only the excellency of wisdom to give life to them that have it; and though there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, yet the end thereof is death. SUNDAY XLVİ. ON INDOLENCE. THERE are some failings to which human nature is subject, which are apt to obtain an ascendancy over the mind before it is aware of the temptation, and we may be led insensibly into guilt without any intention of committing it. Idleness is a defect of character, in every respect highly dangerous to young persons; and yet its advances are so imperceptible, and the power it acquires is exerted in a manner which appears to be of so little importance, that they encourage a disposition to it without reflection, and suffer its progress without remorse. Other vices of a more flagrant kind at once disgust the sensibility of their virtue, for and awaken the remonstrances of conscience; but this seducing indulgence steals upon them in a form that causes no suspicion of evil, and they are apt to favour this most ruinous propensity, thoughtless of the unhappiness it will infallibly occasion. But as nothing can be unimportant which res pects your morals, or may tend to vitiate your manners, you will find, my dear reader, that there is no part of your conduct which requires a more constant guard: an indolent disposition will affect your whole deportment; and if it does not undermine your religious principles, yet it will prevent them from every pious exertion. All the virtues will languish for want of due cultivation, and every generous affection will stagnate, like a fruitful soil too strongly bound by an impenetrable frost. Those hours that are squandered in idleness are lost to every beneficial purpose, since they are neither subservient to use, or productive of pleasure; for that can be at best but a negative enjoyment which arises from inactivity. God designed all his creatures for some wise and benevolent end; but those who waste their time in unprofitable indo lence, are as a blank in the creation, because they do not properly fill that station they are called to sustain. You will probably, my young friend, if you are in any degree addicted to a sluggish temper, urge your rank and fortune, as setting you above the necessities of labour and application: but you would do well to reflect, that the difference of condition between one man and another does not sub. sist in the estimation of that Being, who is equally the maker of them all. Your Heavenly Father views the whole world of his rational creatures, as distinguished from each other by nothing but the elevation of superior merit; and it is from the employment of every hour to some suitable purpose, that they must fulfil the destinations of his Providence; or, however they may be exalted by the splendour of earthly dignity, they will hereafter be numbered with the unprofitable servant who was beaten with many stripes. Do not be discouraged, or suppose that your duty to God will abridge you of the reasonable pleasures that belong to your age and station. The highest ideas you can form of benevolence and love, cannot equal the kindness of the Deity, who enjoins you nothing but what will promote your happiness. Allow yourself to reflect, and you will find that a constant succession of business, amusement, useful occupations,. and active duties, properly arranged, and subject to regular order, will give you opportunity to perform, without difficulty, every incumbent obligation. Whereas, a habit of loitering over every employment you undertake, will ever retard your improvement, give a vague unsettled turn to your thoughts, and prevent you from as, piring to any thing peculiarly excellent. Think me not too severe, if I affirm, that a man habitually idle was never a good man. He may, indeed, be free from some atroci. ous crimes, but he must live in the constant neglect of many essential duties. The talents with which Providence has entrusted him, he forbears to cultivate; or, if he is driven by necessity to some employment, yet he does not prosecute his labours with that assiduity necessary for their success. If you feel an inclination to be indolent, I am afraid, my dear reader, you have much VOL. II. to apprehend. I pity you the more, because you are fearless of the evils that await you. Permit me, with the tender anxiety of a friend, to point out to your observation, the strength and danger of those temptations to which you will be exposed, by the prevalence of this disposition. con I will suppose that your heart is warmed by a sense of religion; that you are actuated by a conviction of the duty you owe to God, and the obedience which is due to your parents; and that you feel an affectionate tenderness for all your domestic nexions; you would blush at the suspicion. of a crime, and still more you would scorn to commit one. You have a sacred and just sense of honour, and a generous sympathy for the sufferings of your fellow-creatures; and you will be surprised to hear, that such excellent dispositions towards a virtuous character, should be sullied by such a trifling failing as you suppose a habit of indolence. But you know not that the habitual error of the mind, whatever it may be, is its most dangerous enemy; and the less that enemy is suspected, the more are you liable to its seductions. If, by a sudden acci |