hung in rich luxuriance. The family, dwelling in this delightful spot, was composed of the parents, and two interesting sons. The character of the entire family was one of the most engaging kind. There was intelligence, kind feeling, an ardent love of home, great attachment to the country, a strong desire to do good to those in the neighbourhood who required instruction or aid, and the manifestation of unaffected piety. They were happy in themselves; they were respected by every person in the vicinity; and they enjoyed God in all things. The youngest of the sons had always experienced very delicate health, and, at times, he had been visited by trying and alarming illness. His constitution was extremely tender; a cold would generally affect his chest severely, and every thing indicated that he was not destined to continue very long with those parents, who almost doted on him. Such, also, were the sentiments of their son himself. His impression was-"I shall have an early grave. I shall be removed from the vale of tears, before I attain my majority." "O may 1," he would often say, "be prepared for the dying hour; and, at length, reach my father's house in peace.” He acted under the habitual influence of this conviction. His sentiment was, "all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come." His conversation was in heaven. He walked with God. He communed with the Saviour. He died to the world daily. And, yet there was nothing gloomy or desponding about him. He was cheerful and happy. He discharged his duties with energy and pleasure. He acquiesced in the arrangements of Providence. He felt that God's will was the wisest and the best. His health improved from fifteen to seventeen, but, after the latter period, it began sensibly to decline. A severe cold, taken when he had been out rambling rather too late one autumnal evening, was most distressing in its consequences. The lungs were powerfully affected, and medical attention and skill could effect comparatively little. He rallied, however, in some degree in the spring, and was able to take occasional walks in the quiet and beautiful neighbourhood of his residence. The kindness of his parents was unbounded, and he felt it most sensibly. They sometimes said, "Well, we still hope our dear boy will recover, and that air and gentle exercise, will be instrumental in his restoration." He did improve for some period, his energies appeared to be increasing, and his relatives were anticipating that God would yet spare to them one so dear to them all. The ways of Providence, however, are not as our ways: the thoughts of infinite wisdom are not as our thoughts; for, in the autumn, the health of this engaging and beloved youth, began materially and most rapidly to decline; and, indeed, so swift was the progress of the distressing malady under which he laboured, that nothing could impede it, or check its ravages. He sunk quickly under it. His sufferings, at times, were intense; but all was tranquillity within. There was no repining indulged. No complaints were expressed. He could not think God unkind, for he felt that his heavenly Father did all things well. He bowed to the visitation. He knew that the Providence was in love, and he was able to realize the inestimable supports and consolations of the Christian religion. His end was emphatically peace. His death was literally what the word of God exhibits, with so much tenderness and beauty-falling asleep in Jesus. There were no fearful pangs. There were no terrible convulsions. There were no awful ravings:-all was quiet and serene. "I am going home," he would sweetly say, "going to that Father who has loved me to that Saviour who redeemed me-to the angels who will welcome meto my brethren in Christ who will hail my arrival. Happy, happy day! when I shall be no longer 'Like a stranger or a guest, But like a child at home!'" He went off without a struggle: it was merely a gentle and quiet breathing, and his spirit was with God; his home was in paradise; his dwelling place was the bosom of Jesus; where, in conjunction with the seraphim and cherubim, and the entire company of the redeemed, "He would drink in, beside the eternal throne, Bliss everlasting and unknown." The intense grief of the parents need not be dilated on, and the deep affliction of the brother. It was sorrow indeed, still "not sorrow without hope." There was much to distress; still, how much to animate! They knew that he was happy. They saw him die. They perceived that Jesus was with him in the dark valley, and they were assured that his spirit was triumphant before the throne. They committed his body to the dust, with chastened resignation. They felt, when they looked for the last time into his grave, that he would rise again with unmingled glory and joy; therefore, when they returned home to their bereaved habitation, now comparatively cheerless and desolate, while they were exceedingly "cast down, they were not in despair;" they looked for ward to a reunion in heaven, where sorrow would never enter; where change would never be experienced; where sin would never ravage; and where separation would never be effected. So, when youth's bright skies are vanish'd, Blessings still shall rest upon thee, How distress'd soe'er thou art, Which shall ne'er be taken from thee, If thou choose the "better part." DRINKING. How consoling it is to the genuine Christian to go and visit the grave of a young believer, like the dear friend whose end has been narrated. At that grave there is nothing to disturb us, much less to agonize us. There the most soothing feelings are inspired. There the most delightful associations are indulged. There the holiest anticipations are cherished. Our faith is strengthened; our love is increased; our "THE places of judicature which I have hopes are confirmed, and our joys are multi-long held in this kingdom, have given me an plied; and we dwell with peculiar gratitude opportunity to observe the original cause of and pleasure on those beautiful and sublime most of the enormities that have been comwords of our Lord, "I am the resurrection mitted for the space of near twenty years; and the life: he that believeth in me, though and, by a due observation, I have found, that he were dead, yet shall he live. Because I if the murders and manslaughters, the burlive ye shall live also." glaries and robberies, the riots and tumults, the adulteries, fornications, rapes, and other enormities that have happened in that time, were divided into five parts, four of them have been the issues and product of excessive drinking, of tavern or ale-house meetings." Can any thing be more important than for young men to anticipate the end of life? How soon may it terminate! How suddenly may it come to a close! what little circumstances may carry the youngest, the healthiest, and the most animated, to the grave! So wrote Sir Matthew Hale, and yet he My young readers, do you wish to die in never witnessed the magnificence of a ginpeace? then live to Jesus: rise above the palace, or the squalid misery which issues world; abandon its empty pleasures, and retherefrom. The callendar of crime in his nounce its sinful gratifications. Dwell on day was not increased by the malignant inWhen will a stop eternity. Pray that your hearts may be influence of the beer-shop. heaven. Look forward to the unutterable be put to these moral pests? glory of paradise. Walk with Jesus in newness of life. If these are your principles, this your spirit, this your conduct, you will be fitted to honour the Saviour here; you INDEPENDENCE IN LITTLE THINGS.-Sir will be supported under every trial; you John Sinclair once asked Mr. Cochrane will be prepared for every change; and, at Johnstone, whether he meant to have a son length, your emancipated spirits will enjoy of his (then a little boy) taught Latin? the perfect and immortal bliss of the celes-"No," said Mr. Johnstone, "but I mean to tial Canaan: do something a great deal better for him." "What is that?" said Sir John. 66 Why," said the other, "teach him to shave with cold water, and without a glass." Without discussing the comparative merits of a knowledge of Latin, and shaving in the manner described, it must be acknowledged that a habit of independence in any thing which a man must do daily, is of very much greater importance than is commonly supposed. RELIGIOUS OBJECTIONS.-All objections, when considered and answered, turn out to the advantage of the Gospel, which resembles a fine country in the spring season, when the very hedges are in bloom, and every thorn produces a flower.-Bishop Horne. London R. Needham, Printer, 1, Belle-Sauvage-Yard, Ludgate-Hill. THE YOUNG MEN'S MAGAZINE. No. 4.] APRIL, 1837. [VOL. I. THE SUPERIOR FACILITIES OF YOUNG from the Continent when just on the point of extending his travels to Sicily and Greece, sacrificing his own immeIn a preceding address, it was re-diate gratification in the improvement marked that the appellation, "Young of his mind to the duty which he owed Men," implies a capacity for great his country; for he deemed it sinful, usefulness, and, consequently, involves as he himself informs us, to be enjoythe idea of responsibility. It might ing his ease abroad, while his compa easily be shown that every member of triots were struggling in blood for society is charged with an amount of their liberties at home. And it was obligation to serve society, propor- the same conviction, rising to enthutioned to his means of usefulness. siasm, which has led others confidently Though indolence may not be pun- to believe that they were called superished by our laws as it was by the naturally, by visions or voices, to work laws of Athens and of Rome, yet, the deliverance and enhance the glory every individual is as much bound by of their nation. Thus young Nelson honour, conscience, and the word of tells us that after a long and gloomy God, to be diligent and useful to the reverie, in which he almost wished full amount of his abilities, as the himself overboard, a sudden glow of labourer is bound to finish the work patriotism was kindled within him, for which he is hired. On this prin- which presented his King and country ciple it is that some of the greatest as his patron, and which called from men who have walked the earth, have him the enthusiastic exclamation, "I regarded themselves as born for their will be a hero! and, confiding in procountry. This was the first idea in-vidence, I will brave every danger!" stilled into the mind of the Lacedemo- From that time, he often said, a radiant nian youth; indeed, it was the sole orb was suspended in his mind's eye, basis on which their education and which urged him onwards to renown; character were built. This was the and he ever appeared to believe that conviction which led the youthful it bore with it a prophetic glory, and Hannibal to regard himself as devoted that the light which led him on was by the gods of Carthage to effect the light from heaven." Young men, you destruction of his country's foes: which need not wait for preternatural calls, led the younger Scipio to walk daily and special revealings; a more certain in the temple of Jupiter, nursing his vocation is soliciting you. In the dispirit for the great enterprize of de- vine example of Him whose sacred livering Rome, and hallowing his de- and inspiring name we bear, there is a signs by prayer: and which induced vision of excellence and active beneyoung Milton to hasten his return volence "let down from heaven" VOL. I. D 66 which, while it is laid open to the gaze we shall have ended the enumeration, it will be important to show that these natural qualifications, valuable as they are in themselves, require a divine superaddition, and are capable of being infinitely enhanced by that addition; in other words, it will be made to appear that character is the foundation of the highest usefulness, and that piety is the basis of the highest order of character. One of the elements which fits you for usefulness-and the first which strikes us-is, the buoyancy and energy which you possess. The frequent timidity, and the extreme cautiousness, which characterize old age, would not become you. of all, yet seems to cast an aspect of particular regard on each, saying, "Follow thou me." In the thickcoming calls to useful activity, and the imploring necessities which distinguish the present day-no spectral hand-the hand of God himself can be distinctly recognized, beckoning every man onwards in a path which terminates in glory, and a crown. Consult the oracle as to what your future course shall be; and by simply applying to you, as it does to every similar enquirer,—“ As ye have opportunity, do good unto all men," it lays every future moment of your life under tribute to society, as really The one is the steed as if it had now first uttered and is- of fire, bounding over obstacles, and sued the mandate for you alone. The rejoicing in his strength; the other is rule which says to all, "do unto the same creature, tamed and worn others, as you would that others down with time and labour. It is a should do unto you,"-simple, ge- wise ordination of Providence, that neral, and neglected as it is,-calls the wine-blood of youth should be so you out to duty, and commissions regularly injected into the veins of you to act as agents for heaven as society, in order that it may always truly as if a warrant were put into have energy to advance. your hand, bearing your name, and army," said Iphicrates, "the lightthe evident signature of the divine armed resemble the hands, the cavalry authority it is a principle of relative the feet, the main body of infantry duty so broad and deep, that if rightly the breast, and the General the head." built on, it would sustain a pyramid In a community, it might be added, of benevolent and heroic deeds whose if the elder resemble the head, the top should reach unto heaven. The younger resemble the heart, beating very fact that a man possesses means with high resolves, and propelling the for usefulness, constitutes his call and tide of life through the social system. his obligation to employ them: nor How important to the health of the is he at liberty to set any bounds body politic, that the action of the to his endeavours short of those heart should be vigorous as well as which his means and opportunities regular. prescribe. If, then, it shall appear Closely allied with this quality, as we proceed, that your facilities for and equally important to usefulness, good, as members of society, are of is your characteristic readiness to the highest order, it will follow, of course, that your obligations to be useful are surpassing also. Young men, your distinctive qualifications for usefulness are many. In the present address we can only begin to consider them. But when "In an The adopt new plans of activity. carried beyond a certain point, ceases |tion, to meet and mingle. The to be useful, it must also be admitted, laws of attraction, know as little of that the progress of society depends the formalities of a ceremonious inon the slight excess, the measured troduction, or of the calculations of triumph of this principle over its self-interest, in the moral, as they opposite. To give it this triumph, is do in the natural world. And He the necessary result of your readiness who does nothing without a reason, to enter on new courses of usefulness. has wisely given to the young this Age loves to calculate consequences, strong predisposition to coalesce-to to see "its way clear," to consult the join hands and hearts-in order that map, to construct a tower of reasons, they might be made strong for duty by from the top of which it can look on combination; and that they might not to the end of a proposed course. You have to seek for aid, when the moment are commonly satisfied, if you can see comes for using it. In after years, what you deem a good beginning; self-interest is often seen weighing while your sanguine confidence of every proposition brought before it in success annihilates all intervening ob- its own unequal balances; timidity stacles, and sees, in anticipation, at | calculates consequences by an ariththe end of the vista, a triumphant metic peculiar to itself; suspicion arch, in all the rainbow hues of hope. has a prepared series of questions to Another qualification which you ask, and refuses to move till possess for usefulness, arises from the they are answered; vanity chaffers fact, that youth is the age of disin- | for its plumes; ambition strugterested friendships,and cordial co-ope- gles for precedence; covetousness ration. If it be true that the accomplish- negociates for reward; and pride ment of great objects require strength, would rather act alone. But youth, it is equally true that the strength eager to enlist, willing to follow, required is to be found in union, and lavish of its strength, happy in its that the closest and most enduring associates, and confident of success, unions are those which are formed in is concerned only for the accomplishearly life. Aristotle observes, “ that | ment of its object. "Jonathan clave old men do not readily form friend- unto David" at the peril of his life. ships, because they are not easily sus- | And, here, Orestes and Pylades, Daceptible of pleasure." Be the reason mon and Pythias, Achilles and Patroof the fact whatever it may, it is evi- clus, Alexander and Hæphestion, rise dent that the social dispositions are to our recollection, and illustrate our more lively, and the tendencies to com - | subject. Little did the youthful bine and adhere, more powerful, in Alexander imagine, when he was atyouth than at any subsequent period. taching to himself so many young Hearts which have cooled by age, are companions in the Macedonian court, arbitrarily held together by the mere that he was strengthening himself for bands of locality or interest, which future conquest-forming the nucleus may, at any time, loosen and spring of that "companion cavalry," which asunder; but young hearts are at enabled him to acquire the empire of welding heat, and are easily fused and the world. Young men, you, on a incorporated into one. The principle smaller scale, have the power of doing of affinity is strong within them. the same; of collecting around you Whenever they come within the reach willing hands and hearts for the of mutual attraction, they are ready, achievement of many a moral conwith very little formality or prepara-quest, which shall throw his tinsel |