have in view, in establishing this service in this place, especially for your instruction; an opportunity is afforded of explaining to you, in as easy and simple a manner as possible, the great truths of religion, in order that you may practice what you know. And this is the reason why many of your teachers bear with patience the inattention and indifference which some of you show when they are endeavouring to impress on your minds the lessons of God's word, they again and again direct you to hear and learn, that you may observe and do that which the law of God requires. And they encourage themselves with the hope, that by and by you will be better; and they think that even though at present you may seem careless about these things, the time may come, when the truths you are taught, the religious instruction which is given you, may return with power to your minds, and then they hope it will be fully proved that their labour is not in vain in the LORD.

Observe to do GOD's commandments. O if you could but be persuaded by God's grace to attend to this, you would indeed find real happiness; GOD would love you; all good people would take pleasure in you; if your parents are pious, then would they feel in

creased affection for you; and if they are not pious, perhaps your example might teach them to think seriously about fearing GOD, and doing his commandments.

Hear and read your Bibles then-learn them attentively, like the little girl I have told you of; fear GOD as the little boy did, who dared not to pray irreverently; keep the way of righteousness, and shun every evil path; pray fervently for the Divine help and blessing-so will you amply repay the kindness of those who take care of your instruction-so will you become a comfort and a blessing to those around you-happy in your own minds, and blessed for evermore.

Which may GOD, of his infinite mercy, grant to each of you for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

SERMON III.

PSALM IV. 16, 17.

As for me, I will call upon GOD: and the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

MY CHILDREN,

ONE of the first religious duties which Christian mothers teach their children, is the duty of prayer. I remember well the early

lesson of my own childhood, and often have I seen with heartfelt pleasure little ones approach their mother's side, and with hands folded on her knees, repeat with hesitating tongue that most interesting prayer-"the prayer which Christ himself hath taught us."

Most of you, my children, perhaps all of you, have been thus taught to raise your infant voices to your Father who is in heaven, -you have been taught to repeat the prayer of your LORD, and I trust that some of you at

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least, have learnt to understand its meaninglearnt to reverence and adore that great and gracious Being whose children you are, whose bounty supports you, and whose providence has watched over your infant days, and blessed your early years with many privileges and many mercies.

This prayer, the LORD's prayer, I have already made the subject of two sermons to you, in which I endeavoured, as plainly and familiarly as I was able, to explain the several petitions of which it consists; but there is another part of your early devotions to which I would now call your attention. A little hymn, I mean, which many of you have learnt, and which, without any exception, is, I think, the most simply beautiful that ever was penned, or infant lips taught to utter;-you anticipate that I allude to that little Evening Hymn:

"And now another day is gone

I'll sing my Maker's praise:

My comforts every hour make known
His Providence and grace.

But how my childhood runs to waste!

My sins how great their sum!

LORD give me pardon for the past, Af

And strength for days to come.

I lay my body, down to sleep;
Let angels guard my head;

And through the hours of darkness keep
Their watch around my bed.

With cheerful heart I close mine eyes,

Since thou wilt not remove;

And in the morning let me rise
Rejoicing in thy love."

What an affecting beautiful hymn is this!How sweetly appropriate to the expression of infant piety, and how pleasing to God, if uttered with a feeling of reverential love,

"To Him who lends a gracious ear

To what a child can say."

This hymn, I say, many of you have been taught to repeat as part of your evening prayer, and many of you are still in the habit of repeating it. You will, therefore, I trust, be good and attentive while I endeavour to explain it to you in as few words as may be. We will begin with the first verse:

"And now another day is gone,

I'll sing my Maker's praise:

My comforts every hour make known
His Providence and grace."

What a solemn thought the very first line contains! A day is gone. A day of this short