and partake freely. A poor man comes, and stands looking very wishfully at the table; and, when he is asked why he does not eat, replies-O, I am afraid the invitation is not meant for me; I am not fit." Again he is assured that the invitation is intended for all those who are hungry, and that no other qualification is necessary. Still he objects-'But I am afraid I am not hungry enough.' In the same way do sinners deprive themselves, by their own folly, of those blessings which are freely offered them by their Creator."

"Suppose the rebellious subjects of a very wise and good king condemned to death. The king has a son, who, from compassion to these poor wretches, offers to make satisfaction to his father for their crimes, it he will pardon them. The king consents on one condition. He places his son at the door of his palace, and makes proclamation, that every one who comes to him for pardon, and is led in by his son, shall be forgiven for his sake. One of the culprits comes, and, rejecting the proffered hand of the prince, rushes to the throne himself. Can this man expect mercy? Thus God has provided a Mediator, an1 commanded all to approach in his name; and none can expect to be received who do not come to God in this appointed way."

"One mark of a true convert is, that he continues to repent of his sins after he hopes that they are pardoned. All that the hypocrite desires is salvation from punishment; and when he thinks this end secured he feels no concern respecting his sins. But the true Christian desires to be saved from sin; and his hatred of sin, and repentance for it, increase in Iroportion as his assurance of heaven increases. Ano

ther mark is, that all disposition to make excuses is taken away. The repentant sinner feels willing to lie at God's feet and confess his sins, without even wish ing to excuse them."

"It evinces more depravity not to repent of a sin, than it does to commit it at first. A good man may be hurried away by temptation to commit a sin, but he will invariably repent of it afterwards. To deny, as Peter did, is bad; but not to weep bitterly, as he did, when we have denied, is worse."

"We may have the form of godliness without the power; but it is impossible to have the power without the form."

"The promises in the Bible to prayer are not made to one act, but to the continued habit of prayer."

CHAPTER XV.

The same subject-Bible class-Pastoral visits-Social parties-Special and casual interviews-Charm of his conver sation-Singular rencounter-Whence his competency-His publications.

If there is a spectacle on earth peculiarly animating to the thoughtful Christian who waits and prays for the salvation of God, it is the faithful, affectionate pastor, with the Bible in his hand, surrounded by the children and youth of his congregation, and leading them into "green pastures, and beside the still waters." It cannot be witnessed without a thrill of unusual de

light and anticipations of the most cheering character There may be more of immediate personal enjoyment in the communion of saints, and in that foretaste of an eternal feast which is granted to the redeemed of the Lord, when, gathered around the sacramental board, they glory in the cross, and celebrate the love of Him who died on it, and their faith anticipates the hour when they "shall see Him as he is," and come to the heavenly Zion and commence their everlasting song. But the same principle which causes "joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance," is eminently a principle of benevolence, which is gratified with every prospect of increase to the "great multitude whom no man can number;" and it is called into action, and operates with no ordinary effect, in view of a collection of youth grouped around their beloved spiritual teacher, engaged in investigating the truths of the Bible and ascertaining the duties which it enjoins. It is a sight full of hope and promise. It is not presumption to expect from it the choicest spiritual fruits which a minister is ever permitted to reap. It is among this class of his charge that he may eminently sow in hope." The promises of God authorize him to expect extensive and glorious results. It was upon the youth that Mr. Payson expended some of his best exertions; and these labors brought him a "harvest of golden sheaves."

His heart was drawn towards the rising generation, and meditated various expedients for advancing their welfare. He does indeed record and lament, among his deficiencies, the neglect of special efforts for their instruction and salvation. But, compared with what

had been the ordinary standard of ministerial practice, he abounded in works of this description. Though from the first he did not fail to give them appropriate instruction, yet it was not till the latter years of his ministry that the interesting group who periodically gathered around him took the designation of Bible class; and at that time his manner underwent a slight modification. The subjoined specimens were furnished by young persons to whom they were blessed:

"A way-faring man stops at a tavern, and, to beguile the time of his stay there, looks round for some book. He sees perhaps a newspaper, an almanac, and the Bible; but chooses to pore over either of the former in preference to the word of God, thinking it hard ly possible to be amused or interested in that. Even a Christian will sometimes do thus. This is as if a man should be introduced into an apartment, in one division of which were Jesus Christ and his apostles, and in the other the most dissolute and frivolous company; and, on being invited by the Savior to sit with them and enjoy their company, should refuse, and seat himself with the others. Would not this be a most gross insult to the Savior? and do you not equally undervalue and refuse his company when you thus neglect and despise his holy word-through which he converses with you, and invites you near to himselfand choose some foolish production instead of it?"

"God holds out to you, as it were, a thread no stronger than a spider's web, and says "Take hold of this thread; I will increase its strength day by day, until it becomes the line of salvation to you. So it is with the little interest you feel in the Bible class. If

you cherish this, if you reflect upon what you read and hear, and daily pray to be made wise by these instructions, God will increase your interest to its consummation, till you become perfect ones in Christ Jesus. But if you lose your hold on this thread, you are lost."

The following paragraph illustrates his manner of stating the argument, and its application-the subject before the class being the evidence from the light of nature that there is a God:

"Suppose, my young friends, that, in traveling through a wilderness, a spacious garden should burst upon your view, in the midst of which is a splendid palace. Upon entering it you perceive, in every apartment, proofs of the agency of some living person, though you see no one. Complicated machinery is moving, and various operations are carried on; but still the agent who produces these effects is invisible. Would you be the less convinced that they were produced by some intelligent agent? And if you should be told that the palace came there by chance, and that all the movements you witnessed were caused by no power whatever, you would regard him who should tell you thus, either as a fool or a liar. Now, you have the same proof of the existence of God in his works, that you would have in the case I have supposed, of the existence and presence of some invisible agent; and it is just as unreasonable to doubt of his existence, as it would be to doubt whether the palace had been built by any person, or was only the work of chance. Suppose you were informed, by a writing on the wall, that the palace was inhabited or haunted by spirits, who were constantly watching your conduct, and who