When one has experienced conviction of sin, repentance, and faith in Christ, to him old things have passed away, and all things have become new. In place of the evil passions and propensities of the natural man, he has now a beautiful train of virtues and graces. Love to God and to man now burns in his breast-a holy flame, kindled by a spark from heaven. Joy has taken the place of despondency. This the world cannot take from him, though it despise and persecute him; for he can "take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake." Peace has taken possession of that troubled soul, which once, like the restless waters, cast up mire and dirt. Long-suffering is now practised by that heart which formerly was impatient and revengeful. Gentleness is put on, and the lion has become a lamb. Goodness, to all men, has succeeded unkindness and selfishness. Faith "lifts up the tearless eye," and sees the promises afar off. And meekness sweetly subdues

the proud heart. These, young reader, are the "fruits of the Spirit,"—the graces that dwell in the Christian's heart; and O, who does not hunger, and thirst, and pant for them?

I have thus explained to you, my young friends, the three great things that must be done by every one who would become a pilgrim to Zion, and I have told you of those graces which take up their abode in the pilgrim's heart. I wish now to impress upon you the importance of early piety. If there is one thing more pleasing to the Lord than any thing else, it is to see his wandering children coming to him in their childhood, before they have begun to serve Satan, and choosing him as the Guide of their youth; for,

"A flower, when offered in the bud,

Is no vain sacrifice."

I have said that the sinner, in his wanderings from God, may be compared to a star which has shot from its orbit. Το

carry the figure out, we see that every day. the star keeps on in its own course, its return becomes more difficult and less probable; for, besides going further from its orbit, the sun's attraction becomes less each day. So is it with man; and this is another reason why we should early return to him whom we have forsaken. Every day we live in sin, we go farther from God, and give Satan the greater strength over us. Therefore, if we do not return in our youth, instead of shining as the stars for ever and ever, we may become "wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever."

The possibility that we may die young, is another reason why we should early become reconciled to God. Death is never idle. His arrows fly thick and fast around us, and daily admonish us to be prepared for that fate which we cannot avoid.

Another reason for early piety is, we may grieve the Spirit. No man can come unto God, except the Spirit be with him;

yet God has said, "My Spirit shall not always strive with man." Yes, if we persist in refusing to obey the whisperings of the Spirit, we shall be left to ourselves. But if we obey them in youth, when we first hear them, we shall be in no danger. O, how sad is the state of that man, who has been given over to perdition by the Spirit of God! "If I weep over that body from which the soul is departed, how should I weep for that soul from which God is departed!"

"Grieve not the Spirit of the Lord,
The holy one from heaven;
The Comforter, beloved, adored,
To man in mercy given."

My young reader, are you a Christian? If you are, then you have an inheritance which princes might covet. You are walking in a way of pleasantness and a path of peace. You have nothing to fear from God, for he is your best friend. You have nothing to fear from man, for God will protect you. When you rise in the

morning, you feel the grateful emotion of love to God for his kindness; and when you retire at night, you cheerfully commit yourself into his hand. O, happy condition! But, if you are not a Christian, how sad is your state! The most powerful friend you have is but an arm of flesh; and he who could annihilate you with his will is angry with you every day. You have chosen a path that leads directly from God and from heaven. O, wretched state! Why will you remain in it? Flee now, in your youth, for the ark of salvation, and there seek a friend in him who is able to succor you in the hour of temptation, defend you in the hour of adversity and danger, and give you the victory in the hour of death. Rest not, till you find yourself pursuing the "pleasant way,"the path that leads up to God.

"Come while the blossoms of thy years are brightest,
Thou youthful wanderer in a flowery maze;
Come while thy restless heart is bounding lightest,
And joy's pure sunbeams tremble in thy ways.