truth, they now ply him with interrogatories concerning his religious opinions, his observance of the Sabbath, his habits of temperance, of chastity, of attendance on the duties of the sanctuary, and especially respecting the moral character and principles of his associates. But on these topics, he does not wish to say a word. If he replies at all to their inquiries, he does it in such general terms, and with such ambiguous phraseology, as only serve to confirm suspicion, undermine their confidence in his integrity, and crush their hearts between the upper and nether millstone. More dissatisfied and solicitous than ever, they press their inquiries with greater definiteness and particularity, so as to prevent, if possible, all evasion. Perhaps he has now become so hardened, as to take no notice at all of their communications, though they were wet with the tears of a parent's love. But if he replies, it is in such a style of supercilious contempt for their alleged impertinence in prying into his affairs, and with such bold insinuations of their comparative ignorance and illiberality, of his ability to manage his own concerns, and of his desire to receive no further molestation, that they become heart-broken, and soon find a refuge from affliction in the grave.

And now, the restraints of parental influence

being trampled under foot, every barrier erected by education and conscience being swept away, sinful appetites having obtained giant strength and undisputed empire, the catastrophe hurries on apace. His profligacy has, by this time, thrown him out of employment and of virtuous society; his former companions, if they have not already reached the end of their career to destruction, now abandon him; the gloom of his prospects thickens into night; disease hastens him towards the grave; conscience, as if by way of reprisal, agitates him with the very terrors of perdition; the thunders of divine wrath make all his bones to shake; the lightnings of incensed goodness rive his departing soul; and he sinks and sinks-and sinks-into a bottomless hell.

Such is substantially the history of many youth; such the means and process of their ruin. Unprincipled and immoral associates have destroyed multitudes. " Evil communications corrupt good

manners."

You, my young friends, may now be passing through this same probation, and exposed to these very temptations and dangers. It will therefore be an office of kindness to point out

III. What can be done to rescue the young from their perilous situation.

1. Realize your exposure to temptation. Many have been ruined through a mere unwillingness to admit the possibility that they could be ruined. An overweening confidence in their security has proved their destruction. It is one of the infirmities of human nature, and especially of inexperienced youth, to consider ourselves proof against all temptation. "A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on, and are punished." Think not that your principles are impregnable. "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool." Hazael knew not the strength of his early principles, till they were brought to the trial. That proved that they were frail as gossamer. Peter had the utmost confidence in his own integrity, but the remark of a servant made him deny his Master. "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." If you keenly feel your constant exposure to temptation, it will put you upon your guard. You will more eagerly avail yourselves of other means of preservation.

2. Never cease to respect and follow the good instructions of your parents. I say good instructions, for it is the unhappiness of many youth to be contaminated with those which are bad. Erroneous instruction is often worse than none. But if you were correctly and religiously educated, never become so wise in your own conceit as to place a light value on such an education. Never feel that you have become so enlightened, as to make it safe or proper to despise the counsels of Christian parents. If a man possessed the wisdom of Solomon, it would not exempt him from obligation to obey the instructions of a pious mother. The holy precepts which such a mother instilled into your minds in infancy and childhood, and her many prayers and tears on your behalf, you ought to prize above thousands of gold and silver. Perhaps, as you left home, she put a Bible into your trunk; let that Bible be valued above the gold of Ophir. Perhaps, as you parted, she dropped some counsels upon your ear, as weighty as if they were her dying words; let those counsels be engraven on your heart forever. You can hardly fail of being preserved from immoral courses, if you faithfully practice the instructions of those who gave you being, and whose earthly all is bound up in your respectability and happiness.

3. Be especially careful in your choice of asso ciates. Too much importance cannot be attached to this direction. It is fundamental. The influence which young people exert over each other, is absolutely immeasurable. In your intercourse with each other, you will find almost every shade of religious belief, and nearly every variety of practice. Your opinions and life will be insensibly formed after the models with which you are most familiar. You cannot be intimate with any one, without imperceptibly imbibing his views. Beyond all doubt, more depends, as it respects the formation of character, on the character of associates, than on any other circumstance, and perhaps more than on all other circumstances united. "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." Language, my young friends, wants power to express the importance of your selecting for your intimate friends, those who are well-principled, wise and virtuous. If then you know a youth of unsound religious principles, or of questionable morals, treat him indeed with perfect propriety, but shun rather than solicit his acquaintance. His personal appearance and bearing may be unusually prepossessing. His treatment of you may be singularly courteous. His knowledge of business and of mankind may be superior to your own. But mark him. Count him not an enemy, much less a friend. He may make an offer of confidential friendship, but firmly and respectfully decline it. Give him to understand, if necessary, that your