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Every one of those who wasted their evenings in amusement and pleasure, subsequently failed in business, and finally came to nothing; while all of those who devoted their leisure time to study, succeeded well in business, and, with the exception of one who has since died, they are still living, and are some of our most distinguished and valuable citizens. The same gentleman who stated this. fact to me, said that it was only one of numerous similar examples, which had fallen under his observation, in the course of one whole generation and a part of another. It may be confidently laid down, as a general rule, that those young men, who, like Franklin, redeem time from indolence and pleasure, to discipline their minds and acquire important knowledge, succeed in their callings and rise to eminence; while they who waste their youthful vigor in dissipating amusements, and secure no other intellectual culture than is afforded by novels, and by miscellaneous and light reading, fail of sufficient mental force to succeed in any important enterprise, and at no distant period find the grave of oblivion.

We have considered the subject with more particular reference to the interests of the present life; but when we consider that the mind is immortal, that the present life is the seed-time for eternity; that all the intellectual culture and knowledge here acquired, if devoted to the right end, will elevate

the rank, further the progress, and enhance the blessedness of the soul to all eternity-the subject swells to a magnitude surpassing language to express, or human thoughts to conceive. Come then, my young friend, you who are yet in the morning of your existence; before whom the boundless future is spread, with all its glorious possibilities of good; look at this subject, in the light of time, and in the light of eternity; and with a rational and firm judgment determine, that you will rise to the honor, glory, and immortality, for which you were made.

CHAPTER III.

MEANS AND USES OF KNOWLEDGE.

"Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding."

THE melancholy fact that eminent knowledge sometimes exists in the human mind in connection with great wickedness, has not unfrequently induced pious men to discard it as hostile to religion. This is a great practical error. It was not the intention of Paul to discard sound science, when he spoke of the "science falsely so called." On the contrary, sound knowledge and true religion are divinely wedded to be everlasting companions; and what God hath thus joined together, ought not to be put usunder. The holy angels excel in knowledge; yet all their intellectual acquaintance with the works and ways of God, serves only to swell their bosoms with adoration, gratitude, and praise. Their growth in knowledge is growth in religion. The more they know, the more they love.

The same is the legitimate tendency of sound knowledge amongst men. Unless effectually prevented by sin, it will lead the mind forth to God,

and introduce it rejoicing into the paradise of his glories.

But I am not now to speak at length upon the connection between knowledge and piety. It is sufficient to say, that they are intimately related; that the one is to subserve the other, as they shall grow and flourish together in heaven, to all eternity. This is the great final use of knowledge; the ultimate motive to obtain it.

If you would obtain knowledge, you must love it. What we earnestly set our hearts upon, we usually make effectual efforts to obtain. When there is a will, there is a way. In the language of the wise preacher, you must cry after it, lift up your voice for it, seek it as silver, and search for it as for hid treasures. I would then proceed to some more particular notice of the means and uses of knowledge.

The knowledge in question is not to be obtained merely by light miscellaneous reading. Newspapers and other periodicals, excepting such as are devoted to grave discussions of important principles, together with every species of the lighter reading, should be despatched in moments of relaxation, and never occupy the place due to serve study. Nor is it to be obtained by only attending lectures. Lyceums, weekly religious lectures, discourses upon the Sabbath, &c. afford invaluable means of instruction; but they do not supersede the necessity

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for the direct personal application of your own mind to the sources of knowledge.

If you would secure the contemplated knowledge, you must

1. Believe that you can do it. It is a true Latin proverb, Qui credit posse potest. He who thinks he can, can. Multitudes of minds sleep in everlasting rust and oblivion, just because it never occurred to them that they could help it. It is said of Dr. Paley, that when a boy at college, wasting his time in indolence and pleasure, one of his companions entered his room at a certain time, and said to him rather rudely, "Paley, I have just been thinking what a fool you are to waste your time and means thus, when it is in your power, by application, to render yourself eminent." This suggested to his mind, that it was indeed in his power to do it; and from that moment he resolved to pursue knowledge with all his might. The consequence is, that although not the very greatest or most accurate of philosophers, yet the glory and influence of his intellect have spread over the civilized world, and will last forever. This is a distinguished example, but it illustrates a general truth, applicable in some measure to every young

man.

2. You must fully determine to do it. No person accomplishes anything good and important, which he does not first determine to accomplish.