for the religion of his forefathers, and jealous of those who did not strictly adhere to the ceremonies imposed upon its votaries. No one could dispute his moral conduct, since he was, "touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." How few attain to manhood with a character so reputable as that of Saul! Yet even he, had need of repentance; he was called upon to give an account of himself as a persecutor of Christ, in the person of his followers: "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest." Alas! how many such persons there are, who when they begin to act for themselves in life, at the same time begin to persecute some of the ministers of the gospel of Christ, and endeavour to compel one or other of their acquaintance to forsake the paths of religion, and to blaspheme that worthy name by which they are called! Not a few, in early life, become obnoxious to the woe denounced by the Saviour. "Woe to the world because of offences,

for it must needs be that offences come: but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh." If it be asked, against whom is the offence done which Christ resents? he himself furnishes the answer: "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." It is a lamentable truth, that there are in every age, and in many places, persons, but lately come of age, who hate the light of divine truth," neither come to the light, lest they should be reproved." Some, who have riches, instead of employing them to promote the piety of their fellowcreatures, become opposers of the ministers and professors of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The spirit of persecution exhibits itself in various ways. There is frequently a persecution of sentiment; there is a persecution carried on by the tongue, the eye, and the countenance,

which grieves some, and distresses others, and hinders not a few from entering into the kingdom of heaven. There is frequently a withdrawment of the confidence and assistance, which are necessary to give full effect to measures for the discouragement of evil, and for promoting the moral and spiritual good of a parish or neighbourhood.

Let those pause, who have lived from twenty to thirty years in the world, before they say, We have never hindered the gospel of Christ-we never persuaded any to put off religion-we never spoke against our spiritual pastor, because his words reproved us;--we never withheld our countenance from him in his efforts to promote religion, a greater attention to the duties of public worship, and the observance of the Lord's day. have done injury to the interests of religion, by slighting those who were truly religious, and by speaking evil of the people who professed serious piety. It

Many

is possible that some of you may have done much mischief by your example, in misusing the sabbath-day, and in neglecting the church, into the society of which you were baptized. And if you have not to lament over a mistaken zeal, which induced St. Paul, before his conversion, to hale men and women to prison, who were determined to profess the name of Jesus Christ, you must not, presently, conclude yourselves to be innocent in this particular. You ought rather to be thankful that the usages of society, and the temper of the times, have rendered your aversion to the servants of Christ less offensive and injurious to them, than it would otherwise have been. And though most of you may be able to say, that you have not, to an alarming extent, employed your tongues in speaking against religion and the disciples of Jesus Christ; yet you may be numbered by God, who sees your hearts, among those who neither "enter into the kingdom of hea

ven, nor do they suffer those to go in who are entering."

A serious responsibility lies upon you, who have passed through childhood and youth, and have not yet given your hearts to God, "in whom you live, and move, and have your being ;"-to the Lord Jesus Christ who has died for you and risen again and to the Holy Spirit, whose influences, and warnings, and drawings, you have resisted.

To you the words of Jesus Christ apply, (Rev. iii. 20,) "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Let those who are entering upon life, consider this. You do not openly revile religion, nor persecute its followers; but you slight its divine Founder, and give a preference to present things, though he has said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."