thoughts on the numbers who are placed be. neath you, how many would be happy in the state which you feel a disposition to contemn. Reflect on the comforts that surround you, that you have every thing really conducive to pleasure and enjoyment, every thing that ought to satisfy a wise and virtuous mind; and that, as your Heavenly Father has allotted you that desirable state, for which the considerate Agur made his petition, you should accept it with thankfulness and joy. "Two things," says he, "have I desired of thee; deny them me not before I die. Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches: feed me with food convenient for me, lest I be full and deny thee, and say, 'Who is the Lord?' or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name my God in vain." This prayer, though founded in reasons of piety and prudence, I do not recommend ...S an example; because we should on no account presume to dictate to Providence, or to ask for any particular condition, but ought at all times to depend upon the Divine Wisdom, as knowing best what is proper, and the Divine Goodness, as willing to do for us more than we can wish for, or desire, when we submit to its direction.

of

Yet, as your Creator has to you, my

young friend, vouchsafed the very circumstances which are esteemed to be so favourable to virtue, it becomes you to rejoice in the dispensations of his mercy, and to make the best use of his gracious indulgence. Let your piety and goodness be an encourage. ment to the poor, and an incitement to the rich; and fulfil every duty of life with such alacrity and prudence, as may endear your character to all ranks, and render you deservedly res. pectable to your superiors, your equals, and inferiors. Then may you prove "how much better it is to get wisdom than gold; and that understanding is rather to be chosen than silver;" for "though a man's heart deviseth his way, yet the Lord directeth his steps;" and therefore you may be certain your condition is properly ordered, if you are but careful to be. have in it with propriety.

SUNDAY XLII.

ON THE PARTICULAR DUTIES OF A STATE OF

POVERTY.

HAVING, in a former lecture, particularly addressed such of my young readers as were

distinguished by a state of affluence and grati deur; I shall endeavour to suit the present considerations to those who are, by t the providence of God, placed in a lower sphere, and are either born to poverty and labour, or reduced to it by the misfortunes of their friends. As it is natural for every one to prefer ease and abundance to fatigue and want, so there is no fault in trying, by every honest method, to improve your fortune, and to gain those conveniences which will render your life more comfortable. But as God has not thought proper to give you riches, you must constantly endeavour to be satisfied with your condition, and not indulge the least inclination to a repining and discontented spirit. You must not, my dear reader, conclude that you are less the object of the Divine favour, or less under the care of your Heavenly Father, than those who appear to be surrounded with a greater proportion of his worldly gifts.

As there must be different ranks and orders of men, to fulfil the purposes of God's government upon earth, he has not made the happiness of his creatures to depend upon their station, but upon the virtuous temper of mind with which they behave in it. And he who can see the thoughts and intentions of every

heart, may discern the most exalted character beneath the garb of the lowest poverty.

What a comfort is it to reflect, that, however disregarded or ill-treated by your fellowcreatures, you are always beheld as you deserve by the most powerful and the best of Beings! To render you acceptable to him, no finery of dress, no beauty of outward form, nor any riches, are wanting. A sincere and honest heart, firmly resolved to do its duty, is all that he requires. If you have not the advantages of learning and education, he will not expect you to possess more knowledge than you have had the means to acquire. From you he will not look for those qualities and talents which belong to those whom he hath appointed your superiors. But God will require you to be humble, meek, and submissive; to be ready to embrace every opportunity of instruction, and be thankful to any one who will kindly teach you your duty.

Instead of looking with envy upon those who seem to be better provided with the good things of this life, consider them as having a greater charge to account for in a future state; and that perhaps if you were put to such a trial, you might grow too fond of the world, and be tempted either to covetousness, or to

waste and extravagance; and so, by your wicked conduct, lose the blessed reward of that better state hereafter, which God has prepared for those who love him. This consideration should have the greatest weight with you, because, as Providence has appointed you to be poor, you may be certain he sees it necessary you should be so, otherwise he would not have ordained it. He can never want the means to change our condition in what manner, and at what time, he sees it best for us. For "he putteth down one, and setteth up another," whenever it shall please him. Therefore all you ought to do, is to employ the health and strength he has blessed you with, in being industrious, and cheerfully to apply to that labour, whatever it be, which may enable you to assist your parents, or to provide for your own subsistence.

As I before pointed out the temptations peculiar to an elevated state, I will forewarn you of the dangers to which you are likewise exposed, by the indigence of yours.

And first, my young friend, let me caution you against the evil inclination mentioned above; never suffer yourself to behold the prosperity of others with an eye of vexa-. tion and regret, or to think you have as just