there is no ground for despair. Are you sorry at heart that you have sinned against God, who has been a father to you, and never done you any thing but good? God never forgave a single sinner, who was not first made sorry for his sins. Not that you are to suppose that you merit pardon, because you are brought to mourn for your transgressions; if you were to bestow a present on any one, this would not prove that he deserved a second gift. So, when God softens the hard heart, and he alone can soften it by his Holy Spirit, and makes us sensible of our guilt, this is a great blessing; but it is no reason why you can deserve any thing else from his hands. It would not be right for a master to pardon a servant for telling untruths and doing evil, while he continued to tell falsehoods, and to do wrong, since this would be encouraging him in his sins; yet as soon as he was really sorry for his offences, and, as a proof of it, altered his conduct, he would then forgive him: so the great God con nects forgiveness of sin and sincere penitence together. If an impenitent person were taken to heaven he could not be happy, because he must necessarily be destitute of proper views of the Divine character; nor could he have any taste for its enjoyments, which are perfectly holy.

Do you wish, then, my dear young friend, to be pardoned, and to be saved from the awful consequences of your transgressions? Cry earnestly, by fervent prayer to the God of all grace, to create in you a penitent and renewed heart,

as well as to pardon all your sins; and be assured that you shall not call on him in vain. Though the "heavens are his throne, and the earth is his footstool," yet to "that man he will look, and with him he will dwell, who is of an humble and of a contrite heart, and who trembleth at his word."

But how can God pardon offences? The great God is a just God, how then can we, who have broken his gracious commands, escape from his righteous displeasure? He is a holy God,-how then can such unholy sinners dwell in his presence? He is a faithful God,-must he not then fulfil his threatenings against the guilty? But should he do so, the whole race of man must perish; and then how would it appear that he is merciful, and that his name is Love? Neither the wisest man on earth, nor any angel in heaven, could have answered this question. But the great and good God has devised a way, by which he is holy, and just, and faithful, and yet he can pardon the very chief of sinners. In an earthly court, the guilty are condemned, and must suffer, but the holy God justifies the ungodly. He is a just God, and yet a Saviour. "God SO loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him might not perish, but might have everlasting life." "To him give all the prophets witness, that, through his name, whosoever believeth on him shall receive remission of sins." When the

jailer asked the apostle the all-important question, "What shall I do to be saved?" the an

swer therefore was, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." This is the only way to God and heaven: the death of Christ alone redeems us from sin, and secures to every believer in him not only the pledge of his love and mercy, but the obligations of his justice and faithfulness, his promise and his oath. Hence, the ransomed in glory perpetually celebrate the infinite love and grace of Christ in dying to save them; they say, "Thou art worthy, for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation."

Who then can be more worthy of your constant thoughts and choicest affections, than that divinely compassionate Saviour, who offered himself a bleeding victim for sin, that his sacrifice might have every recommending circumstance which could render it acceptable to God, and beneficial to man?

CHAPTER V.

CALL UPON GOD AS THE GUIDE OF YOUR YOUTH.

THE experience of every individual has proved the truth of the prophet's assertion, “That the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.' There are many foes, who put on the disguise of friendship, who "lie in wait to deceive," and to injure the inexperienced and unwatchful in things of ever

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lasting importance. There is many a tree in the pathway of the Christian pilgrim, whose fruit appears inviting and delicious; but, in reality, it is poisonous and destructive. There are innumerable ways which "lead down to death, and which take hold on hell," and only one narrow path to life eternal. None but God can guide you aright. He alone has sufficient power-he alone has sufficient wisdom. led his ancient people, "by day by the pillar of cloud, and by night by the pillar of fire." He conducted them by "the right way to a city of habitation." Still he is the same gracious and merciful God: still "a good man's steps are ordered of the Lord." "In all thy ways," my dear young friend, then, “acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths." Cry unto him, by fervent prayer, for the blessed guidance of his Holy Spirit. "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

You are now leaving school; you are going into the world; your first steps are peculiarly important; let them be such as God and conscience will approve. I shall not cease to pray that he "which redeemed me from all evil" may preserve you also. Cease not to pray for yourself. When Jacob was leaving his home, we are told that "he vowed a vow, and said, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father's house in peace, then shall the Lord be my God." Let me entreat you, my dear young

friend, to imitate the youthful patriarch. God himself invites you to do so. "Wilt thou not," he is saying to you at this important moment, "Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me,My Father, thou art the guide of my youth ?"

But while I most earnestly advise you, my dear young friend, to call upon God as your guide, you must use the means which he has given you, that you may know and do his will. To guide you, as to your duty, he has given you his holy word. You should, as I have shown you, diligently examine it; and let it be deeply impressed on your mind, as an axiom never to be departed from, or even questioned for a moment, that nothing can be your duty which is evidently opposed to the Scriptures of truth.

Another very important method of ascertaining your duty, is to consult with those who have more experience than yourself. Should your parents be wise and pious, you will do well to ask their counsel in moments of difficulty. Nor will you, on these occasions, I trust, forget your Sunday school teacher, who has given you many proofs of his concern for your welfare. Visit him, and entreat his advice; he will be delighted to see you, and to do you any good in his power. But see to it, that you do not conduct yourself, as some inconsiderate young people have done, in acting first, and then when they have got into difficulties they have sought for direction. Had they done this at first, they would have been saved from many inconveniences.