should not be answered according to his folly, lest we should be like him; and there were times too when he should be answered according to his folly, lest he should be wise in his own conceit. Surely the father of a fool might rejoice in being childless.

My soul, let the frequent spectacle of folly render thee wise. As the character of a fool is contemptible to men, so it is provoking to God. Get wisdom and understanding, especially heavenly wisdom, that in conversation thou mayest be instructive, and in deportment an example of propriety. To adorn thy profession as a Christian, thou needest the wisdom of the serpent, as well as the harmlessness of the dove, "showing thyself a pattern of good works; in doctrine, showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of thee."

EVIL COMPANY.

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

For they sleep not, except they

have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

It is a well-considered maxim, that a man is known by his company; because intimacy implies a conformity of views and habits. Contraries repel each other; but things that are similar mutually attract. As all are born with depraved feelings, the tendency in all is to evil conduct. The most careful discipline in youth, and the most powerful religious restraints are necessary to counteract the downward propensity of our nature, and where these are wanting, there is feeble hope that the young will be preserved from debasement and ruin. The world abounds with allurements which charm the senses, and facilities are furnished on every hand to gratify the appetites. Besides the strong impulse to sin from within, Satan has appropriate instrumentalities to call it forth into action. His devices are numerous and artful; they are addressed to every evil desire; they appeal to every sense; they insinuate themselves by every avenue into the heart, and raise a tumult of passions not easily allayed. If sin were presented in its naked deformity, it would disgust and

repel; but it is tricked out in every imaginable charm, that it may the more certainly entice. It beckons its victim under the beautiful impersonation of pleasure; but when it gets him in its embrace, it is converted into a fury. The fair side alone is exhibited; the consequences are concealed in the back ground. Is it wonderful, then, that the inexperienced should be ensnared? Is it not more wonderful that any should escape?

The devices of Satan are seconded by his ready agents. The deceived become deceivers in their turn; corrupted themselves, they take a malignant pleasure in corrupting others. "They sleep not except they have done mischief, and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall." The experienced in vice are forward to impart their knowledge to others. With art they approach their victim; they come under the semblance of friendship; they shock not his feelings by too sudden a revelation; they laugh away the fears of his conscience, and counteract the influences of his education. They glowingly paint the pleasures of their pursuits, lead him on step by step, point out the way to the haunts of vice, gather around him their toils, until he first tastes, and then becomes immersed in their vices, and as much a child of hell as themselves. How many credulous youth have been thus enticed, each false step preparing the way for further declension, until they find themselves hopelessly and helplessly hurrying down the precipitous descent! Cursed is the art of the seducer, and awful will be his fate! Upon his withered soul must settle the remorse of having blighted many a fair hope, perverted many a right principle, and ruined many a precious soul,

"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” Trust not their pretended friendship, believe not their false representations; and be admonished, that it is not thy welfare, but thy destruction, which they contemplate. Their enjoyments are deceitful, pain and anguish are in their train; and if thou follow in their way, thou wilt inevitably find sorrows and regrets which will infinitely counterbalance any temporary gratification which they may afford.

My soul, if thou hast escaped the contagion of corrupt companions, and the snares of the devil, it is a miracle of grace, for which thou shouldst be eternally thankful. Thou hast not subdued the lusts of the flesh by thine own power; thou hast not defeated the wiles of Satan by thine own vigilance; thou hast not frustrated the plans of evil seducers by thine own firmness and resolution. It is by the ever watchful providence of God, and through the influence of his grace, that thou hast been plucked as a brand from the burning. Rejoice that thy conscience has not been stupefied, that thy principles have not been subverted, nor evil habits formed to hold thee a captive of Satan by an iron grasp. While thy prayer is, that thou mayest not be gathered with sinners, take God's chosen people as thy loved companions, and delightedly say, These are the company I keep,

These are the choicest friends I know.

They will not lead thee into evil, but aid thee in thy duty, and encourage thee in thy spiritual conflict. Their God is thy God, with them thou hast an identity of hopes, interests, and pursuits, and thy intimacy with them on earth shall be perpetuated in heaven.

STRIFE AND CONTENTION.

STRIVE not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman.

It is better to dwell in the corner of the house top, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

ALAS! that there should be strife among those who so much need each other's sympathy and help. In the allotment of all, there is inevitable misery enough, without an increase from this cause. Separation from the friendship of God, with all its attendant sorrows, has converted this world into a vale of tears; and yet the unhappy sons of men, groping their dark path to the tomb, instead of cheering, contend with each other by the way. It is one of the evidences of human depravity-one of the proofs that the frowns of offended Deity rest upon our world. Strife and contention spring from unsanctified temper; and how do they embitter the social relations, putting into an attitude of hostility those who should be friends, and, either in the neighbourhood or domestic circle, destroying the harmony of those who should emulate each other