heedless passenger hath been caught to his utter infamy and ruin. The boundary between harmless gaiety and licentious pleasure is so faintly marked, that, it is no wonder if, at seasons when we are more agreeably employed than in taking heed to our goings, we should sometimes pass over, from the one to the other, before we are aware.

Your virtue is farther exposed to danger from a quarter, from which one is least apt to suppose that any thing evil can come; from that pliableness of disposition and desire of obliging, which, in young persons, is peculiarly amiable and pleasing. Perhaps it has been through the influence of this disposition, mixed with too great a regard to the opinion of the the world, that most of those young persons who have given themselves up to vicious indulgence, have been at first tempted to trespass the bounds of innocence. There is something in vice at which the heart of man, in it's uncorrupted state, strongly revolts; and there are few young persons so totally devoid of moral feelings as to be able, at first, to commit a bad action, merely, for the sake of the pleasure which attends it. But false shame, an excess of good nature, a fear of giving offence,

of incurring ridicule, or being thought singular, and an ambition of being applauded as a youth of spirit and an agreeable companion, have often corrupted those hearts which the charms of vicious pleasures alone, without these aids, would never have allured. The maxim of Solomon is founded in nature, and confirmed by experience that "the fear of man bringeth a snare.”

But if licentious pleasure, with all its native attractions, and all it's adventitious support, should be unable to seduce, still your virtue is far from being secure. The world has other temptations in store for you which it will require the exertion of all your wisdom and fortitude to resist. Wealth, that idol at whose shrine such multitudes are willing to bow, will use a thousand arts to place you among the number of her votaries. She will endeavour to convince you that ease and indulgence, pleasure and happiness, respect and honour are at her disposal; and it is well if she do not at last persuade you to seek her rewards at the expense of your integrity, your peace of mind, and your hope of immortality. Ambition too, will strongly tempt you to pursue the delusive phantoms which she raises be

fore your imagination, through all the mazes of injustice, oppression, flattery, dissimulation and corruption. By the false lustre which these objects assume, thousands have been deluded. In search of the happiness which they promise, thousands have relinquished all the noble pursuits, and resigned all the substantial pleasures of wisdom and virtue. Imagine not, then, that you are invincibly armed against the assaults of these subtle and powerful adversaries. Flatter not yourselves that your danger is past before you have begun the combat; or think that you shall obtain a cheap and easy conquest. "Let not him that gir"deth on his harness, boast himself as he that putteth it off."

66

Such are the difficulties, such the dangers to which you are exposed, which you must, expect to meet with in your passage through life. Judge ye, whether you have any room for confidence and presumption, whether your situation doth not require all the caution and circumspection which you can command.

It is not, however, the design of what has been said to fill you with gloomy ideas of human life, to discourage you in the pursuit of happiness, or the practice of virtue, or to in

cline you to sit down in indolence and despair. Though you are liable to disappointments and calamities, you may, also, reasonably hope to enjoy, even in this world, a considerable share of felicity. Though your virtue be exposed to many trials, though temptations surround you on every side, it is still in your power, by the blessing and assistance of God, to hold fast your integrity, and continue stedfast and immovable in the practice of your duty. Be not, then, discouraged by difficulties, or terrified by dangers. Be cautious and diffident, but be not timid or desponding. In circumspection lies your safety: on diligence and resolution depend your improvement and happiness. Let me, therefore, recommend to your serious consideration and practical regard the following points of advice, which, for want of time, I can only mention, but which are too plain to stand in need of much illustration.

Be diffident of your own abilities, express your opinions with modesty, and without obstinate opposition to those of greater experience and wisdom. Be slow to speak, patient to hear, and willing to learn. This is the surest road to wisdom, and the best claim to esteem.

Be moderate in your wishes and expecta

tions of happiness. Nay, lay your account with disappointment and misfortune. Thus you will be better prepared to bear calamity, if it should come; and if prosperity, only, should be poured into your cup, it will be the greater from it's being unexpected.

Be careful in the choice of your friends. Be not rash in forming connections. Above all things, avoid the society of the wicked. For evil communications corrupt good manners, and the companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Guard against the first beginning, the smallest appearance of evil. Say not, it is a little thing. Unimportant as it may be in itself, it leaves behind it a stain which will not so easily be removed. Every the most trifling transgression tends to widen the breach. When the constitution is once affected with the disease of sin, no medicine but divine grace can stop it's progress. It eateth as a canker, and

biteth as a serpent.

Be careful and diligent to impress upon your minds a sense of God and of religion.

For

this purpose, dedicate a portion of your time to the reading of the sacred scriptures, and religious compositions. Neglect not the impor