with greater propriety, than on the day of our Lord's nativity? Add to the expediency of celebrating this holy communion, that it seems to be the fentiment of nature, and to proceed on other occafions, fomewhat fimilar, from the genuine operations of the heart. Whenever we are endeared. to any one in a particular manner, by the ties of nature or affection, we are wont to shew our pleasure and fatisfaction arifing from the relation, by commemorating the day of their birth. Shall we, then, joyfully and regularly embrace the opportunities, as they offer, of celebrating the day that gave us a parent or a child, and fhall we let the nativity of our blessed Lord and Redeemer pass by unnoticed! Let gratitude, devotion, piety and duty forbid it! Independent alfo of every other motive, there is certainly great comfort in performing " this labor of love," in making a folemn and public profeffion of our faith, at proper and stated intervals, in fupplicating for mercy, and acknowledging the Son of God for our Saviour and our Lord.

THE present season, in consequence of the great event which distinguishes it, has long been dedicated to festivity and joy throughout the christian world. To the greatest heavenly bleffings it is natural to unite the comforts which this life affords; and if our pleasures and enjoyments were regulated by the spirit of praise and thanksgiving to Him, " who is the giver of all good gifts," there would be great propriety in them. But I fear, that the sensual indulgence which the occafion offers, is too often admitted with eagerness, and the duties of the day wholly forgotten. To make fo folemn a festival as the present, a festival diftinguished by heaven's peculiar bounty and good-will to man, a pretence for idleness, for gluttony and intemperance, is an idea so gross and impious, that it must strike every sober mind with indignation and abhorrence. We should certainly feel the highest sensations of joy and fatisfaction, but our rejoicing ought to be of the most exalted nature, as well as degree; very different from that noisy and giddy mirth

which generally arises in "the house of feasting;" it should always be accompanied with acts of hospitality and kindness. While we feel and acknowledge the divine benevolence to us and to the whole

world, we ought to imitate the glorious example, as far as we have ability, by thewing our love to our fellow-creatures.

LET our joy then spring from the noblest affections. Let it be influenced by gratitude to God and charity to man. Let it shew itself on all occafions, but particularly the present, in the exercise of those important duties of a christian's profession. Let us be ready to offer our alms and thanksgivings at the altar of the Lord, and contribute our mite with chearfulness,

to feed the hungry and cloath the " naked." To make our behaviour in every respect worthy of this great folemnity, and to inspire dispositions of mind suitable to it, let us remember, that "unto us a " child is born, unto us a son is given, "whose name was to be called Wonder" ful, " ful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the "everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace!" This is the day on which this grand and awful prophecy was fulfilled, and this is the day, on which the heavenly host celebrated the event, by singing, "Glory to " God in the highest, on earth peace, " good-will towards men!"

SER

SERMON XVIII.

ON THE DUTIES OF YOUTH.

I

I TIM. iv. 12.

-Let no man despise thy youth.

T appears from this passage that Timothy was but young, when his venerable brother, St. Paul, was by his admonition and instruction, qualifying him for a teacher of the holy gospel. For an office so important, and at the same time so difficult, the season of youth was by no means the best adapted. He was engaging in the propagation of a system which required the utmost rectitude of conduct, joined to the most patient perfeverance, in order to oppose