XVIL great test of true friendship, is constancy SERM, in the hour of danger, adherence in the season of distress.-When your friend is calumniated, then is the time, openly and boldly, to espouse his cause. When his situation is changed, or his fortunes are falling, then is the time of affording prompt and zealous aid. When sickness or infirmity occasion him to be neglected by others, that is the opportunity which every real friend will seize, of redoubling all the affectionate attentions which love suggests. These are the important duties, the sacred claims of friendship, which religion and virtue enforce on every worthy mind. To show yourselves warm after this manner, in the cause of your friend, commands esteem even from those who have personal interest in opposing him. This honourable zeal of friendship has, in every age, attracted the veneartion of mankind. It has consecrated to the latest posterity the names of those who have given up their fortunes, and have even exposed their lives, in behalf of the friends whom they loved; while ignominy and disgrace liave ever been the portion of them who deserted their VOL. IV. Ꮓ friends SERM, friends in the evil day. Thine own friend XVII. forsake not. Before concluding, it must not be forgotten that the injunction of the Wise Man in the text is accompanied with this remarkable expression; not only thine own friend, but also, thy father's friend, forsake not. These words bring back to our remembrance the days of former years; and suggest a sentiment, which cannot but touch every feeling heart. Thine own friend may be dear, thy father's friend ought to be sacred. As long as life remains in any human breast, the memory of those ancient ties should remain, which connected us once with our father and our father's house. Thy father has, perhaps, long ago, gone down to the dust. But you recal the innocent days of childhood and youth; when you think of those family transactions which once gladdened your hearts; your father's friend, in the midst of these, will rise to your remembrance. There was a time when you accosted him with respect, or looked up to him with fondness. XVII. fondness, and was made happy by his SERM. kindly notice. Does such a one now survive, and shall he not receive from you some portion of filial reverence and honour? To disregard and neglect him, is to spurn your father's memory; is to insult the ashes of him who now sleeps in the grave; is to transmit yourselves to those who shall succeed you, as unfeeling and base. Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not. I HAVE pointed out some of the chief duties which belong to virtuous friendship; and some of the principal means by which this sacred bond should be preserv ed unbroken; this holy flame should be kept alive in the human breast. The spirit, and sentiments which I have studied to inspire, are such as virtue breathes, and such as true piety should increase. is thus we fulfil that great law of love, which our Divine Master taught. It is thus we prepare ourselves for those happy regions where charity never faileth; where, in the presence of the God of Z2 love It SERM, love, eternal and invariable friendships, XVII. unite together all the blessed friendships, which, by no human infirmity disturbed, by death never separated, shall constitute, throughout endless ages, a great and distinguished portion of the celestial felicity. SERMON XVIII. On the CONDUCT to be held with RE- PROVERBS Xxvii. 1. Boust not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. FROM XVIII. ROM these words I purpose to dis- SERM. course of the proper conduct which we ought to hold, with regard to futurity, amidst the present uncertainties of life. Time and life are always going on, and to each of us are preparing changes in our state. What these may be, whether for the better or for the worse, we cannot tell; as it hath pleased the wisdom of Providence, Z3 |