not seek to exalt themselves either in his sight, or in the eyes of their fellow-creatures. Of those who are now in heaven, multitudes were only children on earth, but even then they were children, who, according to their age and opportunity, thus "worshipped God in the spirit, rejoiced in Christ Jesus, and had no confidence in the flesh." There is but one way of salvation, one law of faith, one rule of conduct, alike for young and old, for rich and poor, for wise and simple. The same degree of attainment may not be expected from all, but from all will be expected the same sincerity of desire and earnestness of effort. Josiah did not at eight years old remove idolatry from Jerusalem, but he "began to seek after the God of David his father;" and the slothful servant in the parable was condemned, not for having failed to gain ten talents, but for having made no use whatever of his one. God requires from us only "according to what we have, and not according to what we have not," and this renders him so kind and gracious a master. Ignorant human beings may over

work each other, and over-expect from each other, not from cruelty, but from not knowing what another is exactly able to do, or bear, or give. But God, who sees the heart and knows our frame, never forgets "that we are dust." He pities our infirmities as a father; the Saviour feels for our sorrows as a friend; and the Holy Spirit is ready to strengthen our weakness, instruct our ignoenable us to overcome the rance; by his grace sins of our nature, and at last obtain the joys of heaven. You often repeat to me the verse which says, "Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you ;" and you know the meaning of the words, but I fear you do not yet feel the meaning of the idea. If your lessons are difficult, you ask your master to explain them; if you are in pain or in trouble, you apply to your father or to me; conscious that your youth renders you helpless, you solicit assistance from those who are stronger and wiser. Oh, that you would act thus towards God! that when evil tempers and foolish desires come into your hearts, as come they

L

will, you would beg of God for help against them, and for holy tempers and good desires to put in their place.

My dearest boys, think of the two eternities that of heaven, which God offers; and that which belongs to Satan and all whom he has ensnared. Both are neverending; but oh, the difference between them! No human eye could bear to see the gulf which divides the one from the other, that great gulf which once passed, can never again be re-passed.

Death is a terrible thought, and the grave a desolate place, to all who live without God in the world; but death is only a messenger of peace, and the grave but a bed of hope, to those who having loved Christ on earth, go to live with him in heaven. But let me warn you of one mistake peculiarly common to children. Do not cheat yourselves with vain fancies, that when you are older you shall be better; that when you are men you shall find it easier to think of these things: that it is time enough yet-that yet has ruined the souls of thousands! To-MORROW

is the sluggard's motto, it is taught him by Satan. To-DAY is the Christian's watchword, it is taught him by God; even God who is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance here, and to glory hereafter.

You have stood by the sea-side and seen the waves one after another roll forward, and one after another dash upon the shore; others followed in their stead, none of them were the same waves, each was a different one: -such are the days of man's life, only with this difference-they are soon ended, while the waves continue still to roll on. The billows leave no mark behind them, but each of our days leaves a record, good or bad, wise or foolish. No one counts the waves, no one cares how they speed; but of our days God takes account, and keeps a remembrance, both how many they are, and how they are spent. You have stood too in a garden in spring, and seen the green leaves budding on the trees; and soon after, the bright blossoms open amongst them; and again, in autumn you have seen the fruit hanging thickly upon

the boughs, ripe for gathering:-such should be the soul of man in youth and age. It is now your spring time; you are full of hopes, and joys, and fancies—and it is well; but where are the blossoms amongst these the green leaves of your soul? Are you acquiring that knowledge, are you gaining those habits and dispositions, which shall ripen hereafter into a useful and honourable life? The blossom if good for any thing, must turn to fruit;-boys must become men, not merely men in stature, but men in thought and action, men as valuable members of society. You are of no use now, but for what you may hereafter be. I do not say, that unless religion becomes the governing principle of your lives you will be useless in the world; for, unhappily, we have had many brave soldiers, prudent and successful merchants, excellent poets, painters, and philosophers, who yet have not had the fear of God in their hearts. But I do say that you will be more useful with it; that without

it

you cannot be safe, nor even in this world happy for a continuance. Then, when the