duty of every creature. It is the inev-|| pressing nature. These benefits, also, itable law of our being. God could are innumerable. What have you not have required of us either more or which you did not receive? Who gave less than he has. If we exist as crea- you your existence? For whom do tures, an obligation lies upon us, which you live, and move, and have your beis commensurate with our existence, ing? From whose store-house are you to love God supremely, and our neigh-fed and clothed? Who is he that gives bor as ourselves. To deny this obli- you rain from Heaven, and fruitful seagation, is absurd-To labor to remove sons, filling your hearts with food and it, is vain. What then will you do? gladness? And who is he that has proWill you through an aversion to the vided a ransom for your souls, and bro't ways of God, repine at your existence? life and immortality to light through Will you rise up, and complain of God the gospel? Can you view God as the for creating you, because you were author of all these benefits, and at the not made free from obligation to love same time overlook your obligation to and praise him? Would you prefer ab- gratitude? Blind indeed must be the solute non-existence to the state of wretch who can do this. And equalsubjects of God's moral government? ly blind must he be who can enjoy How awfully absurd it would be to ut- such mercies without eyeing the hand ter a complaint of this kind, or to har- which bestows them. bor one such wish!

But this is the very character of all But should any one be so hardened as stupid sinners. You regard not the to do this, it would avail nothing. For source whence all your supplies come. existence you possess with all its at-You consume the favors of God upon tending obligations-And you can an- your lusts. The streams of Divine nihilate neither the one nor the other. bounty are continually flowing to you; It is therefore, your indispensable but you make no suitable returns. duty to be, and to do whatever the di- You breathe God's air; live upon his vine law requires. You are bound to provisions, and wear his clothing: Yet be constantly active for God, and the he is not in all your thoughts. great interests of his kingdom. Con- But the most aggravating circumsequently your stupidity is infinitely stance pertaining to your ingratitude, unreasonable and criminal. By indul- is your indifference to the calls of the ging it, you pervert your faculties, and violate the law of your being. How absurd and wicked it is to be dead, when you were created to be alive. Your stupidity and sloth are all of the nature of rebellion.-You are continually contemning the authority of God. It is inexpressibly henious to live in such a state.

2. By indulging stupidity in regard to religion, you act an awfully ungrateful part.

Gospel. The voice of mercy is continually saluting your ears; but you are like the deaf adder which will not be charmed. Wisdom cries and understanding puts forth her voice. She stands in the top of the high places, by the way in th places of the paths.She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors, O ye simple,understand wisdom; and ye fools be ye of an understanding heart. But all without effect. You The bestowment of favors creates an are locked in the arms of stupidity. obligation to gratitude. The greater You indulge the most sordid ingratiand more needful the gift, the greater tude, and despise the riches of salvathe obligation of the receiver to the tion. How stupidly unreasonable is giver. According to this rule, your this conduct! You stand reproved by obligation to be grateful to God is infi- the very brutes. "The Ox knoweth nitely binding: For you have receiv-his owner and the Ass his master's ed the richest benefits at his hand, and crib; but Israel doth not know, my your need of them was of the most people doth not consider."

3. Your carnal stupidity deprives Some of you enjoy satisfaction in ac you of the solid and sublime enjoy-quiring science, or in floating on the ments which religion now imparts to tide of wealth and honor. But what the children of God. You inherit, at is the sum total of all this happiness? best, nothing but a fleeting and sordid Look at your associations. They are portion. This is a consideration which merely of a worldly nature. Your conexposes your unreasonableness. For, versation is earthly, trifling, and vain. surely, it must be unreasonable to give The ligaments which bind you togethup the substance for the shadow of er have nothing of a spiritual nature.— happiness. To slight your own mer What is your sport and merriment ?— cies, and wrong your own souls, is ab-Let Solomon answer. "As the cracksurd and foolish in the extreme. ling of thorns under a pot, so is the

You may be sure that it is for your laughter of a fool." "I said of laughter, highest interest in this world, (exclu- it is mad, and of mirth what doth it?" sive of the rewards of eternity,) to be" Even in laughter, the heart is sorawake and active in the things of reli- rowful, and the end of that mirth is gion. Let fools and hypocrites say heaviness." To the truth of these paswhat they will to the contrary, the ser-sages, if you speak from experience, vice of God now yields a blessed re- you cannot fail to bear testimony.ward. "There is no man that hath What is science to persons who know left house, or brethren, or sisters, or fa- not God? You have probably as much ther, or mother, or wife, or children, or pleasure in this, as in any thing: but it lands, for Christ's sake and the gos-is very trivial in comparison with the pel; but he shall receive an hundred happiness which is imparted by true fold now in his time, houses, and breth- wisdom. After the utmost attainments ren, and sisters, and mothers, and in human science, he who has no heart children, and land, with persecutions, to know and love God, and the gospel, and in the world to come, eternal life." It is a truth that "wisdom's ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peace." The blessed Saviour assures all who come to him, that "he will give them rest." "His yoke is easy and his bur

den is light."

is a fool. What is honor? A mere empty name. Nor is there any thing in wealth which is able to make you truly happy. Riches are deceitful and uncertain.

Thus,it is manifest that all the springs of worldly enjoyment are, at best, extremely low. Besides, they are often interrupted and dried up. How unreasonable, therefore, it is to go aside of the path of true happiness as you do.

Trials and crosses christians must have. But these are all mingled with consolation. So that we may well glory in tribulation, knowing that tripulation worketh patience, and patience" Why do ye spend money for that experience, and experience hope: and hope maketh not ashamed." Every true christian experiences pardon of sin, communion with God, and joy in the Holy Ghost,

which is not bread, and your labor for that which satisfieth not?" Why are ye blind to your own best good? Why do ye so constantly drink in the bane of your peace? O be wise, and awake out of your stupidity!

In comparison with these things how sordid are the pleasures of the world. 4th. The unreasonableness of your What does your happiness amount to? stupidity in regard to the things of reIn health you eat, and drink, and sleep. ligion, further appears from the consiSo do the brutes. There is nothing in deration that you hereby pervert and these things which is suited to the ca- degrade your moral and intellectual pacity of the immortal mind. But you powers. You are endowed with cahave, also, the pleasures of society.-pacities to glorify and enjoy the ever. You can meet in jovial companies, and blessed God. Nothing hinders you ❝chant to the sound of the viol."- from attaining to true wisdom, but a

perverse heart. It is a fact that you This is a fact which deserves the have natural powers to soar above this most serious consideration. For it world, and to engage in the employ-serves, in a striking manner, to expose ment of angels. You are capable of the folly and unreasonableness of sin. progressing in knowledge, holiness and If we see a man who neglects that happiness through endless duration. which is essential to his prosperity and Are you not, therefore, awfully unrea-happiness, we set him down as exsonable in employing these powers on-tremely unwise and inconsiderate. For ly in the service of yourselves and the instance, if a beggar should have the world? You cannot deny but that you offer of a large and handsome estate make a horrid perversion of them. It upon complying with some easy and is a most lamentable thing that you equitable condition; or if a criminal, are wise only "to do evil," when you justly condemned to die, should have might be wise "to do good." You are the offer of his life upon imploring the capable of aspiring to a worthy and no-pardon of his sovereign, and returning ble end. But instead of this you are to his allegiance; would not a neglect living for the meanest and the worst.-to comply, in either case, be express You are the servants of corruption.-ive of the most amazing inconsideraIn respect of any thing which is truly tion and folly? But how much greater praiseworthy, your souls are palsied. must be the folly of neglecting to com You are dead in trespasses and sins.- ply with the offer of Heaven! What is Can you wonder that Solomon, with an earthly compared with a heavenly deep amazement, exclaimed, "where- inheritance? An inheritance which is fore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?" Why will you continue this folly? Why will you act so much beneath the dignity of your being? Why will you live like beasts, when you were created men? It is high time to awake and turn from this folly.

incorruptible, and undefiled, and which no enemy can assail? Or, what is the pardon conferred by an earthly judge, though for the highest offence against human laws, in comparison with the divine forgiveness of sinners, and redemption from an eternal curse? Your unreasonableness in thus neglecting the 5. Your stupidity is unreasonable "great salvation" is astonishing and agbecause of the tendency of your ex-gravating beyond expression. ample to destroy others. Example is 7. Your stupidity renders you liable, a powerful thing. Hereby "one sinner destrøyeth much good " Your stupidity is a dreadful contagion. It is the very choke-damp of death. By your example, others are induced to put far away the evil day, till destruction, with-You are, likewise, exposed to positive out remedy, comes upon them. Your conduct, therefore is amazingly unreasonable and cruel. The guilt of ruining one another by your bad exam-ready given against you. The execu ples will be a dreadful ingredient in your future misery.

6. Your carnal stupidity and sloth, expose you to the loss of Heaven, and must, consequently, be infinitely unreasonable. Every moment, you are liable to have the door of mercy closed upon you. You are continually liable to sustain an infinite & irreparable loss. By your stupidity and unbelief, you hazard every thing which is valuable.

daily, to be whelmed in everlasting ru in. The punishment threatened in the divine law, is not simply negative.→→ The loss of heaven is only a part of the evil entailed upon the impenitent.

and unutterable misery,continued thro' endless duration. "He that believeth not shall be damned." Sentence is al

tion is only stayed during the pleasure of the Judge. You are every moment liable to be cut off. Your situation is infinitely perilous. How unreasonable, therefore, and shocking is your stupidity! The tempest of Divine vengeance is preparing to burst upon your heads, yet you behave as though there were no danger. What indescribable folly and madness! To rush continually un

on ruin with such dreadful stupidity, your eyes upon your danger? Why do and carelessness, presents a view of you disregard your eternal peace ?— human wickedness and folly, which Why do you thus trample upon the auwould appear wholly incredible, if the thority of God; despise his warnings; fact were not before our eyes. and refuse to receive the riches of his grace?

What renders your stupidity in this matter the more shocking, is the consideration that you are all alive and active in the pursuit of other things which, at best, are infinitely inferior to the salvation of your souls; and which are, often, of no value at all. "For the meat that perisheth;' for treasure which "moth and rust corrupt," and thieves molest, you labor with all diligence. But "for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life;" and for treasure which is 'incorruptible, and undefiled,' and "which faileth not;" you are at no pains.

Pause, I entreat you, and consider the folly and sinfulness of your conduct. Behold your amazing infatuation! See how you are undoing yourselves forever! And arouse from this lethargy, and supplicate the mercy of your offended Sovereign. Cry peace no longer, when there is no peace.Delay not a moment. Escape for your life. Humble yourselves at the footstool of mercy. In a word, hear and obey that solemn exhortation, "awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."

SOME ACCOUNT OF HANNAH.

"God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are; that no flesh should glory in his presence."

HANNAH was a very simple young

You are also very sensible to danger in respect of the present life. If your persons or property are exposed, you diligently resort to measures for security. But the danger you are in of eternal damnation gives you no serious troubles; or, at most, it gives you very little concern in proportion to the magnitude of the subject. You can walk upon the precipice of everlasting ruin heedless and unconcerned, and even sport at the very threshold of misery. Not a step do you take to escape the danger which surrounds you, and to obtain the blessings of sal-woman. vation. But your thoughts and desires, and strength, are spent in the pursuit of this world, and the pleasures of sin. Now to be capable of acting as you are, and yet live, and labor for such low, unworthy and destructive ends, instead of those which are dignified and happifying in the highest degree, is beyond expression, unreasonable and criminal. It would seem that the sturdiest rebel could not fail to be shock-1 ed at his sin and folly!

Her natural abilities and her education were below mediocrity.Her situation was such that she had only a few acquaintances. She saw and heard but little of what takes place in the world. Accordingly her knowledge was confined within a very small compass. The language she had been taught was uncommonly plain. She could neither speak nor understand half the words in ordinary use.

Hannah was a cripple. In the midst of youth a severe sickness visited her What mean you, O sleepers! Why and separated her from those gaieties are ye thus regardless of the terrors of and vain amusements which are the the Almighty? How can you rock common delight and ruin of young peoyourselves in the cradle of carnal se-ple. For more than twelve years, if curity, while the billows of Divine I mistake not, she was unable to walk wrath are continually threatening to o- or stand. A considerable part of the verwhelm you? Why do you shut time she was under the care of phy

sicians. Her pains were often extreme. others. She was grieved at the conStill she was industrious. She used duct of careless sinners, and wondered to sit up, sometimes in her bed, somehow they could go on, and sin against times supported by pillows, at other" that blessed Lord." It was not untimes in a chair ; and, when free from usal for her to weep, when she obserdistressing pain, busily employ her ved misconduct in those around her. time in needlework, in which, consid-Sin was her burden wherever she saw ering her advantages, she excelled. it.

It seems that Hannah's afflictions Hannah appeared to be the subject had, through the divine blessing, a sal- of Christian love. She frequently utary influence upon her mind. The spoke of God's being lovely and glorifollowing things are mentioned, as ev-ous. Christ was infinitely excellent in idence of her piety. I begin with her her view. She placed her heart upon contentment and patience. She was him, and chose wholly to be in his pleased with her confinement, and hands. The character and ways of God even with her sickness. She thought seemed to be the subject of her daily herself highly favored in being thus af- and most delightful meditation. She flicted. Remembering how thought-loved the Bible, kept it always near less and vain she was while in health, her, and, considering her infirmities, and seeing others as thoughtless as read it very diligently. She had an she once was, she viewed it as the ardent affection for ministers of the greatest kindness, that God had taken gospel. Happy in her ignorance, she away her health. Sometimes, in her looked upon them all, without excepunaffected simplicity, she expressed tion to be the faithful friends of Christ. great uwillingness to be freed from sick-She no sooner saw a minister, than her ness and pain; fearing she should, in love was kindled; for her pious tho❜ts that case, get out of the blessed way; immediately flew to Jesus, whose imwhich was her phrase for a serious, age, she supposed, was to be seen in godly life. She habitually discovered all his professed servants. a calm, patient spirit in her greatest

It was observed that religious con

sufferings, and sometimes manifested versation and prayer generally put her gratitude, that God would take so much into a very pleasant and delightful notice of her as to correct her. When frame, which she manifested by rethe reason of her contentment was in-markable mildness and sweetness in quired after, it was found to be the alldirecting providence of a wise, just and gracious God. It was God's will that made the day of adversity welcome to her.

her countenance and words. The exercises of christian society in her room filled her soul with joy and delight.

I shall now briefly mention the closing scene. I visited her sabbath evening. It was thought her last moments drew near. Though her bodily distress was great,she appeared able to command her feelings, and to devote "her mind to religious conversation.— Soon after I went in, she told me, she feared that she had, in the time of her sickness, sometimes felt uneasy, and spoken impatient words. She was grieved at the remembrance of any degree of impatience, in herself, which however great her affliction had been, she esteemed very sinful. She wished us to pray that God would forgive her; She was sensible of the evil of sin in and seemed to have much clearer views

She appeared deeply sensible of her own unworthiness and vileness, as a sinner. She often spoke of it as matter of wonder "how God could look upon such a poor, vile creature as she was.' She evidently felt, that hell was her proper desert, and that nothing but great mercy could save her. Once she intimated how dreadful it would be to be cast off at last. On being asked why it appeared so dreadful, she burst into tears, and said she could not bear to think of parting with "that blessed lovely Being."