of mental improvement, and will tend to make you not only more pious and moral, than all other books can, but likewise more rational and wise. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple: the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandments of the Lord are pure, enlightening the eyes." By reading the scriptures with care and attention, you will indeed have "more understanding than all your teachers." 4. The scriptures will regulate your conduct. "The word of God will be as a lamp unto your feet, as a light unto your path. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?" attend to the answer "by taking heed thereunto, according to thy word. Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thine own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." 5. The scriptures will guide your actions. They tell you what is displeasing to God: that there are six things which the Lord hateth; yea, seven which are an abomination unto him -A proud look-a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood-an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations-feet, that be swift in running to mischief-a false witness, that speaketh lies-and he that soweth discord among brethren. My dear young friends, take notice of these seven things, and endeavour to avoid them. 6. The scriptures will direct you in the choice of your companions. "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not: enter not into the path of the wicked, go not in the way of evil men, avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, pass away; for they sleep not, except they have done mischief, and their sleep is taken away, unless they have caused some to fall; for they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence; but the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more, unto the perfect day." Thus, the scriptures will preserve you from sin, encrease your happiness in this life, and set before you an open door, and direct you to endless happiness beyond the sky.To conclude- 7. The scriptures will powerfully support you at the hour of death. Remember, it is Jesus who gives command, Search the scriptures. "Jesus can make a dying bed, Feel soft as downy pillows are; While on his breast you lean your head, Though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you shall fear no evil, for God will be with you.' The scriptures tell you, that " the wages of sin is death;" but in the same verse you read, that "the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." This is what the Bible says: now then, my dear children, obey the voice of Jesus, Search the Scriptures, for this is the only way to be truly wise. "O may I love my Bible more, By day to read those wonders o'er, "This is a precious book indeed! "It tells us how the world was made; "It bids us all from sin to fly, "But, what is more than all beside, "Be thankful, children, that you may 'Tis God's own word, which he has giv'n ༈』ན LECT. VIII.-Danger of Bad Company. PROVERBS i. 10.-My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. My dear young friends, "A SUPPOSE a person was to come to me, and say, What do you think of such a little boy, or such a little girl? I would directly ask, Who were your companions; and from that I should be able to judge of your character, and tell what kind of children you were. There is an old proverb, and it is a very true one, man is known by the company he keeps." Bad companions will make you, in time, as bad as they are Attachments are formed, and intimate companions are chosen at a very early age. We find children of four or five years old have their little favorites, either at school, or in the neighbourhood, where they dwell: Boys have formed a friendship, at school, which has lasted when they have grown up, and continued till death, which separates dearest friends, has parted them assunder in the years of manhood or old age. Equally strong, if not more so, is the intimacy formed between females, or girls; they have their favorites among their schoolfellows and playmates, without which, they cannot go to or from school; in whose company they greatly delight, and without them they cannot go to any place of instruction, or amusement: even the name of a dear companion, sounds delightful, and the thought of a separation, causes tears and sorrow. Some intimacies formed in youth, have been more strongly united by friendship, than by the ties of natural affection. Some of you would do more for a particular friend or companion, than you would for brother or sister. If Solomon was your here, I think he would thus address you-But let us attend to the words of the text, "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not." I. I wish you to take notice of Solomon's parental affection for the young: My son: My boys, do you hear how Solomon speaks to you? Listen to him, for he was the wisest man that ever lived on earth: My son, are words which are often made use of by Solomon in the book of Proverbs; and by them, he does not mean boys only, but all those young in years, and under the authority of their parents. Let us take some notice of these two little words, "My son."-There is something very kind and affectionate in them: Hear, my dear young friends, My sons and daughters, says the wisest of men, attend to one who has the same |