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nefactor. Remember, that each of you has a soul to be saved, or to be lost; that the world, that the universe, weighed against it, is the small dust of the balance; that the Son of God died, to purchase for you salvation; that the Spirit of God waits with infinite kindness, to renew you unto eternal life; that heaven has opened its doors to receive you into its delightful mansions; that all things are ready; that the Spirit and the bride say to each of you, "Come, and take the water of life freely ;" and that it will be a transporting, a rapturous, sight, to behold all of you, without one missing, assembled in the kingdom of the blessed. But to this end, you must resolve not to be conformed to this world If any man love the world; remember, that the love of the Father is not in him. Boldly, therefore, meet its frowns; and steadily despise its smiles. Disregard alike its hard and its soft names, its flatteries and its censures. Resolutely and invariably, reject its loose doctrines; and abhor its licentious practices. It may be more pleasant, but it will not in the end be more profitable, to go decently to perdition, than to go scandalously. It is your business to do neither. Heaven is your proper home. Point your course to that glorious and happy world; and let every step, which you take here, advance you towards immortal life. Let angels behold your progress, and rejoice over your repentance; and the spirits of the just prepare to welcome you to their divine assembly.

SERMON XXIV.

ON THE PARENTAL CHARACTER OF GOD.

PREACHED TO THE CANDIDATES FOR THE BACCALAUREATE IN 1809.

EPHESIANS v. 1.

Be ye, therefore, followers of God, as dear Children.

THERE is probably no scene in the present world, which presents a more interesting prospect to the eye, or which is usually described in terms of more ardour and animation, than a well regulated family.

The natural Relations come more easily, uniformly, and directly, to the heart, than any other: and among these the domestic relations excite peculiar interest. There is nothing in this world, which is so venerable, as the character of parents; nothing so intimate and endearing, as the relation of husband and wife; nothing so tender as that of children; nothing so lovely as those of brothers and sisters. The little circle is made one by a single interest, and by a singular union of affections.

Children are born with a thousand circumstances of endearment. The anxiety and distress, with which the dawn of their being is attended, make them objects of peculiar tenderness from their birth. They are then absolutely helpless; and live only on the care of others. Every moment, both when awake and when asleep, they demand of their parents, with irresistible claims, the protecting hand, the watchful eye, and the ever attentive heart. If neglected, they suffer: if forgotten, they perish. How rarely are they forgotten: how rarely even in poverty, sickness, or profligacy; which, especially the last, so effectually harden the heart

against all objects, beside those of absolute selfishness. The very cares and toils, which are employed on them, only render them more beloved: and an ample reward is furnished for all the labour, expense, and suffering, undergone in their behalf, by their health, their safety, their comforts, and their smiles.

Infancy speedily terminates in childhood. At this period commences a new train of affectionate and unceasing effort to form their minds to knowledge, virtue, and usefulness. While the care and expense, with which their daily wants are supplied, are continued, and increased; both are additionally demanded, to furnish those supplies, which are now become necessary for their minds. In this situation the parents become more amiable, and the children more interesting. Their minds, hitherto confined to the house, and the court-yard, are now, for the first time, permitted to wander abroad to the confines of that universe, in which they are ultimately to live, and act. By ten thousand successive cares and efforts, both of the parents, and of others employed by them, the children are taught, successively, the various kinds of knowledge, which will expand their views, and qualify them for business. At the same time, those useful habits of thinking and acting are begun, which will enable them to be beneficial to themselves and to their fellow-men. Gradually, as they advance in years, capacity, and strength, they are matured into the character and the hopes of adult age; are taught to think, judge, and act, for themselves; and are enabled to sustain the relations, and perform the duties, which may render them blessings to mankind.

To this end all the instructions which they receive, all the impressions made on their hearts, all the examples set before their eyes, and all the habits inwrought into their character; unitedly conspire. Of the innumerable efforts, made in their education, not one, unless radically unwise and mischievous, has probably been made in vain. How many have these efforts been; and of what indispensable importance to those for whom they were made? How amiable the character of parents in making them : how deserving of the love and the veneration of their children? During this period also, the minds of children are opened to the knowledge of God; and to the truths and duties of the Religion, which he has taught mankind. Almost at the dawn of life they

learn the existence, character, presence, and agency, of this glorious and awful Being. From Him, they are informed, they have derived their existence, their continuance in life, their safety, their comforts, and their hopes. They are taught, as soon as they are capable of receiving the instruction, that the end, for which they were made, is to glorify him by faithfully obeying his pleasure; and that to him they are accountable for the manner, in which they employ their faculties, and their time. With these instructions they also learn, that they are sinful beings; that to save them from sin, and the misery, which it produces, and with which it is rewarded, the Son of God came into the world; published the glad tidings of salvation; lived a humble, suffering life; and died on the Cross. In consequence of the wonderful Mediation of this glorious Person, they behold the Gates of Heaven opened to evangelical faith, repentance, and holiness; and immortal life dawning anew upon this cloudy, melancholy world.

Inseparably intertwined with these inestimable precepts, all the duties which they owe to their Creator, their fellow-creatures, and themselves, are, by degrees, unfolded to their view, and impressed on their hearts, at the same time, they are fashioned with unceasing care, toil and tenderness, into a spirit of submission to parental government; and prepared by slowly imbibed habit for submission to all other authority, both human and divine. In this manner they are prevented from becoming savages; and, imperceptibly to themselves, are moulded into men. In this manner

they are prepared to take their place and station in the universe; and to fill the sphere, destined to them by their Maker. In this manner they are fitted to live, and act, in obedience not to blind and furious passions, but to sober reason, enlightened conscience, and evangelical piety.

Thus the great task goes on; and, laborious as it is, goes on cheerfully; until it is completed; and the children are sent abroad into the world, to repeat the same exertions for their own offspring. On this occasion, the parents distribute to them, with a bountiful hand, a liberal share of their own earnings, during a life of industrious and frugal toil. But parental love stops not here. It goes with their children wherever they go; resides with them wherever they reside; rejoices when they rejoice; mourns when they

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mourn; and blends its hopes, and fears, and sufferings, with theirs. With life only does it expire: and its closing scenes are the dying bed and the grave.

In surveying such a family, how many interesting objects are presented to a considerate eye, and a susceptible heart? The world furnishes not so delightful an image of tenderness, as maternal care, watching, sustaining, and cherishing, its beloved offspring. The world never beheld the human character in so lovely a form, as that of the smiling, prattling Infant, lisping its half formed thoughts and sweet affections, in the artless eloquence of nature; and imitating every thing which it sees or hears, in a manner, wholly inimitable by others. Through the successive periods of childhood and youth the eye of an observer is not less in⚫terested by the sight of amiable, hopeful children, passing honourably through the several periods of Education; imbibing useful knowledge; forming useful habits; interchanging daily their mutual offices of affection; receiving daily blessings from their parents; and retributing them with the delightful fruits of filial piety. At the parental board or at the fire-side, who, that has a heart, would not be richly gratified to behold the brothers and sisters of such a family looking round on each other with love; and raising up to their parents, sitting at the head of the happy group, the eye of duty, gratitude, and veneration? Who would not mingle in the tenderness, the complacency, the smiles, of the parents, while they beheld themselves revived in their children, and living in their persons, and their descendants, through succeeding generations?

A still more interesting prospect is presented by the same family, assembled for their morning and evening devotions, and with one united voice calling down from Heaven blessings, in which every one is to share. Equally delightful is the sight of the same family, going to the house of God in company; blending hearts and voices in the worship of the sanctuary; assembling around the table of Christ, to celebrate the wonders of Redeeming Love; realizing with transport, as well as with humility, their own united interest in the blessings, purchased by the death of the Son of God; and edifying, and warming, the hearts of all around them with their fervent and undissembled piety.

There is no situation, in which such a family can be seen with

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