accumulation of ideas, which result from the study of the Bible, will also qualify the hearer for understanding and applying allusions to texts and historical incidents, by which he would otherwise be only confounded and perplexed. Without this preparation, the peculiar phraseology of the sacred books is unintelligible, and liable to absurd and ludicrous misrepresentations: with it, most of those phrases, which critics have taken such pains to elucidate, are plain and familiar to the most illiterate reader.

4. If such be the importance of the regular use of the Bible to those, who reside in the bosom of religious families, or virtuous society, and have frequent opportunities of attending public worship, what shall we say of those, who are disabled by sickness or infirmity from appearing in the house of God? What, of those multitudes in populous towns, whose occupations debar them from that privilege? What, of prisoners, who stand so much in need of instruction, consolation and support? In short, of soldiers, in whose religious character the public is so deeply interested; and of mariners, who spend their lives in the most awful circumstances; and are subject to such vicissitudes, that, if ignorant of true religion, their minds are abandoned to the most absurd superstitions; who are frequently involved in such danger and distress, as can be alleviated only by piety; and again, occasionally spend

their time in such inactivity and supineness, as importunately call for some intellectual occupation, and above all, for the study and offices of religion? Of what unspeakable benefit, temporal and eternal, is the habitual, intelligent reading of Scripture to such classes of people as these!

I have dwelt the longer on the poor, because they compose the great bulk of the community; because they are deprived of other means of instruction; and because many of my observations relative to them are applicable to the other orders and descriptions of men. I shall, for the same reason, be brief in speaking of the remaining classes, the old and the young.

Although every period of life abounds with. warnings of mortality, and intimations of frailty, both bodily and mental, it is evident, that these considerations become more and more pressing, as we advance in years. As worldly prospects fade upon the sight, and temporal pleasures pall upon the sense, we, of necessity, look forward for brighter scenes and more durable enjoyments; and happy is the man, who is prepared to enjoy the prospect. This can hardly be the case with any, who have neglected the study of the Book of Life. When common acquaintances tire of our company, and friends and relatives desert us or die, the Bible will be, every day, more dear; and at last become our only companion. Miserable, indeed, must be the sinner, to whom it is

unwelcome. Blessed is he, who can find pleasure in its society, and comfort in its conversation; and who can rest with security on its promises. This, however, can happen only to him, who has held familiar converse with this best friend in better days. When, finally, this world shall begin to vanish from his eyes, and the awful scenes of eternity to open on his view, where else shall his fluttering, fearful soul seek for a resting place, or find repose!

This observation naturally leads our thoughts to the great advantage and solemn duty of enuring youth to the daily perusal of the Bible. If children be not brought up in the early habit of reading Scripture with reverence, they will afterwards learn to read it with levity; but if they be, the familiar and historical or narrative style, particularly of the New Testament, will ensure its being always read with pleasure and recollected with edification. When habitually perused in their infant years, the language and sentiments of the Sacred Writers are indelibly imprinted on the minds of the young: otherwise, they seldom become familiar with their Bibles or fond of them afterwards. Many instructive, persuasive and awful texts remain dormant in the mind for many years, without being thought of from our boyish days; “hidden in our heart, that we might not sin;'

* Psalms cxix. 11.

but these didactic, consolatory or alarming truths often flash upon the mind in the most critical incidents of life; and frequently deter from vice. When tempted to break a Commandment, the youth will hear a voice whispering in his ear: "Do not steal: do not kill: do not commit adultery." If he yield to the temptation, he will be astounded, in the very perpetration of his crime, by the same voice, crying to his affrighted soul; Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge:" "No fornicator, nor adulterer shall have any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ or God." When he hears the "terrors of the Lord" denounced against the sinner, the venerable figure of Nathan will start up before his astonished eyes; and pointing to him, say "Thou art the man." His deeds of darkness will oftimes be illuminated by a divine effulgence; and he will hear a voice from heaven saying; "Depart, thou cursed, into everlasting fire."

Considered merely as an instrument of instruction in the art of reading, select portions of the Bible are peculiarly well calculated for the purpose; for the style being alternately narrative and didactic, sublime and familiar, requires the frequent use of all the most common and necessary words; so that a young person, who can understand the language of the Bible, will readily comprehend any other book, that he may have occasion to study. This practice is an essential

object in the education of the poor. The improvement, which they may derive from other branches of learning, will be serviceable to themselves and the community, only in proportion to their, knowledge and belief of religion. Without this, it may become ruinous to both. If the populace were destitute of a sense of religion, it would be better, that they were deficient in every other branch of education. There would be more security in the natural propensities of uninstructed, nature, than in those artificial acquirements,, which, without a deep conviction of religious truth, may be readily converted into instruments, of tumult, licentiousness and fraud.

Before, therefore, children be dismissed from the superintendence of their parents and instructors, let them be thoroughly imbued with Scriptural knowledge. Let them commit to memory, and habitually repeat the most affecting discourses of our Lord, the most awful exhortations of the prophets and apostles, the most edifying. portions of the Proverbs and Psalms, and all the parables of Christ. Let their minds be so deeply tinged with the truths which they inculcate, that it shall not be in their power to efface them; that, while they continue in the paths of innocence, they may be their safeguard and consolation; and, if they go astray, may be a "thorn in their sides, prickles in their eyes" and a sting to their consciences, which will suffer them to enjoy

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