endeavour to persuade you, that "there is no help for you in God;" but such a suggestion plainly indicates its origin: though it do but whisper in your hearts, it is a whisper from the father of lies! The word "Impossible" was never yet breathed in heaven. How could it in the presence of God? Nay, as regards the promised operations of his grace, it might be banished by us on earth, did we realize that all pervading power which continually watches over the interests of the human race.

Whether, then, you are cast down under a sense of inward evil, of anticipated trial, of apprehended declension, I beseech you turn ever to this "strong hold," and turn as "prisoners of hope." Lean confidently on the everlasting arm, which will not, cannot fail you. Honour God by believing his word; judge him by his own assurances, not by your own fancies. Confidence that he is able and willing to perform them to you, is not presumption, if at the same time you seek and desire the dispositions to which they are attached. I think you would de

rive both instruction and encouragement from perusing the history of the kings of Judah in the second book of Chronicles; less with an historical, than experimental reference. You will there see the intimate, the inseparable union, between dependence upon God for help, and victory in time of need; between seeking his favour, and prospering in all things; and though the victories and prosperity were temporal, they bear an evident analogy to those essentially spiritual. The same remark will apply to the wars under Joshua. Indeed, the whole history of the Jews, from their leaving Egypt to their settlement in Canaan, may be termed an historical allegory, through which the Christian pilgrimage is distinctly and instructively perceptible.

And now, dear girls, suffer one brief hint, the only one I shall make of a practical nature. Religion is a living principle. It is compared by our Saviour to every thing that has a tendency to grow and increase; the single grain of mustard-seed became a spreading tree; the hidden leaven "leavened the

whole lump ;" and if the grain dispersed by the sower, varied even on the good ground in its springing, yet its least increase was manifold and abundant. Religion, divine in its nature, and real in its effect, is no idle, no dubious possession; if it "take root downwards," it will "bear fruit upwards."

"Its holy flame for ever burneth,

From heaven it came, to heaven returneth."

Partial, perhaps unperceived in its commencement, its dominion becomes in the end universal; extending to the thoughts and intents of the heart; having reference to the whole being, body, soul, and spirit; SO stimulating to action, so purifying the affections, so renewing the motives, so strengthening weakness, so tempering harshness, that the object of its influence is emphatically termed a "new creature." That Christian is false to his principles, of whose life and conversation it can ever be inquired in doubt, "Whose is this image and superscription?" if he do not evidence, too plainly for any to

misconceive, the spirit he has imbibed, the master whom he follows!

There are some among you to whom what I have written will not apply; some, who may think that youth precludes their interest in the subject. Such I must more particularly address. Dear children, why should you hesitate or hang back, as though there were aught in the universe having claims or worthiness to be compared with God? Why will you be content to hear of him by the hearing of the ear, when you might apprehend him by the experience of the heart? You see many around you, who in different degrees, are seeking and finding Him, who is "the covert from the storm, and the shadow from the heat;" the great Shepherd of Israel who leads his flock to green pastures and still waters; the gentle Teacher whose "doctrine drops as the rain, whose speech distils as the dew; as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the

grass." Oh! why should not you seek and find him too? Why should not you too he enabled to say of this gracious Being, "How

great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty!" The unwillingness is not in him, but in yourselves; the "wisdom that descendeth from above" has tamed and consecrated hearts as young and giddy as any of yours can be; infant lips have lisped hosannas to him who bringeth salvation; and infant feet have "run the way of his commandments;" little ones among men have become little ones of the kingdom of God, and according to their capacity, have delighted in him as their Father and their portion. Remember, God will no more be mocked by children than by their elders; if they reject and despise him, he will reject and despise them, and the youngest, who have had the opportunity of knowing him, must perish if they know him not! does there yet remain any other to whom an especial word is needed?—any, who have had for many years "line upon line, and precept upon precept," and yet are not taught by the teaching of the Spirit? I beseech you, remember the added responsibility which rests upon your heads! Remember the

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