SERMON IX.

CONTINUATION OF THE SAME SUBJECT, WITH REGARD TO THE YOUNG IN THE HIGHER CONDITIONS OF LIFE.

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PROVERBS iii. 13, &c.

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding!—She is more precious than rubies, and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."

IN the preceding discourse, 1 addressed my. self to the young who are engaged in the labours of education, and who are preparing themselves to enter upon the various liberal professions of society. To them life, at present, indeed, “is ❝ full of labour ;"—but of a labour to which the providence of God hath allotted high rewards :the hopes of honour,-the promise of usefulness, -and the lofty distinction of contributing, in their day, to the glory of God, and the good of human kind. To such objects of legitimate ambition, the generous bosom of youth is always open; and there is, perhaps, no duty of the parent or the in

structer more important, than to present perpetually to their eyes, the splendid rewards which Heaven has in store, to repay the labours of their early days.

There is one description of the young, however, to whom observations of this kind may not seem so immediately to apply;-the young, I mean, who are born to rank or opulence, and who appear not to be called upon, by any necessity of their condition, for labour. To them, life seems to open with very different prospects than to the generality of men. No imperious duty summons them to toil, -no stern necessity compels them to provide for the wants of the passing day. It is to a scene rather of inactivity and joy that they appear to be called, where gayety invites them to enjoyment under a thousand forms; and where, without labouring themselves, they may command the labours of the rest of the world around them. It is to the young of this description of our congregation that I now wish particularly to address myself. The same season which is opening to the rest of the young around them a new course of activity and labour, is opening to them a scene of pleasure, and, perhaps, of thoughtless dissipation.-Let me then entreat them for a moment to pause, on their entrance into life ;-to consider what is the real aspect of their advantages or condition; and to weigh the ends for which life itself was given, and for which every noble mind would wish to live.

I. I may observe then, in the first place, that this exemption from labour and exertion, which the higher classes of society are thought to enjoy, is much more apparent than real; and that in truth it extends itself only to the lowest wants of human nature. They are exempted, indeed, from the care of "gaining their bread by the sweat of their "brow," from the labouring day, and the scanty sleep, by which alone the poor man can provide for the wants of his family. But they are called to other labours of no less imperious a kind; and which, from this circumstance itself, possess a higher obligation upon every generous mind, that they are more honourable and more exalted.

1. They are called, in the first place, to the cultivation of the mind,-to the acquisition of knowledge, and the improvement of the understanding. In the unbroken leisure of their youth,-in the facilities of studies and education,-in the society of whatever is respectable or distinguished among men, they enjoy advantages which fall to the lot of few of the human race; and the expectation of the world unites itself with the prayer of the parent, that they may enter upon active life, worthy of the discipline which has been employed to form them.

2. They are called, in the second place, to the noblest and most extensive duties which society demands. They are called to lead the arms of their country in war ;-to dispense its justice, and to preserve its tranquillity in the seasons of peace.

They are called, as possessors of property, to the most interesting office which the citizen can fill,— to improve the bounty of nature, and add to the prosperity of their nation ;-to be the friends and the fathers of all that dwell in their land,-to be the patrons of rural industry,-the rewarders of humble merit,and, even in the most desert corners of their country, to diffusé happiness and knowledge among the habitations of men. They are called, still farther, in many cases, to a greater duty; to enter into the senate of their country,

to share in the deliberations by which its misfortunes may be remedied,-its prosperity extended, its honours maintained ;-to extend the firm hand, which, amidst popular commotion, can hold the balance of power and of liberty, and to exert the intrepid mind, which can disregard all the clamours of party, while it is labouring for the good of the whole.

3. They are called, in the last place, to be the arbiters of social life, and the models of national manners. It is to this description of society, as we all know, that the rest naturally look up; from them they borrow their fashions, their habits, and not unfrequently their principles; and it is their conduct of this easy but important dominion, that determines, in a great measure, the character and the morality of their age. They are born the legislators of publick manners; and it is their example, (and let me add, in a peculiar manner,

the example of the female great,) which is to impress its character upon the manners of the world around them, and to render them either pious or profligate, virtuous or vicious, dignified or base.

II. Such, then, are the duties which are demanded of the great and the opulent, the important uses which, by the Providence of God, they serve in the societies of men; and such, accordingly, my young friends, are the solemn duties to which, in the course of time, you are to be called. It is the great business of youth, to prepare for the course which it is to follow; to acquire the knowledge, and to attain the habits which the scenes of future life may require; and above all, by anticipating the duties which God and Man are to demand, to establish that character and temper of mind which may suit the situation it is destined to fill, and render life honourable, and useful, and happy. Suffer me then, my young friends, upon this principle, to suggest to you some of those considerations which become the peculiar prospects which open upon you, and which befit those generous hours of youth which you now enjoy.

1. There is something, in the first place, very striking to every virtuous or elevated mind, in the importance of the station to which it is called, and the magnitude of the duties which are demanded of it. The great body of mankind are doomed to pass their days in still obscurity, uncheered by