the reflection does not produce some degree of sorrow and of shame, particularly in such times as these*, they must be beyond the reach of such emotions.

Next to intemperance in eating and drinking, we may rank the daily habit of feeding with luxurious daintiness. This is always productive of great waste; and is one of those examples, which, in the form of selfish indulgence, (when there is no want of natural appetite) is likely to spread through a family; for how can any one, with decency, or propriety, reprove another for what he is in the habit of doing himself? Hence, it must often happen in such a house, that the fragments will exceed what is fairly consumed; and it will be in vain to say, "gather them up;" for we may be assured, that "much of them will be lost."

But the mere loss of food to some, and the consequent deprivation of it, we may say, to others, are not the only ill effects arising from such foolish and luxurious indulgences. Children often acquire the most injurious habits from

* Preached in the Chapel of the Foundling Hospital, during the high price of provisions, in the year 1801.

them. Instead of being confined to plain, wholesome food, and taught to consider their meals as the necessary means of life, they are led, from being pampered with dainties, to regard the indulgence of their appetites as its chief gratification. Thus, is a taste early acquired, and a passion prematurely excited, for mere sensual pleasures; while the mind, in the mean time, is often corrupted by pride, selfishness, and indolence; or its attention called off from every praise-worthy subject, every laudable exertion, and every generous pursuit. Not to mention, also, that the health of such children may be materially injured, and that, on every change of situation, they will be prepared to meet with difficulties and hardships, where others, who have been properly bred, and are both healthy and vigorous, would feel themselves happy and contented.

Such being the sinful nature of Wastefulness, and its baneful effects in general, let me earnestly exhort you to guard against it yourselves, and to prevent it, as much as possible, in those who form part of your housholds.

At the same time, carefully avoid every thing, that may be justly construed into niggardliness of disposition, or want of Christian hospitality,

The general rule to be derived from the holy Gospel on this occasion is, enjoy the blessings of Providence, but do not pervert, or abuse them. Let them, in your hands, be the means of dif fusing happiness, not of spreading misery ;-of exhibiting patterns of charity and munificence, not of promoting vice, and encouraging dissipation.-In short, shew yourselves worthy of husbanding the talent that has been committed to your care, and manifest your gratitude to the Father of Mercies, by a disposition ready, at all times, to give, and glad to distribute.

It would be needless rigor, perhaps, to require, or expect, that the tables of the rich should not sometimes abound with superfluous plenty. There are occasions, when feasting and "making merry" may not only be innocent, but commendable; as we learn from the parable of the Prodigal Son, the marriage in Cana of Galilee, and other parts of the holy Gospel; and we should remember, that the magnitude of the evil complained of does not depend on casual, or incidental circumstances, but on the daily and constant habit. The truly benevolent man, and the Christian, whenever he gives a more sumptuous entertainment than usual, will remember the precept of his Lord

and Saviour, and say to those about him, "Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost."

In order to accomplish this, he must, by vigilant circumspection, and wholesome reproof, endeavour to deserve the commendation of the apostle, and be "one that ruleth well his own house." Servants should be deeply impressed with the sin, the folly, and even dishonesty of wastefulness. A little reflection, also, might teach them, that by pampering themselves with luxuries in the houses of the rich, and by wasting more than they can enjoy, they are not only.unfaithful to the trust reposed in them, but are compleatly disqualifying themselves for a change of situation.

With the young and inexperienced, whose incomes afford only a competency, they are often the instruments of embarrassment and ruin. We may add, that, if they should ever have a home of their own, the small pittance, which they might have earned by servitude, would soon be dissipated, in procuring a few only of the indulgences to which they had unfortunately been accustomed; and the hardships of life would at all times be multiplied to them in a tenfold proportion.

Farther, let us guard against Waste by preventing what is in its nature perishable from being spoiled, or lost, from carelessness; and, if at any time our cup should be overflowing, and our table, more than full, let the hand and heart of Christian charity be ready to satisfy the wants of those, whom her inquiring spirit has previously found out, and deemed most worthy.

If it should appear, for the reasons already. mentioned, that we are bound by the duties of religion, as well as the principles of benevolence and humanity, to avoid Waste, ourselves, and to prevent it, as far as possible, in our fellow creatures, it is surely a duty founded even on stronger obligations, to prevent a wasteful consumption of the fruits of the earth, or of that ground, which might furnish food for man, by over-feeding such animals as are kept chiefly for pleasure. "The merciful man" should, indeed, “be kind to his beast ;" but I will not violate the decorum of the pulpit, by entering into any detail of the shameful waste and profusion, that are often indulged, from mere motives of vanity, ostentation, and caprice. Nor will I invade the province of our Courts of justice by descanting on the enormous crimes of monopolising and