the most sagacious and gifted men in the estimati of their fellow-creatures, are often only fools in H sight; and "the foolish things of this world" w one day "confound their wisdom.”

This grand division of mankind still exist and might be traced in every neighbourhood a in many a family. In passing the public stree we observe dwellings of every variety of style an appearance. Some bespeak opulence and sple dour; others comfort and competence; others a evidently the abodes of penury and want. B these differences are of little moment. Enter the dwellings and it will be found, that in some them " prayer is wont to be made;" there a Bibles in every closet, and the fear of God reig in the family. While other houses, on the rig hand and on the left, witness only the bustle business, the pursuits of pleasure, or the grati cations of ease and indulgence: religion is eith banished such households altogether, or the mer form of it is maintained, while the god of this wor receives the homage of the heart. Thus mig

the families of every town and village be classe into the wise and the foolish. And yet this div sion is too general; remark any particular famil where a profession of religion is made; and eve there, it will probably be found, that the sam separation must be observed. The parents, per haps, may be seen retiring to their closets to pray and to weep for themselves and for their children while the children forget God, and care for nonof those things. Or while one or two young person

in a family are beginning to think upon their ways and to turn to the Lord, the others remain indifferent and unimpressed; "some of them are wise, and Some are foolish."

And might not these words be inscribed on most of the pews in a place of worship? There sits one who knows something of the value of his soul-he hungers and thirsts for spiritual things; and prays and hears as for his life. Next to him, perhaps, is another, who either listens not at all, or hears only for amusement; or, at best, he proves to be but a stony ground hearer, who, "having no root," his good resolutions soon "wither away; or are choked by the cares and pleasures of this life."

It is a melancholy sight to see persons, Sabbath after Sabbath, taking their accustomed places, conforming to the ordinary modes of worship, but without making the least apparent movement towards the good ways of God. They are even content to class themselves with the unprofessing part of the congregation. And some are so ignorant and so thoughtless as to say, that as they make no pretensions, nobody has a right to find fault. Young people, in many instances, appear to rest, as it were, in their unconcern; as if they knew not that to them also, are freely offered all the blessings of salvation: and that they too, are personally warned to "flee from the wrath to come."

It is, however, no uncommon thing for the five foolish occasionally to look with an indolent envy at the stock of oil with which the five wise are

provided. "I wish I were as serious as such one," is the secret language of many a heart; but this too often only means that they wish th were as safe. Why are not such wishes often cherished and followed up with earnest impe tunate prayer? "All things are ready." Let t most careless, unimpressed, and worldly-minde but rouse themselves to ask, and even they sh receive the very same blessings that their mo pious friends enjoy. There is oil enough for the lamps; O, the folly of waiting till there is 1 time to procure it! When, however, persons d feel inclined, under any sudden impression, to as they have reason to take great heed that they d not "ask amiss:" observe the terms that are em ployed in Scripture, as descriptive of true an prevailing prayer; we are exhorted to "lift up ou voice for understanding; to seek it as for hidde treasure; to strive, or (as it means) to agonize t enter in at the strait gate." If such is the fer vour and earnestness and diligence which the im portance of the case demands, no wonder that listless, heartless, or occasional petitions receive no

answer.

Judging of others is an idle, uncertain, and most injurious employment. It is not intended that these hints should set any one who may read them, about that unprofitable business. It is not for us to decide who amongst our acquaintance or fellow worshippers are wise, or who are foolish. No; but let every reader put the serious question to himself; to which class do I belong; where should

I be classed by him who decided in the case of those ten virgins, each of whom held a lamp, and professed to "let her light shine before men ?" It is possible that some may feel a difficulty in answering the question, because they are so fully determined to get oil to their lamps in good time that they cannot consent to class themselves amongst the foolish. But, alas! just so they also intended who at last were told to "depart." In religion there is no good time but the present time, and it is the highest folly, perceiving what is good, to defer being possessed of it. Let every one who is conscious that the bridegroom's voice would be to him sound of terror and consternation, pray with unremitting earnestness to be made "wise unto salvation," remembering that appalling declaration which seems particularly applicable to persons who had made some profession, and were "almost persuaded to be Christians," that " many shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able."

XXIV.

ECCLESIASTICUS XIX. 1.

HE THAT CONTEMNETH SMALL THINGS SHALL FALL BY LITTLE AND LITTLE."

ALTHOUGH this is not the declaration of an inspired writer, yet it is certainly the language of wisdom and experience, and is well worthy attentive consideration. If it had been asserted, that he that despiseth small things shall fall suddenly

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and immediately, it might have been considered some as a more formidable threat. But, in fact, tl peril of a person of the disposition here describe is greatly increased by the gradual nature of I decline. No danger is greater than that whi approaches us by imperceptible steps; since are not then likely to place ourselves in the po ture of defence. Thus, if all the ill consequenc of a bad habit were experienced at the very con mencement of it, there is scarcely any one so weɛ or so indulgent, but would summon strength mind enough to break it off at the outset. Coul a person but glance at the future extent and th massy strength of that chain, which he is formin for himself, link by link, in every little indulgenc of an evil habit, he would instantly snap it asunde But neither seeing this, nor believing the testimon made by the universal experience of others, h proceeds, despising such small things, till his fal is inevitable and great. Temptation, in its early approaches, is comparatively weak: and a sligh effort, a trifling sacrifice, would then be sufficient to overcome it. This is the time, the happy, the favourable opportunity; and he who sees the importance, or (if we might be allowed the expression) the magnitude of small things, will then conquer. With what keen remorse have such seasons been looked back upon by elderly persons now bound down by "twice ten thousand chains," who lament in hardened impotence, that when it would have been easy-when a trifling act of self-denial, a momentary reference to principle and conscience would