sion: I call upon you, as ye wish well to good government, and are friends to the prosperity of your country; I call upon you, as ye would contribute to the turning of many unto righteousness, and, above all, as ye value your own interest and happiness both here and hereafter, to assist to the utmost of your abilities, not only now, but at all other times, in the training of the children 'of poverty to habits of virtue, industry, and religion.

Let it not be imagined that this summons is addressed only to the most wealthy; none who are in any degree able to assist me, are unconcerned in it. Remember the widow's two mites, and the praises which her generosity won of our Saviour. Ye read, that from him only to whom much is given, much will be required; but can ye suppose, that from him to whom little is given, there will be required nothing? Far from it! Expectations are formed of us in proportion to our respective abilities; and he may obtain God's favour in as high a degree, who gives a little out of his want, as he who gives much out of his abundance; but let it be remembered that he will be equally exposed to God's anger, if he refuses what his circumstances will admit. I hope that none of you will be prevented from encouraging the institution, for which I am pleading, from an idea, that it will be of disservice, rather than of advantage, to the community. This idea, I am ¦ told, has been entertained by some, though I can

scarcely think it more than a pretext to save their money. Their argument, such as it is, is this: that instruction will make the poor discontented with their situations; they will think themselves qualified for higher things, and will either work unwillingly, or will altogether forsake the laborious employments for which they were designed. What is it possible that the little learning it falls within our plan to give, can be attended with this effect? we only propose to teach our scholars to read, and to spell, and to instruct them in the rudiments of the Christian religion, by which they may be enabled hereafter to peruse any good books which they may procure, and, when they come to church, to understand the prayers and

sermon.

Will knowledge so limited as this make a man imagine that he is fit for the senate, the pulpit, the bar, or the counting-house? I should rather suppose, that instead of making those who acquire it dissatisfied with their stations, it will have exactly the opposite effect; that instead of leading to discontent and envy at those above them, and making them fretful and idle, it will rather prevail on them not to covet nor desire other mens' goods and conditions, but to learn and labour truly to get their own living, in that state of life unto which it has pleased God to call them.

Let me appeal to your experience; most of you, doubtless, at one time or other, have em

ployed servants or labourers, who had arrived at the degree of knowledge of which we speak : could you perceive that this circumstance weakened either their inclination or their ability to serve you? Did their having been early taught their duty to God, and being frequently able by books to remind themselves of it, make them less attentive to your concerns? Did their having been betimes instructed, that they ought to do unto their neighbour as they would wish their neighbour to do unto them, render them more ready to impose on you themselves, or to suffer you to be imposed on by others? Did their knowing how to spend a part of the sabbath with their Bible in their hands, or in some other useful reading, cause them to handle the plough, the spade, or the flail, with less strength or dexterity? The idea is ridiculous!

Having thus addressed myself to those of my audience, who are to bestow this charity, I will now say a few words to those who are to receive it. Remember then (it is to the parents that I speak, to those parents, I mean, who are themselves unable to give their children an education) remember that the plan which we are now forming is to confer on your children the greatest of all possible benefits; it is to confer on them the knowledge of God, and of their duty towards him; it is to teach them how to behave themselves properly towards their neighbours, and consequently the way to be loved and respected; it is

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to enforce on them the necessity of being honest and industrious, which is the surest means of gaining a livelihood, and getting forward in the world; it is to inculcate upon them their obligation to be sober, chaste, and temperate, without which virtues no man can be either amiable or happy; and, lastly, above all, it is to put them in the way of obtaining eternal salvation.

Let me entreat you, then, not to be backward in profiting by this useful institution; seek to get your children admitted into it, and do all in your power to make them observe its rules; take care that their attendance be constant, and that they come at the appointed hours, and send them as neat and as decent as your circumstances will admit.

Nothing, I can promise you, shall be wanting on my part to their improvement, and there is every reason to hope, from the circumstances of our society, that we shall raise such a subscription as will enable us to confer rewards on those children who shall most distinguish themselves by their regularity, good behaviour, and proficiency in learning.

SERMON XLIII.

THE EVILS OF BAD COMPANY.

1 CORINTHIANS XV. 33.

Evil communications corrupt good manners.

AMONG the many dangers to which we are exposed during our earthly pilgrimage, there are none against which men, in every period of life, should be more on their guard, than those which arise from bad company. It is dangerous to our character, dangerous to our fortune, dangerous to our quiet, dangerous to our morals, and, lastly, it is dangerous to our eternal salvation. The young and inexperienced are with difficulty made to comprehend, and to believe this assertion: well assured of their present integrity, they are unwilling to think that any argument, any invitation, any example, can induce them to part with it; proud of their good character, and conscious, perhaps, at this time of deserving it, they will not allow that it rests on so unstable a foundation,— that so trivial a circumstance as their conversing with this or that set of acquaintance, should have