to those "who seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, all other things shall be added." And in the midst of all, he prizes the light of his countenance lifted up upon him, more than the brightest sun-shine of this world. He lies down upon his bed with the sweetest serenity, knowing that the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him. Is he young? The Lord then is the guide of his youth, and he hopes by "taking heed to his way, according to the word of God," to escape the dangers and temptations of an evil world. And he can look towards advancing years, to the loss of his earthly friends, and to old age itself, without dismay because, when father and mother forsake him, the Lord has engaged to take him up. He believes, also, that when he is old and grey-headed, He will be with him still. Such, then, is the peace that is experienced in the ways of religion; and is not this peace plea

santness?

Many of the admonitions of Solomon are addressed expressly to the young; and this, among other passages, is intended to allure them into "the good old way" in which their fathers have walked. Youth is ever eager in the pursuit of pleasure; and here it is afforded to them,true, enduring, unchangeable, and ever increasing pleasure. Why then should we hesitate? O, reader!" taste and see that the Lord is gracious." But remember you must not expect to experience the pleasantness of religion, without a hearty devotedness to it. That which makes the good ways of the Lord appear so uninviting, is, that so many walk irregularly in them; with

a heavy, halting or wandering step. But the true pilgrim, who maintains a vigorous pace, who is never diverted from his course, who

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presses toward the mark," and keeps it ever in view, he it is, who experiences the full truth of this assertion; he "goes on his way rejoicing," and finds, indeed, that it is a pleasantness, and that its paths are peace."

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way of

XII.

SUNDAY MORNING.

THAT is not likely to be a profitable Sabbath, which is commenced without some suitable recollection, some sincere desire to improve and sanctify it. Our first waking thoughts should be thus consecrated; should thus take possession of the mind, and preoccupy it; otherwise those of a worldly kind will soon flow in; so that if we "do not our own works," we shall "think our own thoughts," which is as great a sin in the sight of God. But there are many reflections, (besides those more obvious ones, which are familiar to every serious mind,) that may be suggested to us by Sunday morning. Let us indulge them for a while.

This Sabbath dawns not on ourselves alone, but also on the millions of our favoured land; inviting all to forget the six days, in which they have laboured and done their work, and to remember this, and keep it holy. Alas! to multitudes how vain the summons. We see that

"the world still lieth in wickedness," in no respect more strikingly, than by the total neglect of this day in numberless instances; and the very mistaken and partial cbservance of it in many more. It is melancholy to reflect on the thousands who welcome it only as a day of indulgence, idleness, or amusement. The sabbath sun, which ought to arouse them betimes to its sacred duties, does but witness their longer indulgence. How many who "rise early and sit up late," on other days, to attend diligently to their worldly affairs, when they awake and recollect that it is Sunday, resolve to have "a little more sleep, a little more folding of the hands to sleep." And when at last they arise, if they do not allow themselves to engage in the business of other days, they do but fill up the heavy hours in the meanest indulgences; in the preparation or enjoyment of a luxurious meal, in the most trifling occupations, or in absolute idleness. What can be a more melancholy sight, than that of such a wretched, ill ordered family, thus wasting the sacred hours that many are spending in the house of God.

Others rise early indeed, but it is only in order to lengthen their holiday. How many such are now preparing to profane the Sabbath! How are the roads and fields, in almost every part of our beautiful country, disfigured by these unhallowed visitants! How are our streets thronged with Sabbath breakers! The doors of the houses of God are thrown wide open, and they I would be welcome as well as others. "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by ?" In vain is the affectionate invitation! They pass on, re

solved to have their pleasure, at whatever price.

But there is a brighter view of Sunday morning, to which it is refreshing to turn. How many are there, who have said of it, "early will I seek thee," and who, from their various and distant dwellings, have been, at the same hour, seeking in their closets a blessing on this welcome Sabbath. Their united supplications, uttered in various accents, and rising from the lowly cottage, the darksome hovel, as well as from abodes of comfort and affluence, ascend together, as an acceptable morning sacrifice to the throne of grace.

Again-see from the streets and lanes, from the courts and alleys, of our crowded cities; from the hamlets and villages, from the high-ways and hedges, what numbers of decent children now issue forth to their respective Sunday Schools! How many little feet are at the same moment pacing the streets on this blessed errand! What an innumerable multitude would they form, could the whole of them be assembled on some vast plain before our view! What an animating spectacle to teachers! But although this cannot be, imagination may, in part, enable them to realise such a sight; and every private individual, who is about to engage in this good work, may be animated by the reflection, that however limited the sphere of their exertions, they are coutributing their efforts, and doing their utmost towards the well being of this countless multitude. And this leads us to another reflection. Behold the goodly company of young people from all corners of our land, animated

(as we would hope) by the same feeling, preparing to commence their Sabbath morning's employment. Every teacher, as he or she is proceeding towards the school, might be encouraged, by recollecting, how many fellow labourers there are, unknown indeed to each other, and unconnected except in this common cause, who are setting out on the same noble business. Perhaps there is no heart glowing with truer cheerfulness, gladdened with more perfect peace, than that of the pious, diligent teacher, who, having early in the closet, sought a blessing on the duties and services of the day, goes forth in the strength of the Lord to engage in them.

But let us now, in thought, pursue the thousands and ten thousands, who are pacing the streets, or crossing the fields and lanes in their way to the houses of God. And could we hope that all were animated by the same motive, that all were going to listen to the same faithful truth, it would be indeed a pleasing subject of contemplation.

But we would never for a moment disguise truth in order to indulge à pleasing vision. Of these multitudes, how many are but going to be established in error,--how many to pass an idle hour,-how many to satisfy their consciences with heartless forms,--how many to sit careless and unimpressed even under faithful instructions. Still, however, with all these deductions, there are many who are sincerely going to " pay their vows unto the Lord, now in the presence of all his people," and this is a cheering reflection.

The crowded streets of a large city on a Sunday morning, may also afford another observa