tues, and cherish the memory, of the deceased. Let their little failings be now forgotten. Let us dwell on what was amiable in their character, imitate their worth, and trace their steps. By this means the remembrance of those whom we loved shall become useful and improving to us, as well as sacred and dear; if we accustom ourselves to consider them as still speaking and exhorting us to all that is good; if, in situations where our virtue is tried, we call up their respected idea to view, and, as placed in their presence, think of the part which we could act before them without a blush.

ing emotion. Let the heart seek its relief, in the free effusion of just and natural sorrow. It is becoming in every one to shew, on such occasions, that he feels as a man ought to feel. At the same time, let moderation temper the grief of a good man and a Christian. He must not sorrow like those who have no hope. As high elation of spirits befits not the joys, so continued and overwhelming dejection suits not the grief, of this transitory world. Grief, when it goes beyond certain bounds, becomes unmanly; when it lasts beyond a certain time, becomes unseasonable. Let him not reject the alleviation which time brings to all the wounds of the Moreover, let the remembrance heart, but suffer excessive grief to of the friends whom we have lost, subside, by degrees, into a tender and strengthen our affection to those that affectionate remembrance. Let him remain. The narrower the circle beconsider, that it is in the power of Pro- comes of those we love, let us draw vidence to raise him up other comforts the closer together. Let the heart in the place of those he has lost. Or, that has been softened by sorrow, if his mind, at present, reject the mellow into gentleness and kindness; thoughts of such consolation, let it make liberal allowance for the weakturn for relief to the prospect of a fu- nesses of others; and divest itself of ture meeting in a happier world. This the little prejudices that may have is indeed the chief soother of afflic- formerly prepossessed it against them. tion; the most powerful balm of the The greater havoc that death has bleeding heart. It assists us to view made among our friends on earth, let death as no more than a temporary us cultivate connexion more with God, separation from friends. They whom and heaven, and virtue. Let those we have loved still live, though not noble views which man's immortal present to us. They are only removed character affords, fill and exalt our into a different mansion in the house minds. Passengers only through this of the common Father. The toils of sublunary region, let our thoughts their pilgrimage are finished: and often ascend to that divine country, they are gone to the land of rest and which we are taught to consider as peace. They are gone from this dark the native seat of the soul. There and troubled world, to join the great we form connexions that are never assembly of the just; and to dwell in broken. There we meet with friends the midst of everlasting light. In due who never die. Among celestial things time we hope to be associated with there is firm and lasting constancy, them in these blissful habitations. while all that is on earth changes and Until this season of reunion arrive, passes away. Such are some of the no principle of religion discourages fruits we should reap from the tender our holding correspondence of affec- feelings excited by the death of friends. tion with them by means of faith and But they are not only our friends who hope. die. Our enemies also must go to Meanwhile, let us respect the vir- their long home: let us, therefore,

of their nature and their state; and the pleasures of life will always be enjoyed to most advantage when they are tempered with serious thought. There is a time to mourn, as well as a

time to rejoice. There is a virtuous sorrow, which is better than laughter. There is a sadness of the countenance, by which the heart is made better.

SERMON XXXVI.

ON THE PROGRESS OF VICE.

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

1 Cor. xv. 33.

is the most common source of those vices and disorders which so much abound in great cities; and often proves, in a particular manner, fatal to the young; even to them whose beginnings were once auspicious and promising. It may therefore be a useful employment of attention, to trace the progress of this principle of corruption, to examine the means by which evil communications gradually undermine, and, at last, destroy good manners, or (which here is the proper signification of the original word), good morals. It is indeed disagreeable to contemplate human nature, in this downward course of its progress. But it is always profitable to know our own infirmities and dangers. The consideration of them will lead me to suggest some of the means proper to be used, for preventing the mischiefs arising from evil communications.

THOUGH human nature be now fallen | This, in a licentious state of society, from its original honour, several good principles still remain in the hearts of men. There are few, if any, on whose minds the reverence for a Supreme Being continues not, in some degree, impressed. In every breast, some benevolent affections are found, and conscience still retains a sense of the distinction between moral good and evil. These principles of virtue are always susceptible of improvement; and, in favourable situations, might have a happy influence on practice. But such is the frailty of our nature, and so numerous are the temptations to evil, that they are in perpetual hazard of being either totally effaced, or so far weakened as to produce no effect on conduct. They are good seeds originally sown in the heart; but which require culture, in order to make them rise to any maturity. If left without assistance, they are likely to be stifled by that profusion of noxious weeds which the soil sends forth around them.

Among the numerous causes which introduce corruption into the heart, and accelerate its growth, none is more unhappily powerful than that which is pointed out in the text, under the description of evil communications; that is, the contagion which is diffused by bad examples, and heightened by particular connexions with persons of loose principles, or dissolute morals.

Agreeably to what I observed of certain virtuous principles being inherent in human nature, there are few but who set out at first in the world with good dispositions. The warmth which belongs to youth naturally exerts itself in generous feelings, and sentiments of honour; in strong attachments to friends, and the other emotions of a kind and tender heart. Almost all the plans with which persons who have been liberally educated begin the world,

are connected with honourable views. | behaviour, that air of forwardness, At that period they repudiate what- that tone of dissipation, that easy ever is mean and base. It is pleasing negligence of those with whom they to them to think of commanding the converse, which appear fashionable esteem of those among whom they in high life. If affluence of fortune unlive, and of acquiring a name among happily concur to favour their inclimen. But, alas! how soon does this nations, amusements and diversions flattering prospect begin to be over- succeed in a perpetual round; night cast! Desires of pleasure usher in and day are confounded; gaming temptation, and forward the growth fills up their vacant intervals; they of disorderly passions. Ministers of live wholly in public places; they run vice are seldom wanting, to encou- into many degrees of excess, disagreerage and flatter the passions of the able even to themselves, merely from young. Inferiors study to creep into weak complaisance, and the fear of favour, by servile obsequiousness to being ridiculed by their loose assoall their desires and humours. Glad ciates. Among these associates, the to find any apology for the indulgences most hardened and determined alof which they are fond, the young too ways take the lead. The rest follow readily listen to the voice of those them with implicit submission; and who suggest to them that strict no- make proficiency in the school of initions of religion, order, and virtue, quity in exact proportion to the weakare old-fashioned and illiberal; that ness of their understandings, and the the restraints which they impose are strength of their passions. only fit to be prescribed to those who are in the first stage of pupilage; or to be preached to the vulgar, who ought to be kept within the closest bounds of regularity and subjection. But the goodness of their hearts, it is insinuated to them, and the liberality of their views, will fully justify their emancipating themselves, in some degree, from the rigid discipline of parents and teachers.

Soothing as such insinuations are to the youthful and inconsiderate, the first steps, however, in vice, are cautious and timid, and occasionally checked by remorse. As they begin to mingle more in the world, and emerge into the circles of gaiety and pleasure, finding these loose ideas countenanced by too general practice, they gradually become bolder in the liberties they take. If they had been bred to business, they begin to tire of industry, and look with contempt on the plodding race of citizens. If they be of superior rank, they think it becomes them to resemble their equals; to assume that freedom of

How many pass away, after this manner, some of the most valuable years of their life, tossed in a whirlpool of what cannot be called pleasure, so much as mere giddiness and folly? In the habits of perpetual connexion with idle or licentious company, all reflection is lost; while, circulated from one empty head and one thoughtless heart to another, folly shoots up into all its most ridiculous forms; prompts the extravagant unmeaning frolic into private, or sallies forth in public into mad riot; impelled sometimes by intoxication, sometimes by mere levity of spirits.

All the while, amidst this whole course of juvenile infatuation, I readily admit, that much good nature may still remain. Generosity and attachments may be found; nay, some awe of religion may still subsist, and some remains of those good impressions which were made upon the mind in early days. It might yet be very possible to reclaim such persons, and to form them for useful and respectable stations in the world, if vir