adjured to declare, whether I am prepared to renounce, in the name of another, those soul-subduing passions→ those alluring pleasures-those fascinating dreams of worldly interest, which a sense of my own weakness, struggle with them as I may, compels me to acknowledge, I dare not renounce for myself. I utter the tremendous words which bind me to my contract-I declare, in the face of men and of angels, "I renounce

them all." Those of you who may have taken upon yourselves this most awful duty, if you would perform it faithfully, have a pleasing-if unfaithfully, a most dangerous part. Can there be any thing so pleasing to one in whom the love of God is visible to the eye, depictured in the love of man, as to become the father in a higher sense, the spiritual parent, to an infant mind?-to mark its earliest dawn? to watch its gradual developement? to drop into its ear the first lessons of

wisdom? to speak to it of a God and a Saviour? to awaken its childish curiosity? to open to its view, step by step, the beauteous fabric of religion, cleared from the mists with which our weaknesses, perhaps our errors, have clouded it? to sow the seed, and reap the increase? to plant the tree, and gather the fruit? to behold him he has nurtured in the faith, go boldly forth, in full assurance of truth, to redeem the pledge that has been given, to return "the answer of a good conscience toward God?" to see some venerable hand laid on his youthful head? and then to have the feeling, that he has done his work, that he has acquitted himself of his charge, that he stands clear before his conscience and his God? what reflexion is there more delightful? what enjoyment more lasting or intense?There is nothing so lasting, nothing so intense, with the exception of a feeling of a widely different character, and arising

from a widely different source, a consciousness that the vow has been broken, that the trust has been betrayed, that the parent has abandoned his child, that the perjured has blasphemed his God. Be there any present, who may have lightly assumed this momentous relation, who, regarding it as a mere matter of form, have thought to comply with the usages of society, and thought of nothing more, I will not seek to aggravate the bitterness of recollection, that by this time, at least, must have begun to afflict your hearts: would that I could say any thing to soften that bitterness. There have been some who have found no place for repentance, even though they have sought it with tears; you may be more fortunate, I pray God it be so; if the season be not past, if mature age has not annulled the contract, perhaps it is not too late to redeem the time that has been lost; if the season be past and gone, have re

course to prayer, earnest effectual prayer -prayer alone can bring you pardon and forgiveness;-and do you, whose god-fathers and godmothers have promised and vowed three things in your name, consider what these three things are: hearken to your teachers, follow their instructions, fear God betimes, speak the truth, love every one. You who have arrived at maturity, and have taken your vows upon you, reflect often and seriously what those vows require from you; endeavour to keep them truly; in any trial pray for strength to bear it, and strength will be given you; and may he, who alone can guide us in our path, and supply a lanthorn to our feet; may he, our fastest friend, direct and enlighten each and every one of us in the ways of pleasantness, and in the paths of peace! Now to God, &c.

SERMON II.

ADDRESSED TO YOUTH.

Preached at Banham, Norfolk.

ECCLESIASTES XI. 9.

Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

THREE thousand years have passed away since the admonitory voice of the wisest among men was hushed in silence; the race to whom he addressed himself, the nation amidst which he lived, the dominion he exercised, have ages back ceased to exist; but nature survives the wreck of nations, and of kingdoms;