can, the fashion of the upper ranks and the wealthy, abridge themselves of neceffaries of life for the fake of ornament and fhow. Thofe whofe circumftances are below mediocrity, or who have barely a competency, cannot, without injury to themselves and others, live in a ftile which may well become the opulent. The latter have, indeed, no warrant to be wasteful. A care that nothing be loft, is incumbent on both. A fingle family may live in affluence on a large eftate; but when that estate is divided among a number of heirs, shall these begin life with as plentiful a table as their frugal parents, after many years' induftry and good management, could furnish? With like application and forecast, they may, in time, attain to fimilar circumftances. Otherwise they may wafte their patrimony fafter than it was acquired. It is with families and focieties as with an individual. His eafe and credit depend upon his care to fulfil his engagements. So do theirs. If, through inevitable providence, his means are small, he must not go into various articles of expence, which larger means would admit-articles of luxury or mere ornament. Expenfive amusements efpecially must be avoided.

Seeft thou a man diligent in his business, guided by rules which steady experience pronounces to be wife, neither withholding more than is meet, nor lavishing the fruits of industry, he fhall, by the ordinary bleffing of providence, have a competency, if not an affluence. He will enjoy his portion the better, having acquired and preserved it by proper application and discretion. He will be content with fuch things as he hath, and ufeful in his fphere, willing to live honeftly, and inclined to relieve indigence and diftrefs according to his ability. When heads of families fhew a pattern of industry and discreet behaviour, affigning time and place to every concern, order is then confpicuous. Every member knows his place, and is treated according as he demeans himself. There is no lack through neg

lect, or waste through capricioufnefs. This good householder brings out of his treasure, things new and old.— Provision is made, fo far as human forefight can make it, against contingences, misfortune and the days of darkness. Such an householder is training up his family to be both comfortable and useful. Habits of induftry, discretion and fobriety, to which children and fervants are early inured, yield fruit, like the generous olive, that honours God and man. The example of this householder fheds its falutary influence, not merely on the fubordinate members of his family, but alfo on the neighbourhood, and on others who have opportunity to obferve it.

Among other examples, the scriptures make honourable mention of female diligence, prudence and charity. The induftrious and charitable Dorcas was refpected in life for good works and alms-deeds. The coats and garments the manufactured, and which clothed the poor, were fhewn after her death, by the widows who bewailed her. The fruit of her hands praised her in the gates. Lydia was employed in honeft traffic. Having, from this fource, fupplies for hofpitality, fhe was dif tinguished for largeness of heart; and her piety and alms are mentioned with honour. Among the qualifications of indigent widows, whom St. Paul commends to the charity of the church, we obferve these : "Well reported of for good works; if fhe have "brought up children, if the have lodged ftrangers, "if the have washed the faints' feet, if the have relieved "the afflicted, if the have diligently followed every good work." There is reference to an ancient ufage, and to the then dispersed and perfecuted state of the church. But the general meaning and application are plain. In oppofition to fuch virtuous and pious matrons are the " idle and wanton, tattlers and busy bodies," who "wander from houfe to houfe," inftead of " guiding" their own. Such are excluded from charity. Some of the temptations and mischiefs

of idleness the apoftle mentions in the above words. There is scarce a vice that can be named, to which it is not a temptation. They who mind not their own busi nefs, intermeddle with that of others. They lie open to falfehood, difhonefty, intemperance, uncleanness, envy, back-biting. They are a burden to themselves, a dead load on their connections, and the bane of society. In middle age, or the decline of life, they are filled with the follies and extravagancies of their youth -the floth, indifcretion or profufion of that period of life, in which they fhould have made provision for misfortune, infirmity, or age.

Apply the fubject to public characters and communities. In civil fociety, as in the natural body, "thofe "members, which feem to be more feeble, are neceffary. The eye cannot fay to the hand, I have no "need of thee; nor again the head to the feet, I have "no need of you." Studying to be quiet, and do his own business, every one is useful to the community.Be his station ever fo obfcure, or his talents ever so fmall, he cafts his mite into the public treasury. However inconfiderable his offering, compared with the much which others caft in; yet it helps to fill the treasury. Every man ferves his generation, when he walks as God hath diftributed to him, and called him. When the tax-gatherers asked Jefus, "What fhall we "do?" his anfwer was, " Exact no more than that "which is appointed you." When the foldiers afked the fame question, " Do violence to no man," said he, "neither accufe any falfely, and be content with your "wages. Let every man abide in the fame calling " in which he is called." Those who are in circumstances above dependence, fhould be examples of application, in various ways beneficial to themselves and to mankind. Their induftry and private economy, as well as the riches of their liberality, reflect honour on them, and are of much utility to the world.

Look to the ruler, who labours and watches for the welfare of his people, in imitation of HIM who never flumbereth. Look to the public character, who confiders that public frugality is as judicious and needful as private; as falutary to the community as the other is to a man's perfonal affairs. Such a ruler is a benefactor to his people. A striking contraft to this character is exhibited by moft in power. They layish the public treasure on vain magnificence, luxury, ambition and corruption. The poverty of the body of the people is humiliating and wretched beyond defcription. To be fond of the splendour and profusion, the great inequality, which have long been the curfe of the European nations, must be extreme folly in a young and republican government. A free republic, as that of the United States, instituted at a period of fuch light and improvement as the prefent, fhould have original manners: It should feek no other foreign connection than commerce; and this on terms of reciprocal advantage. Frugality, with a great degree of equality, fupport the refpectability of fuch a republic.

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Let us finally apply the fubject as Chriftians. In this character it ill becomes us to be captivated with the pride of life. This is to favour the things that be of men: The foe of God and man allures fouls by proffers of worldly grandeur. Simplicity and humility mark the difciples of HIM, who " came not to be miniftered unto, but to minifter"-who faid," Bleffed are the poor "in fpirit, bleffed are the meek." The Chriftian will not feek great things for himself, will not feek his own things, if he looks to Jefus. He will not be allured by the fashion of the world; forhe reflects that it paffeth away. He forgets his Mafter's caution, whenever he feeks the highest room. Shall any glare of exterior greatness occupy the mind of one, who profeffes to feek the honour of God and of a crucified Saviour? The real Chriftian paffeth through honour and difhonour as one who ac

counts it a small thing to be judged of man's judgment. He knows both how to be abafed, and how to be exalted, how to abound, and how to fuffer need. He reflects, that he brought nothing into this world, and can carry nothing out. Having food and raiment he is content. Contentment with godliness is great gain. It being the good pleasure of his heavenly Father to give him the kingdom, he is not of doubtful mind as to other things. He is not envious that others have a larger fhare of earthly things than himself. If raised above them in these things, he condefcends to men of low degree; his heart and treasure are in heaven. To obtain a treasure there fhould fwal. low up all other cares.

In ways of well doing we may caft all our cares upon God; and fhall always be fatisfied with his dif pofal of events. We know not beforehand, whether this or that undertaking shall profper. Anxious care is as oppofite to our peace as to piety. When we go out or come in, in whatever business we are employ. ed, whatever our rank or circumstances, our high calling fhould be uppermoft. In the regular pursuit of the duties of life, we go to the offices of religion with a mind more ferene and devout. In the regular attendance on the offices of religion, we shall be more diligent and faithful, cheerful and contented in dif charging the duties of life. The true Christian is the beft fervant of his generation; and the good fervant of his generation is the beft Chriftian. The Author of our faith came not to fubvert the diftinctions and order of fociety. His followers are "blameless and "harmlefs, the children of God without rebuke, and "fhine as lights in the world. They render to all "their dues; tribute, to whom tribute is due; cuf "tom, to whom cuftom; fear, to whom fear; honour, "to whom honour"

Soon, very foon, every intereft of time will be swallowed up in eternity. May this folemn thought be habitual and familiar. So fhall we give all diligence to make our calling and election fure.-AMEN.