id he,
with a deep sigh, have I been labouring in vain to amass wealth, which
at last is useless? Let no man hereafter wish to be rich, who is already
too wise to be flattered.

_Of the Scriptures, as the Rule of Life._

1. As you advance in years and under standing, I hope you, will be able
to examine for yourself the evidence of the Christian religion, and that
you will be convinced, on rational grounds, of its divine authority. At
present, such enquiries would demand more study, and greater powers of
reasoning, than your age admits of. It is your part, therefore, till you
are capable of understanding the proofs, to believe your parents and
teachers, that the holy scriptures are writings inspired by God,
containing a true history of facts, in which we are deeply concerned--a
true recital of the laws given by God to Moses, and of the precepts of
our blessed Lord and Saviour, delivered from his own mouth to his
disciples, and repeated and enlarged upon in the edifying epistles of
his Apostles; who were men chosen from amongst those who had the
advantage of conversing with our Lord, to bear witness of his miracles
and resurrection--and who, after his ascension, were assisted and
inspired by the Holy Ghost.

2. This sacred volume must be the rule of your life. In it you will find
all truths necessary to be believed; and plain and easy directions for
the practice of every duty. Your bible, then, must be your chief study
and delight; but, as it contains many various kinds of writing--some
parts obscure and difficult of interpretation, others plain and
intelligible to the meanest capacity--I would chiefly recommend to your
frequent perusal, such parts of the sacred writings as are most adapted
to your understanding, and most necessary for your instruction.

3. Our Saviour's precepts were spoken to the common people amongst the
Jews; and were therefore given in a manner easy to be understood, and
equally striking and instructive to the learned and unlearned; for the
most ignorant may comprehend them, whilst the wisest must be charmed and
awed by the beautiful and majestic simplicity with, which they are
expressed. Of the same kind are the Ten Commandments, delivered by God
to Moses; which, as they were designed for universal laws, are worded in
the most concise and simple manner, yet with a majesty which commands
our utmost reverence.

4. I think you will receive great pleasure, as well as improvement, from
the