How near I have come to doing justice to the subject I have been elucidating, is left for others to decide. The leading theme upon which I have dwelt, is one of great moment; and I exceedingly regret, that I have not been able to do it more ample justice. Nevertheless, such as my lecture is, it is respectfully submitted to persons in married life, in the hope and prayer, that it may assist them in the right discharge of their respective duties.

May the Lord add his blessing, and guide us all safely through life's meandering journey, unto his kingdom on high, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

LECTURE IV.

Advice to Young Men.

Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. Titus 2: 6.

It is possible, that some who hear me, may ask this question-why do you direct your discourse particularly to young men? I shall reply to this anticipated question, by stating that I know the evils which lie in the path of young men, who have but just commenced the career of life for themselves. I know the hourly temptations to which they are exposed; I feel anxious to throw before them a few hints, which may assist them in avoiding the snares by which they are beset; and help them to walk in the ways of wisdom, which are pleasantness and peace.

I am satisfied that impressions can be made upon the minds of the young, which cannot be upon those who are far advanced in life. As people grow old, they become more and more set, unyielding, and self-conceited. With such, we can do but little. But those who have but just emerged from their minorship, to manhood, having been accustomed to

receive advice, and act at the suggestion of others, may be operated upon by the counsels of truth and the admonitions which are dealt out to them, will not be like water spilt upon the ground.

As such are accustomed to be counseled, I cannot persuade myself to believe, that they will suffer a few candid, and friendly admonitions, to pass unheeded; or that they will turn a deaf ear to the voice of entreaty.

Besides

I feel a strong and ardent solicitude for the well being of this portion of community.— Our country, under the Divine protection, is dependant on our young men for prosperity. The good of our nation the purity and perpetuity of our institutions and the morality of the whole world, rests on, and is intervoven with, the integrity of our young men. It is for them to preserve our liberty for after generations it is for them to say, whether our wholesome laws and righteous institutions shall be transmitted unimpaired, and free from pollution, down to succeeding generations.

When I look around me, and behold these greyheaded sires, who favor us with their presence, as oft as the Sabbath returns, I associate with their hoary hairs the thought, that they must soon retire from the stage of busy life, and leave their places to be occupied by their sons. And O, how important it is, that the sons prepare themselves to fill the plac

es of their fathers, with honor to themselves, and profit and happiness to all connected with them.

I address young men particularly, because, as a gospel preacher, I am particularly instructed so to do, by the author of our text — 'Young men exhort to be sober minded.' Numerous are the instances in scripture, in which particular attention is bestowed on this class. The royal Psalmist counsels the young men, by inquiring 'Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his ways? By taking heed thereunto, according to thy word.' St. Paul directs young Timothy, to Flee youthful lust, and practice holiness in the fear of the Lord let no man despise thy youth.' And he made it the duty of Timothy to-— Entreat the younger men as brethren '—and of Titus, to - 'Exhort young men to be sober minded.' With such guides before me, I feel no backwardness in devoting one discourse wholly to young men.

Young men are not exhorted, in our text, to be of a sober countenance for a man may be of a sober countenance, and yet be destitute of a sober mind. To be sober minded, does not imply a sorrowful deportment. A young man is not required to forego the comforts and wholesome amusements of life; nor to go with his head bowed down like a bulrush, in order to heed the exhortation of our text. The whole duty enjoined by the words we have chosen to guide our reflections on the present occasion, may be reduced to the following paraphrase: - Exhort

young men to be virtuous and intelligent

and industrious - prudent and economical — wise and benevolent; — in a word — exhort them to be all the gospel requires. Teach them to refrain from all irregularities to observe temperance in all things to be kind, pitiful, courteous and charitable; and in every thing, to regulate their conduct by the perfect law of liberty, and to live in hope of the sober realities of eternity. Such is the substance of the direction, Young men exhort to be sober minded.' And to make the subject of this lecture the better understood, let us give a further illustration in a few particulars. I shall suppose myself addressing those who are but just emerging from youth to manhood, or who have but just commenced acting for themselves. To such I would observe —

1st. TO BE SOBER MINDED, YOU MUST ESTABLISH A PRINCIPLE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND INTEGRITY IN YOUR MINDS, AND ACT AGREEABLY TO ITS SUGGESTIONS, AT ALL TIMES.

That is a miserable policy, adopted by some young men, to vary and warp their judgment, to suit existing circumstances. Perhaps I am not sufficiently definite here. Therefore I will illustrate. Some young men, when they commence business, aim only for wealth and popularity. These they are determined to acquire at all hazards. Integrity is thrown entirely out of the question. The truth is sacrificed as it is thought circumstances require; and not the