the picture, which is now to be drawn, is of a dark and gloomy nature. It is not my design, however, to bring to view the awfully abominable, outbreaking crimes, and horribly ravaging moral desolations, which have suddenly swept away individuals, and overwhelmed nations. It will be sufficient to notice some of the sins of man, which are not so notoriously sad and ruinous in their immediate external consequences.

But what melancholy truths would be delineated, if we had only a faint picture presented of the impiety and ungodliness, with which the earth is filled! Not only heathen lands, but also those that are called Christian, attest that man has shamefully degraded himself by his extreme aversion to the worship of the only living and true God. Do our souls shudder at the thought of human crimes and woes, which have overwhelmed the world by reason of fallen man, seeking to injure and destroy his fellow men? Sad reflection indeed! But has not heaven been insulted? Has it no complaint against the sons of men? Hear, and let our souls be astonished. They are charged with the direful sins of robbing God, of changing the truth of God into a lie, and of worshipping and serving the creature more than the Creator. The crown, the glory, and the excellence of any intelligent being is truly depárted, when he refuses to render to his Maker that homage which is his due. This is the great degradation and abasement of the noble creature man, in his apostate, fallen state.

2dly. Would mankind show themselves men, they should be honest in their dealings with one another.

It is a common proverb, that honesty is the best policy. This may be a good reason for uprightness in secular transactions; but a still better can be given. It is morally fit and equitable to regard the welfare of others as our own.. Whatever reasons we can advance in behalf of our own pros

perity as it respects the comforts of this life, the same can be alleged in behalf of others. They have wants in general with our own selves; and have as delicate sensibility of pain and injury, when wronged or defrauded. Peace of conscience, individual happiness, and the publick good, demand all men, not only to look to their own welfare, but also to that of others. In all the common contracts and pursuits of mankind towards each other, would they consult mutual benefit, how many evils would be banished from the world. Peace, prosperity, and moral fitness call for uprightness between man and man in their daily intercourse. And since they are rational and accountable beings, they should ever be mindful of the golden rule, "As ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them; for this is the law and the prophets."

3dly. Temperance becometh rational and accountable beings

It is not my design in this place to bring to view the loathsome spectacle of persons in the most degrading state of intoxication; nor to draw a picture of wretchedness in consequence of fortune squandered, and families reduced to extreme poverty. It is sufficient to hint at the human woes, with which the earth is filled in ten thousand ways, in consequence of profuse, excessive intemperance. It may be observed, the Lord designs that man should eat, and drink, and enjoy the good of his labour. Still, to abuse the divine bounty by daily excessive eating or drinking, is not only a sin against God, but destructive to happiness and ruinous to the soul. Intemperance, though not carried to the greatest excess, is a barrier to the most refined feelings of literary and social life, and a shield to prevent divine truth from having its proper force on the mind. The truly temperate have superiour advantages of present comfort and usefulness.. Duty, present enjoyment, and prospects

of futurity, call upon man as a rational and accountable being, to live temperately.

The horse and mule, and other animals, which indulge themselves in sensual gratifications, are incapable of extending their views by moral and intellectual improvements. But it is beneath the dignity of man, who has an immortal spirit, to be lavish in the pleasures of sense; for thus he weakens the noble powers of his soul, and retards his progress in moral and rational attainments. Still, many of the human race place themselves on a level with the beasts, and some sink themselves beneath them. How have many by their intemperance and rashness rendered themselves unfit for the duties of religion, or mental improvement, and incapable of the common actions of life. They have greatly blunted the power of perception, weakened memory and reason, and deceived and seared their conscience. How affecting the sight to behold a man of strong mental powers reduced to a mere idiot by his excesses in animal indulgences!

4thly. They who would show themselves men, will be careful to avoid evil speaking.

As speech is one of the great means of communicating ideas from man to man, so various are the arguments, and powerful the motives, which might be offered to dissuade from defamation. It should be avoided; for it is a great perversion and abuse of the tongue. This little, but important member, was designed for social and interesting conversation, to promote the dearest interests of society, and to proclaim the praises of the Author of naBut how lamentable the perversion, when it is drawn forth to slander, instead of giving counsel to the ignorant and wandering, of encouraging the timid, of consoling the afflicted, and promoting the peace and happiness of individuals and the community! Shall it be said that words are a cheap gift? And shall not they be granted, when

ture.

they can promote human felicity in ten thousand ways? Ör shall evil speaking be indulged, and shoot forth instruments of cruelty, like fire-brands, arrows, and death?

Man should refrain from the practice, as it manifests a base spirit, and is the dialect of the region below. When any one is active in exaggerating the faults or failings of others, and of spreading them abroad, a low mind is characterized. A man of noble sentiments, would rather commend than defame his neighbour. His liberal soul would shrink at the thought of the painful and degrading task.

Persons addicted to evil speaking, are generally paid by retaliation. They who are censorious and bitter towards others, have the same measure meted out to them again, and frequently pressed down and running over. If the person injured should not retaliate, yet others see the failings, and will publish the faults of those who render their tongues instruments of injury to their fellow men. Then, from motives of policy, a prudent man would guard his tongue against slander, lest he be repaid in the same base coin.

Evil speakers destroy their own peace and comfort. They frequently reproach, in the heat of passion. But, in time of cool reflection, how are they frequently pained with keen self-mortification. When they behold the person whose interest they should have viewed with tenderness, but whose character they have sought to injure, how will shame and conscious guilt fill their breast, bite like a serpent, and sting like an adder. Thus inward peace is destroyed, which is of more value than rubies. They who are ready to seize every opportunity to speak evil of others, will find no time for their troubled souls to rest. They may discover so many faults or failings among mankind, that before they shall have thoroughly circu

lated one slanderous report, they will be hurried on with another.

Every man should ever be careful to guard his tongue, from the consideration that the pernicious effects of evil speaking on individuals and the community can never be remedied. They who publickly injure others by slander, put it beyond their power to prevent the injury from spreading, even if they should truly repent of their evil conduct. Like the main-spring of a watch, or like the principal wheel in some complicated machinery, which moves various other wheels, so one tongue frequently excites to motion ten thousand other tongues. And what is the ability of a slanderer, even though penitent, to prevent the evils which he has done from spreading wide, like a raging pestilence? How pleasing, how benignant, how extensive are the goodly effects of speech, when properly directed! But how sad, how melancholy, how pernicious its devastations, when perverted!

5thly. Would men conduct as becometh rational and accountable beings, they will not take the name of the Lord in vain.

Profanity is a sin highly provoking to God, and offensive to every serious or refined mind. No person, who continues in a course of profane swearing, has any ground to expect the forgiveness of his transgression. Hear the injunction; "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless, that taketh his name in vain."

It would be painful to hear the name of a worthy friend used on every trifling occasion, in a foolish and disgusting manner. But how guilty, how hardened must he be, who with the greatest levity will trifle with the sacred names of the supreme Being? Rather let horror seize the soul, and confusion cover the face of a human being, than that his lips should belch forth cursing and blasphemy.