shall be enemies to ourselves as well as the public, if we do not put away our strange vices, as the polluted Israelites put away theirs, in the days of Ezra, and in a time of reformation. And let us moreover do, as some of the same people did, on account of the corruption of morals. They sighed, and cried, and prayed for the guilty nation; and then united their exertions to reform their public vices. They entered into a solemn engagement, and sealed it with their own hands, to employ all their influence in restraining open and shameful immoralities.

Nor let any imagine that it is either impracticable or fruitless in these times, to form unions in virtue to weaken and destroy combinations in vice. This mode of reformation has been tried, in various parts of the British dominions, with great success. At the end of the bishop of St. David's sermon, preached to the societies for the Reformation of Manners, is subjoined the three-and-thirtieth account of the progress made in the cities of London and Westminster, and places adjacent, by those virtuous and respectable societies. The account says, "This undertaking, begun by a few persons, has mightily spread itself, not only in Great Britain, but in foreign parts. And the great good which, by God's blessing, has been done by the said societies has very much animated their endeavors. They have likewise been encouraged by several royal procla mations, orders of sessions, presentments of grand juries, in many counties in England; by the lord mayors and court of aldermen in the city of London; by many sermons of the right reverend the bishops, and other eminent divines, preached to the societies, and by the writings of other learned men." After this, the account farther says, "The said societies have presented, and been assisting in presenting, from the first day of December 1727, divers sorts of offenders, namely: For lewd and disorderly practices, common gaming houses, and other disorderly houses, common gamesters, profane swearing and cursing, exercising their trades or ordinary callings on the Lord's day, and for drunkenness; in all, one thousand three hundred and sixty-three.

"The total number of persons prosecuted by the societies, in or near London only, for debauchery and profaneness, for thirty-six years last past, are calculated at about ninety-four thousand three hundred and twenty-two."

These accounts carry convincing evidence, that unions in virtue may be so formed and conducted, as to restrain, in some measure at least, the progress of vice. What is there then which can possibly prevent us, in this day of declension, from uniting our exertions for the reformation of manners, but merely the want of virtuous resolution? Were we sufficiently

possessed of virtuous resolution, we might easily form such . respectable unions, as would put the bold and brazen vices to the blush, and cause them to creep into corners. Union is of singular service to any who are engaged in promoting the same common cause. It collects their wisdom, adds weight to their characters, and at the same time enlivens their zeal and fortitude. Indeed, union in a good cause scarcely ever fails of success. Can we therefore answer it to God, or to ourselves, if we neglect to pursue those measures, which we believe are wise and expedient, and would effectually check the progress of vice, and produce a reformation of manners? I mean not, however, to urge this point. I choose to submit this subject to your more private, deliberate, and solemn reflections.

But if the measure which we have now suggested should surpass the strength of your virtue; yet there remain many other methods of restraining vice, which lie equally open to every individual. Be entreated then to act properly as individuals, and exert all the influence of your private characters and connections, to restrain the licentiousness of the times.

Let the aged lead in this good design. They have lived to see the happy fruits of virtue, and the baneful effects of vice. They have lived to observe that course of conduct, by which these infant States gradually arose to greatness and affluence; and that course of conduct by which they are now subjected to great embarrassments. They have lived in the days of industry, economy and temperance, and owe their ease, reputation, and fortunes to the practice of these political virtues. They are able therefore, by their own observation and experience, to warn the young and inexperienced, of the folly and danger of departing from their primitive purity and simplicity of manners; and to exhibit the most forcible evidence, that diligence and virtue will raise men to wealth and honor, but idleness and vice will sink them to poverty and wretchedness.

It is the duty of parents to employ their peculiar power and authority in promoting the reformation of morals. They have the first and easiest access to their children, while their minds are young and tender, and susceptible of the deepest impressions. They have peculiar opportunity of inculcating the precepts of prudence, virtue and religion, before their minds have been hardened and corrupted by the pollutions of the world. They may, by a proper mixture of instruction, persuasion, authority, and example, form their external conduct and behavior, almost just as they please. And in this way they can do more to restrain the prevalence of vice, than all the exertions of ministers and rulers can do, without their particu

lar concurrence and aid. They are therefore under the strongest obligations to give their children a virtuous and pious education. They ought, in season, to teach them the knowledge of God, the nature of religion, the beauty of virtue, and the deformity of vice. They ought to enforce all their instructions by their own amiable and virtuous examples. They ought to keep a vigilant eye upon the conduct and disposition of their children, and carefully restrain them from those particular evils, to which they perceive they are particularly exposed. They ought to shut their doors against the entrance of vice; and never suffer their children to push into the world, before they are possessed of either age or experience to govern their conduct. These are methods, by which parents may preserve the peace and purity of their own families, and at the same time universally promote the reformation of manners.

It is the proper business of executive officers, to employ their power and authority in suppressing those public vices, which corrupt the morals and disturb the peace of society. We have strict and severe laws against profane swearing, sabbath-breaking, gaming, tavern-haunting, drunkenness, lewdness, and debauchery. But have these laws against these public and pernicious vices been duly executed? We have scarcely known a single person, in the course of twenty years, who has been prosecuted either for swearing, sabbath-breaking, drunkenness, or gaming. Has this been owing to the scarcity of offenders, or to the want of evidence? If not, can it be imputed to any thing else, than the neglect of informing and executive officers? Better had it been, to have had no such laws enacted; better would it be, to have them now repealed, than to have such silent laws and silent magistrates. Can those who wear the sword of justice, wear it in vain, and yet be blameless? Or can they answer for their negligence before the Supreme Ruler, whose ministers they are, and before whom they have lifted up their hand to be faithful? It is devoutly to be wished, that all from the highest to the lowest in the executive department, would personally obey and faithfully execute 'the laws of the land.

The supreme judges in the several States may throw the weight of their great and respectable characters into the scale of virtue. Their sacred regard to the Sabbath; their constant attendance on public worship and family devotion; their open profession of the great principles of natural and revealed religion; their shining examples of virtue and piety in all their public and private conduct; will give great encouragement to the practice of virtue, and pour the highest contempt upon the practice of vice.

The subordinate judges, justices, and informing officers, being much more numerous and much more conversant with the people at large, have a far greater opportunity for employing their exemplary characters and peculiar powers in promoting a reformation of manners, through all the counties, towns, and parishes in each of our commonwealths.

We must, in tenderness and compassion to those who are pursuing the paths of vice, beseech them to consider not only the present but future consequences of their pernicious course. The contagion of their vices may reach to future ages, and destroy, after they are dead and sunk in oblivion, the souls of millions. "One sinner destroyeth much good." One sinner destroyed the ten tribes of Israel. It is repeated again and again, "Jeroboam the son of Nebat, made Israel to sin Jeroboam the son of Nebat, made Israel to sin-Jeroboam the son of Nebat, made Israel to sin."

What a load of guilt did that vile and corrupt seducer contract! What curses did he heap upon his own head, by drawing away the souls of thousands, age after age, from the service, from the house, and from the favor of God! With what a stigma of reproach hath God linked his name and character together, and conveyed them down to the latest generations, as a warning to all who shall dare to corrupt and destroy the souls of others! Let such at this day be entreated to regard this kind and salutary warning, and immediately repent and reform. It is possible they may now, in some measure, undo what they have already done, by endeavoring to reclaim and save those from ruin whom their vicious examples have wellnigh destroyed.

But though every other description of characters should either neglect or obstruct the reformation of manners, yet we trust all the friends of God will cheerfully join in promoting this virtuous and benevolent design. They will not cease to sigh and cry for the abominations committed in the land, nor neglect to pour out their hearts before God, for the effusions of his Spirit, and the revival of religion. The Noahs, Jobs and Daniels, have great encouragement to wrestle with God in prayer, that he would graciously take the work of reformation into his own hand, and change the lives of men, by changing their hearts. This would be a reformation indeed. This would destroy the roots and branches of vice together.

Thus every person in every station of life has some weight and influence to be employed in the cause of virtue. And who can hesitate in these evil days, which side to take, or what part to act? Every man will find his account in the reformation of morals. For "righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin

is a reproach to any people." There are various motives, which urge us immediately to exert our best endeavors to restrain our prevailing vices, and to revive those languishing virtues, which were once our distinguishing glory and happi

ness.

If we now begin to check our growing vices and corruptions, we may hope to succeed. The piety and virtue of some, and the distresses of others, bear a favorable aspect upon the reformation of morals. Delays will afford us no help nor encouragement, but only weaken our resolutions, and increase our difficulties. If we can ever restrain our public immoralities, we can restrain them now. Now therefore is the time to begin. The work of reformation devolves upon us; and we cannot refer it to another generation, without neglecting our own duty, and suffering the cause of virtue to languish in our own hands.

Besides, if we are remiss in checking those vices and corruptions which spring up and prevail while we are upon the stage, we shall actually partake in the guilt of those whom we neglect to reform; and must expect to share in the dreadful calamities, which may justly fall upon a corrupt and incorrigible people.

But if we faithfully endeavor to suppress the prevalence of vice, as far as our power and influence extend, we shall merit that noble and distinguishing character which belongs to reformers. And who would not wish to be placed on the list which enrolls the names and embalms the memory of Asa, Josiah, Jehoiada, and many other great and amiable men, who improved the virtues, and restrained the vices of the several ages in which they lived? God, who carries the characters of all in his hand, hath expressly said, "Them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed."

But if all our efforts in the cause of virtue should fail of success, and only expose our characters to the reproach of those whom we labor to reclaim, yet the approbation of conscience in the hour of death will afford us an ample and sufficient reward. When all our civil and social relations on earth shall finally cease, then to be able to reflect, that we have done all in our power to leave those behind us more virtuous and happy, will be the strongest support and the highest satisfaction that our natures can know.