LECT. IV. The Character of the Child's best Friend.

PROVERBS xviii. 24.-There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a Brother.

My very dear young friends,

NEVER have I proposed a more interesting subject to your attention. I think I hear some one say, Who can be a better friend to us than our father and mother? Yes, my young friends, your brother may be, if you have one, and he should live after you are deprived of your parents. An elder brother might perform a double duty, that of a parent and that of a brother: but such kind and affectionate brothers are rarely to be found. The text speaks of a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. It may not be amiss to introduce this subject, with the outlines of a story which you will find in Murray's English Reader. "Dionysius the tyrant of Syracuse, had passed sentence of death upon Py. thias, and the day of his execution was fixed: The poor man begged but one favour from the tyrant, which was, that he might be permitted to visit his family, who were at that time a considerable distance from him, promising faithfully to return on a day appointed. This Dionysius refused, unless some person could be found, who would consent to suffer death in his stead, if he failed to fulfil his promise. It so

happened, that Damon, the friend of Pythias, heard of the tyrant's proposal; and unknown to Pythias, offered himself to Dionysius and was accepted. Pythias was therefore liberated; and Damon imprisoned. Various circumstances occurred to prevent the return of Pythias, at the appointed time. The very morning of the execution dawned upon Syracuse, before his arrival. Dionysius had the curiosity to visit Damon in the prison, as the day of the intended execution drew near, that he might learn what his views now were, of what he deemed the folly of his conduct. He found the generous man full of joy at the prospect of death, that he might thereby save a life more valuable than his own; hoping at the same time, that unfavourable winds would prevent his friend's re

turn.

When the hour arrived, Damon was led forth to the place of execution, Dionysius the emperor was present. In a short speech, Damon told the surrounding multitude, that his dear friend Pythias would soon arrive, but he hoped not before his death had saved a life so valuable as that of Pythias was to his family, his friends, and his country. He then begged them to consider, that from contrary winds which had blown from one point of the compass many days past, it was impossible for him to have returned. But since yesterday, said he, the wind is changed, and Pythias will soon be here; make haste, said he, to the excutioner, and do your office. At that moment a voice

was heard from among the croud-Stop, stop the execution! The multitude joined the cry, until it was echoed from all quarters. It was Pythias he was mounted on a horse covered with foam from the rapidity with which he had rode. In a moment he leaped from his horse, and was on the scaffold. He could say no more but, You are safe, you are safe my friend, and I am happy. Damon, on the other hand, exclaimed, Oh! fatal haste! that hath brought you here too soon. Dionysius saw what passed, and for the first time, felt the force of generous friendship; he descended from his throne, mounted the platform, and from a conviction not to be resisted, cried out, Live ye generous friends, both of you, and form my mind, by such an illustrious example of friendship, to imitate virtue so truly noble." This was a friend in need, as well as a friend indeed. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend."

"On thee our lives and souls depend,

Our Heavenly Father, Guide, and Friend ;
And we are happy, if we share

Thy smiles, thy counsels, and thy care."

The text speaks of a greater Friend than Da

"There is a Friend that

mon was to Pythias.
sticketh closer than a brother." I proceed,

I. To enquire, who this Friend is? To

which I shall give six answers.

1st. I will tell you his name: It is Jesus Christ the eternal Son of God. The prophet Isaiah calls him the Mighty God-the Everlasting Father-the Prince of Peace. This name was given him by God his father. Jesus signifies a Saviour. For the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph, the reputed father of Jesus, and told him, that Mary his espoused wife, who was then a virgin, should bring forth a son, that she should call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. Joseph was a carpenter by trade, and Mary his wife was a poor virgin; yet they both descended from David, the king of Israel. This, my young friends, is the name of your Friend.

"Jesus to multitudes unknown,

O name divinely sweet!

Jesus, in thee, and thee alone,

Health, honour, pleasure meet.""

2d. I will tell you the place where he was born: He was born at Bethlehem of Judea, the city of David. Bethlehem signifies the house of bread: He could not be born in a more proper place, because he is not only the Friend of sinners, but the bread which came down from heaven: Jesus is called the Bread of Life. The prophet Micah foretold that Bethlehem would be the birth place of the true Messiah, above seven hundred years before it came to pass. This is the place where your Friend was born.

"Ye humble shepherds go,
To David's city fly;

The promised infant born to-day,
Doth in a manger lic."

3d. To tell you the time when he was born. The exact time when Christ was born, is not certainly known. The evangelist Matthew tells us, that it was in the days of Herod the king; and Luke says, it was in the reign of Cæsar Augustus. Herod was an Edomite, and was made king of Judea by Cæsar Augustus, who was then ruler of the Roman empire, which, on account of its great extent, was called the whole world. It included Parthia one way, and Britain another. It was never so extensive before or since. The prophet Daniel, who lived six hundred years before Christ was born, said that this was to be the time. Now the fulness of time was come, and that was God's time, and the most proper time for the birth of Jesus. It was at a time of universal peace, and the temple of Janus, the double faced god, was shut. This temple was always open in the time of war.

"We see the prophecies fulfill'd,

In Jesus, that most wond'rous child;
His birth, his life, his death combine,
his character divine."

To prove

4th. To tell you what he did on earth: Till he was about thirty years of age, he lived with his parents at Nazareth in Galilee: Then he