As to your social devotions-settle the principle that as God has given you a social nature, it is not only right, but a duty, to associate with others, at proper times, in the exercises of religion. One or two meetings a week are very needful, almost essential, to young Christians, for maintaining the spirit and power of religion. I therefore recommend that you set apart some time each week for attendance on social meetings, with others of kindred spirit. Having agreed on the TIME, PLACE and OBJECT of your meeting, then be regular and punctual; arrange your business so that you can conveniently attend, and be always ready to take your part, without excuse, in the exercises of the meeting. It is highly important for young Christians to begin to do this in the freshness and ardor of their first love; because then the cross, if it be one, will be lighter to take up than ever after; and because it is only by beginning and trying that persons can ever acquire the ability either to pray or speak to the edification of others.

In regard to public worship, be uniform and steadfast. As a member of a particular church

your first duty is to walk with that church in all divine institutions and ordinances., In this respect every christian should have a HOME, dearer to him than any other spot on earth, and respecting which he can truly say

'Here my best friends, my kindred dwell;

Here God, my Saviour, reigns!'

Aim, also, to be well established in the religious forms and observances of the church to which you belong: In order to which, compare them with Scripture precepts and examples, and look at the happy influence they are adapted to exert on the order and improvement of society. Nothing is more unfavorable to comfort in a church connection than a wavering mind, either as to doctrines or practices. When you begin to waver, then you will begin to wander; and after shifting from one thing to another, without finding rest, you will probably come to nothing; or at best be like the barren fig-tree, full of leaves of profession without fruit.

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5. In this connection, let me recommend that you have particular regard to your company. See to it that your every-day and most

intimate associates, be persons of kindred spirit in religion with your own. You need not withdraw from common social intercourse with the world; but beware of all vicious company; and be more afraid of conformity to the world, than of the reproach of singularity and preciseness....Rom. 12: 1-2. As to all that passes under the name of worldly pleasures-the dissipation of the theatre and ball-room-the midnight party-and amusements on which you can neither ask God's blessing, nor participate in without wounding your conscience and unfitting you for devotion, you must have. no part nor lot with them. The vain and giddy of the world may find a sort of pleasure in them, but even they will be ashamed to see a young Christian joining in them. If you are sorry that your religious professsion imposes these restraints, and you are still disposed to watch for opportunities to mingle in the doubtful amusements and gaieties of the world, it is high time for you to be alarmed. To be 'a lover of pleasure more than a lover God,' is one certain mark of an unconverted soul.

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6. My next direction is, Be strictly moral and exemplary in your whole deportment. This direction is especially important, for this reason, viz.—IT IS THAT BY WHICH OTHers

WILL FORM THEIR OPINION OF YOUR RELIGION.

Let me urge you,

No matter how many and loud your professions, how frequent your devotions, how ardent your zeal-unless your daily moral conduct is consistent and upright, no one will think the better of you for your pretensions to piety. Yea-the least stain of vice on your character will do more to injure your reputation as a christian, than the utmost zeal in religion can do to establish it. therefore, to have particular care of your temper; guard against anger and ill-will, envy and jealousy, discontent and fretfulness; put a bridle upon your tongue; avoid tattling and tale-bearing, and evil speaking of the absent, particularly of enemies; and cultivate that 'charity which thinketh and speaketh no evil, vaunteth not itself and is not puffed up.' Have some regular and honest business, in which be industriously employed every day, remembering that idleness is as despicable a sin as

dishonesty. Be strictly punctual to every engagement, and scrupulously exact in all pecuniary transactions, so that not even the most covetous worldling shall ever be able to charge you with cheating to the value of a farthing. Flee also youthful lusts; restrain your natural appetites and passions, and bring your body into subjection to the laws of strict temperance; lest after all your hopes and fair professions you should be overcome by temptation, and at last be a castaway. Alas! how many promising youths, and even young professors of relig ion, are the victims of some form of sensual indulgence and of unmortified lust! But as a man that goeth with a candle among gunpowder, or near thatch, should never be careless, because he goeth in continual danger-so you that are young, and have naturally eager appetites and lusts, should remember, that you carry fire and gunpowder still about with you, and are never out of danger while you have such an enemy to watch!'

In short, in all the relations which you sustain to others, let your moral conduct be such, that when spoken of, you may be commended