feelings this is seldom the case) would lead to many an hour of deep mortification. When designing or unprincipled men meet with such persons in publick vehicles or places, they are peculiarly apt to single them out as objects of their artful approaches, under the confidence that they shall find them more accessible than others, and more open to imposition.

15. In travelling in publick vehicles, and in putting up at publick hotels, BE EVER READY

TO PERFORM THE APPROPRIATE OFFICES OF RELIGION, BUT NEVER FORCE THEM ON THOSE WHO MANIFEST NO DESIRE TO RECEIVE THEM.

It has been often made a question, whether at publick tables, in hotels, or steam-boats, it is proper for a clergyman to make a practice of asking a blessing and returning thanks? My opinion is, that, if the company be orderly, and a considerable portion of it decisively respectful to religion and its institutions, such as a minister has frequently the pleasure of meeting in publick conveyances, it is expedient for him, in such circumstances, to approach the table among the first, and reverently to implore the divine blessing. But if the company be large, disorderly, noisy, and apparently indisposed to such exercises, and there be no weighty portion of it ready to act as pioneers, and open the way for him, he ought not, in my judgment, to force his services upon such an assemblage. If, after

you become a minister, you are ever thrown into such a situation, withdraw to a quiet end of the table, with the little group who may be like-minded with yourself, if there be any such present, and there, in a low voice, only to be heard by yourselves, and the few who sit next to you, implore the blessing of heaven on the comforts of which you partake. When you fall into such turbulent companies, this course, if my observation has not greatly deceived me, is best adapted to make the desired impression.

I have known some clergymen who, in travelling, thought it their duty, and laid it down as a rule, at every publick house at which they put up, whether crowded with company or not, without any exception, to call the family together to morning and evening prayers. That this may often be done, very acceptably, and to great advantage, in the private, of family room, where the keeper of the house and his family are respectful to religion, I am well persuaded. And, therefore, a clergyman in travelling ought ever to be on the watch to perceive, and ready to seize favourable occasions to introduce the worship of God. But to insist on doing it in the face of manifest aversion, and even in the midst of a noisy and profane throng, as I have sometimes known to be the fact, is, verily, in my opinion, "casting pearls before swine,"

and adapted to dishonour rather than recommend religion.

16. In travelling, be not ready To ENTAN

GLE YOURSELF WITH OBTRUSIVE OR TROUBLE

SOME STRANGERS. In almost every crowded publick conveyance that you enter there are passengers who answer this description; persons who, from vulgarity, from officiousness, or from some sinister motive, will be disposed to fasten themselves upon you, and endeavour to make you subservient to their convenience. They will, perhaps, oppress you with their conversation, pester you with their plans, and even lay a snare for your politeness, which may give much trouble afterwards. Be on your guard against such persons. Give no encouragement to their intimacy or their schemes, especially until you know something about them. The exercise of common civility to them, may entangle you to a most inconvenient degree. To this class of travellers, females are sometimes found to belong. Travelling without a protector, they may feel desirous of engaging a clergyman to act the part of one; who, though a stranger to them, they consider as furnishing in his profession, a pledge of fidelity and benevolence. Often have I known females travel

ling in these circumstances, impose themselves on clergymen, travelling in the same direction, and to form an incumbrance and impediment of the

most serious kind. I have known ministers, young and old, on journeys for their health, really oppressed, and their movemen's most unhappily and injuriously trammelled, by these selfcreated proteges. Guard against every such imposition. If you do not, you will never be without incumbrance. In travelling be polite, accommodating and benevolent to every body, especially to females, and, above all, to unprotected females of decent appearance and character. But do not allow them, in ordinary cases, to identify themselves with you; to consider you as their humble servant; and to expect you to regulate your motions by their convenience. Perhaps no class of men have so much reason to be on their guard against this species of imposition as ministers of the Gospel.

17. Whenever you travel out of your own immediate neighbourhood, BE CAREUL TO SEEK

AND TREASURE UP ALL THE INFORMATION WHICH YOU MAY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY OF

GAINING. It is wonderful to observe under what a lethargy of mind many intelligent men labour, as to this point, in their most interesting excursions. They travel, perhaps, hundreds of miles through the finest regions of country, without making a single inquiry, or treasuring up a single fact, adapted to solid use afterwards.

This is a fault, really, as criminal as it is dis

reputable. I advise you to consider every journey that you take as "a price put into your hands for getting wisdom." Try to return from every excursion laden with knowledge, concerning the agricultural, the commercial, and the manufacturing state of the districts through which you pass; their various internal improvements, their literary, moral, and religious condition; the numbers, prospects, wants, &c., of the different ecclesiastical denominations; and particularly any institutions or practices which may be worthy of imitation. In travelling always keep a diary. If it be as minute in recording what you see, as well as what you do, and rich as it ought to be, it may be to you a document of great value as long as you live.

18. Learn the happy art oF TURNING EVERY THING INTO THE CHANNEL OF RELIGION, AND MAKING EVERY THING SUBSERVIENT TO IT. You remember that Dr. Johnson, in his life of Dr. Watts, remarks, that "whatever he took in hand, was, by his incessant solicitude for souls, converted to theology." This is, indeed, exalted praise for a minister of the gospel. May you be enabled to merit the same eulogium! If you should live to be invested with the sacred office, never, for a moment lose sight of that office, or of the duties whic it infers. Let all your reading, conversation,