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ments and vanities of life. Observe all this, and say, if there was any thing rare or singular in the description of this family? Alas! in some cases, would not the singularity of such an account consist in this, that there was one hopeful child in the family! How many, even of pious parents, have not this consolation;-not one hopeful child!

What a melancholy, what a strange state of things was implied in the account the father of this family gave of his children, when he said, that they were "much like the generality of young people!" In other words, that the generality of young people are thoughtless about ETERNITY,-unconcerned for the salvation of their souls!

Reader, you are a member of some family: you have brothers and sisters. It may be that some of them are seriously disposed, while others are thoughtless and indifferent. To which party do you belong? Are you one of the many, or of the few? Does a peaceful conscience allow you humbly to answer, that you hope you may be numbered with the latter, that you have chosen the narrow way; that you have joined the small, the happy company that are walking therein ?-Go on then, rejoicing;—but take heed lest you fall. At present you are ignorant of Satan's devices; you have not yet discovered half the deceitfulness of sin; and it is only by prayer, and watchfulness, and deep humility, that you can hope to avoid these snares. Especially guard against a spirit of pride, and a feeling of superiority towards those of your companions who are not walking with you. There is much danger here to young persons who are seriously

disposed. But remember it is only by a spirit directly opposite to this,-by humbleness of mind and of behaviour, by gentleness, by affection, and by an unpretending deportment, that you can satisfy either yourself or others of the reality of your profession, or engage any to come over to your company.

But reader, is it far otherwise with you? Are you among the thoughtless ones? are you still in the broad road? still endeavoring to stifle the voice of conscience, and to put away the thought of death? Are you at least resolving to enjoy the world exclusively during the years of youth? Then, be assured, that whatever agreeable qualities you may possess, or whatever specious arguments you may use to satisfy your mind, you are an unhappy, a pitiable individual. You are

a being upon whom wise and good men look with anxiety and sorrow; upon whom angels must look with surprise and pity; upon whom God looks with displeasure : upon whom none but devils can look with complacency. It may be, indeed, that you are possessed of so many agreeable accomplishments, and have manners and tempers so pleasing, that you may congratulate yourself upon the admiration and regard of those around you. But consider, how much of their approbation depends upon their seeing only what is external. Look within, search the inmost recesses of your heart; behold in that chamber of imagery the vanity, the love of admiration, the evil thoughts that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God,-and ask if you are authorized to feel self complacency, or if you deserve the esteem of which you boast.

In order to form some excuse for your neglect of religion, are you fond of detecting errors and inconsistencies in the lives of those who profess it? are you more gratified, or at least more amused, to discover faults in good men, than you are grieved or shocked at the crimes of bad men? What does this prove, but that you are an enemy to God? Consider that, for a moment. Whatever mistakes you may imagine religious people often make, however you may suppose they sometimes deceive themselves, be assured you are making the worst and the most absurd mistake that it is possible for a rational being to fall into; even that of neglecting the only important thing; and you are deceiving yourself more grossly than they can possibly do, by imagining that you are wise when you are foolish, happy when you are miserable.

Now what an unspeakable happiness it would be, if this moment's recollection should lead you to some such reflections as these.-"Yes, I am one of the thoughtless ones of this family; I have hitherto neglected religion; I even dislike it: I endeavour to be happy without it; yet this cannot be even here, and what would it be hereafter? Unless my heart is changed I must perish ; and I may never be more willing than I now am; besides, I may not have opportunity in future. What then hinders me, even me, from being a Christian? There are difficulties; but how many have overcome them! Why should not I? will not God open if I knock ? shall not I also receive if I ask? especially if I ask for what he commands me to pray for, and what he has promised to bestow.-I will arise, and go to my Father."

But some who have read this question may feel at a loss how to answer it.

They know, in

deed, that they are not yet what they ought to be; yet they have some desires, and have made some efforts. At least, they are sure that they do not scoff at religion, or at religious people: on the contrary, they respect them and wish to be like them; they read: sometimes they pray; and they tremble at the thought of not becoming one day, decidedly religious: but at present, they are continually yielding to temptation, and cannot yet tear themselves from the love of the world. This is the state of many young persons: reader, is it yours? What then can be said to you? So many of those who have, at last, cast off all fear of God, and who are now, it is to be feared, beyond the reach of mercy, have in early life felt just the same, and intended as well as you, that we dare not encourage you with hopes of present safety. But why remain in this uncomfortable and dangerous state? That it is comfortless you feel you know that you are no better prepared to die than your more thoughtless companions. Why then, will you not at once exchange this dreary bondage for happy liberty-these gloomy fears for joyful hopes this constant uneasiness for perfect peace? Your faint, inconstant prayers are a burden and a task; but pray fervently and regularly, and they will become a delightful employment.-Delay no longer; you will gain nothing by waiting, but increased difficulty and greater danger. Resolve, then, to be the hopeful one: and to gladden the hearts of your parents and Christian friends by a prompt decision; lest, S

like so many, you go on hesitating till you become finally hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

XXX.

THE LITTLE BIOGRAPHERS.

It was the custom at Mrs. L's school, to spend an hour every evening in hearing some interesting book, which was read aloud by the young people alternately, while the hearers were employed at their needles. Mrs. L. herself usually made one of this happy party; and her questions or remarks on what was read rendered it doubly improving and agreeable to them. Having nearly finished a book which had occupied them some time, Mrs. L. announced that the following week they were to begin an interesting volume of Biography; containing, chiefly, the lives of children like themselves: or giving an account of the early life of persons who had afterwards become distinguished. After Mrs. L. had left them, a few of the elder girls assembling round the fire began to talk about it: among other things, one of them said she wondered, if any body were to write her life, what sort of a thing it would make; adding, that she had a great mind to do it herself. Her companions declared it was a good thought; and several of them agreed, that as the next day was a half-holiday, they would devote it to writing their own lives.

This scheme was put in execution according

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