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devoutly read, and infants are taught to lisp their Creator's praise. There, from day to day, domestic peace, and love, and harmony, are cherished by the sublimest motives, and strengthened by the tenderest and the most powerful sanctions. Do you ask whence the spirit is derived, which animates such a family? or how is it, that they can continue stedfast, from year to year, in the sacred exercise of worshipping God, while others, around them, with as much zeal and constancy, worship the wORLD? It is because they have, by the divine mercy, attained to some degree of meetness for the heavenly inheritance, and have acquired a foretaste of its spiritual joy. On the hallowed day they repair, with gladness of heart, to their respective places of worship, and mingle with assemblies, which meet with much more delight for praise and prayer, than other assemblies, for worldly mirth. In many things, the Churches of Christ differ

from each other, but they all agree in " the "worship of God and the Lamb." Every sabbath is to them a type of the eternal sabbath and everlasting rest; a day of Jubilee, and of spiritual gratulation; as the world must see. And let not the world contemn or disturb their holy exercise. For we learn, from scripture, that it is from such families and assemblies, (who are "the "earth") worshipping in the

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midst of us, that the incense of prayer ascends IN BEHALF OF THE COUNTRY, and is accepted in heavenly places through the intercession of the Mediator.

IV. But there are others to whom this subject applies, with no less interest than to the heads of families; I mean public men, who possess the means of directing not families alone, but communities and nations; and who assume the right or privilege of informing and improving the public mind.

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Of what importance is it that the example which THESE hold up should be such as the youth of a Christian nation ought to be emulous to follow!

The chief danger of young persons of education at this day, seems to lie, in their proposing for their imitation, characters that are rather specious for their talents, than repectable for their virtues, or estimable for their piety. Now, if we believe the revelation of God, and would regulate our conduct by it, and by the principles of reason, we shall account no man to be a fit model for our imitation, who doth not seem to be fulfilling the great purpose, for which he was sent into the world; which is TO ACQUIRE A FITNESS FOR A HIGHER STATE

OF BEING. It is, indeed, common for some men, in superior stations, to say, "these subjects are too sacred for our contempla"tion: any thing that looks towards

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"heaven is to us enthusiasm.

We are men

"of talents and education; we are formed "for this world and for its politics: we "know nothing of another." Perhaps a man of this character writes a book, (professing himself to be a Christian) in which he holds up to derision and contempt the spiritual doctrine of Christ. Now, what answer is to be given to such? In many cases no answer can be given. No opportunity is afforded. It is merely an exhibition to be viewed, like that recorded in the 37th Psalm; " I have "seen the wicked flourish." Restrain your indignation for a moment, and the spectacle will pass away. You will soon see this despiser descend into the grave. You will soon see him carried away, in the sight of the world, like a public criminal, to appear before God.

Call to remembrance some of the GREAT NAMES who have finished their career before

you; and learn wisdom from their fatal experience. Possessing learning, eloquence, birth, fortune, and almost every requisite for the attainment of true greatness, they were the objects of the envy and admiration of men during their life; yet" they seemed to "fall short of the kingdom of God." Their avowed vices demonstrated the unchanged state of their souls. Their sensual habits had obtained dominion over them; and the spirit of pride and passion often shewed itself. They had, perhaps, never conceived the idea how the natural disposition, and evil tempers of the heart, could be softened and subdued by the spirit of the Gospel. Their neglect of the worship of God, their violation of his positive laws, and their want of reverence for his holy name, all shewed that, they had acquired upon earth no fitness or disposition to unite with the blessed society in heaven. And, when they died, the world which they worshipped, soon forgot them;

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