But this unsteadiness is the peculiar fault of the young. To them life is new, and their character is unformed. They have not acquired habits of firmness and perseverence -habits which are essential parts of a decidedly moral character-and the acquirement is not made without the occasional manifestation of qualities of an opposite kind. They also place a confidence in themselves, which events prove to be rash and unfounded. Much too often do we see them, after they have begun well, and given the promise of perseverance and final success in the best and worthiest objects to be sought in this world, breaking this promise by faltering in the pursuit, and finally, and unhappily, withdrawing themselves entirely from it. Whether it be their aim to carry into effect some judicious plan for the benefit of others, to secure for themselves some mental benefits, to attain to some honorable distinction, or to cultivate the higher and nobler virtues which belong to our nature, they are equally in danger of being allured from their path by some tempting objects, or yield to the indolence which often blights the fairest promises of moral success and triumph. We are aware that attacks are made upon their principles by base minds. The choice of their companions is not always made with sufficient judgment; and amongst those with whom they occasionally associate, there is danger of meeting with some who hold morality and religion in little esteem, and are more intent upon sapping the foundation of another's morals than improving their own. When this baseness is concealed under a pleasing exterior, it is more insidious in its attacks

and more fatal in its consequences. The apparently goodnatured and easy manners of the profligate, make their way to the hearts of the unsuspecting, who do not dream that the flowery parterre conceals an adder, and render them a more easy prey to their designs; for when they have ingratiated themselves, they too often succeed, with ease, in seducing the virtuous from the walks of goodness and religion, and causing them to relax their exertions in every honorable direction.

One of the most formidable weapons with which the base contend against virtuous resolutions, is ridicule. When all other arts have failed to weaken them, this has proved successful. For it requires considerable strength of mind to hear, unmoved, the scornful and bitter jests which low and unworthy minds cast upon all that is good in principle and practice: and this strength is not usually a feature of the youthful mind-nor so often, as it might be, of the more matured. And hence, the laugh and the taunt have caused his resolution to give way, over whom all other arts of seduction had in vain essayed their power. But what a despicable pleasure it is, to turn to ridicule every thing that is esteemed good and honorable, and sacred among men-to attempt to force the blush of shame upon the countenance of the youth who professes a regard for his parents, his best friends, and his duty; who is bold enough to avow that modesty, and sobriety, and integrity, are commendable; and to profess his belief in a righteous God and a state in which the wicked shall cease from troubling. How corrupt and abandoned must he be who

seeks it, and rejoices when he has succeeded in shaking the resolution of the good mind, and debarred it from persevering in the course on which it had happily entered!

Those who are anxious to act their parts well, must be ever on their guard. They must turn a deaf ear to the solicitations of unlawful pleasure, however artfully and pleasingly these may be urged upon them, and despise that ridicule which is attempted to be cast upon all their best actions, and feelings, and thoughts, upon their attachment to the good, and their reverence for God, and fear of his displeasure. They must, indeed, resist every thing which threatens to impede their endeavours to pursue their own improvement, and to be useful in the world. If they wish to be regarded as the friends of goodness, and to establish and maintain a character which wise men love, and God himself regards with approbation, they must suffer no cause to lessen their attachment to a commendable object, nor to diminish the strength and ardour of their zeal in carrying it forward. The upright mind must feel that its adherence to a good cause, is essential; and that it would incur its own censure, and disgrace in the sight of others, were it to relax its efforts, waver in its resolution, and at least cease to exert itself any longer in the same direction. This falling off, is pitiable—and when it takes place in respect of moral and religious engagements, it has a most pernicious effect upon the character of the individual, and the satisfactions of his life. How much valuable time does he lose by such weakness and irresolution! Whilst others are hastening forward on their course, he is loitering on the

way, and is thus left far behind them; and when he once more applies to the business over which he has slept so long, his renewed exertions must be made with a painful consciousness of the time and opportunity he has wasted, and his whole future life, though improved with diligence, will scarcely avail to redeem the past.

This weakness of character, whether it shews itself in the want of firmness, or resolution, or zeal, or moral courage, is, as we have seen, far from being ornamental or useful. It greatly lessens the value of the good, and sometimes high qualities, which we observe in men. We have already given an instance of the former; from a later period of time we take examples of the latter. They are those of Galileo and Cranmer. The former, an Italian philosopher of eminence, having discovered that the system of his day was erroneous, and published some results of his discoveries, fell under the displeasure of that horrible court, the Inquisition, by which he was thrown into prison and kept there for a considerable period. His crime wasasserting that the earth was round, and moved round the sun; and, for this, the conservators of religion immured him in a dungeon. He subsequently obtained his liberty, but it was by an immense sacrifice-he abjured his opinions, and engaged not to propagate them. Archbishop Cranmer, too, was a victim to that persecution by which the assumed friends, but most fatal enemies of religion, have pretended to secure her interests. He lived in times when the established religion was alternately Catholic and Protestant, and, in the reign of Mary, fell under the charge of heresy,

of which charge he was convicted. The party opposed to him succeeded in procuring his condemnation. He endeavoured to save his life, but not his honor. He recanted; and it was in vain. He soon, however, resumed his moral courage, and nobly redeemed his character, and expiated, at the stake, the weakness of the moment into which the fear of men had led him. It is painful to see these otherwise noble and excellent men bringing a shade over their life for the sake of adding to it a few years-of dishonor. And it is a melancholy reflection, that the best and most highly-gifted of God's rational family, are apt to tarnish by some unhappy weakness or other, the splendour of their attainments and the glory of their renown.

The young will make a wise provision for their security and happiness by avoiding, as much as in them lies, every weakness which would detract from the merit of their virtue and lessen the value of their character. They cannot pass through the world without difficulty, or labour, or danger. This is not the lot of human beings. Intent upon useful pursuits, attempts will be made to detach them therefrom, and, strange though it may seem, there are those who will take a pleasure in ruining the moral work with which they are occupied ; or, if they fail in this attempt, in increasing the difficulty of success. Should they find themselves in these or other difficulties, however, let them persevere and place their trust in a righteous God, who always propitiates the moral labours of his children. Their course is simple and straight-to do right, come what will of it; and they may safely and conscientiously