can abide where vanity is, no solemn reflection can enter the mind where it rests, no heavenly sensation or virtuous contemplation, can find room where it reigns.

9. But there is no foul or wicked deed that may not be committed under its influence, no vile sensation but that may flourish, and be put into action, where this cursed spirit rules. No evil, or baneful principle, but that may be cultivated, where this detestable spirit has a haunt.

10. How often do the upright and sincere hearted mourn and lament, even with tears of sorrow, that this soul-destroying spirit, this murderer of all virtue, should find so much room, and be indulged so much as it is, by those who are called by the gospel, and pretend to have a right among the sincere hearted.

11. Beloved youth, do you not believe, yea, and know this is the truth we speak? Do you not believe you will yet have to give an account of every idle word, yea, of every idle, carnal or vain thought or action that you knowingly or carelessly indulge? This, every one will surely have to do. And they will find, that the spirit of vanity is a secret and deadly enemy, and as a canker-worm, to eat out the very marrow of the gospel, and the life of the soul.

12. Then why not turn and crush, or, at least, shun this viper? Why put it off? It continually haunts and seeks to charm you, for no better end than to take your life. These remarks have no allusion to innocent cheerfulness. Any person of common understanding, can ea-sily discern between vanity, and harmless pleasantness.

17

SECTION VI.

Of the future consequences of present actions.

1. In the first place, we wish you to look around on those natural things which you can see and understand, and reflect, that every thing is made to answer some object or purpose; every thing that is done, is done with a view to answer some future purpose. From this you may learn a powerful evidence, that man's existence in this life, is for some wise and important design in a future state of existence.

2. You doubtless understand, that it is the universal nature of things in human life, that every action of a man, in the end, brings its reward to that man, either good or evil. It is a fact, in a general sense, that every action has a result, either soon or late; and when that result takes place, it produces the certain consequence, or reward of that action.

3. If a man sows seed in the earth, that seed will spring up, and bear fruit, whatever it be; if he sows not, he has no fruit; it matters not, whether the time for the fruit be either soon or late, still the result is equally certain and important.

4. You may say there are many cases, in which a man does not meet the result of his actions while he lives; that is true; but it does not alter the nature of

B

things; every thing has, or will have, a final result; and that is the principle on which we act, in all we do in things of time, and it ought to govern us, in every thought, word and deed, for those results of our actions, whether of body or mind, which we do not meet in time, we shall meet in eternity.

5. You may perhaps say you cannot believe that every one of your thoughts, words and actions, will have any effect on you hereafter, either in time or eternity, or that such trifling things will yield any fruit, or bring any reward, either good or evil. But be assured they certainly will; every one of them, will have an effect.

6. Let us illustrate this; Do you believe that a dust of earth falling on a house top can have any effect on the body, sills or foundation of that house? "Why nay," perhaps you will say. Do you believe that a drop of water falling into the sea, can have any effect on the whole sea? "By no means," perhaps you will say. Do you believe that a ton of earth falling on the house, or a large river falling into the ocean can affect them? Surely we do," you answer.

7. Now this ton of earth is composed of atoms, as small as dust; and all the rivers that flow into the sea, are made up of atoms, as small as a particle of mist. And now if you will tell us which of those atoms of the ton of earth, would have no effect on the house, or which of those atoms falling into the sea, have no effect thereon, we will tell you, which of your thoughts, words and actions, will have no effect on your characer, or on your honor, happiness, or future condition.

8. Consider the dew while it is falling, it is invisible; but in a few hours it becomes abundant, and the drops are large and heavy. Consider how every thing grows, it is by imperceptible additions; So it is with us in all our movements. "It is by little steps we move," yet every step is sure to have its effect.

9. It is a very great and dangerous error that those run into, who think that their little thoughts, words and actions are of no great consequence. How many there have been, who, for a time, were sincere, and determined to do well, but who, little by little, became entirely changed in their minds and actions; and how was this change effected? It was done by each particular thought, word and action, though, apparently considered at first of little consequence.

10. You will perhaps think, that doing a little wrong once in a while, cannot do much harm, it is all healed over, by the good one does. But nay, not so, the evil that one does will remain evil, and will certainly have its effect; nor can it possibly be removed, but by additional labor and suffering; and thus it may be put away, if one will cease to do evil.

11. When we plant a garden, and sow seeds therein, the seeds spring up, and become plants; with these, also, many evil weeds grow up; and in order to obtain the good fruit, we have to destroy the evil weeds, and if we let one grow, it takes away the goodness of the land. Just so it is with our minds; our desires are as seeds, good and evil, and when these are put into action, we may compare them to plants, good and evil,

and in order to obtain honor and happiness, we must destroy the evil, and cherish the good.

12. Now do you not know, that your travel through life, is like walking over a miry, boggy place, where one must watch every step, or most surely get into the mire. He who acts, or talks without thinking what he is about, or of the consequence thereof, is like one who dashes along, neither knowing nor caring, whether he muddies his feet, or not.

13. But how many youth are there, who seriously consider their thoughts, words or actions, in the time of them, whether they be good or evil? Do they generally reflect one time in ten, or one in fifty? When they are in company with their companions, do they think what they say and do? Are they seriously careful to say and do nothing from which others will gather hurt? Do they unite with others in what is wrong, or evil in any way? When we speak of good or evil, we do not mean some very apparent great good or evil, we mean whatever tends to good or evil, for whatever tends more to good than to evil, is good.

14. Remember you will certainly have to be accountable for the influence of your conduct on others, on their account, as really as on your own account. Did you really sense this seriously, you would be very careful what you say and do before others.

15. When you speak of others, are you careful to say nothing about them, that is disrespectful, or that would tend to their dishonor? Do you report any thing of