act under the influence of such principles, three things are indispensable.

1. A clear and well defined knowledge of the proper rule of life. The distinctions between right and wrong, in your mind, must not be vague and fluctuating; but clearly åscertained and thoroughly settled, Your views of duty must be derived, not from the maxims of a loose and pliant morality, but from the word of God and the dictates of an enlightened conscience. There must be a quick perception and a lively feeling of obligation,

-a moral sense that would "feel a stain, like a wound," and cause you to shrink at the very appearance of evil.

2. A deep and practical conviction of your responsibility to God. If, like Daniel, you would be firm and decided in duty, you must, like him, realize that you are the creatures of God's power, and the subjects of God's government; that you live and act every moment under the inspection of his omniscient eye, and that to him, you are to give account of the deeds done in the body. In this there is duration and vigor; and nothing short of this can arm you against the temptations of the world, and make you stedfast in the path of duty and heaven. And while you thus

keep your eye upon the will of God, and the "etributions of his judgment seat, there must be,

3. A deliberate and settled resolution, always to do "whatever you judge to be most to God's glory and your own good, profit, and pleasure, on the whole, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence." This was the resolution of a great and good man now in the world of light; and it is most worthy of an immor tal being. Whatever be your condition, or calling in life, keep in view the whole of your existence. Act not for the little span of time allotted you in this world, but act for eternity. Look beyond the narrow limits of earth to the scenes of that eternal world to which you are going, and ever aim to do what will pro mote your best interests, ten thousand ages hence, when all the riches and honors of earth shall have vanished away. Then shall you rise superior to every false, unworthy principle of action, and attain the true dignity and nappiness of intelligent beings. Then shall you be safe amidst all temptations, and happy amidst all trials; and on the great day of account, you shall hear, from the throne of

90

ESTABLISHED PRINCIPLES.

judgment, the sentence of approval and

peace.

Servant of God, well done! well hast thou fought,

The better fight

--for this was all thy care,

To stand approved in sight of God,
Though worlds judged thee perverse.

LECTURE IV.

FORMATION AND IMPORTANCE OF CHARACTER.

PROVERBS, xxii. 1.

A GOOD NAME IS RATHER TO BE CHOSEN THAN GREAT RICHES, AND LOVING FAVOR RATHER THAN SILVER AND GOLD.

It is not one of the least excellencies of the religion of the Bible, that, whilst it inculcates love to God as a duty of paramount importance, it exhorts us to think on those things that are lovely and of good report among men. From the most sublime exhibitions of the character of God and the scenes of the future world, it descends, with its system of instruction and example, of precept and motive, into all the relations of ordinary life-. pointing out and enforcing the particular duties of each, and urging us to regard and do, whatever tends to purify the heart, elevate the affections, or add dignity and worth to the character. Its grand aim is indeed to make man perfect,-taking from him every thing unlovely, as well as every thing sinful,

and adorning him with those graces and virtues, which, while they secure for him the esteem of the wise and good on earth, qualify him for the everlasting enjoyment and favor of God in heaven. Well might the great Montesquieu, speaking of Christianity, exclaim, with rapture," How admirable is that religion, which, while it seems only to have in view the felicity of another world, constitutes the happiness of this." Let me recommend that religion to you, my young friends, as the sweetest solace of life; as the noblest ornament and choicest treasure of the soul; as the last, best gift of God to a guilty world. Without this religion, you are poor, whatever else you may possess; and with it, rich, whatever else you may want.

You will pardon this digression, if it seem to you such. I was led into it, by a wish, that the first and greatest of blessings may be yours; and that while you covet a good name among men, you may covet more, that new name, which is better than of sons and daughters; even an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.

The subject suggested by the text is the formation and importance of a good character. In pursuing this subject, I shall