The world is a sacred temple; man is introduced to contemplate it. As grace does not destroy nature, so the book of redemption does not blot out the book of creation. Read nature; nature is a friend to truth.

2. If it be a folly to deny or doubt the being of God, is it not a folly also not to worship God, when we acknowledge his existence? “To fear God, and keep his commandments, is the whole duty of man."

We are not reasonable if we are not religious. "Your reasonable ger vice," Romans xii. 1.

3. If it be a folly to deny the existence of God, will it not be our wisdom since we acknowledge his being, often to think of him? It is the black mark of a fool, "God is not in all his thoughts," Psalms x. 4.

4. If we believe the being of God, let us abhor practical Atheism. Ac tions speak louder than words.

"They professed that they knew God," Titus i. 16. Men's practices are the best indexes to their principles. "Let your light shine before men." Matthew v. 16.

The following Skeletons are on a different plan.*

1.

Psalm xlvi. 1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Sorrow is our common lot, many seem to know little of it, the widow, fatherless, &c.; text needs no explanation.

I. The wonderful condescension of God in assuming this character to wards man, not, however, according to the usual reasoning, man's greatness, his progressive faculties will equal angels, &c. Surpass all intelligence except God, but there will still be an infinite distance between God,and man, Man's moral estate; these the reasons.

II. The emphasis of the text, present, very present, -our mechanical habits, the divine presence not realized, a man first awakened or convicted feels it, but soon is lost, suppose a pure and holy being were present at your sins, as an angel, but God is present! See the Christian in a storm at sea, hearing the crash, indulging sin.

Objection to the infinite God's caring for man, -all worlds particles of sand. How should this thought affect us, Mother! Jesus stood at the coffin of thy infant child, at the grave of thy parents! He is with thee. Shall we weep and repine even in a garret, when God is with us?

III. Cautiousness of the text.

He is a help,-not sole deliverer, there is something for us to do, prayer is one reason of it. Nothing therwise. Farmer. Mechanic, health by medicine.

IV. Applicability of the text to all the poor unfortunate, stranger, widow, orphan, mourner, Christian in temptation, quality of all, a guilty conscience.

2.

Rev. vii. 17, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Context, Nature and probable design of these prophecies.

I. Afflictions in the present state of the Christian, an important and ad vantageous part of his moral discipline. 1. The fact that they are per mitted, shows that they are advantageous. How many instances, texts.

2. They afford exercise for our Christian virtues, moral,- fortitude patience, resignation.

3. They show us the futility of worldly comforts, our friends die,health and beauty fade, wealth and pleasure must be left behind us.

They are, in fact, the notes of a distinguished extemporaneous preacher.

II This discipline is preparatory to another which shall be exempt from affliction.

1. The Scriptures assert the existence of such a place called heaven, Kingdom of God, Paradise, New Jerusalem, &c. It is implied in the doctrine of immortality.

4. It

2. It is consistent with all rational supposition. Analogy between this world and other planets. 3. All causes of sorrow shall cease there. is everlasting in its duration.

APPLICATION.

Do I address the mourner who has lost friends, estate, health? — the aged?-youth declining in early life? &c.

3.

Gal. iii. 18, "But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing."

Christianity is designed to call into activity the noblest sentiments of the heart, firm resolve, intrepid daring and undaunted perseverance, zeal. The Christian's life is a holy warfare, a holy chivalry. — The Apostle lays down the proposition, that if anything is good, it is good to be zealously affected in that good cause, Christianity is good considered. I. In respect to its orign, divine, - bears its marks, it is interesting to contemplate nature, but much more revelation, the noblest gift of God to man.

II. In its nature, its theory of doctrines, - its code of moral rules was never equalled by 1, Philosophy, -2. Education, all improvement has failed without it. Its nature renders it efficient in its effects, its preser vation, - triumph over infidelity.

III. Its effects, individual effects.-1. Benevolence, 2. Death. - 3. Peace of conscience.

2. General effects,- 1. It prevents crime.-2. Elevates society. --3. Sustains good government. -4. War.

We should be zealous, 1. Because God commands us to be so. 2. The wants of the world call for it. 3. Our happiness hereafter will be propor tioned to our zeal,· a philosophical as well as Scriptural fact, We have igh examples to copy, the apostles, martyrs, and reformers, Whitfield, &c.

Wesley

XCVIII.

SUBJECTS FOR COMPOSITIONS OF ALL SORTS

1. Mythology.

2 Rural happiness.

3 Our native land.

1. Description of a storm.

5. Scene at a summer's noon.

6. A winter landscape.

7. A market day.

8. An evening walk.

10. Ruins of Rome.

(C Greece.

11. Twilight.

12. A winter evening.
13. Moonlight at sea.
14. Spring.

15. Summer.

16. Autumn.

9. The entrance of Christ into Je- 17. Winter.

rusalem.

18. The equator.

251. The influence and importance of the female character.

252. Is the expectation of reward or the fear of punishment the greater in

centive to exertion?

253. The value of time, and the uses to which it should be applied. 254. The character of the Roman Emperor Nero,

of Caligula,

of Augus

tus, of Julius Cæsar, of Numa Pompilius. 255. The duties we owe to our parents, and the consequences of a neglec

of them.

256. How blessings brighten as they take their flight.

257. How dear are all the ties that bind our race in gentleness together. 258. The advantages of early rising; and the arguments which may be ad duced to prove it a duty.

259. Misery is wed to guilt.

260. A soul without reflection, like a pile
Without inhabitant, to ruin runs.
261. Still where rosy pleasure leads
See a kindred grief pursue,
Behind the steps that misery treads
Approaching comforts view.

262. 'Tis Providence alone secures,

In every change, both mine and yours.

263. Know then this truth, enough for man to know,

Virtue alone is happiness below.

264. Prayer ardent opens heaven.

Whatever is, is right.

265. Knowledge and plenty vie with each other.

266. When beggars die there are no comets seen;

The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.

267. Friendship is constant in all other things

268.

269.

Save in the office and affairs of love.

Man, proud man,

Drest in a little brief authority,

Most ignorant of what he 's most assured.
No might nor greatness in mortality

Can censure 'scape; back-wounding calumny
The whitest virtue strikes.

270. They say, best men are moulded out of faults.
271. What we have we prize not to the worth
Whiles we enjoy it; but being lacked and lost,
Why then we rack the value; then we find
The virtue that possession would not show us
Whiles it was ours.

272. All delights are vain; but that most vain

Which, with pain vurchased, doth inherit pain. 273 Light, seeking light, doth light of light beguile.