PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION. THE Author has carefully revised the following sheets, and has appended a note to page 29, which the grateful recollection of departed Christian worth seemed to demand. He is thankful to God for any measure of acceptance and blessing with which He has favoured the work; and now in prayer and humility of mind he commends this new and improved edition to the benediction of the Holy Spirit, and to the devout perusal of the young. May it prove instrumental of leading many precious souls to Jesus-and to JESUS shall be the glory! LEAMINGTON, April 1849. "Her sun is gone down while it was yet day."-JER. XV. 9. How inexpressively lovely and engaging is youthful piety! The grace of God in every period of life and form of development, invests its possessor with a moral dignity and beauty, infinitely transcending the loveliest exhibitions of nature that ever elevated and adorned the human mind and character. But if to a young man, who has " overcome the wicked one,' ," it is strength; and if to the aged man, walking in the "way of righteousness," it is a crown of glory encircling his hoary locks, in those of more tender years-just budding into life-it possesses a beauty and a charm peculiarly and touchingly its own. To see the first streaks of life's morn merging into the * 1 John ii. 13. † 1 John ii. 14. Prov. xiv. 81. more glorious light of eternal day; to behold the first development of intellect, the first pulsation of feeling, the first awakening of human energy, enterprise, and thought, laid upon the altar of God, consecrated in the "dew of youth" and in the "beauty of holiness" to Him who consecrated His infancy, His earlier and His maturer years, yea, His entire self, to the working out of our salvation, -Oh, it is a lovely spectacle, on which angels' eyes may feast; and as they look down upon each fresh conscript to the ranks of their King, feel a new-born emotion of rapture thrilling their pure and benevolent breasts, such as no object even in glory could inspire. But if the period of youth is the most interesting, let us not forget that it is also the most momentous and important period of life. It comes but once. Gone, it returns not again. With it flits away the period of human existence, most favourable to the consideration of the soul's preparation for eternity. Never again will the individual stand in a position so advantageous for the accomplishment of a work so great. The soil seems prepared for the seed. The world has not yet obtained the mastery over the heart. Sinful habit has not yet seized upon the passions. Different forms of religious belief have not yet taken captive the mind. The love of wealth, of |