bringing down upon your heads the blessings of those that were ready to perish.These, these are the parts of former life which are recalled with most satisfaction! On them alone no heaviness of heart attends. You enjoy them as a treasure which is now stored up, and put beyond all danger of being lost. These cheer the hours of sadness, lighten the burden of old age, and, through the mortifying remembrance of much of the past, dart a ray of light and joy.-From the review of these, and the comparison of them with the deceitful pleasures of sin, let us learn how to form our estimate of happiness. Let us learn what is true, what is false, in human pleasures; and from experience of the past, judge of the quarter to which we must in future turn, if we would lay a foundation for permanent satisfaction. After having thus reviewed the former years of our life, let us consider,

II. What attention is due to that period of age in which we are at present placed. Here lies the immediate and principal object of our concern. For the recollection of the past is only as far of moment, as it

acts upon the present. The past, to us now, is little; the future, as yet, is nothing. Between these two great gulfs of time subsists the present, as an isthmus or bridge, along which we are all passing. With hasty and inconsiderate steps let us not pass along it; but remember well, how much depends upon our holding a steady, and properly conducted course. Whatsoever thine hand findeth to do, do it now with all thy might; for now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation. Many directions might be given for the wise and religious improvement of the present; a few of which only I shall hint.

Let us begin with excluding those superfluous avocations which unprofitably consume it: Life is short; much that is of real importance remains to be done. If we suffer the present time to be wasted either in absolute idleness or in frivolous employments, it will hereafter call for vengeance against us. Removing, therefore, what is merely superfluous, let us bethink ourselves of what is most material to be attended to at present: as, first and chief, the great work of our salvation; the dis

charge of the religious duties which we owe to God our Creator, and to Christ our Redeemer. God waiteth as yet to be gracious; whether he will wait longer none of us can tell. Now, therefore, seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. Our spiritual interests will be best promoted by regular performance of all the duties of ordinary life. Let these, therefore, occupy a great share of the present hour. Whatever our age, our character, our profession, or station in the world, requires us to do, in that let each revolving day find us busy. Never delay till to-morrow what reason and conscience tell you ought to be performed to-day. To-morrow is not yours; and though you should live to enjoy it, you must not overload it with a burden not its own. Sufficient for the day will prove the duty thereof.

The observance of order and method is of high consequence for the improvement of present time. He who performs every employment in its due place and season suffers no part of time to escape without profit. He multiplies his days; for he

lives much in little space. Whereas he who neglects order in the arrangement of his occupations, is always losing the present in returning upon the past, and trying, in vain, to recover it when gone.-Let me advise you frequently to make the present employment of time an object of thought. Ask yourselves, about what are you now busied? What is the ultimate scope of your present pursuits and cares? Can you justify them to yourselves? Are they likely to produce any thing that will survive the moment, and bring forth some fruit for futurity? He who can give no satisfactory answer to such questions as these, has reason to suspect that his employment of the present is not tending either to his advantage or his honour.

Finally, let me admonish you, that while you study to improve, you should endeavour also to enjoy, the present hour. Let it not be disturbed with groundless discontents, or poisoned with foolish anxieties about what is to come: but look up to Heaven, and acknowledge, with a grateful heart, the actual blessings you enjoy. If you must admit, that you are now in

health, peace, and safety; without any particular or uncommon evils to afflict your condition; what more can you reasonably look for in this vain and uncertain world? How little can the greatest prosperity add to such a state? Will any future situation ever make you happy, if with so few causes of grief, you imagine yourselves miserable? The evil lies in the state of your mind, not in your condition of fortune; and by no alteration of circumstances is likely to be remedied. Let us now,

now,

III. Consider with what dispositions we ought to look forward to those years of our life that may yet be to come. Merely to look forward to them, is what requires no admonition. Futurity is the great object on which the imaginations of men are employed; for the sake of which the past is forgotten, and the present too often neglected. All time is in a manner swallowed up by it. On futurity men build their designs; on futurity they rest their hopes; and though not happy at the present, they always reckon on becoming so, at some subsequent period of their lives.