his family, his business and his bosom, in the parables of Christ; and, finally, exhibited to view in the life of the blessed Jesus himself.

This intermixture of precept and example, theory and practice, doctrine and history, is not only peculiarly adapted to the taste and talents of an uneducated man; but is, to every one, the most affecting and effectual mode, in which instruction can be conveyed. Whether we consider the memory, the affections or the understanding, it is of all others best calculated for a mind not addicted to abstract reflection; and most delightful even to the elegant and refined.

To descend from those grand and essential principles of morals and piety; from the refinement and edification of his spiritual nature to subjects merely intellectual, what a mass of information is laid before him, on all the most important facts of universal history! If the details of Greek and Roman story do not come within the scope of the Sacred Writers, as indeed they are of no value with respect to morals or religion, he has a grand and magnificent series of personal history, general narrative, and divine dispensations exhibited before him, of which those celebrated nations were profoundly ignorant. But, in truth, even this hardly deserves to be mentioned in detailing the variety of the riches, with which the Bible is fraught, and of which every religious peasant may put himself in possession.

There is another branch of intellectual improvement, to which he has access, namely, Taste. I speak not of a frivolous liking for an idle song, an elaborate system of fiction, or a fictitious dialogue between imaginary and worthless characters; but of that principle, which refines and ennobles the mind; that perception of the elegant, simple and sublime in language and conduct, to be learned from the partriarchal history; a relish for the pathetic and devout strains of David the awful and holy magnificence of Job and the Prophets, and that peculiar quality of the evangelical story, for which I find no name.

Were these exercises of intellect and imagination only matters of amusement and refinement; were they foreign from his duties, and inconsistent with his services to society; did they tend to distract his thoughts, or enervate his activity, they might well be deemed unsuitable to the condition of the poor; but, in all these points, they differ from that cultivation of taste, which is produced by the study of human compositions. They are all connected with purity, integrity and elevation of character; and with those principles, from which the due discharge of all our duties ought to spring. No man ever grew insolent or licentious, idle or extravagant, by reading his Bible, with a nice and delicate discernment of the peculiar beauties of its composition. In the same proportion, that it exalts our nature,

it represses our pride. It prepares us for immortal glory, without unfitting us for the humblest duties of mortality.

But beside this exaltation of the human character, and this preparation of spirit for an immortal existence, the habitual study of Scripture is followed by many practical consequences, beneficial to the individual and to society.

1. A love for the Scriptures induces the poor to bestow that time on the perusal of them, which would otherwise be wasted or mispent. If they have no taste for their Bibles, they will read immoral publications, or spend their time in a torpid state, or go abroad in quest of vicious amuse

ment.

2. Whatever benefit they may derive from this employment themselves, they will be able to communicate to their children; and thus the whole family may unite in the most elegant and improving occupation, of which any of their superiors are capable.

3. When the mind is stored with religious knowledge and devotional sentiments, it is qualified to understand and relish the public offices of religion. Without these, the worship of God is attended to little purpose; for such ignorant hearers can hardly improve by a continued discourse, or join in exercises of devotion, and "the wicked one will soon catch away what was sown in their hearts." The exertion of mind and the

accumulation of ideas, which result from the study of the Bible, will also qualify the hearer for understanding and applying allusions to texts and historical incidents, by which he would otherwise be only confounded and perplexed. Without this preparation, the peculiar phraseology of the sacred books is unintelligible, and liable to absurd and ludicrous misrepresentations: with it, most of those phrases, which critics have taken such pains to elucidate, are plain and familiar to the most illiterate reader.

If such be the importance of the regular use of the Bible to those, who reside in the bosom of religious families, or virtuous society, and have frequent opportunities of attending public worship, what shall we say of those, who are disabled by sickness or infirmity from appearing in the house of God? What, of those multitudes in populous towns, whose occupations debar them from that privilege? What, of prisoners, who stand so much in need of instruction, consolation and support? In short, of soldiers, in whose religious character the public is so deeply interested; and of mariners, who spend their lives in the most awful circumstances; and are subject to such vicissitudes, that, if ignorant of true religion, their minds are abandoned to the most absurd superstitions; who are frequently involved in such danger and distress, as can be alleviated only by piety; and again, occasionally spend

their time in such inactivity and supineness, as importunately call for some intellectual occupation, and above all, for the study and offices of religion? Of what unspeakable benefit, temporal and eternal, is the habitual, intelligent reading of Scripture to such classes of people as these!

I have dwelt the longer on the poor, because they compose the great bulk of the community; because they are deprived of other means of instruction; and because many of my observations relative to them are applicable to the other orders and descriptions of men. I shall, for the same reason, be brief in speaking of the remaining classes, the old and the young.

Although every period of life abounds with warnings of mortality, and intimations of frailty, both bodily and mental, it is evident, that these considerations become more and more pressing, as we advance in years. As worldly prospects fade upon the sight, and temporal pleasures pall upon the sense, we, of necessity, look forward for brighter scenes and more durable enjoyments; and happy is the man, who is prepared to enjoy the prospect. This can hardly be the case with any, who have neglected the study of the Book of Life. When common acquaintances tire of our company, and friends and relatives desert us or die, the Bible will be, every day, more dear; and at last become our only companion. Miserable, indeed, must be the sinner, to whom it is