sand demoralizing influences so busily at work among us. Where shall we find the growing strength that is needed against the growing evil, except in the vigor of youthful manliness? Where shall we find recruits for that peaceful army, except among young men, whose own interests are chiefly in peril?

Finally, let us remember that the chief influence which every one of us exerts is the influence of character. This is an individual work, and it is the most important work that any one of us can do. We do it faithfully, in proportion as we keep ourselves from the pursuit of folly, from the commission of sin; in proportion as we grow in excellence and usefulness; in proportion to our attainment of the Christian graces and to our practice of the Christian virtues. Young men, what motive is wanting to secure your diligence and faithfulness, when the very same course of life will conduct you to self-respect, to honor among men, and to the approbation of God? Therefore, get wisdom, get understanding. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go; keep her, for she is thy life.

LECTURE III.

LEISURE TIME.

"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time."-Eph. v. 15, 16.

THE great difference between young men, with regard to the work of self-improvement, comes from the different manner in which they employ their leisure time. The working day is very much the same to all. A specific task is to be done, and the motive for its faithful performance is so urgent, that it is not likely to be neglected, except by those who have already taken a good many steps towards becoming worthless. But in the manner of spending their leisure time, the greatest possible difference is found, and from this, in the course of years, proceeds almost the whole difference among men. He who spends his lei

sure time well, is an improving man; he who spends it badly, is one who will remain stationary or go downward.

By leisure time, we mean, chiefly, the evening and the Sabbath. For although, during the day, there are a great many hours quite idle, the etiquette of business is understood to forbid the young man to do any thing with such unemployed time, except to lounge about the store or stand upon the pavement. I am not able to perceive the necessity of this; but as the rule is universal, I take for granted that it is founded on right. Otherwise, I should suppose that it would be far better both for employers and employed, when perhaps five or six young men have almost nothing to do, for several months in the year, that they should be encouraged in some regular plan of self-improvement; but having no practical knowledge upon the subject, I do not venture to express an opinion.

The leisure time of which we speak at present, is that which young men have entirely at their own control. It does not belong to the

business hours, and they may use it to good or bad purpose or to no purpose, just as they please. From the manner in which they please to use it, I repeat, the ultimate difference in their characters and their prospects in life will chiefly depend.

This may not at first be admitted. Young men are apt to think that, if their working hours are well employed, it is no matter what becomes of the rest; that it is their own time, for which they are responsible to nobody. But they will discover, before life closes, that they are responsible for it to their own consciences and to God. The sum of their responsibility and the result of their whole lives, for good or evil, depends upon this more than upon any thing else.

We grant that a single evening, whether idled away or well used, is no very great matter; yet perhaps that single evening may bring the commencement of a long train of vices, which ends in complete ruin. We grant that a single Sunday, devoted to amusement, may have no great influence upon the general

character; yet that one day misspent may be the first step towards a life of irreligion. But it is not of single violations of duty that we are now speaking, nor of the manner in which we spend the leisure time of a single day. I speak of the habit of life. How are your evenings generally spent? To what employment is your Sunday generally devoted? Answer that question for a year, and I will tell you, with almost absolute certainty, whether you are growing better or worse in character; whether the tendency of your whole lives is upward or downward. Answer that question for a series of ten years, and we need nothing else to determine the degree of your real respectability and usefulness in the world. If I am to decide upon a man's character, I desire to know nothing more than this, — How are his evenings and his Sundays passed?

It is for the want of paying regard to this, that we are so often deceived in the real character of business men. We see one, for instance, who is every day punctually at his