swallowed up in the abyss. The young enter the world with their imaginations lively and excursive, their desires strong and often impetuous, and their expectations eager and lofty. Their reason is without the aid of experience; their judgment is undisciplined; the world, whose treachery and falsehood are yet unknown, presents scenes to draw them from virtue and from peace. In such a state, what can avail to protect, save, and bless, but religion, extending its influence to the understanding, the affections, and the life? "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. Thy word is a light to my feet, and a lamp to my path."

Ardor of feeling, and want of experience, combined, give rise to rashness and presumption, instead of that humility and caution which are so greatly necessary. Evil companions around ply many temptations, and lay many snares. These are the greatest dangers incident to youth. Attached to company, in the warmth of their feelings, and in the spring-tide of life, the young are not aware of their peril, until they fall victims. Many a promising youth, who seemed at one time setting out in the ways of piety, has been arrested in his course, by some evil associate, and ruined for ever. How different the result when a young man is brought under a sacred influence, which enables him to break from irreligious companions, and walk only with the wise? Wherefore, "take fast hold of instruction; let her not go; keep her, for she is thy life—enter not into the path of the wicked,-avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to

depart from evil is understanding."

III. YOUTH IS THE MOST FAVORABLE SEASON FOR ATTAINING AND CULTIVATING PIETY.

We have noticed the dangers arising from the buoyancy and ardor of youth, their want of experience, and the temptations by which they are continually solicited. But in this period, there are advantages which should be carefully regarded, and faithfully improved. Now the affections are more warm and tender, the conscience is more readily impressed, the mind is less filled with prejudice, and less swayed by the pride of opinion, than at any subsequent period. The heart is now unchilled by the commerce of the world, free from the callousness of age, and hence is more easily moved by the love of God, by the mercy of the Redeemer, by all those tender incitements to duty which the Gospel presents. The passions though more ardent, are nevertheless more manageable, more easily turned from improper objects, than when long indulged, and when habits shall have been confirmed. Hence the principles of piety commonly find, in the youthful mind, a soil most favorable to their implantation, growth, and fruitfulness. True, the human heart, like the natural soil, produces spontaneously only thorns and briers, and requires careful and diligent culture to prepare it for the good seed; and, at whatever period the good seed may be sown, it will not spring up, unless it be watered, and quickened by heavenly influence. But God operates in the work of grace, as well as in nature, according to an order established by himself. Thus youth is fitted and intended for improvement of every kind, for improvement in morals and piety, as well as in understanding and knowledge. And accordingly, in youth the living power of his grace is most frequently experienced. The cares of business, also, which occupy so much of the time and thoughts of men in subsequent life, do not entangle and occupy the young. The world cannot oppose them in such variety of ways, and to such perilous extent as it will do afterward.

IV. BY DELAY, THE DIFFICULTIES AND OBSTACLES, WHICH OPPOSE THE ATTAINMENT OF PIETY, ARE CONTINUALLY INCREASED.

As corruption is cherished, it gains strength; as habits are exercised

they acquire an iron force, and hold us in thorough bondage.--We resist the convictions of conscience, and the force of truth. The gratifications by which we have been tempted to evil, become more and more attractive and resistless. We are led at first to palliate what we cannot justify, and then we justify what before we condemned. Conscience is at first tender and readily quickened; it raises its warning voice, until, repeatedly opposed, it becomes silent: it awakens contrition and sorrow, until continually resisted, in the loss of every generous emotion, it becomes hard and callous. New and tender attachments to the world and sin are created, and old ones strengthened, so that links are daily added to the chain of our captivity; and we are more and more incapacitated to break the bonds thus increased and riveted.

God, who is rich in mercy, still adapts its dispensations to the constitution of our nature, and the discipline of truth, and love, under which he has placed us. He will honor his own institutions, and mark their abuse. But his grieved Spirit will not always strive with man. Hence the well-known fact, that a vast majority of those who have become pious, became so at an early period of life.While the piety of the comparatively few who turn to God at a more advanced period generally assumes a far more doubtful character.

This

V. EARLY PIETY IS PECULIARLY ACCEPTABLE TO GOD. "I love them that love me, and they that seek me early shall find me. special promise furnishes peculiar encouragement to the young. Religion in the soul is the fruit of grace, the operation of the Spirit. All hope in relation to it should be connected with the promise God has given. That promise stipulates, "they that seek me early shall find me." Early piety is peculiarly decided, cheerful, active, useful piety. Such is the piety God approves, and delights in. Under the legal dispensation, God required the first fruits to be devoted to him. This typical service is realized under the Gospel dispensation, by devoting the first fruits of our reason and affections, of our days, and our services, unto God our Redeemer. Our blessed Redeemer himself was in all things a perfect model of early piety, in all its beauty and richness, in all its vigor and fruitfulness. He who on one occasion so kindly and tenderly said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven," on another occasion observed with delightful interest the children in the temple singing hosanna to the Son of David, and said, "Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast ordained praise." No character is so much commended to the best feelings of our nature as youthful piety, in the conviction that it is the character which God peculiarly delights in. How lovely is young Samuel, the child of prayer, early responding to the divine voice, "Here am I," and ministering unto the Lord. How interesting is young Timothy, in whom was "the unfeigned faith, which first dwelt in his grandmother Lois, and in his mother Eunice ;" who, from his childhood," knew the Scriptures which were able to make him wise unto salvation, and to furnish him for every good work." How distinguished is Abijah in the morning of life, the solitary one in the degenerate family of his father Jeroboam, in whom "some good thing was found towards the Lord God of Israel."

VI. EARLY PIETY FURNISHES THE MOST DECIDED AND SATISFYING EVIDENCE OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER.

The dedication to the service of the Redeemer, which the young disciple makes in all the vividness of his feelings, with all the bright prospects of this life unfolding to him, and in the enjoyment of health and prosperity, carries with it the testimony of sincerity, cordiality, and entire devotedness. It is a homage not forced, but freely given. He does not leave the world by constraint, as it forsakes him, while he would gladly retain it-but from deliberate conviction, he retires from it, or rather rises above it, when it presents it

inviting allurements, and unfolds the multitude and richness of its resources. In the full blaze of the world's light, he asks, “Lift thou upon me the light of thy countenance." Amid the plenitude of the world's dainties, he prays, "Ever more give me the bread of heaven." Amid all the relations of life, he says, "In the saints and excellent of the earth, is all my delight." The piety which appears to commence in affliction is always dubious. The tears, and confessions, and supplications, and vows need to be tested by mingling in the converse and business of the world, in health and prosperity. Ah! most commonly that seeming goodness proves "like the morning cloud and the early dew." Sometimes, indeed, we are led to say, blessed was that affliction which opened the heart to God; as returning days of prosperity and continuance of life have testified. But how great an advantage is possessed by the youthful pilgrim, who commences his journey in the morning of his day, and continually presses onward; while he who, at a more advanced period, is, through rich mercy, brought to enter the course, remains far behind, struggling with difficulties and obstacles which have accumulated by his long delay, and were unknown to the former. The profession of religion in declining years," when the evil days come, and the years draw nigh in which they say, we have no pleasure in them," too often resembles the case of Joab, fleeing to the horns of the Altar, when the peril of death pressed upon him; not for devotion, but in the vain hope of immunity from the judgment pronounced. How unlike the youthful worshipper, who exclaims, "One thing have I desired of the Lord, and that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple." When the rare instance occurs of hopeful piety commencing late in life, it resembles the "shortlived gleam, which, after a day of clouds and of storms, bursts forth in the evening, but calls forth few sounds of joy in nature around, and yields little advantage to the labors of man." The youthful convert is like the morning light, "which shineth more and more unto the perfect day," and in which all nature rejoices, and "man goeth forth to his work" "If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear." there are "fears without and fightings within," we are continually called to examine ourselves; if, while "laying aside every weight, and the sin that doth most easily beset us, we are to look to Jesus as the Author and finisher of our faith," then truly early piety has a decided superiority as to the evidence of its genuine character.

If, while

VII. EARLY PIETY ALONE SECURES THAT FULL ENJOYMENT WHICH RELIGION IS DESIGNED TO IMPART.

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'Osatisfy us early with thy mercy, that we may rejoice all our day." "Wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace." The direct influence of religion is to subdue evil passions, and to save from those vices which pollute and destroy. Man carries in his own bosom the elements of happiness or misery. "The good man is satisfied from himself." While on the other hand, "there is no peace to the wicked-they are like the troubled sea which casteth up mire and dirt." It is the office of religion to subdue and eradicate the elements of misery-and to implant and nourish the elements of happiness. It fixes just and firm principles in the mind, and diffuses kind, pure, and generous emotions through the heart. It exerts an influence on body and soul, producing soundness and health. It secures from those dangers which surround our path. It wisely directs our plans for life, and blesses us in our secular enterprises: it hallows and endears the connections of life, in the bonds of the Spirit. It does not prevent affliction—but it converts it into a blessing--ministers consolation to the wounded spirit—imparts joy in tribulation, and n the issue righteousness and peace.

Early piety secures the blessings of religion through the course of life, and secures them in the largest measure. If the choice of religion is sincerely and decidedly made in advanced life, still the habits which have been long indulged, insensibly and strongly draw the heart away from what is pure and spiritual. The pursuit of spiritual objects, which in earlier days would have been comparatively easy, is now tried amid continued agitation and conflict. The worldly habits of the young have not yet acquired such strength as to present any formidable opposition, while with unclouded minds and affectionate choice, they devote themselves to the Redeemer: waiting on him, they renew their strength, "they mount up with wings like eagles, they run and are not weary, they walk and faint not." Those who early become pious experience a purer and larger joy, from the fact, that they are saved from those corrupt associations of thought, which so much distract the exercises

of later converts.

Youth has been termed the season of hope, manhood of active exertion, and old age of retrospection. The earlier scenes of life are sketched most vividly in our memory, and the early instructions we received remain indelible. When decrepitude of mind and body advances, recent events leave no impression, and the aged man continues to ponder on the scenes of youth long since gone by. As the book of his life opens before his memory, there is continually presented to view the page of youth, inscribed in bright and legible characters. Need we wonder, then, at the emphasis with which Scripture adverts to the "sins of our youth." Says Job, "Thou writest bitter things against me, thou causest me to possess the sins of my youth.' Says David, Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions.' In Jeremiah, penitent Ephraim is represented as saying, "I was ashamed, yea, I was confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth." Dark and cheerless is the evening of that life which has been spent in devotion to the world, and in neglect of eternal things; but calm and serene is the evening of the Christian-when his sun which rose fair and clear in the morning of life, goes down in full-orbed brightness, only to rise again in purer heavens, and in cloudless and everlasting splendor.

VIII. EARLY PIETY IS THE BEST PREPARATION FOR GREAT AND EXTENDED USEFULNESS IN THE SERVICE OF CHRIST.

Life is at best but short, and ever uncertain. If even prolonged to the ordinary measure of human life, the period would still be short for the great work of making our calling and election sure, and glorifying God on earth. The days and years devoted to the world are not only lost as to the true and proper use of life, but they leave an influence behind them, which, if religion subsequently assume its sway, will minister such embarrassments, difficulties, and sorrows as will weaken its power, limit its benefits, and mar its comforts. Bitter must be that penitential regret which fills the mind of the late convert, when he reviews the past, as he purposes to begin a new life. The best of his days are irrevocably gone--the choicest period of his life has been spent in sin and folly. The peculiar advantages enjoyed by youth for attaining the knowledge, enjoying the comforts, and discharging the services of religion are passed away. He finds it exceedingly difficult to withstand the force of habit and associations- he finds every effort needed to carry on the conflict with himself and the world in a defensive attitude, while the early convert, having passed on his course consistently, constantly carries the attack into the very heart of the enemy's camp with success, and actively pursues the work of well-doing. Early piety furnishes seasonable and appropriate training for the Savior's service. In the parable of the talents, the faithful are represented as "trading" with their talents, and receiving gain-Use facilitates and directs the proper employment of our means and opportunities of doing good

We gain increasing acquaintance with our own hearts, with human nature, with the temptations which attend us, and the difficulties and obstacles which must be encountered in the way of holiness and beneficence. The character of undeviating integrity, and of active, unwearied beneficence, more and more commends itself to the conscience and affections, and continually opens freer, and wider, and more numerous avenues to usefulness. A life from early youth exhibiting fair consistency, in one unblemished course of uprightness, purity, kindness, and beneficence, will furnish the clearest and most convincing testimony to the character and claims of the religion we profess; a testimony not readily misunderstood, nor resisted. “Who will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good." In later conversion, whatever evident change may appear, it will be difficult to inspire confidence. The effort to counteract the influence of past life will be exceedingly difficult, and in very many cases unavailing. Facility in the use and means possessed, and fertility in the invention of new methods to resist evil and do good, are wanting and are found unattainable. The pious youth enters the field in the morning, and, bearing the heat and burden of the day, with increasing skill and vigor accomplishes his work, and at evening finds a full harvest gathered. The later convert enters, perhaps near the evening, and having spent his time and strength in the service of sin, the world, and Satan, and gathered a harvest of vanity, he now proceeds with faltering steps, and feeble efforts to glean a few solitary light sheaves. It is difficult to calculate the amount of influence which may be exerted by a life early directed by piety, and extended to old age; difficult to say how many talents may be gained, by continued, careful, and skilful "trading ;" difficult to estimate how much the Master may be glorified, and men blessed by the multiplied, varied, and ripe fruits of holy living, and beneficent exertions. "The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age-they shall be fat and flourishing.”

IX. TO YOUTH, AS WELL AS TO OTHERS, THE PRESENT IS THE ONLY MO

MENT SECURED OR PROMIS D.

"What is your life? it is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away; for that ye ought to say, if the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that." The folly of presuming upon the future, with the hope of rightfully improving it, has been shown. Every day spent in neglect of the "one thing needful," increases the indisposition to spiritual things, strengthens the power of corruption and selfishness, and increases the force of habit. The path in which sinners travel, is one which leads directly from God, -every step leads to a greater distance from him.-The way is downward and slippery-the force of motion is continually increased, the rapidity of descent is constantly accelerated. Who knows when the verge of the precipice will be reached, and the final leap shall be taken? Who in this course to hell dare presume on the future for an interposing power to arrest his accelerated descent, and deliver from the wrath to come? Who knows what a day may bring forth? Ah, sinner, before the light of this day passes away, thy lifeless body may wait the opened grave, and thy soul be in hell. “What thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." How often do we find death arresting youth, sportive and gay, in the bloom of beauty, the vigor of health, the brightness of worldly prospects, and the endearments of earthly relations ! On that sick bed, reflection on the past and apprehension of the future, seize on the spirit, notwithstanding the efforts of mistaken friends to prevent it. At last the certainty of approaching death appears in full view.-Oh, what alarm then seizes the conscience,-what pangs rend the heart! "In that very day his thoughts perish!" The world, as to all it gave, and promised, lost,-the