ber is comparatively small, and that the greater part rather forget God than defy him; that they deceive themselves by vain excuses, which upon second thoughts, they may be willing to lay aside. Indeed, the infidelity of some ought to be an argument with others to confess Christ crucified before men. Now is the time for us to show "Who is on the Lord's side;" nor can they be thought his friends, who are unwilling to avow it, by uniting in his public service.

It may be proper here to consider some of those objections which are frequently urged by way of excuse.

One says, "I can serve God just as well at home, by reading a good book, as if I went to church." It is to be feared, that many who make this objection, do not employ much of their time in reading, especially in reading religious books. That some parts of the Sabbath should be spent in reading and retirement, is certainly right and very commendable; but one duty is not to displace another. We have already seen that Christ has appointed publie worship; and if you are a Christian you must obey his laws. It is not for you to set up your private opinion against the authority of heaven: to despise the ministers and ordinances of God is to despise him; and no pretence of serving him as well another way will be admitted. If you carefully examine your own heart, you will probably find that it is sinful sloth, prejudice, and self-conceit, that keep you away.

Another objector cries-" I do not see that people who go to church so much, are any better than their neighbours." If they are not, it is their own fault; for they have better means of improvement, and ought to excel. "But who art thou that judgest another man's servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth." Perhaps he might be much worse, if he did not go to church; and probably you would be much better, if you did-for you will surely admit that there is room for amendment. But your neighbour's conduct is not the rule of your duty. Leave him to God while you obey the divine command.

Another absents himself, because he does not like the preacher: his voice, his manner, or his conduct offends. You would do well seriously to consider how far your dislike of the minister is well founded. Perhaps you never prayed for him in your life; how then could you expect to profit by his ministry? But if you have sufficient reason to dislike his doctrine because it is unscriptural, or his life

because it is immoral, you are at liberty to attend elsewhere. "Take heed what, and how you hear."--" Prove all things, and hold fast that which is good."

Mean apparel is the objection of thousands more. The poor are ashamed to appear among their well dressed neighbours. But remember," the Lord seeth not as man seeth; man looketh at the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh at the heart." If you "worship him in spirit and in truth," your service will not be less acceptable, because of your mean attire. The poor man may be clean, and then, no one will despise him whose opinion is worth minding. Wait then upon God. It is his blessing that maketh rich; he can prosper the work of your hands, enable you to procure the comforts of life, or raise up charitable friends to assist you; and nothing is more likely to procure them than your steady and serious attention to public worship. Good men will observe, pity, and help you.

Too many plead the incumbrance of young children as an excuse; and many poor women are not at church for years together. But scarcely any ought to be wholly hindered by a family. The father, or an elder child, where no servant is kept, should stay at home by turns; or neighbours might do this friendly office for one another occasionally; some contrivances of this kind will be made, if there is an inclination; for other purposes they are made.

But indeed-The want of inclination is the greatest hindrance of all, and the true objection of most. But what does this discover? It shows the want of the fear and love of God. It shows the power of a carnal mind," alienated from the life of God.". It proves a person to be in a state of nature, and a child of wrath. "O consider this, ye that forget God, lest he tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver!"

Take in good part these plain hints, these faithful cautions, dictated by a sincere desire to promote your present and eternal welfare. Duty to God, your own best interest, the influence of example, and the good of your country-all invite you to the house of God. Delay no longer, aud however long you may have neglected his service, and forsaken your own mercies, let the very next sabbath find you in a christian assembly. May God incline your heart to his service, which is perfect freedom! May his churches be crowded with sincere worshippers; may they echo with his

praises; may they resound with the glad tidings of salvation; and thus may thousands be made "joyful in his house forever!" And O, that every reader may sincerely add, Amen and Amen.

FAITH AND WORKS.

GOOD Dan and Jane were man and wife,
And liv'd a loving kind of life;

One point, however, they disputed,

And each by turns his mate confuted.

'Twas faith and works-this knotty question
They found not easy of digestion.

While Dan for faith alone contended,

Jane equally good works defended.

They are not Christians sure, but Turks,
Who build on faith and scoff at works,'
Quoth Jane-While eager Dan reply'd,

By none but heathen faith's deny'd.
I'll tell you wife,' at length, quoth Dan,
A story of a right good man.
A patriarch sage, of ancient days,
A man of faith, whom all must praise.
In his own country he possess'd
Whate'er can make a wise man blest;
His was the flock, the field, the spring,
In short, a little rural king.
Yet, pleas'd he quits his native land,
By faith in the divine command;
God bade him go, and he content,
Went forth, not knowing where he went.
He trusted in the promise made,
And undisputing straight obey'd.
The heavenly word he did not doubt,
But prov'd his faith by going out.'
Jane answer'd with some little pride,
'I've an example on my side;

And though my tale be somewhat longer,
I trust you'll find it vastly stronger.
I'll tell you, Daniel, of a man,
The holiest since the world began,
Who now God's favour is receiving,
For prompt obeying, not believing.
One only son this man possest,
In whom his righteous age was blest.
And more to mark the grace of heaven,
This son by miracle was given;
And from this child the word divine
Had promis'd an illustrious line.

When lo! at once a voice he hears,
Which sounds like thunder in his ears;
God says-Go, sacrifice thy son!
-This moment, Lord, it shall be done.
He goes, and instantly prepares
To slay this child of many prayers.
Now here you see the grand expedience,
Of works, of actual, sound obedience.
This was not faith, but act and deed.
The Lord commands the child shall bleed.
Thus Abraham acted,' Jenny cried;

• Thus Abraham trusted,' Dan replied.
Abraham? quoth Jane,' why that's my man ;'
No, Abraham's him I mean,' says Dan.
He stands a monument of faith ;—'
No, tis for works, the Scripture saith.'
6 Tis for his faith that I defend him.'
"Tis for obedience I commend him.'
Thus he thus she-both warmly feel,
And lose their temper in their zeal ;
Too quick each other's choice to blame,
They did not see each meant the same.
At length, good wife,' said honest Dan,
We're talking of the self-same man.

The works you praise, I own indeed,
Grow from that faith for which I plead;
And Abraham, whom for faith I quote,
For works deserves especial note:

'Tis not enough of faith to talk,

A man of God, with God must walk:

Our doctrines are at last the same,

They only differ in the name;

The faith I fight for is the root,
The works you value are the fruit.

How shall you know my creed's sincere,
Unless in works my faith appear?
How shall I know a tree's alive,

Unless I see it bear and thrive.

Your works not growing on my root,
Would prove they were not genuine fruit.
If faith produce no works, I see,
That faith is not a living tree.
Thus faith and works together grow,
No sep'rate life they e'er can know:
They're soul and body, hand and heart,
What God hath join'd, let no one part.'

PRINTED FOR THE NEW ENGLAND TRACT SOCIETY
BY FLAGG AND GOULD.

1819.

[4th edit. 6000

THE IMPORTANCE OF

SPEAKING TRUTH.

Dare to be true-nothing can need a lie ;
The fault that needs it most, grows two thereby.

HERBERT.

WHEN Pompey, the Roman general, was desired not to set sail in a tempest that would hazard his life, he replied, "It is necessary for me to set sail, but it is not necessary for me to live." Surely it becomes a Christian with equal magnanimity to say, "I must speak truth, and I can 'leave the event with the God of truth."

How amiable is the character of VERUS! By a long course of integrity, and an invariable adherence to truth, he has so established his reputation, that his word is relied on equally with his bond; and all who know him, take pleasure in dealing with him. When he sells, he never unjustly commends his own goods; and when he buys, he scorns to depreciate the value of another's. His promises are always made with caution, and fulfilled with punctuality; and if he is called by duty to make oath before a magistrate, he never equivocates nor prevaricates, but regards it as a most sacred obligation. As he abhors falsehood himself, he never countenances it in his servants, or his children; nor will he suffer the fashionable vice of denying that any of his family are at home, because it may be inconvenient to be seen. This consistency of conduct has gained him the entire confidence of all, who know him, and a peace and serenity within his own bosom, still more valuable.

On the other hand, MENDAX verifies the saying, "The bread of deceit is sweet to a man, but afterwards, his mouth shall be filled with gravel;" (Prov. xx. 17.) He is under perpetual anxiety of mind-his imagination is ever on the rack to invent new falsehoods, that he may conceal former ones-his memory not being competent to the recollection of all his deceptions, his folly is continually exposed to those with whom he stands connected-and his character is so completely ruined, that he cannot be believed even when he