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reign, who, though removed by the hand of Heaven from the Throne, has not ceased to reign in the hearts of his people. His paternal eye at once perceived the blessings which this institution was fitted to bestow upon the poor and the low of his land; and he looked forward with exultation to the day, (according to his own memorable expression) when there would not be one of his subjects, who would not be able to read his Bible.

-That day, indeed, he will not see. But the words will not be forgotten either in earth, or Heaven; and another day is coming, when deeds like these will place upon his gray hairs a crown of more

than mortal glory.

In this hour, therefore, my brethren, in an hour when, in humble imitation of your Saviour, you are studying to reveal the words of life to the young, and to the ignorant, you also may "rejoice in spirit;" ye may rejoice in the new light which is now arising upon the benighted of your land; in the accession which it promises to the long-established honours of your country; in the new path it opens to the virtuous ambition of your people, and which may lead them not only to the happiness of time, but to the glories of immortality.

In such an hour you also may "give thanks unto "the Father." You may thank him that He has made you, in your short day, the instruments of his eternal mercy; that He hath associated you with himself, as "fellow workers" in the salvation of the world; that He hath enabled you "to make the

"wilderness and the solitary place be glad," and the "desert" of human life "to blossom like the "rose."

And ye, my Younger brethren!-ye whom the Providence of heaven has already distinguished by affluence and by power, and who are now preparing yourselves for the great duties which your country is to demand of you, is it not fit that you should prepare yourselves for this duty also? and is there not something in the subject sufficient to awaken every generous energy of your hearts?

You have known the blessings of education; and is there any way you can so well testify your thankfulness to the Providence that gave them, as by diffusing the light of knowledge over the habitations of the lowly and the poor, and pouring its animating radiance upon every infant eye that looks up to you for protection or support.

You wish for the glory and the prosperity of your Country; and is there any way you can so securely hope to maintain or to extend them, as by opening to the lowest citizen, the gates of independence and of honour? as by presenting to the energy of youth ful ambition, all the hopes of virtuous distinction which the freedom of his country affords him, and by breaking down the only barrier which remains to prevent him from sharing in its prosperity or its glory?

You pray, still farther, with the sublime charity of the Gospel, for the final salvation of all, whether poor or rich, who are now entering upon the event

ful path of time. Is there then any method in which you can so certainly co-operate in the gracious designs of "the Father of Heaven and earth," as in freely giving what ye have so freely received? as in conveying the Gospel unto the poor!-as in conducting their infant steps to Him, "who calls them "to come unto him," and who is able to lead them "to glory, to honour, and to immortality!"

May He, who is ever in the midst of all those who are met in his name, accept your offering of this day! May his spirit go along with that institution of mercy which you have this day begun! and, in the last and decisive day of nature, may you all know and prove what is meant in these words of high, and as yet uncomprehended promise:"He that re"ceiveth one of these little ones, receiveth me; "and he that receiveth me, receiveth Him that sent 66 me !?"

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SERMON XVI.

ON INSTABILITY OF CHARACTER.

GENESIS xlix. 4.

"Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel."

WHEN the venerable patriarch Jacob was on the bed of death, we read in this chapter, that he called unto him his sons, and said, “Gather yourselves to"gether, that I may tell you that which shall befal

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you in the last days." He had watched, we may believe, with paternal solicitude, the growth of their different characters and dispositions, and now, in his, departing hour, he wishes to give them a last instruction, by pointing out to them what were the consequences they had to expect from the dispositions and habits they had indulged. "Reuben," saith he, "thou art my first born, my might, and the beginning "of my strength; but, unstable as water, thou shalt "not excel.”

The character which the patriarch thus gives of his son, and from which he predicts so inglorious an issue, is one frequently to be met with in common life. It is that of unsteadiness or Instability. Wherever we turn our eyes upon the world, we meet with men of this unhappy disposition; men, who seem never to have formed to themselves any fixed plan either of intellectual or moral pursuit, and who suffer

themselves to be led by no other principles than those of constitutional humour or casual caprice. Even with excellent powers of understanding, they are ever changing their studies and their designs; attracted by what is new in knowledge, rather than by what is useful, and seemingly unconscious of any other ends of science or of learning, than to amuse the passing hour. They are, still more frequently, inconstant and unstable in their affections; perpetually changing their connexions, their companions, and their friendships, and violating often the finest as well as the most sacred ties of life, less from violence of passion, than from mere levity and fickleness of mind. Their time, their talents, their advantages, whether of power or of wealth, are all consumed rather than employed; and life at last often closes upon them before they are conscious either for what it was given, or what will be required.

A character of this kind, when it is displayed in trifling or unimportant scenes, is frequently an object of ridicule to the satirist, or of pity to the good. In this place, it merits to be considered in a more serious and solemn manner, as laying the foundation of much folly, and of many vices; as contrary to the first principles of the Christian character; and, in certain conditions of society, as affecting, in no inconsiderable degree, the whole honour and happiness of human life. The importance of the subject, will, I trust, justify me in submitting to you a few observations on the Causes which usually produce this un

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