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 en

tice 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,

And breathe your life out sweetly there.

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,
And take a fresh delight,
By day to read those wonders o'er,
And meditate by night."

"This is a precious book indeed!
Happy the child that loves to read!
'Tis God's own word, which he has giv❜n
To shew our souls the way to heav'n!

"It tells us how the world was made;
And, how good men the Lord obey'd :
Here his commands are written, too,
To teach us what we ought to do.

"It bids us all from sin to fly,
Because our souls can never die :
It points to Heav'n where angels dwell;
And warns us to escape from hell.

"But, what is more than all beside,
The Bible tells us, Jesus died!--
This is its best, its chief intent,
To lead poor sinners to repent.

"Be thankful, children, that you may
Read this good Bible every day :

'Tis God's own word, which he has giv'n
To shew your souls the way to Heav'n."

LECT. VIII.-Danger of Bad Company.

PROVERBS i. 10. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

My dear young friends,

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, "A 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 your brother or sister. If Solomon was 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 wisest of men, attend to one who has the same

the

regard for you as a parent; one who wishes to promote your present happiness and eternal felicity My sons and daughters, attend to me, for I assure you that I take a great interest in your welfare: I am very much concerned for the salvation of your souls: My heart's desire and prayer to God for you is, that you may be saved:' I have been young myself, I know the temptations to which the young are exposed, and the snares into which you are most likely to fall: I feel for the dangerous condition in which you are: the paths you walk in, are full of traps and snares: Among the various instruments which Satan employs for the ruin of your characters, your bodies, and your souls, there are none more dangerous, or more successful, than bad companions. Listen therefore to the advice of Solomon, and regard the caution which he gives you, with attention.

II. Hear, my young friends, and attend to Solomon's general character of bad companions; he calls them sinners; you often read and hear this word, sinner; but few of you, if any, have considered, or know what it means. All children are sinners, by nature; but there are some children who are greater sinners than others, by practice; I mean, some children are worse than others in the sight of God and man. A sinful child is one whose heart is wicked, whose actions are sinful, whose words are idle and filthy, whose thoughts and imaginations are continually evil. Wicked children, such as So