are aware, Goliah was a great champion, but killed by a stripling, and with a little stone from a sling. Ahab was a king, mighty in power, but one little arrow from the unknown archer's bow, killed him, and thus his kingdom was thrown into confusion.

7. The ship is large, but a little helm will wield it to the will. The tongue is a little member, but with it more men are killed and wounded, than ever fell in battle with the spear and sword; for hard words hurt worse than swords.

8. The second is a short space of time, but without it there are no centuries. The acorn is a small nut, but from it comes the sturdy oak. The fibre of wool is small, but numbers of them clothe the sheep, and without the single fibre, the coat could not be formed. Even so, every word, every thought, every action, and every feeling, are all the fibres which form the character, either good or evil.

SECTION XI.

Of Prayer.

1. A soul who is truly devoted to God, will not neglect the duty which all souls owe, to pray to Him. The promise of the Son of God, was, “Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

2. Then let us seek his mercy in humble prayer, in silent prayer, in secret prayer, often, and fervently.

The young are too apt wholly to neglect this duty; and even while kneeling for the purpose, when assembled in sacred worship, or at table, the heart is often indulging other feelings than that of fervent prayer. The mind is too frequently engaged on other subjects: this is wrong, this is mockery; base neglect towards that God who gave us being; treacherous, hypocritical, deceitful and irreverential: and those who thus slight God, can but reasonably expect to be neglected of Him; His blessing, His saving power and protection, they must fail to share.

3. "Prayer is the natural dictate of the human heart; though, like other duties, in days of prosperity, it may have been neglected and forgotten, by the ungrateful, yet, on all great and trying occasions, men are prompted by an irresistible impulse, to lift their eyes, and address their voice to Heaven."

4. "Who is there, for instance, that, feeling himself cruelly oppressed, by injustice and violence, without any prospect of procuring redress, can forbear appealing to a power that rules above, and invoking divine aid, to vindicate his innocence, and avenge his wrongs?

5. "Who that is standing by the death bed of a beloved friend, and sees him struggling in the last agonies of death, but finds himself impelled to look up to Heaven, and to pray from the heart, that where men can give no aid, God would, in his mercy, support the dying friend?"

6. "Was there ever a sinner so hardened, that when he finds himself leaving the world, and standing on the

brink of an unknown eternity, is not disposed, with earnest, and trembling voice, to pray that God would forgive his errors, and receive, in peace, his departing spirit ?"

7. "In such situations as these, man feels what he truly is, and speaks the native, unadulterated language of the heart. Accordingly, throughout all ages and nations, the obligation to pray, as a duty, has been recognized, and its necessity has been felt, in proportion as the light of God has been shed upon them. "

8. "Over all the world, even among the most savage tribes, temples have been built, worshipers have assembled in crowds, and the wildest superstition has, by the various forms of homage which it adopted, borne testimony to this truth; "That there is some God, to whom, as the hearer of prayer, all flesh should

come.

SECTION XII.

On Cultivation.

1. Behold yon forest, a wild wilderness, thickly set with shady trees. The soil is good, but of no use to man; the timber is good, but answers no purpose, until cut down and fitted for use. The whole is a desolate waste, the haunt of serpents and howling wild beasts; and the solitary murmur of the crooked stream adds to the gloom.

2. Thus it is with man in his natural unrefined state. He can bring forth no fruit to any higher order of things than the old desolate condition. The thick shades of ignorance shut out the light of reason, and prevent improvement. The lofty imaginations, and strong passions, claim all the strength and take the nourishment of the powers and faculties of the mind; and the deep rooted prejudices leave no room for the growth of more lovely plants.

3. Thus the whole expanse of the mind enjoys no direct rays of heavenly light, no sweet reviving breezes to cherish the breath of life. Nothing but wild plants of nature grow there. The beastly passions roam at large, and the fierce enemies of the soul lurk privily for prey.

4. But to return to the natural figure, we see the cultivator laying his axe to the root of the tree; he clears the ground of the old things and introduces the new. After a long and laborious exertion, he subdues the stubborn stumps and firm roots.

5. He makes noble gardens, and ornaments them with useful plants, beautiful flowers and sweet roses. He plants precious fruit trees, cultivates them, prunes and cherishes them. He builds houses and provides conveniences for comfort, and brings all things into order; and finally he reaps the rich bounty arising from the work of his hands; yea, he continually reaps the fruit of his labors.

6. So it is with man. The old order of nature must be done away, the aspiring and strong passions subdued,

root and branch, before the refined plants can spring forth, the blossoms of goodness smile, or the sweet roses of innocence yield their perfume; before the heavenly fruits of righteousness can yield the precious increase, the soul reap the fruits of its labors, or taste of heavenly joys.

7. Thus the cultivation of ourselves is of great importance; it is a work of life, and belongs to old and young. To subdue our own wills, and bridle our tongues; to carefully attend to our duty, and yield strict obedience to order and government; this is good cultivation. Those who are yet young, may reap double profit from this labor; it will be of everlasting benefit to them.

8. Youth is the flower of age. The rising generation, far from being disesteemed, are beloved and blest by all before; those who are faithful will by no means lose their credit because they are young. They are the only hope and dependence for coming years. They are the flowers of comeliness and the glory of strength. It is they who must come forward and be as pillars when the passing generation are gone.

9. Then what anxiety must they feel, who now bear the burden, who have long labored for the good of the whole. Must it not feel grievous to them, if those who are coming after are uncultivated, or unfaithful? Must they not fear the dreadful consequences?

10. But how delighted will they be to see encouraging prospects, to see the youth follow the footsteps of those before them; see them walk in goodness, truth