not wish to be called hypocrites, therefore let your hearts be engaged; hypocrites endeavour to deceive themselves as well as others; they endeavour to mock God, by appearing to serve him in sincerity and truth: But they do not, and God knows it

"Their lifted eyes salute the skies,
Their bended knees the ground;·
But God abhors the sacrifice,

Where not the heart is found."

Remem

When you serve God, if the heart is not engaged, then you only mock God. Let not your heart deceive you; you may deceive yourselves, but you cannot deceive God. To serve God with a perfect heart, is to serve him sincerely and not to think on your sports, or play, or on trifles, but to think on God alone. ber you are in his presence, and are speaking to a great and holy God: All the follies of childhood, and the vanities of youth, must be banished from your minds. This is the way to serve God with acceptance through Christ; many profess to worship God, while their hearts are thinking on other things. Remember, if you do this, you do not serve God with a perfect heart; for you do not serve him at all. But you must serve God,

2d. With a willing mind. God loveth the cheerful giver, and cheerful servants, however young they are. Many children, when they are D

in the house of God, would rather be at play. But I am glad that God hath brought so many of you here at this time: Whosoever is of a willing heart, says Moses, let him bring it an offering unto the Lord. Many children would gladly retire to rest at night, and I fear many do, without praying to God: If so, this is not serving God with a perfect heart and willing mind. Satan has your heart still in his possession, you have not given it to God; but God, when he comes at the last day, makes a difference between those children who serve him with willingness and sincerity, and those who are deceitful and unwilling.

In the 4th place, I will tell you the reason why you should serve God with a perfect heart and willing mind, for "the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth the imaginations of the thoughts." This is the reason which David gives to Solomon, and I cannot give a better one to you, my dear children. All things are known to God, past, present and to come; your state and condition in life, your temper and disposition of mind, your whole conduct is all well known to God; you cannot hide any thing you think, say or do, from God.

"Your thoughts before they are your own,
Are to your God distinctly known;
He knows the words you mean to speak,
Ere from your opening lips they break,

"Within his circling power you stand;
On every side, you find his hand :
Awake, asleep, at home, abroad,

You are surrounded still with God."

David knew this, therefore he reminded Solomon of it. Think thus, my dear children, when you serve God-now God sees me, he knows what I am doing! What I am thinking, and what I am going to say to him! Thus you will be better prepared to serve him in the right manner with a perfect and willing mind.

5th. I will now tell you what advantages you will obtain by seeking God in early life; "if thou seek him he will be found of thee." When you are in distress or exposed to danger, you will find a friend, that can support and deliver you; seek the Lord as the friend of your souls, call upon him, and he will hear you in the day of trouble; seek him, and he will teach you by his Holy Spirit: He will save you from every evil. How happy are those who have God on their side, they have nothing to fear, for if God be for you, who can be against you.

Seek the Lord in the morning of life, and it will be attended with numerous advantages to yourselves and to others. A young disciple is like a morning star, which shines brighter after the dark night of death is past. It is the best time to seek God; the sooner you seek him on earth, the greater will be your glory in Heaven; it is a great pity to serve Satan in your best days, and God with the worst; to spend the

best of your time in seeking happiness where it is not to be found, while true happiness, and the felicity of Heaven is neglected and despised. How bright is your morning sun; how full of vigor and bloom are your countenances; how warm your hearts; how active you are ; these are your best days, your spirits are lively, your minds tender: Now is the time for learning and for acting; the beauties of holiness will shine with double lustre ; others will imitate your example; your morning sun may go down at noon. While it is yet day, the rose may fade in your cheeks, and the hour of death may come before you are prepared; how happy will it be to have God for your God, Christ for your Saviour, and Heaven for your home.

"Why should you say 'tis yet too soon

To seek for heaven or think of death?
A flow'r may fade before 'tis noon,

And you this day may loose your breath."

It is not only the best time, but it is the surest and safest time to seek the Lord now; life is uncertain, you cannot call to-morrow your own. Like flowers you flourish in the garden of life, in the morning; but before your sun arrives at its meridian splendor, or before it sets in the evening of old age, death may come, the flowers may wither and die, sickness and pain may be your lot. Happy will you be if you seek the Lord, for then you will only be taken from his garden below, to be transplanted into his gar

den above, where you shall flourish in immortal
youth Now is the time to enjoy the pleasures
of religion. The remembrance of the sins of
youth is painful in the extreme. It is good for
a man to bear the yoke in his youth. Many
when they grow up to years of maturity have to
lament that they have laid a foundation in youth
for bitter repentance, and go
down with sorrow
and grey hairs to the grave. If you seek the
Lord in the morning of life, it will increase
your happiness in this world, and your felicity
in the world to come. Every step you take,
leads you farther into the ways of pleasantness
and paths of peace. The path of religion is not
only pleasantness now, but it leads to the para-
dise of God. It will produce happiness sweet-
er than life, and stronger than death itself. If
you seek God now, it will prevent many evils,
and preserve you from many temptations.

“'Tis easier work if you begin
To fear the Lord betimes,
While sinners who grow old in sin,
Are harden'd in their crimes.

"Twill save you from a thousand snares,
To mind religion young,

Grace will preserve your following years,
And make your virtues strong.'

Now is the time to set a good example to your young companions, Joseph, David, Timothy, Abijah, Josiah, Samuel, and Obadiah, have