to find himself surrounded by some who love and respect him: who will bear with his infirmities, relieve him of his labours, and cheer him with their society. Let him therefore, now, in the summer of his days, while yet active and flourishing, by acts of seasonable kindness and beneficence, ensure that love, and by upright and honorable conduct lay foundation for that respect, which in old age he would wish to enjoy. In the last place, let him consider a good conscience, peace with God, and the hope of heaven, as the most effectual consolations he can possess, when the evil days shall come wherein, otherwise he is likely to find little pleasure. It is not merely by transient acts of devotion that such consolations are to be provided. The regular tenor of a virtuous and pious life, spent in the faithful discharge of all the duties of our station, will prove the best preparation for old age, for death, and for immortality.

The conclusion

From the whole of what has been said, this important instruction arises, that the happiness of every man depends more upon the state of his own mind, than upon any one external circumstance; nay, more than all external things put together. We have seen, that inordinate passions are the great disturbers of life; and that unless we possess a good conscience, and a well-governed mind, discontent will blast every enjoyment, and the highest prosperity will prove only disguised misery. Fix then this conclusion in your ininds, that the destruction of your virtue is the destruction of your peace. Keep thy heart with all diligence,' govern it with

the greatest care, for out of it are the issues of life. In no station, in no period, think yourselves secure from the dangers which spring from your passions. Every age, and every station, they beset; from youth to grey hairs, and from the peasant to the prince.

ON

HONOUR AS A PRINCIPLE.

BY DR. JAMES FORDYCE.

I CONCEIVE, gentlemen, that to preserve and cherish the sense of truth, integrity and glory, which we have found interwoven with the human mind, is the main design of moral culture; and that he will be the most estimable person in manhood, who is the least perverted from the ingenuity of youth; who is constantly recurring to his earliest and tenderest perceptions of virtue; who, while a man in understanding, is in malice a child,' who, with the improvements of reflection, and the acquisitions of experience, retains, as much as may be, that simplicity of soul, and that generosity of affection, which give such grace and sweetness to the bloom of life.

Is it possible to think of those lovely qualities, and not sigh to see them so often defaced in the succeeding scenes? Is it possible to contemplate the ruins of youthful excellence, and forbear to weep over them? But whence, my brothers, this deplorable change? From neglecting early to fix, and firmly to keep, that best and bravest of all resolutions, which was formed by one of the most celebrated persons of whom we have any record :'My heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.'

I will at no time, and in no situation, allow myself in that which I suspect to be wrong. In all seasons, and under all circumstances, I will endeavour to practise what I feel to be right.

Many of you, I doubt not, will recollect those memorable words of the Man of Uz; of that man whose unblemished and unalterable worth stands attested in a manner altogether extraordinary. The Almighty himself we find speaking of it in a style of exultation, if the phrase may be allowed; for thus he is introduced addressing the enemy of all goodness, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man?-and still he holds fast his integrity, although thou movest me against him to destroy him without cause.' The heaviest storm of affliction, that ever put human virtue to the proof, had not power to overthrow his. He might complain it is permitted to nature. He could not plead an entire exemption from the frailties that will in some degree cleave to all her sons. However the benignity of his Maker might pronounce him perfect, compared with other men, he was ycfar enough from justifying himself in the sight of Supreme rectitude. Those brighter discoveries which he had obtained of the All-perfect Being, threw him into the lowest prostrations of humility and penitence: but nevertheless they hindered him not from consoling himself under the weight of sorrow, and the severity of censure, by the consciousness of a behaviour which had upon the whole been singularly excellent and praise-worthy. Such indeed it had proved, with an uniformity that stood the test of the most opposite conditions, and both in the extreme.

Now what was it, think ye, next the influence of God, that could produce a conduct so superior, and so even, though thus tried? What other than the purest and noblest purpose deliberately weighed, and affectionately embraced, from the beginning? At least you will acknowledge, that characters of transcendant and persevering value are not very often formed in the advance of life, if the first part of it was passed without principle, or any vigorous sentiments of probity and honour. Is it not then most likely, that this glorious man had taken up early the magnanimous resolve before mentioned? My heart shall not reproach me,' that is, for any allowed transgressions or wilful neglect of its sacred dictates, so long as I live.'

This, my friends, and this alone, we call the prin ciple of honour, in the truly estimable, comprehensive, and elevated sense of the expression; and we say, that the young man who sincerely adopts and steadily adheres to it, in a humble but joyful reliance on Heaven, will seldom be at a loss about the path he is to pursue, will always have at hand an answer to temptation, and will be generally fortified against those discouragements which might otherwise overwhelm him.

A youth entering the world may be compared to an unpractised traveller passing through a country, where he meets with a number of cross-roads not properly marked, which of course leave him uncertain about the right one, and, if he be not much on his guard, leads him away from it. Alas! my brothers, in how many different directions may the young, the inexperienced, and the headless, be trained on to destruction! In just as many as there are irregular inclinations to prompt, worthless.com.