now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth?" Are we endeavouring to uphold the high standard of morality which has been the honourable distinction of our religious Society? Alas! I fear we must acknowledge, that, instead of being the strength of the community, we are rather its weakness. I have long lamented, for myself and for us all, that we, as an influential and highly important portion of the Society of Friends, and of the church at large, whether regarded with reference to the present, or to a future period, profit so little by the talents entrusted to our care, make so little good use of the advantages we enjoy, set so poor an example to each other and to our juniors, exhibit so unfavourable a picture of the beauty of Christianity, recommend so little the religion of our worthy predecessors.

But if it be indeed true, that we have been preserved as a religious society, as an example of a Christian church in its greatest simplicity; if we have, individually or collectively, been favoured with a greater degree of light than has been received by mankind in general, are we not called upon for so much the greater circumspection in our lives and conversations, that we may not bring a scandal upon our profession; and seeing that "not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." If,

by birth and education, we are set free from the forms and contrivances with which human infirmity has encumbered religion, and if our minds are unfettered by the creeds with which cupidity and the lust of domination have sought to enslave the consciences of men, ought we not to prize our high privilege, and not lightly "turn again to the weak and beggarly elements," or "desire to be again in bondage?" (Gal. iv. 9.)

And ought not we, of the rising generation, in an especial manner, to consider the solemn and affecting fact, that in a few short years, if we be not summoned to another world, we shall be called upon to fill the posts left vacant by our fathers, and to bear the standard of our Lord and master to a future generation ?

It is in our power to exert a material influence over the present, as well as the future state of the church.

The influence which young men possess over each other is very great,-far greater than is generally supposed: over their juniors, and especially their younger brothers, as they rise into manhood, it is immense. In early life the mind is most susceptible of impressions, most easily biassed towards evil or good; and at that critical period of life when the boy begins to think himself a man, his future character depends, in a very important degree, on the associates he forms, and especially on the example of his elder brothers. If in them the excellence of religion is displayed, it will not be without its effect. If (as is often

the case) their zeal for religion renders it irksome, it may be rejected for a time; but the virtues of a brother will one day be remembered, and will be seen shining through all his defects. When elder brothers possess that wisdom and patience, hardly to be expected in early life, which will bear with the refractory, and contentedly wait for the divine guidance and assistance, and the gradual effect of a steady example, then the younger branches are, indeed, highly favoured. But where, on the other hand, religion is either shunned as something gloomy, or derided from sheer folly, by the young men of a family, the junior members are much to be felt for. It is not probable that they will be wiser than their seniors, that they will esteem what their brothers deride, or that they will have fortitude and humility to bear that cruel martyrdom, the ridicule of those to whom they naturally look up and whose manhood they emulate. The example of the best of parents has thus been often rendered unavailing.

How interesting and how highly important is this consideration! How great the responsibility it entails upon young men ! Are we not therefore bound by every tie of duty and charity, so to regulate our hearts and conversations as to offer no impediment to the progress of our fellowcreatures? Are we not bound, by the noblest motives, to combat our own evil propensities, and to check, by our example, and by every means which may be placed in our way, those of others? Are we not bound to labour patiently and humbly,

that the kingdom of the Redeemer may be established in our own hearts, and that it may spread in the world?

Far be it from me to cast a shade over innocent mirth; "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine!" It is not the object, nor can it be the effect of true religion to interfere with the harmless recreations and gratifications of this life, but rather to purify, and, by purifying, to multiply and perfect them. For religion is the reuniting of man to the only source of every blessing; and if it be ever attended with sorrow, it is only the unavoidable pain, which accompanies the separation of the good from the evil-the refining process which divides the silver from the dross. Nor would I harshly judge the playful chat, which may amuse without injuring, and which is perhaps as improving as the ordinary small-talk of the morning call, or the tea-table; but it is to be feared there are comparatively few young men whose consciences will acquit them of every thing more criminal than mere levity of conversation in their intercourse together.

If it be a sin to squander the time given us for improvement, in foolish or vicious conversation, to neglect the opportunities afforded us of doing good, and to foster the evils which already exist, what shall we say of the conduct of those, who to gratify their own corrupt propensities, scruple not to tamper with the passions and weaknesses of yet uncontaminated youth? What shall we, say of those who, without shame or remorse, in

stil the pollutions they have imbibed at school, into the minds of guileless boyhood?—from whose evil influence even the soul of a younger brother is not sacred? who not only glory in their own degradation, but teach those to whom they ought to be examples, to think it manly thus to debase a nature designed to bear the image of God? What shall we say of those who thus deliberately undermine the happiness of their fellow-creatures, rob them of their peace, and sow the seeds of spiritual disease and misery?

Surely if to inflict a bodily injury upon our neighbour, to rob him of his earthly possessions, or to destroy his natural life, be a crime,—much more so is it to inflict upon him a spiritual injury, to rob him of his spiritual treasures, or to destroy the life of his immortal soul?

If we would only consider the extensive and complicated mischiefs propagated by licentious conversation, the deep, perhaps irreparable injuries inflicted on our fellow-creatures by appealing to the natural corruptions of the human heart, surely the common feeling of honour and generosity would check the unbridled latitude of speech too general in companies of young men. How much more satisfactory would it be in the hour of calm reflection, when memory recalls the time which is past, could it bring with it the sacred feeling of gratitude to the Parent of every good thought and affection, that it had not been spent in vain; that if no positive benefit had been conferred upon ourselves or others, we had at least