with whom we are connected, and that true politeness, which is an evidence of great virtue, which will lead us to anticipate the smallest and unspoken wishes of those around us, to regard their harmless prejudices and infirmities, to avoid every thing, which might appear like neglect or slight, and by every innocent means in our power to make them easy and happy. It is especially the duty of the heads of families to exhibit this example of courtesy and kindness in their intercourse with each other; and in their conduct towards their children and dependents. These relations are most sacred, and their example is persuasive and powerful. It cannot be necessary to a man's patriarchal dignity that he should become either brutal or tyrannical; and why should those kind attentions and assiduities, which marked our early intercourse, be remitted after this solemn union is sealed, and the happiness of the one is put completely in the power of the other.

4. It is next essential to domestic happiness that we should cultivate attachment to home and the pleasures which it may be made to yield. Most of us must give much of our time to business and the duties of our respective professions; but it deserves the consideration of many, whether their attention to business is not much greater than their needs, and is not prompted more by an unreasonable avarice than by a reasonable anxiety to provide for, those who are dependent on them. Many men seem never inclined to learn that enough is enough, and that beyond certain limits, which must be decided by the particular circumstances of every man's case, an accumulation of wealth is an evil not a good. We owe also much to society; and we are not at liberty to disengage or keep ourselves from many public ser

vices, though they may never be requited, nor to shut ourselves up in our own homes to the exclusion of all friendly intercourse with our neighbors and those beyond the circle of our immediate connexions. Doubtless every man's chief concern should be in his own family. He should principally seek their good, while he does not desire to see it advanced at the expense of the good or happiness of others. This is not necessary. But he can labor for the public good most certainly by applying his talents where they will be most effectual; and where is this but in his own family; and when a man does all he can for the improvement and education of his own household, for preserving good discipline and order there; and for making his own home the abode of peace and happiness, who can do more for the general improvement, for the security of public order and peace, for the promotion of the common happiness; and why does he not deserve to be ranked among the benefactors of the community? A man should cultivate a taste for the pleasures of home. It may not be difficult to acquire it, insipid as these pleasures appear to some men; and it is invaluable both as it respects his virtue and enjoyment. Every man owes to his family what time he can spare from the necessary avocations of business; from the services which he owes to the public; from the recreations which are essential to his health, and from those attentions which are requisite to keep up a friendly intercourse with society Beyond this his family have imperious claims upon him. Every member of a family, and especially every parent, should assiduously inquire what he can do for the improvement and comfort of that family. They should indulge in no pleasures, which they must enjoy alone, or from which their families are

necessarily excluded. They should avoid unnecessary engagements, which would carry them from home. The intercourse of the fashionable world is as heartless as it is splendid. It is in our domestic retreats we must look for true friends and true pleasures, and in the interchange of kind affections and services, in the multiplied avocations of domestic life, in studies and efforts to promote the welfare of those with whom we are connected, "in books and works and healthful play," we shall find resources of happiness which the most brilliant career of fashionable dissipation can never supply.

5. We add, in the last place, that the domestic connexion should be sanctified by piety and devotion. This is necessary to its perfect character, and that it may yield all the advantages of which it is capable. Piety animates us in all our duties; inspires a deeper feeling of our mutual obligations; calls into exercise the purest and kindest affections; and makes our union more dear by the hopes which it inspires of its restoration beyond the grave. Of all the bonds of connexion by which mankind are brought together, none are stronger than those of religion. To acknowledge the same faith, the same rules of duty, the same hopes, the same Savior and the same Father in heaven, must inspire mutual kindness and interest. This precious bond of union has been felt in all its strength by many who knew nothing of the religion of love, which Jesus taught. It is indeed no small matter of reproach to Christians, that while the ancient heathens had their sacred hearths and their household gods, and in the hut of the untutored savage, you will find an honorable place assigned and a constant service performed to the dumb idol, whom he worships, you may dwell in the houses of many good men, calling themselves Christians,

and enjoying the instructions of the gospel, and yet from week to week and month to month, observe no recognition of God, and discover no indications from which you could infer with certainty that they acknowledged any. I leave to your judgment, Christians, whether this neglect of family religion is to be excused; and whether the fear of the reproach of singularity, or diffidence in undertaking the service, which are much more the reasons for its disuse than any want of principle or seriousness or respect for religion, are sufficient to justify its utter omission.

To true domestic felicity the influence of religion is indispensable; and the union is never more happy, more interesting, more delightful than when it is consecrated and elevated by devotion and piety. Happy is that family circle where its authority prevails, its temper diffuses its mild influence, its principles form the only rules of conduct and duty, its consolations soothe the hours of affliction, and its heavenly hopes impart their splendid coloring to all their earthly enjoy

ments.

Such, my friends, are the blessings which the goodness of God has provided for us in our domestic relations. May it be your felicity to enjoy them in all their fulness; and when the ties of parental, filial, fraternal and conjugal affection are severed by death, through God's mercy may they be renewed and made perpetual, more close, more pure, more happy in a better world.

SERMON XVIII.

THE GREAT OBJECTS OF LIFE.

PSALMS xxxvii. 37.

2

MARK THE PERFECT MAN AND BEHOLD THE UPRIGHT; FOR THE END OF THAT MAN IS PEACE.

THE proper conduct of life is of immense moment. Separate from all considerations of religion, can any reflecting man suppose that he was created and sent into this world, where he can do so much, and where so much is to be done, without some important end? There is much about human life that is inexplicable; man's formation, his condition on earth, his destiny constitute a problem, the solution of which human sagacity can scarcely be said to have approached. But we have ample proofs that man has many duties to perform and that he is accountable for the discharge of them. His moral agency and his moral responsibility are therefore determined characteristics of his nature, which involve the gravest considerations. In his physical nature there is no difference between man and the animals below him. In his formation, sustenance, liability to injury