herein been the Tradesman's ruin! Business neglected, is business lost; and the Tradesman that can satisfy himself to be absent from his employ, has no right to expect success in it. Much conversation abroad must necessarily take up much time, and is usually attended with great expense. The loss of the first is often more fatal than that of the last; as money may be recovered, but time cannot. In the hours of absence, business presents, a valuable customer comes to buy, who not finding the master goes elsewhere. An unexpected bargain offers to be sold, an advantage which may never return again. Servants are hereby left to themselves, who if they are unfaithful and negligent, embezzle the cash, disoblige the customers, destroy and spoil the manufactures, and do an inexpressible wrong. It may at first view appear strange, but it is certainly true, that the injury is as great if they are diligent, obliging and faithful. The servant who used to act as master in the shop, and render himself acceptable to the customers in his master's absence; when his time is expired, or he sets up for himself, will nécessarily draw the customers with him. The man that was contented with the shadow of authority in his shop, will find only

the shadow of business left there, when his ingenious and ruling servant is sepa rated from him. Let your attendance in business be constant, your commodities. good, the prices reasonable, and your deportment civil; and I may venture to answer for it that you will find more success in this way, under the blessing of providence, than by a wandering pursuit of business abroad, to the loss of time, expense of money, the neglect of servants and family; and, which is a consequence more to be dreaded than all the rest, and too frequent to be passed by without regard, the loss of the soul, by the contagion of corrupt principles and evil practices. "They that are least sensible of their danger in this respect, are most likely to feel its fatal effects."

Suretiship. Though this may be lawful, and in some cases necessary, it requires the utmost care and caution. Nothing can justify our entering into obligations of this nature, unless we are able to make them good without injury to ourselves and families, or perturbation of mind, and can pay them with the same freedom as we do other debts; for certainly the whole obligation lies upon the surety, both in law and conscience, in case the principal

proves insolvent; and who can be content to run these risques? If it be objected, that there is no trading without doing this act of friendship for one another;

swer; although men cannot in all instances, trade so high without it, the desire of which may proceed from pride and covetousness, and end in ruin; yet trade may be carried on in a way more safe, and not less comfortable. If the person is a man of prudence and integrity, the creditor may rely upon his single bond, without entangling another with him; and if he is not so, I am sure he is not fit for your trust. If a refusal to enter into obligations of this sort is charged upon you, as the want of friendship or gratitude; study to oblige them some other way, and endeavour to convince them that it is not a defect of honour or friendship which occasions your denial; for alas, this person who now solicits you, may be deeper in debt than you are aware of: or he may be bound for others for more than he is worth; or he may be less careful and just than you imagine: or at least he is mortal and may leave his estate and you so much entangled at his death, as may be exceedingly injurious, if not totally destructive to you. Therefore, CL my son, be not thou one of

them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. But if thou art engaged, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast given thy hand to a stranger; thou art snared with the words of thy mouth. Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids, until thou hast delivered thyself, &c." Prov. vi. 1, 5. Chap. xxii. 26. Chap. xi. 15.*.

Gaming, is another ruinous practice which prudence will preserve you from. Much time is spent by many in this idle course; and I doubt a pack of cards, or a game at tables, have often occasioned the exercises of religion (private and family) to be neglected. Though many other vices may certainly ruin you, yet gaming and suretiship may very suddenly do it. Many have by these in a few hours undone themselves and their families beyond all recovery. Let no temptation, therefore, of a speedy gain, engage you in a course so opposite to the laws of GOD, and the friendship and love that is due to man,

*I do not by this intend to suggest, that there are no cases in which suretiship for others may be prudently entered into, but my design is to caution the Tradesman against those rash, unthinking engage. ments, which have been attended with such evil consequences to many, and often proved their utter ruin.

and so ruinous and destructive to those that enter into it; but fix your unalterable resolutions against it. "Enter not into this path of the wicked, and go not in this of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it,

way

turn from it, and pass away."

14, 15.

Prov. iv.

Prudence will teach you to avoid an excessive curiosity; or a busy intermeddling with the concerns of others. Every Tradesman has business enough at home to employ his time and faculties; either in works of piety to GOD, charity to the distressed, civility to friends and relatives, or the necessary employments of his calling, but there is no wisdom in intermeddling with the concerns of others, without a just cause, and a due call. Much time is lost, and little good is obtained, by this trifling disposition. Let it be your endeavour to fill up the station in which you are placed with proper duty, and to promote the public good by all prudent and laudable means; but let no pretence how pious soever, nor any prospect how specious soever, nor any pressure how great soever, prevail with you to disturb the public peace, to disho nour your rulers, or to embark in any design unjustifiable by the laws you are to be governed by. Let GoD alone to rule the F