He who is accustomed to violate the truth, is soon found out, and seldom believed, even when he makes the most solemn asseverations; but he who is known to fear a lie, will find his simple assertion readily believed.

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God is a God of truth, and cannot but be of fended with what is false. Among those characters whom he approves, and of whom it is said, that they shall ascend into his holy hill, is the man "who speaketh the truth from his heart." It is an invariable mark of the people of God, that they are "children who will not lie," Isa. lxiii, 8. It is also in the Scriptures a common mark of the wicked, that they "go, astray, speaking lies," Psalm lviii, 3. And while the "lips of truth shall be established," God will assuredly enter into judgment with the liar; it is expressly declared, that "the lying tongue is but for a moment;" and that "the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped." Among the black list of characters who are absolutely excluded from the kingdom of God, is the wretched individual who "loveth and maketh a lie," Rev. xxii, 15. Determine, then, my young friend, in the strength of God's grace, on every occasion, to speak the truth, and nothing but the truth. Say, with the monarch of Israel, "I hate every false way!"

CHEERFULNESS, so far from being incompatible with real piety, is one of its good fruits. Multitudes have testified in every age, and are still testifying, from their own experience, that "the ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and that all her paths are peace.' No one but he who is unacquainted with the subject will affirm, that true religion will deprive you of any real enjoyment; and the opinion of such a person is of no value; nor does it deserve any more attention than that of a blind person, who should tell us that there is no beauty in the colours of the bow of heaven.

Be cheerful then; who has more right to be so than the real Christian, who has God for his guide, his friend, and his father, whose are all the inestimable promises of the word of God,— and for whom in the world of glory, an eternity of blessedness is prepared?

Cheerfulness, but mind,-not levity and folly, will recommend you to all around, and will greatly adorn your profession of godliness; and nothing is more conducive to cheerfulness than gratitude. Think then, often, how good God has been to you, in giving you a religious education, in providing for you kind friends, who have been so anxiously concerned for your present and eternal welfare. Think, as a motive for contentment and gratitude, how many mercies and privileges

Think

grace,

you possess, of which thousands of your fellow creatures are destitute. Often, in the course of the day, lift your heart to the throne of your heavenly Father, and bless him for his protecting care, for the constant supply of your returning wants, and for the innumerable favours which he is perpetually conferring on you. much, especially, of his infinite love and in giving his beloved Son to die for you upon the cross, that your sins might be pardoned, and a way opened for your never-ending felicity beyond the grave. Thankfulness is the delightful, the perpetual duty of the Christian, and an essential part of vital godliness. Cultivate then, my dear young friend, a constant spirit of cheerfulness and gratitude.

CHAPTER XXII.

ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT GOD HAS SENT YOU INTO THE WORLD TO BE USEFUL.

I HOPE, my dear young friend, you will be so in your worldly calling. The way to be valued and esteemed is to be useful. With what different eyes does a master look on a servant who conscientiously labours to promote his interest, and on one who is negligent in the discharge of his duty. To benefit your employer will be really your own interest; in return he will be almost sure to care much for your comfort and welfare. Do not be afraid of a little extra exertion when there

is occasion for it; every one should be ashamed of being a mere drone in the hive; and he who is so is certain, sooner or later, in one way or another, to be punished for his negligence and folly. The man who is not trying to be useful, might as well have been created a stock or a

stone.

But you should not only try to be of real value in your worldly calling, but also in refer. ence to the spiritual interests of your fellow creatures. On the Lord's day, at least, you may aid in the instruction of the rising generation. As opportunity may offer, you may kindly admonish any around you whose habits are inconsistent with the word of God. Sometimes you may recommend to your acquaintance a valuable tract or book, which may be the means of doing them lasting good. But be especially anxious, by your conversation and example, to be "a living epistle," inculcating all that is excellent; that your light may so shine before men that they may "glorify your Father who is in heaven."

If you feel as you ought, you will endeavour to spare something from your earnings for the support of Sunday schools, for the distribution of useful tracts, and of the Scriptures, and for sending the blessed Gospel to the heathen world.

It is one invariable evidence of real piety, that its possessor is seriously concerned to be useful. True religion, in proportion to its preva. lence in the heart, will annihilate the detestable selfishness so apparent in the question which

Cain, with such daring impiety, addressed even to his Maker: "Am I my brother's keeper?" If you are really acquainted with it, you will delight to seize every opportunity which may be offered to you of doing good to the bodies or the souls of men.

I recollect a striking anecdote of a son of my friend, Dr. Beilby, of Edinburgh, which beautifully proves the benign tendency of real godliness. He died very happily at the age of seven years and ten months. About three months before his death, alluding to a project which his parents had once entertained of going abroad, he said, "Papa, if I were likely to get well, I should wish we had gone." "Why, my boy?" replied his father. "Because, perhaps I might have been of some use to the poor negroes." "I fear," said his father, "that though you should recover from this illness, we must not expect you ever to be capable of much active employment (being deprived of the use of both his legs.) You

may, indeed, be a comfort and a blessing to those living in the house with you." "But, papa,' rejoined the dear little fellow, "we could have got some of the poor black children to have come into the house, and I could have taught them to read; and I could have told them about the Lord Jesus Christ, for they cannot know so much of him as I do; and perhaps they might have told their fathers and mothers, as the children you know in Ireland do;" referring to a report which he had been reading of the progress of Scriptural knowledge in that country. Think,