not inlaid with saving grace, is ready for the re-entrance of Satan with more established power.1

To be able to distinguish the true and hidden life of the Christian from amiable dispositions, social affections, and evangelical correctness of profession, is indeed a distinguishing gift of "the manifold grace of God." Spiritual principles as well as external duties, may be fearfully counterfeited; and therefore their evidences must be carefully sifted, and tried much more by consistent conduct, than by the most intelligent and blameless profession. Even under decided symptoms of sincerity, watchfulness is most necessary to encourage a solid rather than a rapid progress. It is well even to seem to keep back the youthful converts, rather than by an indiscreet confidence to hazard a forward and doubtful profession. Let us indeed appear before them as the happy heralds of the Gospel. We have received a special commission respecting them, grounded upon the most endearing motives. 3 We have messages to them of peculiar encouragement, and of generous and munificent love, sufficient to warrant the largest anticipation of lasting happiness. Yet still must we discourage confidence in a new excitement of interest and delight, irrespective of a spiritual apprehension of Christ, and of a believing, lowly, and consistent walk in him, and unaccompanied with an experimental acquaintance with themselves and their besetting temptations. Nor do we doubt, but that sincerity, instead of being cast down by this apparent (for it is only apparent) discouragement, will eventually be strengthened in a

1 Matt. xii. 43-45. This is especially the case with the unconverted children of Christian parents.

2 Such as Repentance, 1 Kings xxi. 27-29: Faith, Luke viii. 13. Acts viii. 13: Joy, Matt. xiii. 20. John v. 35.

3 John xxi. 15.

4 Such as Prov. viii. 17. Jer. iii. 4.

more self-suspecting scrutiny. The prevailing defect in the religion of young persons appears to be, that their views of the Saviour are too slightly connected with this self-inquiry, and therefore too feebly influential in deepening their humility, expanding their love, and promoting their Christian stedfastness and consistency. This retarding system, therefore, (so to call it,) will be of much service in separating the chaff from the wheat; disappointing a forward profession of its expected encouragement, whilst the germ of trembling sincerity is secretly cherished and preserved. Young trees, even of " the Lord's planting," require diligent care and watering: but by any attempt to force the fruit, the principle of life in the root may be materially injured. Indeed they cannot be accurately distinguished, until their budding and blossom have matured into fruit. Many a hard frost nips the bud; many an eastern blast threatens the blossom; and therefore the result of winter and spring can alone determine the life of the incorruptible seed in the root. A gradual, kindly warmth, without a too indulgent treatment, will be the most safe temperature for these tender plants in an unkindly soil.

SECTION V.

YOUNG MEN.

THE breaking in of "the wild asses' colt," demands extreme management, and not a little patience. The trite French proverb aptly applies to this case

A drop of honey will catch more flies than a pint of vinegar.' All means-change of means— - every effort, must be tried in succession, to discover what

treatment is most likely to produce effect. Kind and substantial expressions of interest in their employments-accessibility of manners and address-the improvement of apparently accidental opportunities of intercourse, the use of books adapted as far as possible to their situation, and with a cast of seriousness more or less deepened according to circumstances— friendly advice upon their temporal concerns, chiefly offered in the way of suggestion, and with a careful guard against meddling interference-these and other plans, naturally arising out of our knowledge of their dispositions, and suited to their local habits, may possibly effect some good. And let it be remembered, that something must be done, or at least attempted, for them. They are in some respects the most important part of our flock; and in their day will form the great body of influence among us. While those who are brought under the power of the Gospel are our most powerful supports; those who are restrained neither by education, attachment, personal respect, nor religious principle, generally become (the Writer speaks from experience) the very pests of the parish. They have sometimes, by peculiar tact, prudence, and decision, been brought under a distinct course of instruction; but in general their pride and self

success.

1 A plan of engaging the interest of elder lads and young men, on the Sunday evenings, was tried in a large sphere with considerable All who could read well, were invited without limitation of age. The classes were divided with as much regard as possible to age; the Minister himself taking the first and largest class. About an hour was spent in repeating a portion of Scripture, which had been selected on the preceding Sunday, and which the teachers explained in the several classes, requiring the lads to bring their own parallels, as an evidence of their diligent study and interest. No compulsion however was used. The lessons were set before them as subjects of interest, rather than as task and duty. In the next division of time, the whole school was arranged before the Minister, who questioned, illustrated, and

will make even the most affectionate control intolerable, and often produce the most violent re-action. Our aim must be to preserve others (and especially the elder lads of our Sunday Schools) from their injurious society or example. And here we may, perhaps, avail ourselves of some of their popular institutions to subserve the purposes of a distinct Ministry to them. A way is sometimes opened for obtaining, if not an ascendancy, at least an important influence of restraint and confidence, in their Benefit Societies. Or we might organize a Society mainly upon their own principles under our immediate superintendence. The public fund, enriched with the alehouse money, would afford higher pecuniary advantage at the same ratio of payment. And this attraction held out to the considerate, would enable us to form their rules to a Christian standard, and to enforce decided regard to moral obligations, upon pain of severe penalties. 1 The line of demarcation would thus be drawn between the steady and the irregular; and, though the more fearful might hesitate to join a society bearing a peculiar stamp of reproach; yet, even in its slow progress towards general acceptance,

applied the subject which had been set before them in their classes; requiring an answer or Scripture proof, sometimes from a lad, sometimes from a class, sometimes from the whole school. A short sketch of Christian Biography, or serious address, was then given (unless, as was sometimes the case, the interest of the catechetical subject employed the whole time,) the subject for the ensuing Sunday was made known, and singing and prayer ended the evening. The attendance of the lads was regular and voluntary. A bond of union was cemented with their Minister and with each other. The power of restraint was extensively felt; and in many cases a Divine influence was manifested, with permanent and practical effect.

1 Friendly Societies on Mr. Becher's system are well known. Interesting details of similar Societies, grounded upon different, though, it is presumed, not insecure principles, may be seen in Richmond's Life, pp. 116-130.

it will be attended with considerable indirect advantages. It may be made an interesting organ of Ministerial instruction, by the improvement of the monthly meetings for reading the Scriptures and for prayer : or by a regulation directing each member to bring his contribution of a text of Scripture, which, with the rest, might be recapitulated at the close of the business with personal application. Such an attempt to engraft, without formality, spiritual intercourse upon friendly advice, will be found by no means barren in profit or interest. 1

This Ministry is however often marked with peculiar discouragement. At the best we feel that we have their respect, not their confidence. In other instances, we are almost ready to decide that the means used only increase the evil; and that it is better for both parties, that we should maintain a degree of reserve and distance, labouring at the same time with more intensity to spread their case before the Lord. Yet under these trying circumstances, this Ministry should bear the stamp of peculiar tenderness-the "nursingmother cherishing her children.” 2 We must guard against a feeling of our own spirit, when they turn their backs upon our repeated admonitions. 3 While we" rebuke them sharply," we must "instruct them in meekness;" and let the "peradventure, that God

For an interesting plan of young men associated upon Christian principles, see Cotton Mather's Essays to do Good, pp. 92-96. and Dr. Woodward's account of the rise and progress of Religious Societies, chap. ii. iii. One of the excellent rules in the Societies thus memorialized by Dr. Woodward was, that each member should endeavour to bring at least one other into their Christian fellowship,- -a resolution which, in many instances, was honoured with the Divine blessing.

21 Thess. ii. 7.

3 Quicquid lacerato animo dixeris, punientis est impetus, non charitas corrigentis.' August. in Gal. vi.