Two little naughty boys one night
Resolved to steal the fruit,

And tried to cross the hedge of thorns,
In their most vile pursuit.

But on the other side a pit

Of mire and mud they found,

And, trying to pass over it,

These naughty boys were drown'd.

Attend, my little child, so dear,

To what I now shall say-
And thou wilt ever happy be,
If thou my words obey:

For if thou keep in virtue's way,

Thy life will happy be;

But if thou stray from its good path,

Destruction waits on thee.

THE SLUGGARD,

"Tis the voice of the sluggard, I heard him complain, "You have wak'd me too soon, I must slumber again." As the door on its hinges, so he on his bed,

Turns his sides, and his shoulders, and his heavy head.

"A little more sleep, and a little more slumber;".

Thus he wastes half his days, and his hours without number:

And when he gets up, he sits folding his hands,
Or walks about sauntering, or trifling he stands.

I pass'd by his garden, and saw the wild brier,
The thorn and the thistle grow broader and higher :
The clothes that hang on him are turning to rags,
And his money still wastes, till he starves or he begs.

I made him a visit, still hoping to find

He had taken more care of improving his mind;
He told me his dreams, talk'd of eating and drinking:
But he scarce reads his Bible, and never loves thinking.

Said I then to my heart, here's a lesson for me,
This man's but a picture of what I might be ;
Then thanks to my parents, who taught me to know
That idleness still is the mother of woe,

VALUE OF TIME.

OH! while this clock attracts thy sight,

Thy reason let it warn ;

And seize, my dear, that rapid time

That never must return.

If idly lost, no art or care

The blessing can restore;

And Heav'n will call us to account

For ev'ry ill-spent hour,

Short is our longest day of life,
And soon its wishes end;

Yet on that day's uncertain length
Eternal years depend.

Yet equal to our gaining good

The time to virtue's given,
And ev'ry minute well improved,
Secures a place in Heaven.

LINES BY DR. DODDRIDGE.

LIVE while you live, the Epicure will say,
And take the pleasure of the present day:
Live while you live, the sacred preacher cries,
And give to God each moment as it flies.-
Lord, in my view, let both united be!

I live in pleasure when I live to Thee.

SOLEMN THOUGHTS ON THE CREATOR AND

DEATH.

THERE is a God that reigns above

Lord of the Heav'ns, and Earth, and Seas,

I fear his wrath, I ask his love,

And with my lips, I'll sing his praise.

There is a law which he has writ,

To teach us all what we must do :

My soul to his commands submit,

For they are holy, just, and true.

There is a gospel of rich grace,

Whence sinners all their comforts draw;

Lord, I repent, and seek thy face,
For often do I break thy law.

There is an hour when I must die,

Nor do I know how soon 'twill come; A thousand children, young as I,

Are call'd by death to hear their doom.

Let me improve the hours I have,
Before the day of grace is fled;
There's no repentance in the grave,
Nor pardon offer'd to the dead.

Just as a tree cut down, that fell
To north or southward, there it lies
So man departs to Heav'n or hell,
Fix'd in the state wherein he dies,

IMPROVEMENT OF TIME.

SLEEP by night, and cares by day,
Bear my fleeting life away:

Lo! in onder eastern skies

The sun appears, and bids me rise-
Tells me, Life is on the wing,

And has no returning spring:
Death comes on with steady pace,
And life's the only day of grace.

Shining Preacher! happy morning,
Let me take th' important warning;
Rouse then all my active pow'rs,
Well improve the coming hours:
Let no trifles kill the day,
(Trifles oft our hearts betray,)—
Wisdom, virtue, knowledge, truth,
Guide th' enquiries of my youth.
Wisdom, and experience sage,
Then shall soothe the cares of age;
These with time shall never die;
These will lead to joys on high;
These the path of life display,
Shining with celestial day;

Blissful path, with safety trod,

The end of which is Heav'n and God.

A FATHER'S ADVICE TO HIS DAUGHTER.

Wherein all young persons, especially those of the Female Sex, are directed how they may obtain the greatest beauty, and adorn themselves with an holy conversation.

DEAR child, these words which briefly I declare
Let them not hang like jewels in thine ear;

But in the secret closet of thine heart,

Lock them up safe, that they may ne'er depart.

D