always attach a mixture of censure, surprise, and concern, as it regards me. The friends of religion will grieve, and those who are otherwise will rejoice, if you could be drawn into compli ances, and expressions of sentiment, at variance with your father's; always, therefore, keep in remembrance, whether you are in company with decidedly religious and consistent Christians, or with those who are only partially so, or with those who are not so (unhappily) at all,—that you have not only your own peace of conscience to maintain, but the estimation and honour of your parent also.*

Many temptations will occur, to induce you to yield and conform to habits and principles, the very reverse of those which you hear me supporting both in the pulpit and the parlour. Be not ashamed of firmly, though modestly, in such cases, resisting them. State what mine and your principles are, and heed not the momentary unpleasantness of appearing singular, when conscience and duty require it. You may easily say, 'My father does not approve of such and such things, neither can I.' No person whose estimation is worth having will think the worse of you, for such instances of mild but decisive firmness; and without it, I should be disgraced.

"All descriptions of public amusements, novels, popular amorous poems, plays, songs, vanities, and finery, and all the sad tribe of poisonous and dangerous pursuits, should be regulated by this principle; and O, that your own simplicity and love to Christ, may never give way to one sad influence of false sentiment, even amongst those whom, on other accounts, we may esteem and regard. The half-religious are often more dangerous than those who are less so; because we are more on our guard in the latter case than the former. The great number of instances in which I have seen the young people of religious families deeply injured in their spirits and habits, by much visiting with persons of different views and customs from those of their own household, has made me, I confess, from pure motives of conscience and prudence, very averse to much of that sort of visiting in my own children's case, which I know to have been productive of bad consequences in others. And the difficulty of drawing the line has always appeared very great with my

* Should any one think there is too prominent a regard expressed for his own reputation, in the advice and admonition he gives his children, let such an objector compare Mr. Richmond's feelings with those of the apostle, in adverting to the conduct of his spiritual children :- "Lest when I come again, my God will humble me amongst you; and that I should bewail many who have sinned already," Cor. xii. 21.

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numerous friends and acquaintance. Still I wish to make you happy in every reasonable way; and I am glad when I can give you the advantage of new scenes and company, when it is of the right kind. But as in my journeys extensive intercourse takes place, a great variety of characters will fall in your way; and I wish for all your sakes that you may be provided with sober, discreet, and religious cautions, that the natural ardour of youth may not lead you into unbecoming or sinful compliances. I know many families, and you know a few, where, perhaps, the the parents are religious, but their young people are very imperfectly, if at all so; in such cases you may, from equality of age, be thrown much more into the light, frivolous, and objectionable conversation of the younger, instead of the more useful communications of the elders of the family. Here often, there is danger; ever prefer and choose those, of whatever age, in whom you think you discover a holy, serious, benevolent, consistent way of acting and speaking.

"A young professor of religion has not, in most instances, so difficult a task to sustain, when in conversation with those of a decidedly religious deportment, as with worldly persons, and those who can scarcely be ranked as consistently serious, although often to be met with in religious parties. If, however, your conscience be correct, you will see more and more the duty of acting and speaking aright, and you must ever pray for grace to direct and govern you. Difficulties and dangers of this kind greatly multiply when those who, from relationship and family regard, stand very near to natural love and affection, are nevertheless, in great measure, strangers to the power of true religion, and therefore mingle with the world wholly, pursue its pleasures, and support its customs. I entreat you to be much on your guard in all such cases. Decays in religious feeling and conduct continually arise from this source, and endanger the temporal, spiritual, and eternal welfare of many a hopeful family.

"I am frequently placed in situations myself, where I find it very difficult to satisfy my conscience that I am doing right, amongst people and families where real religion has little or no part in their ways and conversation. In trying to be kind, attentive, and too compliant, perhaps, to their habits, I feel that I am in great danger of strengthening them in evil, and always of injuring my own consistency as a Christian.

"I will now add some remarks, placed under select heads, which may make them more conspicuous, and better remembered; and may God render them useful to you! Keep them constantly with you, and let them be always read over, at least once a week,

AMUSEMENTS.

Plays, balls, public concerts, cards, private dances, &c. &c. Serious, consistent Christians, must resist these things, because the dangerous spirit of the world and the flesh is in them all: they are the "pomps and vanities of this wicked world," so solemnly renounced at baptism. To be conformed to these seductive and more than frivolous scenes, is to be conformed to this world, or to be opposed to the character and precepts of Christ. They that see no harm in these things are spiritually blind; and they who will not hear admonition against them are spiritually deaf. Shun, my girls, the pleasures of sin, and seek those which are at God's right hand for evermore. You cannot love both.

Blessed be God, you have been kept far from those, who make such recreations their idols to wean their hearts from God. Never in any conversation speak lightly or triflingly of these subjects, as if you had not imbibed proper sentiments concerning them. Ever preserve the consistency of your parental house and principles.

BOOKS.

Characters are speedily discerned by their choice of books.-Novels in prose I need not now forbid; ignorant as you are of their bad tendency by experience, you, I am persuaded, trust me on that head, and will never sacrifice time, affection, or attention to them. But beware of novels in verse. Poets are more dangerous than prose writers, when their principles are bad. Were Lord B- no better poet than he is a man, he might have done little harm; but when a bad man is a good poet, and makes his good poetry the vehicle of his bad sentiments, he does mischief by wholesale. Do not be ashamed of having never read the fashionable poem of the day. A Christian has no time, and should have no inclination for any reading that has no real tendency to improve the heart. The finest rule I ever met with in regard to the choice of books, is this:-"Books are good or bad in their effects, as they make us relish the word of God, the more or the less, after we have read them." There are too many valuable books on a variety of subjects, which ought to be read, to allow of time to be dedicated to unworthy and useless ones.

MUSIC.

Shun all the wretched folly and corruption of light, silly, and amorous songs, on the same principle that you would shun

books of the same nature. Sacred music is the true refuge of the Christian musician. I wish your ears, your hearts, and your tongues were oftener tuned to such melodies. The playhouse, the opera, and the concert-room have deluged the world with the abuses of the heavenly art of music. Music was designed to lead the soul to heaven, but the corruption of man has greatly perverted the merciful intention. Do not you belong to such perverters, nor seem to take pleasure in those who do.

DRESS.

Shun finery and show.

Aim at great neatness and simplicity. Be not in haste to follow new fashions. Remember, that with regard to dress, Christians ought to be decidedly plainer, and less showy than the people of the world. I wish it to be said of the females of my house,—“ with what evident and becoming simplicity are the daughters of Simplex* attired." I refer you to my last letter on that subject.

BEHAVIOUR IN COMPANY.

Be cheerful, but not gigglers.

Be serious, but not dull.

Be communicative, but not forward.

Be kind, but not servile.

In every company, support your own, and your father's principles by cautious consistency.

Beware of silly thoughtless speeches : although you may forget them, others will not.

Remember God's eye is in every place, and his ear in every

company.

Beware of levity and familiarity with young men ; a modest reserve, without affectation, is the only safe path-grace is needful here; ask for it; you know where.

JOURNEYINGS.

Cultivate knowledge as you travel :—

History, antiquities,-in cities, towns, churches, castles, ruins, &c.

Natural history,-in plants, earths, stones, minerals, animals, &c.

Picturesque taste,-in landscape scenery and all its boundless combinations.

* Mr. Richmond's signature in "the Christian Guardian."

Cultivate good-humoured contentment, in all the little inconveniences incident to inns, roads, weather, &c.

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Cultivate a deep and grateful sense of the power, wisdom, and goodness of God, in creation and providence, as successively presented to your notice from place to place.

Keep diaries and memoranda of daily events, places, persons, objects, conversations, sermons, public meetings, beauties, wonders, and mercies, as you travel. Be minute and faithful.

Ask many questions of such as can afford useful information as to what you see.

Write your diary daily;-delays are very prejudicial. You owe a diary to yourself, to your friends left at home, and to your father, who gives you the pleasure and profit of the journey.

PRAYER.

Strive to preserve a praying mind through the day; not only at the usual and stated periods, but every where, and at all times, and in all companies. This is your best preservative against error, weakness, and sin.

Always think yourselves in the midst of temptations; and never more so, than when most pleased with outward objects and intercourse.

Pray and watch; for if the spirit be willing, yet the flesh is deplorably weak.

RELIGION.

Keep ever in mind that for your own sake and for my sake, you have a religious profession to sustain; and this both in serious and worldly company. Be firm and consistent in them both. Many eyes and ears are open to observe what my children say and do, and will be, wherever we go. Pray to be preserved from errors, follies, and offences, which bring an evil name upon the ways of God. You may sometimes hear ridicule, prejudice, and censure assail the friends of true religion-it ever was, and will be so: "but blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Be not ashamed of Christ here, and he will not be ashamed of you hereafter.

Court and encourage serious conversation with those who are truly serious and conversible; and do not go into valuable company without endeavouring to improve by the intercourse permitted to you. Nothing is more unbecoming, when one part of a company is engaged in profitable and interesting conversation,