NUMEROUS are the characters recorded in Scripture history, not as examples, but as warnings; not that we should tread in their steps, but that we should resist the temptations which lead to the commission of iniquity, and avoid the outrages of which vice is often productive. Such is the instance, which occasioned the utterance of the words of the text. Those words were accompanied by an action, which every consistent and practical disciple of Jesus Christ must deprecate. It might be instrumental in the deliverance of a people from the grievous tyranny of a despotic ruler; but that righteous end could not sanctify the treachery and violence which marked the deed of blood. I dwell not, however, on the historical recollections of the language. I use that language as a fitting form of address, to a variety of characters existing in all communities, trusting, that the message of God to each of them may aid the purpose for which all dispensations were given,-the instruction, purification and blessedness of every intelligent creature.

Among those who have been brought up amidst a christian community, and whose minds have been impressed with a knowledge of christian principles, how frequently do we find individuals acting at variance with their profession, bringing discredit on that truth which they ought to glorify, and causing to be lightly esteemed that system of purity whose commandments they are not careful to obey. If we survey the world in which we live, we shall discover numbers addicted to a vice, which, although it may be common, is not, therefore, the less criminal; a vice, which is the certain sign of a vulgar, uneducated and indevout mind. Though they who are addicted to it may not have advanced so far in wickedness, as frequently to take the name of God in vain, yet still they use a word, which ought never to pass the human lips, as the expression of anger towards a fellow creature. To any one who may have contracted this criminal habit, or who even so far forgets his condition as a frail and fallible being, and his character as a disciple of the Saviour of the world, as occasionally to use this or similar expressions, I would with the utmost seriousness exclaim, " I have a message from God unto thee. The man that is accustomed to opprobrious words, will never be reformed all the days of his life. Therefore, I beseech you, swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God, nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of the Most High."

Another class practise a vice, the exercise of which is pregnant with mischief; a vice, which delights to dwell upon and to magnify human follies; which seems pleased to observe, to recollect, and to recount the in

stances of human frailty; which scrutinizes the charac

ters of men, not to discover, to admire, and to imitate their excellencies, but to find out their stains, and to make those their apology for the gratification of a spirit, at war with all the charities of human life. Covered with an outward garb of fair and honest seeming, it may affect to entertain a high idea of every person on whom the conversation may chance to turn, but by a look, a pause, a half finished sentence, a half pronounced word, a movement of the head or of the eye,-the Janus glance of which, learning to lie with silence, would seem true, it conveys into the mind the poison of suspicion, with so much the more effect, as it appears anxious to do the contrary. This hateful disposition, which all, more or less, have so many temptations to indulge, I would most earnestly caution you against. To any one who may be in the smallest measure inclined to its practice, with affectionate warmth, I would say, "I have a message from God unto thee. Judge not that ye be not judged. A whisperer defileth his own soul, and is hated wheresoever he dwelleth. Despise, therefore, the whisperer and double tongued, for such have destroyed many that were at peace. A backbiting tongue hath disquieted many, and driven them from nation to nation. Whoso hearkeneth unto it shall never find rest,

and never dwell quietly. Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not so many as have fallen by the tongue. Well is he that is defended from it, and hath not passed through the venom thereof; the death thereof is an evil death, the grave were better than it."

This man goes beyond and defrauds his neighbor. He cares not by what means, or in what manner, he accumulates riches, so that wealth does surround him

with its splendor. To amass corruptible treasure, he will cringe at the foot of power, he will become the humble vassal of him who will aid in the attainment of his soul's idol. Alternately will he play the tyrant and the coward. The cries of the oppressed, the tears of the orphan, the loud wailings of human creatures weeping for their children, and refusing to be comforted because they are not, stay not his efforts. Mammon marks him as his victim.

But that man, perchance it may be his neighbor, prefers honesty to riches so obtained, the rewards of virtue to the gifts of fortune, the applause of his conscience and his God, to the approbation of the sinful, or the support of the depraved. The only fear that finds an entrance into his bosom, is the fear of his Maker. Should integrity cause him to become the inmate even of the lowly hovel, he will, nevertheless, follow steadfastly her bidding, turning neither to the right hand nor to the left. At all events, and under every circumstance, he will shun the meanness that creeps, the sordidness that grovels, the selfishness that alike miscalculates and degrades. To each of these individuals I would say, "I have a message from God unto thee." But how different will be that message! To the one I would say, "Provide things honest in the sight of all Walk honestly as in the day. Set not thy heart on goods unjustly gotten, for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity. Be not greedy to add money to money. He that loveth gold shall not be justified, and he that followeth corruption shall have enough thereof. Gold hath been the ruin of many, and their destruction was present. It is a stumbling-block unto

men.

them which sacrifice unto it, and every fool shall be taken therewith. Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish." To the other individual I would utter this language," A little which a righteous man hath, is better than the riches of many wicked. For the souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seem to die; their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction. But they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality; and having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded, for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. The righteous live for evermore; their reward is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the Most High; therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom and beautiful crown from the hand of their God, for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them."

Christian parent, what a weighty responsibility is yours. How important, how sacred the trust committed to your keeping. If you discharge with faithfulness your duties, what a blessing may you not be to individuals, and to families; what aid may you not give to the world's progress. If you neglect the calls and claims your offspring have on your time, your daily assiduous care, your fervent aspirations to the common Father of all his children, how may you degrade yourself, and brutalize your unhappy descendants, and mar the improvement of the community. Oh, I have a message from God unto the christian father. "Provoke not your children to wrath, but train them up in the nurture and