follow him, and to leave the world and sin behind, that they may enjoy much of his love. Thus the fruits of holiness would appear, and the vine be revived. Believers should desire to bring forth plenteously the fruits of righteousness. And those christians who have been careful observers, perceive that the little, despised foxes do much harm to the branches of the living vine. Plausible errours, trivial omissions, compliances, and indulgencies, may be more general hindrances to christian progression and usefulness, than the most distressing temptations. Satan or his emissaries, may do more harm as subtle, unsuspected deceivers, than as furious persecutors. Therefore a watch should be maintained against the very beginning and appearance of evil; and the little foxes should be destroyed, before they become capable of important and extensive mischief. Whether young believers, or the dearest privileges and rich blessings of the gospel, be intended by the term, tender grapes, the example of old professors should not only be free from severe censure and an astonishment to them, but it should be such as to emulate them to good works. And let young professors realize that many eyes are watching them for little sins; and even their imperfections, short-comings, deficiencies, and mis-steps, for want of experience, are considered in them by some,as mountains. The followers of Christ must not only be moral, or shun immorality, but they should manifest the spirit, and endeavour to exhibit the life of Christ, that they may be a light to the world. They should watch with all diligence, against whatever may injure the vine; and should cherish the tender grapes, that they come to maturity and perfection. For this end, the blessing of heaven must be implored with importunity, for those reviving and fruitful showers, which will water the vine, cause it to be green and fair, its branches to spread, and its leaves to be a pleasant shade for abundance of rich clusters of the choicest grapes.

IMPROVEMENT.

1st. If little sins, little failings, and little things do sometimes blight the fairest prospect of human happiness, and destroy the fondest hopes of man, and his dearest privileges, then we may see that great effects may result from small or minute causes: or that momentous consequences proceed from little or trivial beginnings. This truth may be illustrated in both a natural and moral point of view. In both the natural and moral world we frequently behold great and important events, connected and dependent on those, that are very minute. Hence we hear the exclamation, Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth. A spark of fire is a little thing; it is extinguished by a drop of water; or, if not enkindled by fuel, dies of itself. Yet we know, that a spark of fire often becomes the instrument of extensive utility or mischief. A spark of fire is communicated to a magazine of powder. In a moment, massy walls of wood and stone, the pride of war, and the labour of years, yield to the dreadful explosion, and scattered in ten thousand fragments, spread terrour and destruction around. A spark of fire is concealed in a closet, or on the roof of a building. Shortly a family start from their slumbers, and see their dwelling with all its contents in a blaze. The flames kindle upon the adjacent buildings; the neighbourhood is involved in the spreading ruin; and, perhaps, a city is laid in ashes. Sparks of fire from the flint or match occasion blood and carnage, and spread the field of battle with the dead. Vast is the extent of the kingdom of providence; and the connection of minute with great events, is a subject not merely of curiosity, but one with which our duty and happiness are deeply concerned. A very limited acquaintance with the connexion of causes and effects, must convince us, that, in the natural and moral government of God, great things do often depend on small. A moment is scarcely noticed, but centuries are made

up of moments. The mountain, that rears its stately head to the clouds, is composed of grains of sand. The river, that rolls its majestick tide to the ocean, consists of drops. On its waters, navies float; but followed to its source, it becomes a rivulet, and even a spring, bubbling from a rock of some mountain. Thus the greatest events, which the world has ever witnessed, have resulted from a combination of concurrent causes, each of which might seem unimportant in itself. The tongue is a little member; yet, on the one hand, it is the spring of social life, the great cement of society; and, on the other hand, it is a world of iniquity, and setteth on fire the course of nature. That little member speaks a word. What then? Alienation of friends, cold

ness, then jealousy and enmity ensue. And if they are persons of eminence, other tongues will cause some trivial misunderstanding to rise into consequences of incalculable importance. The same connexion, betwixt small things and great, runs through all the concerns of our world. The incorrectness of an instructer may cause many to have an incorrect and deficient education. The ignorance of an apothecary or physician may send sickness and death into a family, and spread it through a town. And how often has a pestilential disease from one man, spread its infection to thousands of others. Our first parents sinned; and how have sin and death polluted and swept off their descendants from the earth in consequence of their transgression. A spark of envy in the bosom of Joseph's brethren, grew into settled enmity, and lead them to aim at the destruction of his life. Here commenced a series of events, which became so vast and so extended, as to give complexion to the affairs of two nations through all subsequent periods. Who can read the history of Joseph, and not have his mind deeply impressed with a sense of the connexion of great events with minute causes. What important events resulted from the decree of

To

Pharaoh to destroy every Hebrew male child. avoid the execution of this decree, a Hebrew mother resolved to commit her babe to the mercy of providence, with no other protection from the elements and monsters of the Nile, than an ark of bulrushes. A stranger passed that way, the very moment the child wept. That stranger was a woman whose heart could feel for a poor, forsaken infant: a princess, the only person in Egypt, who might safely indulge this tenderness. She saved the child and adopted him as her son. How compassionate, how amiable, and noble her conduct. But little did that princess know what she was doing. Little did she think, that that weeping infant thus singularly rescued from death, was to be the minister of divine vengeance to her haughty father and his kingdom. Little did she imagine, that the Red Sea would divide at his presence, that he was to write five books of the sacred scriptures, containing the only authentick account of the creation; and be a deliverer, legislator, and guide to the church of God. It will appear as clear as noon-day, that great effects result from minute causes, if we take a view of the giant, Goliah, and the shepherd, David. How did the champion defy the armies of Israel, and strike terrour and dismay into the hearts of the men of war, and the chiet captains. At length the stripling shepherd, with faith in the Lord of hosts, using no weapons but a sling and a stone, laid prostrate before the two armies the mighty giant. Thus a common stone, useless and unnoticed perhaps for ages in the bottom of a brook, slew the champion, routed the army of the Philistines, and decided a mighty battle, on which the great interests of a nation were suspended. The beautiful and majestick temple of Jerusalem was built by the labour and wealth of a nation. Yet a single fire-brand, thrown by a common soldier of the Roman army, consumed this magnificent edifice, which had been the glory of the Jews, and the wonder of the world. How have a few licentious men

in Europe, corrupt in their political and religious principles, by their conduct and writings, diffused a spirit of anarchy and licentiousness amongst thousands. In several places the fire which they enkindled, has burst forth into a tremendous conflagration. Like Etna's boiling furnaces, it has poured forth rivers of flame to mar all that was fair, and to consume all that was flourishing. On the other hand, who can estimate the vast benefit, resulting to mankind from the lives and writings of men, eminently wise, active, and faithful. The happy consequences will descend to posterity, and to the end of the world. Of the thousands, which might be noticed, let only one be named, and one part of his labours. Doctor Thomas Scott, in his life, wrote an exposition of the holy scriptures. How have thousands of divines, and tens of thousands of the lovers of truth, already been profited by his writings. And probably millions, yet unborn, will rise up and call him blessed. He needs no monument erected over his grave and mouldering dust. His memory will be wide spread, and perpetuated by individuals and nations for ever, and his monument reach the heavens. Connected as we are with our fellow-men, our conduct though apparently small or indifferent, is of vast importance. Hence we should be ever ready and encouraged to assist every laudable undertaking. Well may youth pursue useful studies with alacrity, that they may become eminently useful members of society. That knowledge which they acquire may be diffused to thousands of others. Well may instructers of youth be encouraged and rejoice, when they look forward, and consider the extensive and happy consequences, which will be the result of their labours, and of the useful knowledge, which they shall have communicated. Well may ministers of the gospel be zealously engaged to bring forth from the sacred volume, things both new and old, and patiently wait the result of their unwearied exertions, till they shall be revealed, in the last great day. Amen.