ice of slandering
his neighbors, and disturbing the peace of the community, it is
immaterial to what church he may belong, or what os-tentatious
professions he may make, he is, notwithstanding all this, destitute of
christianity.

It is a painful fact that the religion of the present day is too much
accommodated to the fashions and customs of the world. Let a man, for
instance, use profane language, or get intoxicated, and he will
readily be suspended from the communion of the church. But let him
slander his neighbors, and little or no notice is taken of his
conduct. And let him slander other denominations; and it becomes, as
it were, a virtue; whereas the fact is that the latter, according to
the book of God, is much the greatest crime. It is therefore wise to
lay, in early youth, a foundation for a tranquil, virtuous and long
life.

Thus you see my young friends that virtue and happiness, temperance,
prosperity and longevity are inseparably connected by the Author of
our being, who has made them to depend in a great measure upon our
conduct. You have also seen that sin and misery, intemperance in body,
and also intemperance in mind, such as evil speaking, violent anger,
commotions, griefs and troubles, and a premature grave, are likewise
inseparably and wisely connected.

And now, my young friends, which will you choose? If you love life and
desire to see many days, let me exhort you to choose the _former_, and
to drink freely out of that golden cup in which every earthly joy of
unbroken felicity is mingled by the unerring hand of divine mercy; and
let me warn you to reject the _latter_, for in it are mingled the
bitter drugs of misery. Be temperate in eating and drinking. Be
temperate in all your pursuits in life, and in all your desires. Be
temperate in your conduct; and (as an able writer observes) pitch upon
that course of life which is the most excellent, and habit will soon
render it the most delightful. Avoid not only every word and action
that may lead to discord and contention, but, as our text says, depart
from evil and _do good_, seek peace, and pursue it. Let us do good to
all our fellow creatures, and endeavor to overcome their hatred with
love, and their evil with good.

Yes, my young friends, affectionately and solemnly would I urge you to
begin early to curb your passions, and to study sweetness of
disposition. It will soon become to you perfectly natural, and thus
you will lay the foundation for