I have visited alike, the humble cottage, the noisy camp, and the glittering palace. In all places I have found mankind disposed to religious conversation-anxious for an improvement of heart, and striving to live in this world, so as to secure a brighter existence in the world to come. But alas! those holy desires are too often neglected, or lost, in the pursuit of worldly pleasure and dissipation. It is thus that we sometimes assume entirely opposite natures. In the temple of God, we are full of meekness and devotion; in the bustle and crowd of the world, full of deceit and hypocrisy.

I have often found a pretension to religion, without its reality; the fear of God, without the love of him; a determination to do good deeds, without bringing them into practice; and an outward show of devotion to Christ, without being one of his disciples or followers.

A thousand voices are complaining of the decay of christianity. It is not without cause. On one hand I observe idleness, mockery and pride, leading away their victims in foolish pursuits, and weakening the warning voice of the inward judge;-on the other, I behold both young and old, from the sprightly youth to the hoary headed man, tormenting themselves with fearful doubts of the existence of a God, the realities of an eternity, and the future state of their souls thereby deproving the public mind and do

stroying domestic peace and happiness; accompanied wit a thousand appalling circumstances.

The present decline of christianity, and destruction moral order, is partly owing to the late wars; as also, t many injurious and superficial writings, that unhappily are often read with a superficial understanding. But ther are also, many other sources, from which stream our misery I will grieve no one by nameing them. I aim at a more ex alted object; and cheerfully will I close my eyes in the hour of dissolution, if I have, in the least degree, succeeded in furthering the cause of true religion, by restoring domestic piety and devotion.

Nothing inclines our hearts so much to the performanc of good and christian actions, as a communion with God in an hour of solitude. The soul is then free from the trammels of all earthly things, and returns to the fountai of eternal light and life, from which it had its origin Could there be a more beautiful picture of domestic happi ness, than that of the father and mother, in the circle o their beloved offspring, entertaining each other with rationa ideas of their creator-his majesty and power-the sub limity of his works-the infinitude of his wisdom and good ness-the religion of Jesus Christ, and the prospect c happiness beyond the grave? What a delightful sensatio steals through their minds upon an occasion like this; an with a tear of emotion, they inwardly resolve, while pilgrim on the earth, to live worthy of his name. Those who hav already experienced these feelings, will acknowledge th truth of my words, and those who have not, should striv

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without ceasing, to possess themselves of so rich a treasure, which the world can neither give nor take away.

For the promotion and increase of virtue and happiness, these pages are intended to contribute. To the youth who go forth into the world, with a thousand anticipations of good and evil, they shall be warmly devoted. May they impart to them a proper sense of their own dignity-fill them with gladness and joy, and inspire them with religious courage in the hour of danger and difficulty. They shall likewise be devoted to the father and mother, who are quietly gliding down the pathway of existence; and may they tend to elevate their souls to God, and influence them so to train up their children in christian meekness and simplicity, as to render them an offering fit for heaven. To the aged and solitary, who, in the evening of their days look forward to the dawning of an eternal life, they are also designed to afford useful and salutary instruction,

There is something very solemn in the commencement of a new year. It is like the stillness of the sabbath, when we pour out our souls in secret devotion, to the invisible creator. The pealing of bells, and sounding of trumpets, mingled with holy songs, welcome its approach. The youth are shouting with exultation. Friends and acquaintances are wishing each other happiness. Children are sending up prayers for the welfare of their parents-the poor for that of their benefactors-and the people, assembled in their churches, are more fervent in their supplications for the prosperity of their rulers.

The lapse of a year is equally important to all; to the king on his throne, as to the peasant in his cottage: to the father in the midst of his workmen, as to the mother in the circle of her children: to the old and wearied man upon his couch, as to the buoyant and sprightly youth, who is full of joyful expectations.

We look upon the past as a dream, and the future is spread out before us as the mist that hangs upon the mountain top. To the melancholy, there are forebodings of misery and wo: to the sprightly, there are anticipations o happiness and joy. Every one is looking eagerly forward and anxious to read his destiny, that lays concealed in the dark and unrevealing future.

with uncertain hopes and expectations, every one now