principles to the indulgence of sensual affections, increased the enormity of idolatrous practices.

From improper connexions nothing but evil can proceed. Indiscreet marriages are the sources of numerous calamities which disturb society, and embitter private life.

The attractive powers of these women soon corrupted the pious principles of their husbands. The female, possessed of all other accomplishments, but devoid of religious sentiments, is a most dangerous companion for a man of sobriety who is desirous of serving God with all his house. Her authority and persuasions will only weaken his virtuous resolutions, or counteract his endeavours. Children and domestics will entertain but little respect for religion, when the mistress of the family slights it by her neglect, or sets herself in opposition to its institutions. A pious woman may do much good in conjunction with her husband; but one of an opposite character is certain of doing considerable mischief. Let, therefore, young persons, of both sexes, be particularly careful in examining the characters and principles of such as offer to become their partners for life. It is a momentous consideration, that it is in this view that we are able to account for so many unhappy marriages; at least a very powerful reason appears why so many prove uncomfortable on both sides. A person of libertine sentiments will rarely prove an agreeable partner. It is true, the example of a pious companion may have some influence upon the vitiated mind, and in some cases may effect a reformation. But this is a risk too great to be ventured, and common prudence forbids the running into it, because the chances against such a happy event are innumerable. It is a dreadful hazard, and may be considered as nothing better than rash presumption.

The story we are reviewing is a practical illustration of these remarks, and warns all who have been trained up in the way of virtue, against forming connexions with the vain, the vicious, and the profane.

The good was soon swallowed up through the prevalence of iniquity. The blandishments of vice prevailed. Gay amusements paved the way to immorality, and the neglect of devotion led to infidelity and idolatry.

A familiar association with the wicked will soon contaminate the most virtuous mind, and destroy the influence of religious principles. They who once enjoyed the high distinction of being called the "sons of GOD," became, in a short time, as corrupt as their licentious partners, so that there was scarcely a vestige of true religion left upon the earth. The offspring of these promiscuous marriages are called in scripture, giants, not on account of their extraordinary stature, but their height in wickedness. It is a dismal and shocking picture which the sacred historian draws of the manners of the old world, when by a bold figure of speech he describes the whole human race as but one man, "the thought of whose heart was only evil continually."

The seat of iniquity is undoubtedly in the heart, from which proceeds every species of crime; but it is a dreadful thing when a man is so lost to all sense of shame, to all idea of virtue and desire of reformation, as to have a continual thirst for evil, without one intervening moment of consideration and re

morse.

Amidst the general disorder of society, it is to be hoped there are some persons who mourn for the corruptions which they cannot stem; and charity "hopeth all things," even when it beholds a sinner in a furious career to destruction. But the old world is described as sunk in universal atheism, or idolatry, with the solitary exception of a single family. Amidst all this moral darkness one star was found, whose example was calculated to recommend religion, and to excite in men some sorrow for their wickedness. But though Noah was an eminent preacher of righteousness, and walked with God in all holy worship and obedience, he could not prevail in his attempts

to reform an ungodly race. He continued, however, o persevere in the pious work, though he saw no good effects resulting from it.

The patriarch had faith in God; and he knew that it was his duty to labour with unremitting zeal in the province to which he was called, leaving the event to him from whom he had received his commission.

Nothing can be more honourable than to stand firm and singular in a time of general infidelity and corruption of manners. A man of unshaken principle, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, is a character at once rare and beautiful. But though many may be disposed to admire, in expression at least, the account of such a person, how few will be animated to copy after his example!

Yet this we are all required to do, within our respective stations, and among our connexions, however confined or few they may be. In the present mixed state, vice will always have too much influence in society; and corrupt principles and evil customs will be so prevalent as to require no ordinary strength of mind to keep us from being affected by the contagion. What, then, should he do who wishes to preserve a good conscience, to insure everlasting happiness? He must maintain his integrity as a rock of adamant, and be, if I may hazard the expression, obstinately virtuous, neither deviating to the right hand not to the left, in compliance with the loose customs of an evil age.

The advice of wisdom should ever be on the minds of youth: "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not." Let the young adventurer consider the character of the persons who endeavour to allure him to follow pleasure, and then the nature and the consequence of the indulgence. Hereby he will be able to resist temptation, and, like the holy men of old, live unspotted in the midst of a corrupt gene

ration.

Noah was found faithful in principle and practice when the whole world lay in wickedness. Like his

ancestor Enoch, he "walked with GoD," and, like him, he was eminently distinguished by the Divine favour and protection. To such a man how afflicting must have been the increasing infidelity and immorality of the age! The pious and benevolent will always feel a tender concern and grief for the moral as well as for the natural diseases of mankind.

It indicates a narrow and insensible mind, and little regard for the laws and honour of God, to behold the spreading of vice and profaneness with indifference. The mere moralist will be concerned at these evils, from a regard to regular order and the political good of society; but the truly religious man will be impressed with a deeper concern from love to his GOD, and from an affectionate regard for his fellow-creatures. A holy zeal will animate his mind, when he sees the Divine institutes and commandments set at nought; and, in the language of scripture, "rivers of waters will run down his eyes, because men keep not the law of GOD."

Noah was a man of this description, and to an unbelieving and inconsiderate world he declared the whole counsel of God with fidelity.

He did not conceal his Divine commission through fear, or pervert it from a regard to personal convenience or advantage; but he preached with earnestness against the sins of idolatry, violence, debauchery, and injustice. His exhortations, however, and his. example, were alike inefficacious. The patience of Gon was long tried, and his mercy spared a corrupt world a great number of years.

But at length the Divine justice was awakened. The abominations of mankind became too offensive to be longer suffered, and therefore the Lord is represented as saying, "I will destroy man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth, both man and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them."

But before the fierce anger of the Lord goes forth, care must be taken that the righteous do not perish

with the wicked. GOD will always remember those who put their trust in him, and in the midst of his udgments he will provide a shelter for his obedient servants from the raging evil. In his love and in his mercy they shall be secure till the "calamity be overpast."

Having declared his intention of destroying the whole race of sinners, except the family of Noah, the Almighty commanded the patriarch to build "an ark for the saving of his house;" at the same time giving him directions of what wood and fashion the vessel should be formed. "Make thee an ark of gopher-wood, rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: the length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window shalt thou make in the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou make it above: and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof: with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. And behold I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh wherein is the breath of life from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark; thou and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives, with thee. And of every thing of all flesh, two of every sort, shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of

every sort shall come unto thee to keep them alive. And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be food for thee and for them." Genesis vi. 14.

Noah was not staggered at this extraordinary and arduous task, but instantly set about the performance of it, knowing from whom he had received it, and that "the commandment of the Lord is pure, en