made man their prey, and filled his bosom with pain and agony; all the direful and cruel ravages of the monster, death; and all the bitter pangs of the undying worm; all, all, are the tremendous consequences of a single sin. It was one sin, which in a moment ruined the world. And one unpardoned sin, my dear young friend, is enough to ruin your soul, and that too, for ever.

CHAPTER VIII.

DUTIES TO SUPERIORS.

66

You must remember, my young friend, that there are particular relations in which you stand to society, in which you should be concerned to conduct yourself in a becoming manner. You are not only to fear God, but you are to honour your parents, and those having authority over you. The regard due to your parents has often been inculcated on you. Children," says the apostle, "obey your parents, for this is right in the Lord." Not a few of those who have dared to neglect or despise a father or a mother, have been signally frowned on by Divine Providence, even in the present world. Disobedient and ungrateful children cannot come to any good. See to it, then, that as God has commanded you, you do indeed "honour your father and your mother."

You ought to respect the ministers of the

Gospel, and "to esteem them highly in love, for their works' sake." Forget not that they labour for your welfare, and watch for your soul as those who must give an account.

As you will soon be engaged in business, recollect that there are important duties which you owe to your employers. You must be obedient in all lawful things, and not only to "the good and gentle, but also to the froward." Disobedience is altogether unjustifiable; it is nothing less than a contest whether you or your employer shall rule in his own house. Hence, said the apostle Paul, "servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye service, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God," Col. iii, 22.

Should he reprove you for a fault, do not answer him again, but seriously endeavour to amend what is wrong, and to secure his approbation and esteem. Serve him faithfully; your time and your talents, at least, for a season, are his, "not purloining" the least thing, or suffering any thing to be purloined, "showing all good fidelity," Tit. ii, 10. "It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful," 1 Cor. iv, 2.

If sent out on any business, despatch it as soon as you can, and return to your employer. Solomon says, that a "faithful messenger refresheth the soul of his master," Prov. xxv, 13.

Do not hastily think of changing your em ployer, because you find some difficulties in his ervice. There is no situation without its trials.

The master has often much greater troubles than those who serve him.

Be watchful, that you may speak seasonably, and to the purpose. against a spirit of talkativeness.

Guard, on all occasions, "In the multi

tude of words," says the wise man, "there wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips is wise," Prov. x, 19.

Do not think it hard that you are called to serve. Remember that it is said, that "the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and" even "to give his life a ransom for many. Recollect, that in every relation of life, and in every duty, the eye of God is upon you. Often look up to him and say, "Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me! See if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

CHAPTER IX.

LET YOUR COMPANIONS AND FRIENDS BE SUCH AS FEAR AND LOVE GOD.

THE arguments, which should induce you practically to regard this admonition, are weighty and numerous. The care of your parents and friends, and the pains they have taken in your education will be all lost, should you give your Sabbaths or leisure hours to irreligious or immoral companions. Judging from what has but too frequently occurred, there is reason to fear, should you do so, that every serious impression will

soon be erased from your mind. We are always, in a greater or less degree, the better or the worse for the examples with which we are surrounded. 66 Men," says Mr. Locke," are a kind of camelions, which take a tincture from that which is near them." And matter of fact combines with the authority of the word of God, to assure us that "evil communications corrupt good manners." Guard against being absent from home at late hours. Do not stay any where beyond the proper time, without the knowledge and approbation of your parents, or of your employer. They are not your real friends who would detain you parading the streets, or in dissipated company, till an unseasonable period. -You will gain nothing, as experience amply proves, either as to your respectability, your morals, or your health, by such a practice.

The enjoyment to be found in the society of the wicked is but transient. It is only a blaze, which is almost immediately extinguished. Nobler and more substantial pleasures are to be found in the society of the good and virtuous. Religion does not forbid us a single gratification, which is really worthy of our desire or pursuit. "What think you," to use the language of a pious writer, "if an angel were to descend from heaven to make his abode on earth, or the Lord Jesus Christ himself were to appear again, with whom would that angel or that Redeemer choose an intimate friendship or frequent converse? Your own conscience tells you, that if he were ever found among the ungodly it would only be

as a physician visits an hospital, to cure others, not to delight himself.”

Be assured, my dear friend, that bad company will ruin you in your reputation, in your circum. stances, in body, and soul; and there is reason to fear from what has but too frequently occurred, will injure you, not only in this world, but in that which is to come. "A companion of fools," says the wise man, "shall be destroyed.”—“ He that being often reproved, and hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy." How striking and solemn is this declaration!

It is impossible, my dear young friend, that you can be too much on your guard, as it respects the companions with whom you associate, or the friendships you form. There are abandoned wretches in society who lie in wait to make you their prey. Lost to all sense of decency themselves, they are fit instruments of Satan for the worst purposes. If you would be preserved from their snares, you must resolutely keep out of their company. Exchange not a single word with them. Should you be so lost to your true interest and welfare, here and hereafter, as to listen to them, you are undone. "None who go into" these outer chambers of perdition "turn again, neither take they hold of the paths of life." “Her house is the way to hell, going down to the regions of death."

The writer well recollects one of the companions of his youth who was ruined by evil company. He was the much-loved son of pious