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from calamity and disease, or prepare you for eternity.

Lady Pennington justly observes, "That to run into the extreme of fashion is the certain proof of a weak mind. Whatever time is taken up in dress, beyond what is necessary to decency and cleanliness, may be looked upon, to say no worse, as a vacuum in life." While you are gathering a few glittering baubles to deck yourself, you are losing those golden hours, those precious moments, which all the wealth of India cannot redeem. The body, however delicately fed, and richly arrayed, must soon return to the dust and see corruption. It is the soul therefore that requires your chief care. Let it be your great concern to have the immortal part covered with the robe of righteousness, and adorned with the garments of salvation.

Do you ask what is the robe of righteousness? I answer, it was wrought by the perfect obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ, and is freely presented to you in the Gospel. The soul, deformed and defiled by sin, is utterly unfit to appear before that God who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. But covered with this royal robe, which the Saviour finished, you may venture into the presence of the King of Kings, and shall stand accepted in the great day. The righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ, is unto all, and upon all them that believe, for there is no difference. Rom. iii. 22.

Do you ask what are the garments of salvation? I answer they are humility, meekness, charity, and truth.

1. Humility. Without this, though you may have a christian name, you cannot be a christian. Of the wicked it is said, pride compasseth them as a chain. Now all who are thus wrapped up in arrogance and self-sufficiency, are offensive in the sight of God. Would you resemble Christ? you must be of a meek and lowly spirit. The Apostle Peter says, Be ye clothed with humility. This garment is absolutely necessary, to all the followers of Jesus; it is that which distinguishes them from the world.

2. To humility must be added meekness.

This garment is necessary to preserve you from being wounded and hurt, by the vexatious thorns and briars, that are every where scattered through the path of life. Though thousands slight and scorn it, no words can sufficiently describe its beauty, or set forth its worth. Let then your adorning be the hidden man of the heart; in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. I Pet. iji. 4.

3. I have another christian grace to recommend, without which the brightest gifts, and the greatest talents, are but a useless glitter, or an empty sound. "Above all, put on charity, which

is the bond of perfectness." This is a lovely and attractive robe, that never fails to give a peculiar charm to the character which it adorns Then put on charity, and when mortality is swallowed up of life you will wear it unsullied in the shining ranks of Angels around the throne of God.

4. Let your loins be girt about with truth.

You have a race to run, a warfare to wage. Be not discouraged. The girdle of truth is not only an ornament, but also a defence. It braces and invigorates the feeble, fainting soul. Gird up the loins of your mind, and hope to the end. These garments of salvation never wax old, but grow brighter as all things else fade and perish. They are not to be put on in particular companies, and then laid aside; but must be worn at all times, and in all circumstances. The servants of Christ must not be ashamed of his uniform, but rather rejoice to bear his image and fulfil his commands.

On Riches.

Thousands seem to act, as if they thought riches the one thing needful. What ingenious and artful schemes are contrived! what grievous and painful labours are endured! what terrible and destructive dangers are braved to get a little shining

metal! An ancient philosopher says, "Gold is tried by the touchstone, and men are tried by gold." And how few when thus tried can resist or overcome the temptation. Yet the most abundant worldly possessions cannot give content, though they often take it away.

"Avarice, whatever shape it bears,

Must still be coupled with its cares."

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If any one could teach the art of speedily acquiring wealth, what numbers would flock around him to receive instruction. Let me intreat your attention, while I attempt to point out the way to solid and lasting possessions. Labour without weariness to become rich in knowledge, rich in faith, and rich in good works.

1. Let it be your desire, and daily endeavour to become rich in knowledge. If you begin early to seek this treasure, and persevere in the use of proper means, you cannot fail of success. It is found by universal experience, that the season of youth is the fittest time to lay in a large store of valuable information, and heavenly wisdom. He who slumbers away the morning of life in sloth and indolence, will in the evening of old age bitterly and unavailingly lament his folly. Remember, my young friend, that nothing good can be attained without diligence. Hear now the counsel which a wise father gave to his son, “ If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding: if thou seekest her as

silver, and searchest for her as hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs ii. 3, 4, 5. Let no means or opportunities for enlarging, furnishing, or improving the mind be neglected. Above all, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.

2. Let it be your constant desire and aim to become rich in faith. The wicked man is but a poor wretch, whatever fair houses and fine furniture, great estates and vast treasures, may be in his possession. He boasts that these things are his own, while he is but a steward, who must be called to account for the abuse of his master's goods. But hear what the Apostle says, God has chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he hath promised to them that love him -James ii. 5. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid in Christ. All the fullness of the godhead dwells in Christ. The gospel opens to us the unsearchable riches of Christ. Now every one who truly and heartily believes in Jesus, is put in possession of all the precious comforts and blessings he has to bestow. And how can he be poor, who is supplied from an inexhaustible storehouse, and stands heir to an everlasting kingdom. While many are raking up a little glittering dust, that they may buy lands, build and beautify houses, array themselves in pomp, and feast themselves with luxury, let it be your care to lay up treasure in heaven, and provide bags which wax not old, where rust doth

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