BLOSSOMS OF VIRTUE.

So refined is the present age, that accomplishments are the chief study of youth; and indeed Education is so indispensably necessary for every class of society, (according to different stations in life,) that it is the duty of every parent or guardian of youth to pay the strictest attention to the tuition and morals of their offspring. In first forming their infant mind, chiefly depend their future respectability and welfare in life; but that which is the highest importance, is their immortal happiness; "Train up a child in the way it should go, and it will never depart. Alas! how frequently do we see the most accomplished and sensible young persons destitute of virtuous principles, which had they been early taught, would be the brightest ornament to society, and most exalted characters in life; but as this subject would be too painful to dwell on, I shall only recommend a few observations to such young

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females, who wish to be a pleasure to their parents, an honour to their friends, and an exemplary pattern to their sex. In the first place, piety is strictly essential to our happiness, for unless we implore the guidance of the Supreme Being, who giveth all things, we can never expect to accomplish success in our undertakings, of whatever nature they may be, or attain that summit of virtue which will make us honoured and esteemed in this world, and will surely meet with its glorious reward hereafter. My dear young friends, though I entreat you to remember your Creator in the days of your youth, do not think I would either exclude you from society or deprive you of studying the various branches of education requisite to your condition in life; but I wish you to manage your time, that every thing may be attended to in its due course, as there is time for every thing, if we make proper use of it without wasting any portion of the day in idle pursuits. Early rising is not only essential to our health, but will greatly contribute in giving facility to your improvement; how beautifully does the pious and amiable James Hervey describe the advantage and pleasure derived from early rising, in his Reflections in the Flower Garden; to a

contemplative mind the utility is I think beyond description. Can any thing exceed the joy the soul feels in admiring the creation, the wonderful works of Providence? This thought again teaches a lesson of piety: let me fancy myself walking early in a fine summer morning, in a delightful country, surrounded with the most enchanting scenery nature can display; here I see woods, and dales, and lawns, and antique towers; there I behold the verdant fields, fruitful with ripening corn, ordained to make glad the heart of man, green pastures, and flowery shrubs on every side ; hark! how sweetly the birds warble on the trees, paying their grateful tribute of praise to their divine Maker; methinks I hear the little innocents thus addressing me: "Hast thou, O man, also offered thy unworthy praise and thanksgiving to that Author of thy being who protected thee from all danger during the silent hours of darkness, and who granted thee that refreshing sleep that enables thee thus early to enjoy his bounteous goodness; or hast thou neglected to thank thy Creator for the unspeakable mercies he so liberally bestows on thee? Suppose you receive a great and unexpected act of kindness or benevolence from a friend or benefactor, do not you

naturally express your warmest thanks to him? O, how much more are you indebted to your heavenly Father, whose gifts are numberless, and his unmerited kindness beyond the power of description? If then, even the feathered tribe can be thus grateful, shall man, the well-beloved of Heaven, created after God's own image, and possessing reasonable faculties, the only insensible prove? no, my young friends,-let me earnestly impress it on your minds, by no means to neglect your morning and evening sacrifice of prayer and praise to the omnipotent Being who will surely hear our prayers, if humbly addressed; but, as I intend to speak more fully on this subject at a future time, I shall only at present observe, that we cannot expect a blessing will attend our best endeavours, whether moral or religious, unless we implore it. Again, behold that innocent flock of lambs feeding under yon trees; observe their meekness and gentleness (imperfect representatives of our Divine Saviour, emphatically styled the Lamb of God); see how carelessly they play and eat, unconscious how shortly they are intended to forfeit their lives for the benefit of mankind. Thus may a sensible and discerning mind gather useful lessons of instruction from every surrou nd