my dear young friend, of the truly Christian spirit of this dear child, and be ashamed to be "a cumberer of the ground."

CHAPTER XXIII.

SOMETIMES, AT THE CLOSE OF A DAY, OR OF A WEEK, EXAMINE YOURSELF, THAT YOU MAY BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH YOUR REAL CHARACTER.

THIS will be found to be a very profitable exercise. A tradesman who never examines his books, cannot be acquainted with the real state of his affairs. And the Christian who does not look into the state of his heart, is not watchful, and can know but little of his real character. Perhaps the following questions may somewhat aid you in this useful duty :—

Have I, every morning, when I first beheld the light coming in at my chamber window, offered my thanksgiving to the good God?

Have I, through every day, lived in the fear of God, recollecting that his eye was always upon me, and that I must give an account of my actions at his awful bar?

Have I closed every evening with fervent prayer for the Divine blessing, and with praise to God for the mercies of the day?

I have had bread to eat and raiment to put on, and kind friends; and God's merciful care has

been extended over me every moment-have I been so thankful as I ought for these great blessings?

Have I read each day a portion of the holy Scriptures? Have I treasured it up in my heart that I might be preserved from sin? Have I earnestly prayed that God would open the eyes of my mind to understand its true meaning, that so I might become wise unto salvation?

Have I been concerned that my thoughts every day should be such as would please God? Has my conversation been such as I could wish it to have been, if I knew that I was about to lie down upon a dying pillow?

Have I never been angry, or out of temper, without any just cause?

Have I been "diligent in business," yet "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord?" When in the house of God, has my heart joined with the minister, when he has addressed the throne of grace? or has it foolishly wandered after every trifle? Have I paid attention to the sermons which I have heard, so as at least to recollect some part of them? And have I prayed God to give me grace to practise as well as to hear his holy word?

Have I hallowed the whole of the Sabbath day?

Have I, when the congregation has been singing the praises of God, joined them with my heart, as well as with my tongue?

Have I given my parents and superiors that respect and honour which are their just due?

Am I sure that I have really begun to tread in the path which leads to heaven?

Do I sincerely love the Saviour?

Am I, from my heart, concerned to keep his commandments?

Am I, constantly, knowing that time will soon be with me "no longer," diligently improving it for eternity?

Renouncing all self confidence, do I go, as a poor, lost, ruined sinner, to the great Redeemer, for life and salvation? And am I relying for eternity on his all-sufficient merits?

If you, my dear young friend, will occasionally read over these questions, and pause, and think after each of them, you will learn that there is much to be amended in your character ; that you are an "unprofitable servant," and that "shame belongeth" unto you. You will bow with deep penitence at the throne of grace, and say, "Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord! If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who can stand? O my Father, who art in heaven, for Jesus's sake, be merciful to me a sinner."

CHAPTER XX.

UNITE WITH SOME SOCIETY OF REAL CHRISTIANS IN HOLY COMMUNION.

As I would hope that the instructions I have given you will be cordially received, and that you

will be early brought, decidedly, to choose the good portion which can never be taken away from you; so, should this be happily the case, I would then affectionately enjoin it on you as a duty, to make a public profession of religion, and to unite with some society of real Christians, to partake with them of the ordinances of God's house.

He

It is the plain command of the Saviour, that all his followers should partake of the sacred feast which he has instituted, and which, he has told us, is to be observed till his second coming. He has with the greatest affection and solemnity said, "Do this in remembrance of me!" addresses this language to all who call him their Lord and Master, and who love his great and holy name. Do not be ashamed thus to obey and to own your Lord in the midst of "a sinful and adulterous generation."

Thus to give yourself up fully to the Lord, and to his people, will strengthen you to resist the temptations with which you will be assailed. You will exclaim, The vows of God are upon me, how can I deliberately, and wilfully trample on his commands, and the holy obligations into which I have entered?

It will be of service to you early to give yourself to the Lord's people, because they will watch over you, and care for your welfare, and tenderly admonish and counsel you; and especially will this be the case with the pastor of such a Christian community. It is your truest interest and happiness to have a spiritual home,

and a shepherd and brethren who will naturally be concerned for your real good.

I would urge you early to attend the table of the Lord, and engage to be his servant for ever, on account of that spiritual refreshment and joy which you will assuredly find in that holy ordinance. How delightful is it in such seasons, when the Redeemer is set forth before us crucified for our sins, to reflect, He suffered all his dreadful conflict and agony "to avert from me that weight of wrath, which would otherwise have overwhelmed me beyond all hope of deliverance. And here are the emblems of his dying love, and of his living care. Here are the precious seals of that everlasting covenant established in his blood,. which, as it is well ordered in all things, and sure, is all my salvation, and all my desire. By these tokens doth a faithful God assure me that my sins are pardoned, that I am admitted into his family, and entitled to all the invaluable blessings of his children. Yet a little while, O my soul, and thou shalt rise to nobler enjoyments than even en these; for the bread thou hast now been eating, and the wine thou hast now been drinking, are pledges of a Divine banquet above, in the visible and immediate presence of the blessed Founder of this sacred feast. security of the covenant, I have this day been sealing, will continue in full force when the bands of nature are dissolved. If I drink no more with my Saviour of this fruit of the vine here, I shall drink it new with him in his Father's kingdom." (Doddridge.) de no