ist he can say, "Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and amen." Psalm lxii. 19. It is here, then, that we can account for what is improperly called the unnecessary activity of some Christians. To the world, indeed they appear as enthusiastics. They are considered as troublesome, intruding, and desirous of exalting themselves. They are often represented as characters, who, by an improper forwardness, dismember society, produce discord in families, and injure individuals. But these charges are groundless. The fact is, having tasted that the Lord is gracious themselves, they ardently long that others may know him too. They are grieved at the wickedness which abounds. They well know what enemies men are to themselves, and that the religion of Jesus only can produce true happiness. It is any wonder, therefore, if, stimulated by a sense of duty, and prompted by the feelings of compassion, they sometimes warn the sinner of his danger, endeavor to convince him of his folly, anl point out to him the way of salvation? If a man who had long labored under a dreadful malady at last found relief in some able physician, would he be ashamed to speak of him?-rather would he not with the warmest emotions recommend him to others in the same situation? Or, if he had lost his way, and was kindly directed by one who was well acquainted with it, would he not recommend him as a sure guide? Or if any of us had received multiplied and unmerited favors from some kind and

beneficent friend, should we not speak highly of his character, and recommend him as the refuge of the needy, and the support of the distressed? Nor let it ever be wondered at, therefore, if Christians should so strongly recommend Him to whom they are entirely indebted for all the blessings they enjoy, and all the comforts they have ever received. Let not such zeal be accounted madness, such benevolence ostentation, nor such gratitude weakness; but rather the genuine evidences of a mind perceptive of duty, and a heart powerfully impressed with a sense of divine goodness.

But experience actually qualifies for usefulness. Who are our best philosophers, our best artists, our best legislators, our best divines, but those who have had the greatest experience? It is this which qualifies men for the discharge of the most important offices. To these are committed affairs of the greatest magnitude, and this with the greatest propriety. For how soon would that vessel be exposed to the most imminent danger which has an inexperienced pilot at the helm! How soon would that army be put into confusion who only had an inexperienced general at its head! How soon would that country be involved in ruin who possessed no other than an inexperienced statesman as her guide! But, on the contrary, where experience dictates, therein general safety is enjoyed. Let us apply this to the experienced Christian. How well qualified is he to be useful! with what certainty can he speak of the na

ture of sin, with what feeling can he expatiate on the vanity of the world, with what propriety can he enlarge on the operations of the human heart! How capable is he of recommending the best things to attention! With a noble boldness, he can contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. With energy, he can exhibit the Saviour to the lost sinner, as his only righteousness. He can afford consolation to the distressed, instruct those who are ignorant, and be the instrument of restoring the wandering backslider to his happiness and his God. Thus even the private Christian is qualified for usefulness, and shines as a light in the world.

But how peculiarly useful is experience to him who is in a more public situation! What an advantage is it to the minister of the Gospel! It enables him to touch every tender string of the human heart, to adapt himself to the cases, trials, and feelings of his different auditors; to lift up them that fall, to comfort the feeble-minded, to sympathize with the afflicted, to bear with the weak, and succor the tempted. What a difference do we discern in the discourses of those who deliver merely what they have been taught, but what they do not feel! How cold is the address of the mere speculator and inexperienced, when compared with his which comes warm from the heart, and is the fruit of his own experience! How useless, flat, and insipid is the one, how animated, appropriate, and impressive is the other! The one resembles the mere way-post that

directs the stranger, while itself is unmoved; the other may be compared to a living guide, who actu ally becomes a companion in the road, and animates and supports as he proceeds.

From the views we have thus taken of the advantages of experience, we may learn what respect is due to it. How many evils would the young and inexperienced be saved from, were they to be obedient to the advice of those who have been long in the way! How many have to lament that they have followed their own inclinations, in preference to the wise counsels of the more experienced! Consult, therefore, my young readers, those of longer standing than yourselves. Be willing to give up your judgments to those which are superior. It is an honor to sit at their feet, and receive their instructions; but it is vanity to think you know so much, that they can not inform you. They have seen the world in the various appearances it has assumed. They have watched the operations of Providence. They have been out in the storm, and been tossed about by the dreadful tempest. They can tell where the dangerous places are: the rocks. that are to be avoided, and the course which should be pursued. To them, therefore, under God, must you resort. They can direct in difficulty, support in danger, and be the instruments of saving from impending ruin. Learn to court their company, listen to their advice, and never be ashamed to own. your inferiority, nor to bend to their decision.

Let the experienced, also, learn to make use of their experience for the good of others. It is with. this as it is with every other valuable treasure-it ought to be employed for the benefit of society at large, or individuals in particular. To gain much and impart nothing, is disgraceful to humanity, and inconsistent with religion. A general relation of experience to every one would be highly injudicious. Pearls are not to be cast before swine. But there are occasions when the Christian may make use of his experience with great advantage, and be the happy mean of deterring from the prosecution of rash and dangerous steps; or, on the other hand, of encouraging others, whose minds have been perplexed with a variety of distressing fears. Experienced Christians, be useful in this respect. Tell what you know, that your younger brethren may be benefited. How pleasing it is to see you sit down with a little company of inexperienced around you, and to hear you say, "I have travelled some time in the way. In yonder place I was surrounded with enemies; but the interposition of providence rescued me from danger. As I passed along that valley, I found help from the recollection of the divine promises. In ascending the hill of difficulty, I was wearied and exhausted, but happily my strength was renewed. Sometimes I have been tempted to step aside to gather a flower that grew on the bank, but I have found it only impede my journey, and for a while lost sight of the path in