children who mocked the prophet Elisha, to be torn in pieces by the bears; and Absalom to be hung in the boughs of an oak, for his undutiful conduct to his Father.

The scriptures give you an account of some remarkable prayers. The prayer of Jabez, the prayer of Solomon, the prayer of Auger, and the Publican's prayer, which is very suitable for every child-" God be merciful to me a sinner."

The scriptures tell that little children die. David's child died; the Shunemite's little boy; and the Ruler of synagogue's beloved daughter, all died when they were very young:

The scriptures declare, "That the dead, small and great, shall attend before God; that he will bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil; that the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.

Thus, I have very briefly told you of a few of the good things, which this precious book contains. But who is it that speaks these words" Search the scriptures?" It is Jesus, it is Christ the Saviour, your best Friend: it is his desire, it is his command: and if you love him, you will keep his commands. And Jesus himself gives you two every important reasons; "for in them ye think ye have eternal life;" that is, the scriptures show you how to obtain it; "and they are they which testify of me;" that is, the prophets bore witness to his coming,

and they fortold that he should come, to take away sin, by the sacrifice of himself. This is therefore another very powerful reason, because it is Christ that tells you to search the scriptures.

III. I must tell you how, or in what manner, you should search the scriptures, or in other words, how you should read your Bibles.

1. Read the scriptures as if you really believ them to be true. Ignorant men could never have been the authors of a book to make you truly wise; bad men could not invent a book that will make you good and happy: you cannot read the Bible, in a profitable manner, if you think at the same time, that what you read is false. The salvation of the soul depends upon the truth of the Bible remember, when you read the scriptures, that they were written by Him who cannot lie.

"His word is everlasting truth,

How pure is every page;

That holy book shall guide your youth,
And well support your age."

2. Read the scriptures with a high regard for their value; as if you really thought the Bible precious, for it is infinitely valuable, " more precious than rubies, more to be desired than gold, yea than much fine gold."

"This is the field where hidden lies,
The pearl of price unknown;
Those children are divinely wise,

Who make that pearl their own."

A poor woman who could not read the Bible, rose one hour earlier in the morning, and sat up one hour later in the evening, that she might earn a penny more every day, and with this penny she hired a little boy to read a few chapters in the Bible to her every day.

3. Read the scriptures, with an earnest desire to understand what you read, that you may indeed be made wise to salvation: O that you may imitate the example of Timothy, and know the scriptures, even from a child. What you do not understand ask some older person to explain it to you remember what they tell you, and think of it when you read that part again. Read, that you may know more of God, of his nature and perfections, that you may know more of yourselves as sinners and of Christ as a Saviour, as the only refuge from the wrath to

come.

4. Read the scriptures, with diligence: make it a rule with yourselves, to read a part every day let no day pass without reading a chapter at least. Read with attention and care; think upon what you read, apply the word to yourselves; when you have read a chapter, endeavour to learn some lesson of instruction from it, and turn the words you have read into a prayer. There is no occasion for you to read the Bible in order, I mean from Genesis to Revelations

but

you may read select parts, such as the book of Genesis, Proverbs, Psalms, Gospels, and the

L

Epistles. Here let me recommond to your notice, a book, called the Beauties of the Bible; it is an excellent book for young persons. There is also a smaller book, suitable for children six or seven years old, called Bible Stories; both these sre suitable books for children to read.

5. Read the Bible with reverence: Remem ber it is the Word of God; it is a holy Book; a sacred treasure, and ought to be taken care of: never let the Bible lay about, and when you read it at school, be very attentive, let others see that you love the Bible.

Lastly. Read the scriptures, with earnest prayer to God for his blessing upon what you read: Many persons complain that they do not understand the Bible: It is because they do not pray to God. What did David say, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wonderous things out of thy law." When you read the scriptures, say, O Lord teach me to know and do thy will; send thy Spirit to assist me, while I read, and grant that what I read may make me wiser and better. Pray before you read, and while you read, and after you have read the scriptures; this, my dear children, is the way to be truly wise indeed.

"Lord make me understand thy law,

Shew what my faults have been ;
And from the Gospel let me draw,
Pardon for all my sins.

"Here would I learn how Christ has died,

To save my soul from hell;
Not all the books on earth beside,

Such heav'nly wonders tell."

IV. I will proceed now, my dear children, to tell you some important advantages which those enjoy, who search the scriptures.

1. The scriptures will impress your minds. God is every where: He is in Heaven, in hell, and on earth: there is nothing hid from his eyes, "Thou God seest me," should be in your thoughts all the day. The evil of sin: The scriptures describe it to be that abominable thing which the Lord hateth, and which you ought to hate. God is of purer eyes that to behold evil; the wicked shall not stand in his sight; he hateth all the workers of iniquity: They tell you, that there is none good, no, not one, because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

2. The scriptures will renew your heartsmake you new creatures in Christ Jesus: Then you will see with new eyes, and hear with new ears; then, my dear young friends, shall you rejoice in the Lord, "being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. "Retire and read your Bible to be gay;

There truths abound of sovereign aid to please."

3. The scriptures will inform your minds: The scriptures contain the greatest treasure