weakness, to pray daily against sin; but if you would effectually avoid it, you must also avoid temptation, and every dangerous opportunity. Set a double guard, wherever you feel, or suspect, an enemy at hand.-The world without, and the heart within, have so much flattery and deceit in them, that we must keep a sharp eye upon both, lest between them we be entrapped into mischief.

10. Honour, profit, and pleasure, are the world's three chief idols: each of them is sufficient to draw a soul off from God, and ruin it for ever. Beware of them, therefore, and of all their subtle insinuations, if you would be innocent and happy.

Remember, that the honour which comes from God, the approbation of Heaven, and of your own conscience, are infinitely more valuable than all the esteem or applause of men. Dare not venture one step out of the road of Heaven, for fear of being laughed at for walking strictly in it. That is a poor religion which cannot stand against a jest.

Sell not your hopes of heavenly treasures, nor any thing that belongs to your eternal interest, for any of the advantages of the present life: "What shall it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

Remember also the words of the wise man: “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man:" he that indulges himself in "wine and oil," that is, in drinking, in feasting, and in sensual gratifications, "shall not be rich." It is one of St. Paul's characters of a wicked age, when men become lovers of pleasure, more than lovers of God.

11. Preserve your conscience always soft and sensi

part of

ble. If but one sin forces its way into that tender the soul, and dwells easy there, the road is paved for a thousand iniquities. And take heed, that, under any scruple, doubt, or temptation whatever, you never let any reasoning satisfy your conscience, which will not be a sufficient apology to the great Judge at the last day.

12. Keep this thought ever in your mind, that you live in a world of vanity and vexation. Its flatteries and promises are vain and deceitful. Prepare, therefore, to meet disappointments. Many of its occurrences are teasing and vexatious. In every ruffling storm without, possess your spirit in patience, and let all be calm and serene within. Clouds and tempests are only found in the lower skies: the heavens above are ever bright and clear. Let your heart, and hope, dwell much in those serene regions. Live as a stranger here on earth, but as a citizen of Heaven, if you will maintain a soul at ease.

13. Since in many things we offend all, and there is not a day passes which is perfectly free from sin, let "repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ," be your daily work. A frequent renewal of these exercises, which make a Christian at first, will be a constant evidence of your sincere Christianity, and give you peace in life, and hope in death.

14. Ever carry about with you such a sense of the uncertainty of every thing in this life, and of life itself, as to put nothing off till to-morrow, which you can conveniently do to-day. Dilatory persons are frequently exposed to surprise and hurry, in every thing that belongs to them. The time is come, and they are unprepared! Let the concerns of your soul and your shop, your trade and your religion, lie always in such

order, as far as possible, that death, at a short warning, may be no occasion for a disquieting tumult in your spirit; and that you may escape the anguish of a bitter repentance in a dying hour.

A considerable merchant, having met with a copy of these advices, about the time that he permitted his son to commence partnership with him in his trade; copied them with his own hand, and made a present of them to the youth, together with the articles of partnership. "Here, young man," said he, "is a paper of more worth than these articles. Read it over once a month, till it is wrought into your soul and temper. Walk by these rules; and I can trust my estate in your hands. Copy out these counsels in your life: and you will make me, and yourself, easy and happy."

PART II.

PIECES IN POETRY.

CHAPTER I.

SENTENCES AND PARAGRAPHS.

SECTION 1.

True honour.

HONOUR and shame from no condition rise: Act well your part; there, all the honour lies.

Continuance of life uncertain.

Defer not till to-morrow to be wise:

To-morrow's sun to thee may never rise.

Time.

Time (when rightly understood)
Is our most precious earthly good.

The golden rule.

To others do, (the law is not severe,)
What to thyself thou wishest to be done.

Love of peace.

Those Christians best deserve the name,
Who studiously make peace their aim.

Truth.

Dare to be true: naught can excuse a lie;

The fault that needs it most, grows two thereby.

Humility.

Be humble; learn thyself to scan:

Know, pride was never made for man.

Pride.

Pride (of all others the most dang'rous fault)
Proceeds from want of sense, or want of thought,

Troubles from ourselves.

To our own faults, we chiefly owe,

The multitude of bitter griefs we feel.

Dangerous dart,

Swear not an oath is like a dang'rous dart, Which shot, rebounds to strike the shooter's heart,

Government of the tongue.

Learn to control your tongue, that restless thing!
Of mischief oft, and shame, the fatal spring.

Self-partiality.

The faults of our neighbours with freedom we blame ; But tax not ourselves, though we practise the same,

The noblest art.

Indulge the true ambition to excel

In that best art,-the art of living well.

Life a state of trial.

In its true light this transient life regard :
This is a state of trial, not reward.

Blessings and trials.

Heav'n gives us friends to bless the present scene;
Resumes them, to prepare us for the next.

Providence.

Who finds not Providence all good and wise,
Alike in what it gives, and what denies ?

Never despair.

Beware of desp'rate steps. The darkest day (Live till to-morrow) will have pass'd away.