one of his slaves, on condition that his absent son should have a right to appropriate to himself, from the whole estate, any one article which he might please to select. The slave, after the death of his master, hastened to inform the son of the tenor of the will. The young man was enraged at so unjust and unnatural a settlement. In a state of great perplexity, he went to consult an instructor, eminent for piety and wisdom, who assured him, that, notwithstanding contrary appearances, the intentions of his late father towards him were most dutiful and kind; and this he made out by the following explanation :— "Listen, young man," said the friendly counsellor, "and thou wilt have reason to admire thy father's prudence. When he saw his end approaching, and that he must go the way in which all mortals must sooner or later go, he thought with himself, Behold, I must die; my son is too far off to take immediate possession of my estate, my slaves will no sooner be certain of my death, than they will plunder my property; and to avoid detection, will conceal my death from my beloved child, and thus deprive him even of the melancholy consolation of mourning for me. To prevent the first, he bequeathed his property to his slave, whose apparent interest it would be to take care of it. To insure the second, he made it a condition that thou shouldest be allowed to select something out of that property. The slave, thought he, in order to secure his apparent legal claim, would not fail to give thee speedy information, as indeed he has done.' 'Well,' exclaimed the young man, rather impatiently, what benefit is all this to me? Will this restore me the property of which I have so unjustly been deprived?' Ah!' replied the good man, I see that wisdom resides only with the aged! Knowest thou not, that whatever a slave possesses belongs to his lawful master? And has not thy father left thee the power of selecting out of his property any one thing thou mightest choose? What hinders thee, then, from choosing that very slave as thy portion; and by possessing him, thou wilt of course be entitled to the whole property. This, no doubt, was thy father's intention.' The young Israelite, admiring his father's wisdom, no less than his instructor's sagacity, took the hint; chose the slave as his portion, and took possession of his father's estates; after which, he gave the slave his freedom, together with a handsome present." Some of the regulations of servitude among the Hebrews were common to them with other nations of the East. Boring the ears, a practice alluded to by various profane authors, was especially so. That the same general mildness has ever pervaded the system among all Orientals, ancient and modern, is likewise well established; and also the fact, that frequent instances occurred of the elevation of slaves and captives to the highest rank and the most important offices. Of this we have examples in the history of Joseph and of Daniel. And Sheshan, we are informed, having no sons gave his daughter to Jarha, his Egyptian slave, to wife, whose descendants seem to have inherited the family honours, and were reckoned to be of the lineage of Israel. Similar occurrences take place in eastern countries at the present day; and many of the same usages still prevail. But, in point of humane treatment, was there not this important difference between the Israelites and every other people,-that, in the one case, slaves had the benefit of solemn public enactments in their favour, securing their rights, and permitting, or even providing for, their release from bondage, and their elevation in society; whereas, in the other, the indulgence they met with was purely the offspring of private benevolence, or the partiality of individuals? It is said that the Phoenicians, along with the other branches of their extensive commerce, carried on a traffic in slaves. And we know from what is recorded of the Midianites, who bought Joseph of his brethren, and conveyed him into Egypt, where they sold him to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard, that such a nefarious merchandise was early practised in those parts of the world. May not this inhuman pursuit have formed a leading feature of the enormous guilt which drew down upon the ancient Canaanites the signal vengeance of heaven? And may it not have been with special reference to it, as followed by them, that the Hebrew law prohibited every such act under the highest penalty? "He that stealeth a man and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death." Many striking allusions are made in the New Testament to the practice of slavery, as it existed among Jews and Gentiles, especially the latter. These, however, imply no approbation of the system. They are introduced merely in the way of illustration, in the same manner as the references to the Grecian games and other ancient customs. And in this sense the unrenewed natural man is said to be "sold under sin"-its degraded and submissive drudge; and he who has been emancipated from this yoke may well be called "the Lord's freeman." The believing partaker of the benefits of our Saviour's atonement is said to be "redeemed not with silver and gold." It is urged as the strongest motive to a life of devoted adherence to the service of God, that Christians are "not their own but bought with a price." And it has been thought by some that the Apostle Paul, who often styles himself a servant or bondman of Christ, in affirming that he bore in "his body the marks of the Lord Jesus," thereby meaning most probably the bodily injuries he had sustained in consequence of his testimony for the truth of the Gospel, had reference to the distinctive badges and armbrands worn by slaves in those days, or impressed upon their persons. Christianity did not directly attack the practice of slavery, as may be seen from the Epistle to Philemon, and other passages of the New Testament. But its spirit is most decidedly opposed to all such deeds of injustice; and the prevalence of its principles will assuredly extinguish so odious a system. The criminality of subjecting human beings to an oppressive bondage is obvious, even when judged of by the tenor of the moral law; but the heinous guilt of such a practice becomes still more apparent, when viewed in the light of the Gospel. The Christian Church has often contributed liberally to raise funds for the redemption of captives from slavery. And, among Christians themselves, though it would be unwarrantable to affirm that the relation between master and slave is wholly incompatible with a common saving interest in Christ, it must be in general very unfavourable, on both sides, to the growth of grace in the soul. Yet, to the infinite disgrace of Christian nations, slavery was long unscrupulously sanctioned by them, and that to an extent of cruelty which, in some respects, exceeded the worst atrocities in heathen countries of old. In ancient times slaves were employed chiefly for purposes of domestic convenience or display. And in general those only were reduced to that state who were taken captive in wars, begun and prosecuted upon other grounds. But in modern times the negro race has been bought and sold like beasts of burden, and transported as articles of commerce. The barbarous tribes of Africa have been incited by the artifice of mercenary traders to ravage each others' territories, and carry away the defenceless population. The victims of a merciless avarice have been subjected to unheard-of cruelties in crossing the Atlantic to the scenes of their toil and sufferings. It was no longer the warrior merely who profited from the services or the sale of his captives; the calculating votaries of mammon had reduced the slave trade to a system of stern and relentless oppression for the sake of its un hallowed gains. The hardships inflicted on the injured | born emotions-he feels as if a new world of feelnegroes were not the effects of casual wantonness or ing and action were thrown open to him-as if occasional caprice, but the steady result of a treatment a new existence were conferred on him. By and dictated by an insatiable and organized cupidity. So crying a sin, however, at length attracted the attention, by, the power and freshness of these emotions will and called forth the energies, of a noble band of Chris- be diminished, and he will learn, though it may tian philanthropists, led on by the immortal Wilber- not be without painful experience, that his happiforce. The subject was investigated, the generous ness and success in life depend not on the full grafeelings of the British nation were awakened, and the tification of them, but on their due restraint. He monstrous evil has been abated in many of its most revolting features; and the same enlightened and judi- argues thus,-ah! there is no reasoning so perverse as that which comes from a depraved heart, and indeed it is this that vitiates all our conclusions on the subject of religion,-he argues thus: "Were not these desires conferred on me for my cious exercise of Christian influence, it is to be hoped, will speedily put a period to the last vestige of its hateful existence. THE SECOND STAGE OF THE JOURNEY OF LIFE, OR THE enjoyment?" Yes: but he mistakes the nature BIBLE THE BEST GUIDE OF YOUTH. A DISCOURSE. THOSE whom we now propose to address are in the second stage of the journey of human life. The first stage may be considered as including not only those who belong to the era of childhood in its most literal meaning; but also those who belong to the really childish era of mere boyhood, when, if there be more of the energy and capability, there is not much more of the thoughtfulness, and much less of the manageableness of literal childhood. Boys are oft very children in sense, but men in obstinacy and passion. And this first stage we would call the domestic. We suppose, then, the traveller to eternity to have left this first stage, and to have arrived at the second. We propose to take him up at this stage of his journey, and to offer him a few directions. He has arrived at that new development of his constitution, when he feels the operation of more powerful and enlarged principles prompting him to take a new position of action and enjoyment, and pointing out some one of the world's many departments as the sphere. And we are fully of opinion, that this is the most critical period of his whole life, and that a very short time, a very few steps, will decide what is to be the future complexion of his character and destiny, for time and for eternity, at least in the case of multitudes. For while it depends on certain influences with which he shall be brought permanently in contact, whether one's character shall be improved or deteriorated, it oft depends on a few apparently trivial circumstances, whether he shall thus be thrown in the way of favourable or unfavourable influences. That we do not over-estimate the critical situation of the traveller to eternity, at this particular stage of his journey, will be evident, when you call to mind two considerations. Think, first, of the many new and powerful emotions that have sprung up in his breast, some of them quite unholy, and termed, by way of distinction, "youthful lusts," others lawful and good, if kept under restraint. He rejoices in these new of the enjoyment he requires as a moral being, and the means of attaining it. As yet he is ignorant of this, and is ready to yield rather than to seize the helm. Think, secondly, of the new and about to be subjected. How great is the contrast powerful external excitements to which he is now between the vigilant discipline, the affectionate counsels, the persuasive examples, the good order and economy of the domestic circle, and the world! The world! Oh, the very thought of it awakens a multitude of fears in a parent's heart: he remembers its perils, then looks on the object of his affection, and sighs. So long as he remains within the domestic circle, he is comparatively safe. But this cannot always be the case; and no sooner does he leave this sacred asylum, than a thousand evil influences rush upon him, like the winds let loose from the cave of Eolus; and is it to be wondered at, if so rude and sudden a shock is often too much for his better principles, which, though early and carefully instilled into his mind, have not had that trial and exercise necessary to give them strength and efficiency. When you think, then, of an increase of external temptations operating on an increase of internal depravity, you will admit that we have not over-estimated the critical position of the traveller to eternity at this precise stage of his journey. Now, the words of the Psalmist fall in naturally with this train of thought, suggesting the very inquiry our previous considerations had pre pared us for: "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word." The expression is remarkable. Mark it well, ye whom we now address: “ Cleanse his way." It is not the question we may conceive a young man to put at this stage of his journey. Either he is not aware there is any defilement in the ways of the world, and deems it not necessary to take any precaution against it, or he is already enamoured of that defilement, and determined to pursue them on account of it. The question we may conceive him to put will be, Wherewithal shall I make my way pleasant and prosperous? and this he is prepared to attain at any sacrifice of purity of principle and purity of conduct. But the question here proposed is just such as one who had a deep interest in his welfare, a parent or real friend, would urge on his attention. It argues a knowledge of the heart, ous. and experience in the ways of the world. It intimates that, though they appear to him, at his present stage, inviting, and safe, and pure, pollution, in one or other of its many forms, is stamped upon them all. The way to Zion is distinctively and emphatically called "The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it." The other way, as it is opposite in direction, is opposite in character. It intimates that it ought to be the first object of a young man, as it will be his great initial difficulty, to discover, and ever after to maintain, a clean path; it may be an humble path; it may be a thorny path, but oh! let it be a clean path; and that he ought to reject all invitations, however tempting, to draw him aside. And it intimates that, to cleanse his way, is the sure plan to make it both pleasant and prosperSuch is the inquiry, and what is the answer? There is much information conveyed even in the question. It is, as we say, leading question, designed to give occasion for a particular answer. It is an awakening question, designed to rouse a young man to a true view of the matter at issue, and prepare him for a full and faithful development of the truth. There seems to us much beauty and skill displayed here. The indirect, and yet not to be mistaken, hint conveyed in the form of a question, that his way needs to be cleansed, is calculated to shake his previous views of the nature of the way he should pursue, and to shake, therefore, his confidence in his own wisdom, or in the counsels of those who are but too apt to lead him astray, and whom he is but too apt to follow, and thus to make him more willing to listen with patience to the counsels of others, more kind and faithful. Now, mark the answer: By taking heed thereto according to thy word." Taking heed"-this denotes attention, fixed, earnest, unceasing attention, not more than is required when such an interest is at stake. Thereto," that is, to his way, to every step in it. According to thy word;" this is his chart, this his guide. He must then, you perceive, take heed at once to his own way, and God's Word. If there is a conformity between them, all is right; if not, all is wrong. This general direction, at least, is simple and intelligible. How may the mariner find his course through the trackless ocean? How may the traveller, eager to see what is most attractive, thread his way through the mazes of a mighty city, or the many routes of a whole province? Just in the spirit of the text. By taking heed thereto according to some intelligible plan laid before him. What a chart is to the mariner, what a guide-book is to the traveller, that the Bible is here. It will afford the traveller to eternity general principles which, deeply leavening his mind, and applied with ordinary sagacity, will direct him in all the details of life. It will afford him many minute illustrations of these principles, in particular statements and examples. It will afford him motives of the holiest, the loftiest, and most constraining influence. It will afford him a never-failing and 66 66 suitable source of comfort and encouragement in the promises of the aid of the Spirit here, and of glory hereafter. In every trying emergency it will assist him. When there is not a friend to counsel him, it will be the man of his counsel; when there is not a friend to comfort him, it will be the "joy of his heart;" when there is not a friend to stand by him, it will stand by him. It will direct him in the choice of his companions, always an important, often a most fatal step, and one of the first he is likely to take. It will direct him in his profession, whatever it may be, teaching him diligence, fidelity, integrity, regularity, economy, prudence in all his dealings. It will direct him in his intercourse with the world, inspiring him with humility, yet dignity,-kindness, yet firmness,-complacency and respect for the good, pity and disrelish for the bad; teaching him to use the world as not abusing, and not to be conformed to it, but transformed by the renewing of his mind. It will direct him in all his public and social duties, as a member of the Church, and of a civil community. It will direct him in the most important of all points, the salvation of his soul, and in those duties he owes to God; and it will guard him against those evil practices but too common, unfortunately, among those at the same stage of life with himself,-bad practices that not only ruin the soul for ever, but seldom fail to injure one's success even in this life,-Sabbath-breaking, intemperance, impurity, dishonesty, and the like. Precious volume! Would that I could recommend thine excellencies in a worthy strain! Would that all, and those I now particularly address, esteemed thee aright! sist me, Thou who didst inspire it, to feel and proclaim its value. Let me search and, if possible, exhaust the whole of nature for emblems to shadow forth a portion, for it will be but a portion, of thine excellence. Thou art the chart to guide us through life's stormy sea; thou art the loadstone pointing to the haven of rest; thou art the polar star smiling through the midnight of sorrow and ignorance; thou art the beacon warning us away from the shoals and rocks of sin and temptation; or, to change the style of allusion, thou art our guide through the pathless desert, the vast howling wilderness of this world; thou art our companion in solitude; thou art our light in darkness; thou art our food when hungry, our drink when thirsty; thou art the day-star to guide our feet into the way of peace; thou art the recorded wisdom and experience of the best men that ever lived, of whom the world was not worthy; thou art the voice of God! Such a volume must be an inestimable treasure to all, and to those whom we now address, in particular, entering, as they do, on a path beset with so many difficulties and dangers. And if we could persuade them to choose it as their guide, they would know, in their happy experience, that it had saved them from many a snare, and spared them many a bitter but unavailing pang of remorse and disappointment. "Bind, then," we As say to each, in the words of the wise man, "bind it continually upon thine heart,"-thine heart of hearts" and tie it about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: to keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman." "That women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works ?" Has she not, on the contrary, forgotten all the pure principles and rules of her Bible? has she not forsaken "the guide of her youth, and the covenant of her God?" Thus we find, by experience, that the principles of the Bible alone will, by the effectual We now appeal to all who know the world for operation of the " Spirit of holiness," which is the truth of all this. Have we not a melancholy ever confined to the exhibition of the "truth as illustration of it in the history of many at this it is in Jesus," cleanse the way of our youth of stage of life? Do we find that they who have both sexes, because it will cleanse their hearts. entered on the polluting paths of sin and shame, Yet it is distressing to think that many attempts have been "taking heed thereto, according to are making to depreciate, if not quite supplant, God's Word?" Had they been imbued with the the Bible, as the grand, the chief means of regespirit, and had they attended to the plain precepts nerating the world, and to introduce, in its stead, of the Bible, would they have fallen into this and maxims of merely worldly prudence, the knowthe other act of indiscretion, and gross iniquity, ledge of general science, a system of morality and shame? Has the young man who, in spite the sole basis and end of which is unholy. Now, of the remonstrances of parents, joined himself not to enter into detail on this subject, it is suffito wicked companions, and followed them to every cient to remark, that the fatal objection to one scene of folly, and extravagance, and pollution, and all of these systems, as means of moral imto the theatre and the tavern, to the day's wild provement, at least to any great extent, is, that adventure, and the midnight revel, and who went they want a divine sanction; the authority of on from bad to worse, till he became a drunkard, God is not their acknowledged basis, and the glory a blasphemer, a spendthrift, a seducer, a cheat, an of God is not their acknowledged aim; and, accomplished villain, and who finally, by the rapid therefore, they have no hold on the conscience, waste of his bodily frame, or by sudden accident, no moral influence. What cares a thoughtless, may terminate his guilty career on this side of impetuous youth, carried away before a whirlwind eternity, has he been taking heed to his way of passion and temptation, about your beautiful according to the Word of God? Is not his con- and harmonious systems of nature, your fine but duct at once heedless and godless? Has he been indefinite disquisitions about the utility of virtue, attending to such statements as these? "My son, your new theories of his mental constitution, and if sinners entice thee, consent thou not." Be your warnings not to violate the national laws not deceived: Neither fornicators, nor adulterers, under which he is placed? They have not the nor effeminate, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor weight of a feather with him. The means are drunkards, shall inherit the kingdom of God." not adequate to the end. You must present him Does he even so much as profess a regard for with a system of moral improvement more easily God's holy Word, and his other ordinances and comprehended, more powerfully enforced. You means of grace? Has he not, on the contrary, must bring God and eternity to bear upon his cast them all behind his back? and is not conscience. You must, in short, take the Bible to his Bible now unopened, prayer now neglected, him, with all its divine authority, and all its holy the sanctuary now deserted, the Sabbath now precepts, and all its awful threatenings, and all ite turned into a day of unusual idleness and de- glorious rewards, and all its sublime, yet attractive bauchery, and all manner of sin? Yes, yes; manifestations of Deity. Oh! if this will not with his Bible he has cast away all his religion, arrest him, nothing will; if this will not elevate and with his religion all his morality. And has him, he is irrecoverably fallen; if this will not the young woman, who forgot the modesty and purify him, his moral pollution is ineffaceable; if retiring habits of her sex; who, vain of her per- this will not save him, he is reprobate. But, by son, decked herself out with a care and ostenta- the divine blessing, it can do so, and it has done tion becoming neither her station in life, nor her so, in innumerable instances; for surely the Aucharacter as a woman, and, above all, as a Chris- thor of our nature must know best the most tian woman; who, wearied of the salutary re-suitable means for its improvement. straint of domestic life and domestic employment, her peculiar sphere, unnecessarily gadded abroad at all seasons and in all places, and thus laid herself open to, may we not rather say courted, the vile and deceitful arts of the seducer, and lost her chastity, and with it her honour,-all that she should have held dearest; has she been taking heed to her way according to God's Word? has she been attending to such statements as these, But while the Bible is so inestimable a treasure to those we now address, it unfortunately happens that at no stage of life are they less inclined to avail themselves of its guidance. They are selfconfident and opinionative, not having yet shaken their opinion of themselves, and little inclined to take counsel from any quarter. They are become impatient of any restraint. Their mental powers are beginning to unfold, and already they feel pride of intellect. They are intensely directing their minds to the literature of the world, which, from its novelty, and mere flattering views of human nature and human things, is now leading them captive. And they are introduced into more general intercourse with worldly men, and are compelled to listen to their sentiments, which, though most hostile to the truth, have often an apparent liberality and elevation, and independence, and superiority to narrowmindedness and meanness, quite fascinating. And thus the Bible, with its humbling and mysterious doctrines, its permanent claims, its spiritual ordinances, falls into disrepute with them. They are too high and mighty, too wise and strongminded to respect religion, or religious people. Bible reading, churchgoing, preaching, psalm-singing, communicating, praying, are associated in their minds with weakness, and vulgarity, and melancholy, and something worse. And therefore it is that the situation of such at this particular stage of life is, in the view of those who can estimate it aright, so highly critical. They eminently stand in need of guidance, and yet they are peculiarly disinclined to take it. And therefore it is that we have addressed them from these suitable words of the Psalmist, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word." We speak to young men. The subject is particularly suitable to your case. No expression could be more comprehensive of the peculiar difficulties and temptations to which you are exposed than this: "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word." You are more exposed to many of the pollutions of the world than the other sex. Your feelings are naturally more strong and ardent, and your situation in life brings you more into contact with temptations. Those of you but just entering on this second stage of the journey of life, have no notion how polluting a world this is: and some of you, farther advanced, may now know this too well. Oh! it is painful to witness the ways of many of our young men, and to see how they are, in every sense, unclean; how they are running every length in sin and shame; nor will any warning from Providence or from the pulpit arrest them. But how can the preacher's voice arrest them? They have placed themselves beyond the reach of it, at least too many of them. They have left off attending the house of God, and the meetings for examination and exhortation, and all means of grace; and now what is there to restrain them? Nothing. They have given up God, and God, in righteous retribution, has given up them. He is abandoning them to the evil desires of their hearts, and thus showing them their sin in their punishment. The prospects of the Church and of society, in reference to the generation now rising into manhood, are far from being agreeable. The evil is great, and growing. It demands all our wisdom and energy to endeavour to arrest it. To a very great extent, the genera The case tion of young men, especially in large towns, and large manufactories, is deteriorating. Intemperance, impurity, Sabbath profanation, sin of all kinds, is on the increase among them. would not be so hopeless, were it not that they are placing themselves beyond the reach of all good, and thus sealing voluntarily their own ruin. There is positively no check, chart, compass, helm, ballast, all is thrown overboard; every sail is set; passion is blowing a perfect hurricane, and multitudes are hurrying fast into the gulf of perdition. Already the shore is strewed with the wrecks of many a fine vessel, launched with every prospect of a prosperous voyage, and blessed with a parent's prayers, and cheered with the good wishes and expectations of multitudes besides. Who would have then been so cruel as predict so sad an end? Could we only bring the means of grace to bear upon them, we would have better hopes. Can nothing be done? Ye parents, can you not assist us to stem the growing evil? Ye masters, lend us also your aid. Ye might, and ye ought, to use every exertion to control those under your charge, and to bring them within the reach of the "preaching of the word." There is one point in which we feel it to be a pressing duty, to urge young men to cleanse their way-w -we mean intemperance. This is without doubt the crying evil in society at present. It is not only an abominable sin in itself, but the fruitful source of every other sin. It is seizing on all classes, from the highest to the lowest. It is leavening the whole lump. It is dissolving society It is spreading misery far and wide. It is sending more souls to hell than any other sin. It is impossible to predict the limit of its hurtful career. It would seem as if, all other means failing, society would at length be obliged, acting under the dictate of self-preservation, the first law of nature, to put it down by the strong arm of power. Parents are grieving at the fearful inroads it is making on the peace, and order, and virtue of their children. Masters are complaining of the unsteady habits and irregular behaviour of those in their employment. Our young men, now-a-days, seem to consider intoxication as no sin or disgrace, but a part of their conduct necessary to enable them to hold up their heads among their compa nions. Are there any such here? By their regard for their bodily health-by their regard for their success in the world-by their regard for their immortal souls-we would conjure them to abandon, at once and for ever, so polluting, so degrading a habit. Resist the base cravings of pampered appetite. Resist the solicitations of others to join their convivial party. from the sad havoc this sin is making on the moral and physical constitution of others. It is of all others least easily broken off. Therefore, beware of indulging it. Remember what an awful doom the Word of God has denounced against you: “Drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God." But we can enlarge on such points no further. Take warning |