for the men and women who manifest it, since it proves that they feel no real concern for their character, no praiseworthy wish to become useful and respectable members of society; for both the high and low can only become such by the thoughtful discharge of their duty, whatever it may be. How often have I heard it said of young persons, "they are so thoughtless that I can do nothing with them; they are not vicious themselves, but their carelessness will unfit them for service, and they will, I fear, be a prey to those who are vicious, and tread with them the path of destruction." Let not this fate be mine. Let me reflect on my new situation. A long voyage affords a favourable opportunity for reflection. have leisure for it, since the regular employments by which we are to gain a subsistence are, in a great measure, suspended, and the sameness of the objects with which we are surrounded, prevent our attention from being distracted by anything very new and exciting. I may, if I please, make this long voyage of great service to me, by learning to think,—that is, if I think in the right way.

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2nd. The best thoughts of the best among us are surely those which lead the mind to God, and I cannot do better than endeavour to think of Him now. I have constantly before my eyes one of His great and beautiful works,-the ocean. How different its appearance at different times! Sometimes we admire its calm beauty, as it lies in deep repose before us, lit up by the bright warm sun; at other times, we are amazed at its tremendous power, as

the waves, with their mighty crests, break around us in the darkening tempest. But do not both its power and its beauty speak to us of God? "The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the Lord sitteth upon the flood yea, the Lord sitteth king for ever." 3rd. Now that I am myself upon the ocean, I can better understand what is meant by the expression the " sea of life." Every human being has a voyage to make upon this sea, which is bearing him onward to the eternal shores of a better world. Under the surface of the ocean, upon the bosom of which we are now sailing, are concealed rocks, and dangerous quicksands, and we should be swallowed up by these, or wrecked by those, could we not safely depend upon the care, the knowledge, and the skill, of our captain. He knows where they lie, and, guided by his compass, wisely steers our vessel in the right and safe direction for the port to which it is bound.

How justly are these rocks and quicksands compared to those heedless transgressions and wilful sins into which we fall, by not looking for guidance to the Great Captain of our salvation. We lose our compass, make shipwreck of good conscience, and founder, miserable and helpless, upon a dark and dreary shore, lamenting our sin and folly, and seeking its forgiveness.

4th. Is it not, then, wise in me to look up to my heavenly Father, who in His mercy and wisdom has thought fit to place me in the situation in which I now find myself? I am leaving my country, but God is not leaving me. I have said farewell to some

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kind friends, but my kindest Friend is still with me. He knows my wants and can supply them. He sees my weakness and can strengthen me. He shows me the path of duty and can enable me to keep it. But I must not expect His favour, if I neglect to think of Him, and to pray to Him, as one who desires to be very grateful for His loving kindness to all His creatures, and especially for sending Jesus Christ into the world to teach us all to be, and to do, good.

5th. In looking back upon the life which I have spent in my own country, I have great reason to be thankful that I have not been exposed to those temptations by which so many unhappily fall into great wickedness and dreadful suffering. I have many and great imperfections, which I hope I sincerely wish to correct, but I do not carry with me a bad character. My chief concern, therefore, should be, to improve that which I have. My friends, when they parted with me, wished me happy, and hoped that I should do well,—I thanked them with my tears,-I love to remember their kind words and looks,-it does my heart good, and makes me more desirous not to disappoint and grieve them by any misconduct. I hope not to disgrace my country either, which I love, and am, on some accounts, sorry to leave; but let me remember, that if I sail on the "sea of life," with a heart trusting in, and loving my heavenly Father, He will guide my bark through all storms into a safe and peaceful haven, where I shall again meet, and be for ever with

all who have been kind to me here below, and endeavoured to teach me that the way of duty is the way of peace.

REFLECTIONS ON COMPANIONSHIP.

1st. The Scripture saith, "Evil communications corrupt good manners."

That these words contain a sad truth no one can deny-thousands, both of young men and young women, can date a wicked and unhappy life from the day on which they were first enticed to evil, by false friends and bad companions. They do something which is erring and sinful, and which is known only to those bad people. A terrible fear comes upon them, lest their guilt should be discovered-they are perhaps threatened with a disclosure of it, unless they comply still further with their wicked suggestions. The timid and tempted being yields, and a still closer compact is made with sin,—" deeds of darkness are committed, and the doers of them say in their hearts, "God hideth his face, He will never see it." They have put far from them all good thoughts,-good resolutions never now enter their mind. They have "left off to be wise and to do good," and are become the servants of wickedness. Their condition is a most sad one, yet is it not one which all young persons are likely to be brought into, if they allow themselves to be quite off their guard in the company which they keep?

2nd. When I look round upon my companions in

this vessel, and remember how long a time we shall have to spend together, it would certainly be desirable to be cautious in forming intimate acquaintance with them. I know nothing of them, nor they of me, at present, and though it would be most unjust to suspect them of being either irreligious or artful, or dishonourable in any way, it would be wiser to study their temper and conduct before connecting myself more closely with them. A general kindness and attention to those around us, every one ought to pay. When I consider how great an influence those with whom we frequently and intimately associate have over our minds, rendering us, by their habits of speaking and acting, (as far as these act upon our minds,) more or less fit for the kingdom of God, it makes friendship appear in an important and serious light, and in this light I wish to view it now.

3rd. It is a sweet and precious thing to be loved by those who love God, who never willingly offend Him, who at least always wish to do right, and who are very sorrowful in their heart before Him when they have unhappily done wrong; who scorn falsehood; who abhor dishonesty, and in whose mouth are found no impure and improper words. The friendship of such persons is, indeed, a privilege, which I should labour to deserve and to obtain. "May every friend of mine, therefore, be a friend of God." May she possess the virtues which I want, and as my acquaintance with her grows, may I myself grow better. May we sweeten life to each other, by mutual love, and by taking a real interest