decidedly and strongly, in the young themselves, who crowd into Mercantile and Professional pursuits for the same reason.

Again, the same repugnance to labour is manifested in the language that is used, in regard to the selection of a place of residence. How often have we heard the Western States recommended as a desirable place of residence, because, with one half the labour, the same amount of profit and property may be secured.

Still further, we discover the same lurking repugnance, in the proneness, so often manifested, to rush into rash and hazardous speculations, and especially, in the language which is employed, in regard to the successful results of such speculations. Here is one, who, by his honest industry, is gradually accumulating a competency. But he leaves his regular employment and rushes into some speculation. And why is this? Because he wishes to secure not merely a competency, but immense wealth,

without subjecting himself to the necessary labour. He is successful, and he becomes, by a single operation, rich. And now listen to the remarks, which are made by others, who are still pursuing their regular labours and securing their gradual gains. "It seems hard," say they," that we should be compelled to labour years for a mere competency, while our neighbour has, in a single day, secured the possession of immense wealth." True, my friends, I would say to them, it may seem to you hard. But it is only because you entertain mistaken notions upon the subject. That very labour, that constant toil, to which you are subjected, is of far more value to you, is of far more importance, in its influence upon the formation of a manly and energetic character, and is far more productive of real improvement and of true, solid happiness, than all the wealth, which your neighbor has so suddenly secured.

Finally, this same repugnance to labour is often manifested, by the feelings which are entertained and often manifested in regard to those, who do and those who do not labour. A miserable, idle vagabond, who does nothing, and is of no benefit to the community, but who can talk flippantly, especially in that small talk, which requires no thought or reflection, and who dresses elegantly, though it may be at the expense of the honest and industrious, often receives in society more attention, and is treated with more respect, than an honest, hard-working, but reading, reflecting, intelligent, and well-principled farmer, or mechanic. Ladies, and even those of whom we have reason to expect better things, will spurn the latter, because they work, and will throw themselves away upon the former, because they do nothing. Nay more. It is sometimes the case that even those who claim to be LADIES, by distinction, turn away, with a sneer, from

others of their own sex, who in mental power and moral worth are far their superiors, because they work, and it may be are obliged to work for their own support. Is there not then, prevalent in the community, a lurking, but strong and cherished repugnance to labour.

In administering reproof to this state of feeling, I would meet it on christian grounds, and present, first, the instructions of the Bible upon the subject. Have we not an express command of God, "Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work?” This is a distinct and positive command of the moral law, no less imperative, no less binding, than the command to rest on the seventh. The wise man of old, in the Proverbs which he has set in order, has said, “in all labour there is profit," and has directed the indolent to go to the Ant and observe her industrious ways and learn wisdom. "This," says Ezekiel, "was the sin of Sodom, pride, fulness of bread,

and abundance of idleness." The Apostle Paul gives explicit and pointed instructions upon this subject. In the first Epistle to the Thessalonians he writes, "We beseech you that you study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, that you may walk honestly towards them that are without, and may have lack of nothing." In the second Epistle to the same church, he is still more explicit and authoritative: “We commanded you," says he, "that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some, which walk disorderly among you, working not at all, but are busy bodies. Now them that are such, we command and exhort, by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. And, if any man obey not our word by this Epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed." The Apostle, then, you perceive, inculcates