multiplied to an extraordinary pitch? Who does not fee, that they operate every where, at this day, with a power more and more alarming, but chiefly in rich and populous cities, and most of all in the metropolis, which, like other capitals of great nations, when arrived at a certain. point of refinement, lofes in principles and morals, as it gains in extent and fplendor, and is becoming every day a wider theatre of luxury, profaneness, and profligacy?

Contemplate for a moment the enormous growth of public diverfions, the peculiarly dangerous tendency of some of them, the prodigious influx of wealth which not long fince took place for a courfe of years; the fpirit of diffipation, idlenefs, debauchery, extravagance, which thefe have engendered and propagated; with their infeparable attendants, a difregard for the ordinances and principles of religion, for the authority of laws, and

even for the restraints of decorum; a quick decay of patriot zeal, a rapid progress of venal dependance, and a want of vigour and diligence, or of capacity and skill, in applying the means of reformation, amongst our magiftrates, our clergy, and our teachers in different ways; or, to fum up the account at large, a general and hitherto unexampled relaxation of maxims and manners amongst all conditions of men. Such is the state of things in which you, my Young Friends, are destined to live. Who, that has the fmallest degree of feeling or reflection, can behold you placed on fo dreadful a precipice, and not tremble for your safety?

In this fituation what is to be done?" Indolence would anfwer, Nothing at all, or nothing effectual. Spleen would fuggeft, that the world is not worth the mending. Superstition would, with doleful accent, doom all but a handful to inevitable deftruction: and Bigotry would

affert, with a fierce air and peremptory tone, that it is impoffible for any to be faved without an implicit faith in one favourite fyftem, to the utter exclufion of all others. But your good qualities, my respected auditors, and a joyful affiance in the Almighty Former of the human heart, encourage us to hold a different

nguage, and to hope that notwithstanding whatever diverfity of opinions in points of inferior moment, notwithstanding a thousand powerful temptations which you are under of "following a "multitude to do evil," notwithstanding innumerable fpecious but wrong elections which you daily witness, you may yet be induced to "chufe the good part," and to pursue without delay the only path of security and glory.

Thus then we would exhort and intreat you. If the fentiments of probity and excellence, which Heaven has impreffed

on the tender mind, deferve to be re

fpected; if it becomes you to cherish your worthieft and fineft feelings; if the palm of honour, fairly won, can please the youthful breaft; if the praife of virtue can awaken your ambition; if honeft love. can gratify your wishes, or your bofoms can glow with the fervour of friendship; if the manly and magnanimous part should ftill be preferred to the mean and the effeminate; if humility be both decent and wife; if piety be the highest obligation of man, his greatest improvement, and his ftrongeft fecurity; if there be any beauty in fenfibility, any fweetness in candour, any noblenefs in liberality, any genuine attraction in unreproved delight,. or any hollownefs and deformity in criminal indulgence; if there be aught engaging in amiable conversation, in a courteous behaviour, in the spirit and accom-plishments of a gentleman; if knowledge be pleasant to the foul, and the love of li-berty be more than a name; to these confiderations, and whatever is most inspiring

in the faith of religion, or glorious in the hope of immortality, I would bespeak your candid attention. Upon fuch fubjects, and others connected with them, I mean to addrefs you in the best manner I am able, and from the best motives. May the Supreme of Beings blefs the attempt, and grant me the felicity of contributing to yours!