when we trace the movements of providence towards this country, from its first settlement to the present moment; when we eye the hand that planted the grain of mustard-seed, and that has already nourished it up to a great tree; can we doubt whether it is the pleasure of God, that this nation should, if faithful to her high trust, become the most important and effectual means of salvation to the whole world?

Think, then, for one solemn moment, within one quarter of a century, all these immense interests will be under the control and direction of those who are now the YOUNG MEN of the nation. All this great territory; all this commerce; all these manufactories; all these political and civil institutions; all this boundless wealth; all these schools, colleges, and various seminaries of learning; all these churches and altars of piety; all these benevolent Christian institutions for evangelizing the world—will be at the disposal of those who are now from fifteen to thirty-five years of age.

Now in all probability, the course which this country shall take for the first half century to come, will be decisive of its fate and of the fate of the

world for many ages. If we prove true to our privileges and obligations for one or two generations coming, in this eminently formative period, such an

OUR MORAL DANGERS.

25

ascendency of light over darkness, of the kingdom of God over the powers of wickedness, will be gained, as either actually to accomplish or make sure in speedy prospect the entire renovation of the world. But if we fall back, sink into infidelity and corruption, and thus abuse our sacred trust; if we, like an ancient favored people, prove ourselves unworthy to be the honored instruments of confering so great blessings upon the world, the righteous judgments of heaven will overtake us, — our sun will be turned into darkness, and our moon into blood, earth's brightest prospects will be quenched in night,-long ages of darkness, sin, and wo, will roll over the world, till deliverance shall come from some other source; while in the meantime we, and our children, and our children's children, down to the third and fourth generations of those that hate God, according to the inspired malediction, will be destroyed.

It certainly must appear, to every mind which faithfully studies the world's history and the signs of providence, that there never was a time and a country, in which a life well spent promised so much good, and a life misspent, so much evil, to the world, as in the very time and country in which providence has cast the lot of our young

men.

Very great power already resides in this class,

and it seems to be increasing. It is a true proverb, "Old men for council, and young men for action." Hence the present is an age of action. Everywhere, and on all subjects, there is a predominant disposition to "go ahead." The aged, cautious and slow, are compelled to quicken their steps, or be left behind the times. Hence the tendency to ultra and radical movements. The spirit of action predominates over the spirit of caution. Dangers attend this; and yet, so sluggish is the world in sin, that we are to look for its renovation, rather to a spirit of bold and energetic action in benevolence, than to a spirit of indolent caution. And is it not a fact, that the greatest achievements of every age have been effected by young men? Joseph, David, Josiah, Daniel, and Nehemiah, were young men when they saved and delivered Israel. Our Saviour and his apostles were young men when they accomplished the greatest work, and put into operation the most mighty, benign, and far-reaching influences, that ever blessed the world. The re

formers of the sixteenth century were young men. Calvin was but twenty-six years old when he wrote his famous Institutes; and the great German divine, Martin Luther, was but twenty-nine when he began to inflict a mortal wound upon the head of the beast. Baxter, Doddridge, Whitefield, Edwards and Brainerd, were all young men when they began to kindle afresh the dying flame of religion

POWER OF YOUNG MEN.

27

in both continents; while many of the old and cautious, retiring from all effort, sat still and complained till the age went by them and their influence perished from the earth.

The projectors and first movers of modern missions were young men ; those who conceived and began to execute the bold and glorious plan of encompassing and blessing the whole world with the systematic charities and labors of American benevolence, were less than thirty years old.

The same has ever been the case in other departments, as well as in religion. Alexander conquered the world; Julius Cæsar conquered three hundred nations, took eight hundred cities, and defeated three millions of men ; and Bonaparte shook the thrones of all Europe-while they were yet "I have written unto you, young young men. men," said an apostle, "because ye are strong."

The fact that providence is calling so many of the young men of our country to engage in the moral and religious enterprises of the day, is therefore a pleasing indication that something great and good is to be accomplished. On every side, you find the more intelligent and virtuous classes of young men exerting themselves to promote temperance, reform abuses, purify and elevate society, and save the world. Nor do they act in vain. Every year is their influence felt with increasing

power.

It is an interesting fact, that within a few years, many of our most enlightened, cultivated, and efficient young men, have become pious. And if we are to suppose that men become pious not less for the benefit of others than for their own good, we must infer that providence designs some signally important service for many of the pious young men of this age and country. They ought to look well to this, and see that they come fully up to their responsibilities and duties. I believe that a far greater proportion are called to the office of Christian ministers, than have hitherto entered that service. This is especially true in the middle and southern States. Very few of the educated young men of the south enter the Christian ministry. Out of twenty-four professedly pious young men in one college, only three contemplate the ministry. And from the two great States of Georgia and South Carolina, there are but eighteen ministers of the gospel in all the nation. In many parts of our own country, to say nothing of foreign demands, good men are unable to carry forward successfully their benevolent operations, for want of educated and competent ministers.

For the admonition and encouragement of all pious young men, it may not be amiss to remark here, that the standard of Christian character is constantly rising, and they must rise with it. True