erate desire for wealth, which when enjoyed is dispensed liberally, and appropriated wisely; for it is one of the means of usefulness derived from the bounty of heaven; and how often have the fragments of the rich man's table been of great service for the poor and needy. But unfortunately there is sometimes a neglect in the appropriation of riches, which as stewards of heavenly gifts, men should use faithfully, and improve the blessings that are showered down upon them. Hence we more frequently observe a generous and liberal spirit in those of less prosperous circumstances, whilst the wealthy can be compared to a Dutch mariner, who at a calm at sea frequently, it is said, "in those circumstances, ties up the rudder,— and goes to sleep." Prosperity in such case however, previously desired, is subsequently proved to be of no value, since being illapplied it cannot produce those good effects, which in general it is intended to yield; but owing to the avarice and selfishness of men, is unfortunately very rarely visible. Men in prosperity are found great in their own eyes, and seldom can bear it without pride and insolence; and the richer they become, the more covetous or luxurious they are. Those who are subjected to the stings of poverty frequently think what a fine thing it would be if all the property of the rich were equally divided amongst them; but what would be the consequences of such a measure? Robbery would ensue-the rich decline to part with their property, and the equal division of the whole wealth of the nation at the conclusion would be very small indeed. Where then the wisdom of indulging a desire for what is not our own? With respect to the Young entering life,and meeting with consecutive instances of adversity-the mind falling a victim to despair and sometimes death, such instances do, I allow, occur occasionally; but on the other hand, during the South Sea scheme more persons lost their senses by the sudden acquisition of great wealth, than by the loss of it. I have thus far spoken as regards the choice of the Young, (in fact all) and the tendency there ever is, in every pursuit, and under every circumstance, for obtaining one great means so as to enjoy prosperity, but the point which is to be most cognizant with us, is simply-Which is best?

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Here indeed there will be some degree of difference in opinion Ask the Young just entered into life; such will cry, Prosperity is the best."-Ask the middle aged, ask the Old, what is, and what was their chief desire, and what they laboured after diligently, and they will reply, they wished "to do well in the world for themselves and for their children;" but that they found too quickly the words of the wise man to be undeniable, "I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all." They will teach the Young that riches make unto themselves wings and fly away, and that however much prosperity is to be desired, yet withal it is attended by vanity and vexation of spirit. Archbishop Leighton declared he would " ther be the poorest believer than the greatest king on earth." That persons are more contented under prosperous circumstances may indeed be, but contentment may be easily possessed by walking in the meadows near some gliding stream, and contemplating the lilies that take no care, and those very many other various little living creatures that are not only created but fed, man knows not how,by the goodness of the God of nature; and therefore trust in Him. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. And although prosperity is calculated to excite our feelings, increase our joy, and allay our grief, yet there is somewhat of care which accompanies us at the same time. There is a care not only how to keep it, but how to increase it! and this may become, and does become in some, most excessive, and such may weary the mind, and render the spirits drooping, as much as excessive grief. "The health certainly is endangered by the influence of excessive grief, and it is difficult to define the nature of the connexion which subsists between the mind and the body; our knowledge respecting it is almost entirely limited to an acquaintance with the effects produced by the reciprocal action.

Although the existence of this sympathy may be denied by those who plead for the unrestrained indulgence of their sorrow, yet no

thing can be more certain. We see every day the one suffering with the other-the manifestations of mind enfeebled by disease,— and the animal economy materially disturbed by disorders of the mind. It is well known how instantaneously joy or grief will pall the appetite; that it is impossible to cure many derangements of the animal system whilst any cause of mental irritation exists; and that many maladies are immediately produced by the influence of depressing passions. The indulgence of excessive grief, then is by no means innocent; since although its immediate effects may be escaped, it may still lay the foundation of insidious disease, which though long protracted, may in the end terminate fatally!"

But that adversity produces contentment as well as prosperity is equally certain. In the school of sanctified afflictions we can best learn contentment; for "godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world worketh death." I say sanctified, for naturally like restive horses, we go the worst for beating, if our afflictions are not blessed by one above. This brings me to consider in what way adversity may be said to have the advantage over prosperity.

Prosperity is admitted as springing in this world partly from worldly means, and therefore belongs to, and can only endure on earth. A man's riches cannot follow him to the grave. "He that

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loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; he that loveth abundance with increase; this is also vanity." But religion itself teaches us that our present life is a state of probation for a future one, and that our future interest is now dependant, and depending too upon ourselves. And as the moral government of God which religion teaches us, implies, that we are in a state of trial with regard to a future world; so also his natural government over us implies, that we are in a state of trial in the like sense, with regard to the present world." Why we are placed in a probationary state of so much difficulty and hazard is unnecessary for us now to dwell upon, since it is evident that our present condition can in no wise be shown inconsistent with the perfect moral government of God.

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Now the beginning of life, considered as an education for ma

ture age in the present world, appears plainly at first sight, analo gous to this our trial for a future one; the former being in our temporal capacity, what the latter is in our religious capacity.→ Thus, the beginning of our days is adapted to be, and is, a state of education in the theory and practise of mature life. We are much assisted in it by example, instruction, and the care of others; but a great deal is left to ourselves to do. And according as persons behave themselves in the general education which all go through, and in the particular ones adapted to particular employments, their character is formed, and made to appear; they recommend themselves more or less; and are capable of, and placed in, different stations in the society of mankind.”

The entrance then into life, is to be considered as an important opportunity, which nature puts into our hands, and which, when lost, is not to be recovered. "And our being placed in a state of discipline throughout this life, for another world, is a providential disposition of things, exactly of the same kind as our being placed in a state of discipline during childhood for mature age. Our condition in both respects is uniform and of a piece, and comprehended under one and the same general law of nature." Nature does in no wise qualify us wholly, much less at once, for a mature state of life, as also, bodily strength and full understanding; consequently, our abode on earth is one of trial, in order to fit us for that eternal abode of happiness, "where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest." And how greatly we need moral improvement by discipline, requires not to be proved to any one who is at all acquainted with the wickedness of mankind, or even those imperfections which the best of us are conscious of. Habits of virtue acquired by discipline, are improvement in virtue; and improvement in virtue, must be advancement in happiness, if the government of the world be moral. And thus is shown our natural and original need of being improved by discipline, how it comes to pass, that creatures made upright, fall; and that those who preserve their uprightness, by so doing, raise themselves to a more secure state of virtue. What indeed are the very temptations by

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which we are surrounded-the great viciousness of the world-the infinite disorders consequent upon it, with our pain and sorrow,our prosperity and our adversity, but a proof of the wise declaration, we are made perfect through suffering," and that "through much tribulation" we shall enter the joys of heaven. For veracity, justice, and charity are three attributes of Jehovah, all conducive to our chief interest; each of them producing a just and natural motive or principal of action. And he who begins life from either of them, need not fear of obtaining that happiness, which is to be the reward of all who have resisted temptation, and so overcome the world. True it may be considered, that the Young, and even all, cannot become passive and submissive, and exercise resignation to the Divine will, when elated by prosperity; but that they can do so in the season of adversity is most certain. Prosperity itself,whilst any thing supposed desirable, is not ours, begets extravagant and unbounded thoughts. Imagination is altogether as much a source of discontent, as any thing in our external condition. It is indeed to be believed, that there can be no scope for patience,when sorrow shall be no more; but there may be need of a temper of mind, which shall have been formed by patience. But the proper discipline for resignation is Affliction. It is then we have the opportunity of submitting patiently to the wise dispensations of Providence, receiving what he appoints or thinks proper to permit towards us in this world, as evidences of his love, "for whom he chasteneth he loveth ;" and this temper of resignation is to be acquired gradually in our progress from one stage of life to another, from childhood to mature age-the capacity is given us, and in the beginning of life, we are placed in a condition fit for it. And there is another point evident, which implies, the present world more forcibly, as being a state of probation or adversity, viz.: that it is a theatre of action for the manifestation of persons' characters with respect to a future one, and that our conduct manifests our characters; and if we behave well, they can be improved. Hence the necessity of those who are entering into life to form sound principles, and to submit to what may befall them with christian resig