This opened the lips of the other; and he could then swear and talk nonsense with a vengeance. To have a parson connive at his language, was all the sanction he required. The other instance was this:-A gentle. man in a coach began his conversation by boasting of the plenty and prosperity we enjoyed as a nation; adding, that we want for nothing. No, Sir,' said a minister pleasantly, 'we want nothing but gratitude to God." This timely hint took the company by surprise; and as they suspected they had a Methodist present, he found them very decent companions till they separated.

I cannot conclude without recommending to travellers to carry a parcel of Religious Tracts with them; such as A Dialogue between a Traveller and yourself, On the Sabbath, On Swearing, &c. These offered to fellow-travellers, left at inns, given to waiters, &c. might be attended with great good, and help to counteract the prodigious evil communicated by profane and wicked men on their journies. A FELLOW-TRAVELLER.

QUERY.

WHAT is the conduct a Christian ought to pursue when called in the path of duty into a mixed company, where, immediately after partaking of the bounties of Providence, it is directly followed by an immodest or improper toast?

FIRST, The Christian should be decidedly of opinion, that he is called in a "path of duty," and not of choice, when he associates with a company of this description. I am well aware that religious characters, in the course of their lawful avocations, are so connected with men of

opposite sentiments, as to be under a kind of necessity of being present in their public assemblies; yet, when this is unavoidably the case, the Christian will aim to dignify the character he sustains, by a consistency of conduct, in testifying, either directly or indirectly, against every thing that is subversive of its pure and salutary tendency.

But the question returns. What should be the line of conduct respecting the case in point? How is he to manifest his disapprobation of a custom, alas! too prevalent, in giving immoral toasts, after partaking of the bounties of Providence? I readily acknowledge that I feel some kind of difficulty in attempting to prescribe the most effectual means; for, in my humble opinion, there is nothing that requires so much delicacy and discretion as the proper mode of administering a reproof so as not to defeat the end of the reprover; for if unseasonably attempted, it not unfrequently irritates, rather than reforms.

But still, something ought to be done. Suppose the Christian, in the case alluded to, disgusted with the immorality, not to say indecency of the chairman, who disseminates impurity through the company over which he presides, evacuates his seat, on such toasts being given tacitly evidencing thereby his total abhorrence of such proceedings; and, as it would, perhaps, be indiscreet to make a verbal appeal to the president, who so ignobly, though fashionably, adapts himself to the corrupt custom of the times; let him convey his thoughts on the subject to him privately, by a few lines written in a spirit of moderation and calmness, reminding him,

in the language of a poet of our own, that

"Immodest words admit of no defence;
"For want of decency is want of sense.'

Would not this be as likely a method as any to con vince him of the immoral tendency of the custom, though sanctioned by the too prevalent habit of a degenerate age? And whether it has the desired effect or not, the Christian will have the satisfaction to reflect, that though he is in the world, and has to do with men of the world, yet, he is not of it, but wishes to testify against its corrupt maxims, in the various departments wherein he is called to move.

ON PSALM 119.

How may the operations of the Holy Spirit on the mind be distinguished from the mere influence of the passions? and, How may it be ascertained when the passions themselves are under the influence of Satan, es pecially under public ordinances?

ANSWER.

THE mind of man is apt to wander in pursuit of improper objects. When the mind is enticed and misled, the character is likely to be affected and injured by the proposed objects of sensible good. A child of God knows this by personal and painful experience. His heart turns aside after vanity; and his feet go astray into forbidden paths. Inattention to the word of God is the cause of this. If his heart were sound in the Divine statutes, his conduct would be free from reproach and censure. But the great Shepherd of Souls views

the distant wanderer with compassion, and sends his messenger Affliction to bring him back to his fold. Chastisements are highly salutary to restore health to his soul, and to lead our feet into the paths of righteousness. It may be worth while, briefly, to notice those pursuits which often lead the Christian astray; and of which it is the design of affliction, in some good degree, to cure.

There are, I apprehend, four causes of departure from God, of which a Christian is susceptible, mental error, self-indulgence, creature-attachments, and worldly influence.

Mental error, or speculative opinions in religion, have deceived many, have robbed the church of much peace, have defamed the religion of Christ, and have injured, perhaps irreparably injured, the deluded subjects of such notions. Who can understand his errors? The man who can do it, must be a wise, a watchful, a holy saint indeed! There are an unhappy number "who are ever learning, and never come to the knowledge of the truth:" and the reason is plain, they will maintain the sufficiency of their own reason to guide them; and they will not submit to be taught by the Holy Spirit, who guides his people into all truth. And there is a portion of the same spirit in many of the professors of the gospel. They exalt their own reason; and they compliment that of others. They have an apostle of their party, a modern Paul, an Apollos, or a Cephas, whose writings they read and admire, to the sad neglect of God's word. Hence their mind and conscience become defiled; corruptions arise; and Satan is at hand to lead them captive at his will. How far are they now from godly simplicity and sincerity! Some pretend to rise high into the VOL. III.

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sublimities of eternal counsels and purposes, as though they were favored with an abundance of revelation. But alas! they have been soaring on the wings of Satan, transformed into an angel of light! Fixed, at length, upon some eminence, they look down upon others with disdain. So have I seen a youth at the top of the Monument, gazing at the people below, and remarking what little creatures the people in the streets appeared. But in a few minutes he came down to mix with the company, and became as little or less than they. Others, through vain speculations, sink down into self-righteousness, or party-spirit: here they lie grovelling in the dirt, and defiling their garments. Are any of my readers turned aside into any of these bye-path meadows? Hasten back again into "the good old way, that ye may find rest to your souls."

Self-indulgence leads some persons astray. There is a proneness in human nature to gratify itself. The flesh loves case and freedom from every mortification. How many are the carnal appetites of man! How ensnaring, how debasing to the mind! The food we eat, the liquids we drink, the raiment we wear, the houses we inhabit, with the various superfluities of life, all contribute to pamper self, if self be not continually watched and brought into subjection.

Creature-attachments, also, draw the heart astray from God, whom we ought to love supremely, and at all times. Friendship is pleasant,but it may lead the mind astray from our best Friend. The disposition to please and be pleased, in persons of either sex, is very agreeable; but how apt to fascinate and enslave the soul! Husbands maylove their wives, and wives their husbands, and parents their chil