by the pleasure and profit which they produce. How most desirable and essential to human happiness are good habits!

5th. To seek the preservation or promotion of health, is an important step in the path of human happiness. Such is the union of soul and body, and their mutual influence upon each other, that they have constantly mutual sympathies and mutual enjoyments or distresses. Hence it is that the activity and vigour of the body give energy and hilarity to the mind. Bodily health is most closely connected with serenity and joy in the soul. The degree of enjoyment of all things around us, is greatly in proportion to the measure of the health of any person, and the flow of spirits which are a concomitant. How insipid are our lawful pleasures, when the body is enfeebled and in a languishing state. The satisfaction and delight from food and raiment, from the arts and sciences, from friends and relatives, are greatly diminished and dried up, to those who are afflicted with bodily infirmities. The mind is debilitated and prospects blighted, when the corporeal system is diseased and enervated. How careful then should each one be, not to do any thing unnecessarily, or indulge in any pursuit or gratification, that would tend to injure their bodily health, and how readily pursue those methods which are calculated for its preservation and promotion.

6th. An easy and social conversation is very favourable to human happiness. The gift of speech is an inestimable blessing, for the mutual instruction and consolation of the great human family. Parents of a sociable turn, and who are apt to teach, may not only do much for the welfare of their children, but also for their own enjoyment. The instructer of children and youth who delights to communicate useful instruction, not only interests his pupils, but must himself take much satisfaction from his own labours. The minister of the gospel who has the talent of rea

dily introducing religious conversation, and of comforting the afflicted, must have his own heart gladdened from the benevolent counsels of his own words. Youth, who cultivate an easy, encouraging, and instructive conversation, are not only acceptable and respected by their friends and companions, but they are active in the path of their own happiness. As he that watereth shall himself also be watered; so words fitly spoken, are evidence of a generous breast and joyful heart. As a good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things, so is it favourable to human happiness for human and social beings to cultivate an easy, social, and instructive conversation.

7th. To cultivate a spirit of contentment is very important for human happiness. The phrase, a contented mind, may be clearly understood, if we con'sider it as the contrast of a fretful and restless disposition. It depends more on the state of the mind, than on external things, whether a man be contented or discontented with his present lot; or whether he attend to the avocations of life with quietness and content, or with uneasiness and discontent. Persons, who indulge a peevish and fretful disposition, not only render those unhappy around them; but they are constantly rendering themselves miserable. A person's circumstances may be ever so favourable, and his prospects ever so promising; still, if discontent rankle his breast, he is a poor man, for he is an unhappy man. What can wealth, friends, or education avail any one, who has a spirit so uneasy and unhappy as not to be able to enjoy them? The spirit of contentment may be cherished not only in a high but also in a low estate. St. Paul observes, I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Contentment is for the health of the body, favours cheerfulness of mind, and promotes happiness in every breast, wherever it is found.

8th. To bear afflictions, losses, and bereavements,

with patience and submission, is necessary for them that would promote human happiness. The present probationary state, is a world of trial, of disappointment, of sickness, pain, and separation; and to bear up with manly fortitude under these calamities, is the part of wisdom. When suffering any affliction, to be unsubmissive, and to give up to impatience, is only to add grief to grief, and greatly to enhance our difficulties. When the Lord chastens, to murmur and repine, and to spurn at the rod, is not only a sin, but an aggravation of our own distress. When Job was most grievously afflicted with all the calamities of life, how would he have increased his own burdens, had he been unhumbled, and not submissive to the divine Providence. Some afflictions are very grievous, and may cause human beings to weep bitterly, and fill their souls with anguish; but let them beware, lest their hearts fret against God, and their trials be turned into a judgement and curse. When patience and submission to the divine will are exercised in view of the calamities that fall upon us, they are sanctified, and work out the peaceable fruits of righteousness. Then to bear afflictions, losses, and bereavements, with patience and submission, is necessary for them that would promote human happiness.

9th. Engagedness in the pursuit of some desirable object, tends greatly to the promotion of human happiness. As human beings are made for activity and improvement, so when they are suitably engaged in some useful pursuit, they are cheered and delighted as an encouragement to exertion, and a reward for their labour. Attention to any pursuit or calling, that is innocent and serviceable, is calculated to afford enjoyment; but the more noble the pursuit, or the more extensive the utility of the object of our engagedness, the greater is the prospect in favour of human happiness. The lawful acquisition of property, the education of children, or attention to some

mechanical pursuit, are not only objects for exertion, but the means of enjoyment. Still the framing of wise and wholesome laws, or the projecting some great work for very extensive utility, affords a more ample field for the generous and noble powers of the mind, to be enlarged and delighted. It is by activity and diligence, that any of our talents can be improved, and the happiness of mankind advanced. As many as are the evils which can be enumerated, arising from sloth, so many are the opposite and rich blessings, arising from engagedness in the pursuit of some lawful, desirable, and noble object.

10th. In pointing out the path of human happiness, the last particular is naturally this: Religion is man's highest good. Happiness, consummate and durable, can be found only in the immediate enjoyment of the fountain and source of all excellence. The various particulars which have been noticed, are well calculated to promote true happiness, and wisdom loudly admonishes that we do not lightly esteem them. But still the human soul is capable of soaring after higher objects, and of aspiring after more perfect joys. The prophet Micah, exclaims, He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God. Here justice between man and man, is pointed out; mercy is brought to view, to point men as sinners to Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life; and a humble walk with God is to be an evidence of their supreme love to him. Says Solomon, after giving abundant and good instruction, Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. By these words we are taught, that they, who would be truly happy, should not make a selfish inquiry after happiness; but their great inquiry should be, to know and do the will of their Father who is in heaven, as this was the great end of their being, and would raise their

souls to immortal glory. Philosophy will teach men the importance of governing unruly passions; but the spirit of Christ, reigning in the soul, leads to the forgiveness of injuries, and teaches men to be temperate in all things. The religion of Jesus, enables to lead godly lives, and leads to a habit of praying. It has a balm and cordial for the health of the soul, by causing it to hold converse with God as its chief joy. The Apostle Paul observes, That godliness with contentment is great gain. And in the view of his own trials and sufferings with those of his brethren, Christian submission by divine grace, enabled him to say with joyful and triumphant hope, Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen, are temporal; but the things which are not seen, are eternal. The one who is rightly engaged in the things of religion, has prospects of happiness far more glorious than can possibly be conceived by the heart of man from any other pursuits or sources. Reason and self interest, may teach the utility of cultivating all the moral virtues; but the gospel infuses those heaven-born graces, which will for ever expand in glory, and produce the rapturous joys of immortality. It is religion, which can give tranquillity in infirmity, can buoy up the soul in the storms of life, and at last safely land it in the heaven of eternal day. This is the one thing needful, which includes all that can be desired by an immortal and ever expanding mind. And it is only this, which can give sufficient peace and consolation in all the trying scenes of life, and cause the soul to triumph over death and hell, and join the innumerable company above. Then may this subject give us enlarged views of ourselves, and excite us duly to reflect on the momentous relations which we sustain. Shall not every one awake, and reflect that he is destined