterizes it. What are the events which lie concealed in its bosom, we know not. The observation is a very trite one, but it is of great importance. It deserves at all times to be present with our minds. Of all those who have now met together in the house of God, how many will reassemble at the expiration of another year? In regard to those to whom it shall

be permitted to do so, through what vicissitudes may they not pass! In regard to others to whom this is denied, what is their condition? They will be concealed from our view. What may be their portion-how delightful or how awful, who can tell!

Another reflection which arises from this view of the uncertainty of things future, is "that it is the attribute of wisdom to mark out and pursue that course of conduct which will provide for our security under all circumstances." The continuance in a neglect of the great duties of religion, is not such a course. The procedure may be a safe one under certain supposed circumstances. It may be so if life be extended, and other seasons for repentance be afforded. It is awfully dangerous in the event of death taking place, and judgment being entered upon. And to presume upon that as certain, which is the most uncertain of all things, is the most extreme folly.

But a close attention to our spiritual welfare, to the salvation of our souls, will prepare us for any event. With the possession of true religion, come life or death, we are happy. Be it a matter of indifference when this clay tabernacle shall become utterly ruined. Rather be its dissolution the object of hope; for this mortal shall then put on immortality-the habitations of earth shall be exchanged for an "house not made with hands eternal in the heavens."

Let us now, therefore, propose it to ourselves as our first and highest object, to secure a safe issue to the journey of life. This will be done by obtaining reconciliation with that glorious Being whom we have deeply offended-by becoming interested in that all-sufficient Redeemer who has gone to prepare in his Father's house habitations for those who love him and await his final appearance, and by acquiring that holiness, without which no man shall see God in peace. And let us then, in subordination to this ultimate object, while our lives are spared on earth, be occupied with plans for our improvement, intellectual as well as moral; for the promotion of our happiness-for the advancement of that of our fellow creatures. He is most worthy of regard, who cultivates his faculties to the highest degree of which his nature is susceptible, and who employs them in diffusing happiness around him ; and he who acts thus, purchases for himself the highest and purest enjoyments. Let therefore the purposes of good which are conceived or strengthened in your minds, mark this as an era to which your thoughts may at a future day recur with pleasure, and which shall sustain a prominent station in the retrospect of life which shall be taken by the spirits of the just made perfect. A few more revolving years shall pass, and this earth will know you no more forever. Other successive revolutions will bring on the consummation of all things

spoken of by the prophets. Then will Jehovah's purposes be accomplished-the visible heavens will depart as a scroll when it is rolled together-the earth will be removed from its place and consumeda new heaven and new earth shall be revealed, illuminated by the divine glory, and inhabited by the myriads of souls which have been redeemed. May the God of mercy grant to us all an everlasting inheritance in his kingdom.

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SERMON XXIX.

ON NEGLECT OF RELIGION.

ACTS Xvii. 32.

And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked and others said, We will hear thee again of this

matter.

THE great Apostle of the Gentiles had, from an incidental occurrence, taken occasion to address the people of Athens upon a subject important in itself and interesting to all men. He had observed with grief their idolatrous practices, and remarking an altar inscribed "to the unknown God," he was powerfully excited to proclaim to them the existence of Him, who, indeed, appeared to be unknown to them both in his own character, and in the nature of the worship which he required.

The duties which they owed to the Almighty, grounded on the fact of their deriving from him