be unemployed. If any man will not work neither let him eat.

These observations are universally applicable; man is here put for the whole human race. Very various are the occupations demanding the diligent attention of every individual, but none are exempt, nor are allowed to eat the bread of idleness. Property, which by some has been considered as furnishing an apology for indolence, should rather be an inducement to labor; and undoubtedly will, to all such as remember, that they are but stewards; that they are certainly responsible; and that shortly it may be said to each of them, "Give an account "of thy stewardship, for thou mayest no longer be "steward." The bestowment of intellectual talents lays on their possessors the absolute necessity of diligent improvement; whether ten, five, or but one is confided to us, it is with this solemn charge, "Occupy till I come." Opportunities of acquisition, are the price put into our hands by that Being, who dispenses to every one severally as he wills, and he is pronounced a fool who does not wisely improve them.* Elevated rank rather encreases than diminishes obligation to labor; and perhaps no class of persons work harder, if rightly discharging their duties, or entail by neglect greater guilt and

* Proverbs, xvii, 16.

more deplorable consequences on themselves and families, than those of the higher orders of society. But an indisposition to labor is no where more obviously criminal, than with those whose office is holy, and whose profession is to watch for souls, as those who must give an account. Alas! that any should be found whose conduct is the direct contrast to the character of the apostle, who studied "to give no offence in any thing, lest the ministry "should be blamed, and approved himself as the "minister of God in labors and in vigilance." *

2. Our text implies the early commencement of this season of toil.

From the first dawn of rational existence there is much to be done. The unoccupied child is always in danger,

"For Satan finds some mischief still
"For idle hands to do "

and it is generally admitted, that all juvenile attainments, are only the means of becoming useful and diligent in future life. Childhood is the season of apprenticeship for adult years; the time to lay up stores of knowledge, which are the materials with

* 2 Corinthians, vi. 3, 4.

which wisdom builds; the period for constituting serviceable habits, and preparing for those essential and appropriate duties which devolve on all in after life. Even the sports of children should be made subservient to this grand design; the recollection of this fact, "man goeth forth to his work," should be ever present to the memories of the natural or deputed guardians of youth; and perhaps were little else acquired by education, the habit of diligence and a disposition to labor, would be of incalculable benefit. Where this is not imparted, the boy grows up to curse society; nor are any constitutional depravities, either of temper or of talent, so much to be dreaded as early propensities to sloth. They are, unless corrected, the black mark of reprobation; the invariable prognostic of approaching ruin; the stamp of uselessness-such, like salt which has

* The distinction between knowledge and wisdom should be ever remembered: for,

"Knowledge and wisdom, far from being one,

"Have oft-times no connection. Knowledge dwells
"In heads replete with thoughts of other men;
"Wisdom in minds attentive to their own.
"Knowledge a rude unprofitable mass,

"The mere materials with which wisdom builds;
"Till smooth'd and squar'd and fitted to its place,
"Does but encumber what it seems to enrich.

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Knowledge is proud that he has learn'd so much; "Wisdom is humble that he knows no more."

lost its savor, are thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the foot of man.

Should any of you discover this disposition in your offspring, carry your distress to Him with whom nothing is impossible, present them to Him whose meat it was to do the will of his Father; encourage them to exertion; beg of the God of Abraham, that your son may live, not barely exist ; and it may in mercy occur, that the very lad who said when you enjoined labor, "I will not,” shall afterwards repent and work.*

3. The text, by repeating the terms, "labor" and "work," teaches us the nature of the occupation which devolves universally on man. This work is indeed labor.

Our toils have reference to the body and the soul, to time and eternity, to earth and to heaven or hell. There is much to do, and which must be done. The body must be supported and respected; the soul must be saved from present misery and future ruin; we must each work out our own salvation with fear and trembling; to each is the language addressed, "What meanest thou, O sleeper?

* Matthew, xxi. 28.

arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will "think upon you, and you perish not.”

How lamentable is the laziness of man in reference to this great salvation; diligent perhaps to admiration in other matters, but idle here; bustlers in concerns of little worth, idlers in the best; with more to do than others, they do less; with greater objects in view and within reach, they are less ambitious to possess them.

"They who have a heaven to obtain,
"How negligent they live!

"They for whom God the Son came down,

"And labor'd for their good,

"How careless to secure that crown,

"He purchas'd with his blood!"

Let us inspect, my brethren, our own conduct; let us enquire if such descriptions are applicable to us, and cry mightily that he would work in us to will and to do of his own good pleasure. Let us be up and doing, for it is high time to awake out of our sleep.

Are any in a temper to say to the Great Master, Lord what wilt thou have me to do? the answer to this question may be found under the

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