every evil arising from our weakness, by confiding in almighty strength. But early habits of devotion are almost necessary to give it all its influence and power through the different stages of human life.

We are fitted for happiness, and wisdom secures it. This is our being's end and aim. Cast down from the expectation which hope has led us to cherish, new efforts spring up in our minds. To this object we push forward during the whole of the struggle of life; and it is certain that the many fail to a far greater degree than their natural propensity would permit, or their unceasing efforts would allow, did they not mistake in their estimate what happiness is, and sadly err in the means by which they aim to secure what they most covet. All these mistakes wisdom corrects; all these deceitful and erroneous paths she points out and teaches you to shun. She directs you to find in what alone true happiness can consist. She teaches you the only means by which it can be made sure. The inefficacy of all external things she points out. The absolute necessity of the proper regulation of the mind and its affections she enforces; and amidst the various lot and condition of mankind, she plainly proves that the means of being happy are within the reach of all. And as in the circumstances of many lives-may I not say in the circumstances of every life?-many things occur to convince us that perfect happiness cannot be found on earth, she directs our attention to a state where it ever dwells.

She points the road to " Heaven, and bids us seek it there." She encourages the full assurance of faith, the willing obedience to the Gospel of Jesus, the determined effort to convert to good all we suffer, by finding the benefit which its discipline yields, and to prevent all injury from all we have to enjoy, by teaching temperance in its use, and gratitude for the good it supplies. In warding off danger, in preserving purity and integrity, in opening the eyes and the heart to the admission of truth, in leading us" to fountains of living waters," and proffering to us "the bread of life," she places us above the controul of the things of this chequered world, she fixes our happiness upon the rock of ages; and with her as our companion through this earthly pilgrimage, we must enjoy much happiness in this present state, and our happiness will be made sure to all eternity. Who can think for a moment that any thing of this world can do the same? that any circumstances possess such power? that there is any other help in which it is wise so to confide? All other things pass away, or we leave them. They are as powerless as they are transient. But wisdom is "eternal as her sire," and will never leave nor forsake those who have chosen her as the companion and friend and guide of their lives.

Will you not, then, make divine wisdom your choice? Will you not apply your minds to acquire the knowledge essential to guide your dangerous

course? Will you risk your present and future happiness, by trusting to the dark and stormy sea without a pilot, or a compass, or a rudder, a prey to the uncertain and hidden dangers on which, by the impulse of the irregular gusts of passion, you are sure to be wrecked? Shall the voice of ages speak to you, deaf to their solemn admonitions? Shall the experience of mankind give you no lesson to warn you from the fatal experiment of folly and of sin? But if you feel that wisdom is necessary, and will be your greatest security and your greatest blessing, O then seek her while you are young, while she is willing to be found, while her presence is most needed, while it will be most willingly granted! In order to insure this blessing, you must early think of God and your duty, reflect upon your actions, correct your faults, acquire knowledge, and begin the practical application of it which will teach you by experience how truly valuable it is. You must conquer habits of idleness, and not suffer the thoughtless repetition of evil to

harden your hearts. It lies before you, O ye young, blindly and fatally to choose a life spent in "following the devices and desires of your own hearts," ill-regulated, without discipline, and without restraint, a life on which you can never reflect with pleasure when it is past, in which you can find no true happiness while it continues; or, to choose the guidance of unerring, heavenly wisdom, which

will leave to you all innocent gratification, guard you from all evil, and conduct you safe to the happy mansions of immortality. To this course wisdom invites you. May you listen to her voice: "I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me."

DISCOURSE XII.

A HARDENED CONSCIENCE.

1 TIMOTHY iv. 2:

HAVING THEIR CONSCIENCES SEARED AS WITH A RED HOT IRON.

CONSCIENCE is a word which conveys to most people, who have not thought attentively upon such subjects, the idea of a distinct faculty of the soul. They think it is a power implanted in man to be his guide and monitor. They acknowledge that we have judgment, reason, imagination, the power of association, affections, and passions; but to these they add that something more, which they think we have distinct from them all, i. e. conscience. contemplating the faculties which God has given us, it is of great importance to endeavour to ascertain truly what they are. When with gratitude we think how wonderfully we are made, it is desirable that we should try to discover in what divine power and skill are displayed. And in obtaining knowledge of ourselves, which to us is of far more

In