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Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmte en commenqant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernlAre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un das symboles suivants apparaftra sur la dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols -^> signifie "^. SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaMx, etc., peuvent dtre fllmte h des taux de reduction diffirents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour fttre reproduit en un seui cliche, il est film* d partir de I'angle supirieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mtthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 mm )i = ~%|! ■ %. ah: \ SElli^ION TO YOUTH PREACHED IN THE WESLEYAN METHODIST CHAPEL, ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND, JAUIfARY 1st, 1855j BY THT. REV. femitJND BOTtERELL, AND PUBlLISflED BY REQUESTi iPniNTfcD BY JOSEi>II WOObB, • 1855. v.. ^ ■ I i. % J ■» 11 r i| 'vT A SERMON TO YOUTH, PREACHED IN TUB WESLEYAN METHODIST CHAPEL, ST, JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND, JANlIiR¥ 1st, 1855, BY THE REV. EDMUND BOTTERELU AND PUBLISHED BY REQUEST. PRINTED BY JOSEPH WOODS, 1855. S^i^= / -'"^ /^--. .-^ Vi of le m in h( w Ul pi ai di ai The following Sermon was not composed with a view to its being publistied. The writer is not by profeseion aa author, nor is he vehemently desirous of the fame, or the rewards of authorship, He leaves these without envy to persons who have more leisure than him-self, and he coidially rejoices in their good success. A judicious friend who heard the Sermon suggested that its publicatioa would not be inopportune — and that it might be useful. A few other persona concurred in this opinion, and formally requested that it might be printed* It is therefore given to the public, wha are always indulgent to sincere though feeble en- deavours to do good. If its perusal shall prove ia any degree useful to those for wliom it was ori- ginally prepared, if it shall animate them and --ri 4 PREFACE. Other young persona in ihe course of knowledge, piety, and benevolence — and convince them that their present character and future huppiness are not the lepst objects of interest to the writer, nor the last attended to by him, his end in preparing the Sermon for the press will be abundantly ac- complished. The references to Holy Scripture have been given and they will, it is hoped, be found connect. These may diminish the beauty of the page to the eye, but they will increase the value ot the dis- couise. E. B. St< Jo)tn*s, Newfoundland, January 10th, 1855. iv. gi3isai®sr ffi® ^a/Wl^!l!o My Dear Friends, — You very justly expect to hear tliis evening a special discourse, designed more immediately for the benefit of the youthful part of the Congrega- tion. Having nuihorised this expectation, 1 shall endeavour by divine assistance substantially to re- alise it. It is not often that I presume to deliver Special Sermons. For this there are two reasons, which the better informed among you will duly appreciate. The frequent discussion of particular eubjecls, might excite in you an un-Christian curi- osity, which would be gratified only, by your hear- ing some •' new thing." But novelties in moral and religious teaching are very likely to be fnlse, and would therefore be dangerous. It would also be a strong inducement to myself, to swerve from the fervent and affectionate preaching of the Gos- pel. Then, whatever other attractions this pulpit 6 OBADTAH : might Iiftve, it would w(tnt the best of all, which is •'Jesus Christ, and him crucified," 1 Cor. ii, 2. The Gospel, pure and perfect, is the exclusive theme of the Christian Minister, as such, and this most deservedly, b^caijse it is the standing injunc- tion of his Muster, tlmt he is to *• Preach tub Gosi'EL," Mark xvi, J5 Christ is therefore dis- obeyed, and the world is wronged, by the substitu- tion of any facts, or doctrines, for those of the Gifepel of our Salvation, which is the ♦♦glorious Gospel of the blessed God," 1 Tim. i, 11. This precious treasure is \t once the best— the loveliest —the grandest— the most effective for all classes of people, and at all times. Wo wiah you, above all (things, to love the Gospel — to admire it — to believe it— and to obey it, wilh an ardour proportioned to its certainty, end its intiinsic value. But as the occasional preaching of special Ser- mons, muj be both useful and necessary, and the practice is sanctioned by the example of many excellenj; Ministers, there con scarcely be imagined a season, that is more opportune for them, than on the first day of the year^ a time when it may be presu ned that we ore more impreEsible by subjects which relate to our souls, to God, and to eternity, than at some other times. Nor can there be a more legitimate reason for a particular discourse, than a concern to promote the religious good of young persons. This is simply my design at pre- sent. It is well known that many of you cordi- ally approve of it, and strongly wish it good sue- A SERMON TO YOUTH. CPB8. Let me bf^spenk your condoor in judgiQg of my nltorapt, aod also, your earnest prayers that this lubour may net bo in vain. It is a vary encouraging circjniBtaDco, which 1 most cheerfully mention, that a goodly nun.bor of young persona statedly worship with us in thia sanctuary. Tbei; nttendance is in general regular, and their iiit^rest in our religious services, is hope- ful in a high degree. Do not think, my young friends, that I shall address myself to you, os though you were judged to be destitute of all sense of the beauty, tho truth, and the worth of .eligiou. On the contrary, many of you are very far re- moved from so culpable, and hopeless indifference. It is my happiness to know that some of you are decidedly and earnestly pious. You are admitted to the communion of the Church, and as the ser- vants and friends of Christ, you are duly found in the lowly, bat honourable position of guests at lh« *^ table of the Lord." Others of you, it is very probable, are the subjects of such compunctious visitotions of thr grace of God, as maUe you almost persuaded to be Christians, Acts xxvi, 23. If you wili reflect on the diviiiQ souice of those convic- tions, and the great hazard to your everlasting in- terests of disregarding them, you will surely uo lunger delay to comply with God's demand, *' My son, give me thine heart," Prov. xxili, 26. It is ToournfuHy possible, that there should be a few of our young friends, who continue bs indifferent about religious duty, aad Chrislian privUege, as if > 8 OBADIAH t they bad no manner of concern in them. If sucb unhappy persons are not found in our assemblies, it is well known, there era tDO many of them else- where. What a futnl error to keep themselves in a state of alienation from God ! What could they do more than this to one who had proved him- self their greatest enemy? But He whose word they refuse to hear •, whose service they spurn; whose grace they despise ; is the God of their life —the Father of their spirits— and the righteous judge oftheir whole conduct. "If" they "turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready," Ps. vii, 12. The observations about to be submitted to yoj* will have an adaptation to benefit equally each of these descriptions of persons. Christians of mature age, will entertain a lively interest in the purpose. My young friends will please to afford me their best attention, as next to the hope that God will accept my work, my most valuable reward will consist, in your present, your future, and your everlasting ad- vantage. The basis of my further remarks will be found in the First Book of the Kings, eighteenth chapter, and twelfth verse ; ♦' I THY SERVANT FEAR THE LORD FROM MT YOUTH. »» I. The whole inspired history of the Israelitish nation is of unparalleled interest. That notion was the clwsen people ot JehovoU— they were the A SrnMON TO YOUTH. iel«^cred deposirniies of hia lively oracles and were for mnny nges tlie only true worshippers of the God of the universe— it was to them that the promises of redemption were repeatedly given— it was of them *' as concerning the flesh that Christ came, who is over all God blessed for ever,'' Kom. ix, 5. Our salvation is of the Jews. The period of their national history which is most closely con- nected with the text is uncommonly attractive ; it is fraught with the most important lessons, the study of which would be gratifying in the highest degree. We must not however, expatiate on them row. We shall be able only to make such allusiont to the general histoiy of this remarkable peiiod, a« will be requisite for the illustration merely of thosa toi)ic8 that we may find it convenient to adduce. The time which is here embraced was a little more than nine hundred years before the birth of Christ. The notoriously wicked Ahab was king over Israel. He had his residence in Samaria, 1 Kings, xvi, 29. His queen was the proud, cruel, idolatrous, and sanguinary Jezebel. Both these personages, are strongly characterized in 1 Kings xxi, 25, *' Cut there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred wp." The instituted and elevating worship of Je- hovah, was by their trieans, very generally aban- doned for the jnost debasing and demoralizing idola- try. In this season of great corruption there were many persons in the rural parts of the kingdom. 10 OBADFAII': "who remained faithful to God, 1 Kings xix, 18* He never leaves himself without witnesses to His Being — and Provi ience — and Grace. In theChurck there was one eminent Prophet, who was very jealous for the Lord of hosts — he was that truly venerable man " Eiijali the Tial.bite," 1 Kings xvii,!* In the Court there wna at least one great saint;, Obadiaii ; he, as his name imports, was a *• aer-» vant of the Lord." The words which have just been read to you, briefly describe the character of this good man. They are equally clear, full, and correct. They were in a manner, extorted from himself, by the exigency of his unexpectedly meeting with Elijah, to whom he might have been personally unknown ; ani3 ihe alarming errand with which the |)rophethad charged him, ♦' Go, tell thy lord, behold Elijah is here,'' verse 11. Obadiah would easily be distinguished by his dress, as belonging to the court, Miitt. xi, 8, He would therefore be suspects ©d of being a votary of Baal. He was appiehen* sive that to execute the message of the prophet ■would be attended with great personal danger.— Obadiah appears to have judged that Elijah would not be anxious to prevent the peri! of such idolaters as the servants of the king generally were ; but that he would be very reluctant to expose to an undeserved death, a zealous worshipper of the God of Israel ; Obadiah therefore replied, verse 9 — la " What have I sinned, that thou shouldest deliver thy Bervunt into the hand of Ahub, to slay me ? A SERWON TO YOUTH. n As tho Lord thy God liveth, tlierp is no nntioo or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee ; and when they said, he is not there ; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not. And now thou snyest. Go, lell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the Lord shpJI carry thee whither I know not ; and so wheu I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me : but i th^T SERVANT FEAR THE LORD FROM MY YOUTH." ' Many of you will not require to be informed thait i« this beautiful and comprehensive phrswe, ♦» the fear of the Lord," the whole of true religion Is EXPRESSED. Many instances of its use ocCur itt the ancient scriptures, and the words are also em- ployed by the inspired writers of the New Testa- ment. If thiarefore we spend a few moments ia pointing out theh* very instructive significatiod, it may be helpful to our chief design. The general sense of this combination of wordJr, is to express the character and the habits of one that has a \)roper reverence fur the Most High God, and who rightly manifests it, by the conscienttouli performance of all the duties which He has com- tlDanded. Joseph in the palace of Pharoah, declared that he was of the same religious principles as his ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and his father Jacob, ia contradistinction to the superstitions of the Egyp- tians, by saying, ♦•//ear Goo^," Gen, xlii, 18. lulii J manner the faultless and devout character of Job it I 12 OBADI.\!f : described, ♦' There was a mnn in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was perfectand uprighf, and on© ihut J eared Gad, and eschewed evil," Job i, 1. It will therefore occasion no surprise to ob- eerve, that the Apostle Peter should enjoin all that this language signifies, by the precept, - Honour all men, Love the brotherhood, Fear God, Honour the King." 1 Peter ii, 17. There are several places in which by this form of expression must be under- stood a dutiful reverence for th^Almigkty r' Be thou in the fearofthe Lord all u.e daylong," Pro. xxiii.i?, *' God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of his saints, aiwi ia to be had in reverence of all them that are round about him," Psalm Ixxxix, 7. Else- wheru the words evidently signify, coformity to the wise and holy laws of God, as when we read •' fear the Lord, and depnrt from evil," Prov. iii, 7. *• The fear of tlie Lord is the beginning of wisdom ; a good understanding have all they that do his com* niandments," Tsalmcxi, ]0. Nor is it difficult to se- lect passages ot scripture, the connexion of which dr^termines the fear of the Lord to mean, a seri^ ous, and constant engagement in the commanded acts of religious worship. One such passage is 2 Kings xvii, 36, " But the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do cacrifice." Another of like import expresses the pious resolution of David, »• But as for me, I will «orae into thy house iu the multiti;,do of thy A SlillMON TO YOLTJI. 13 mercy ; und in thy fear \vi!l I worship toward thy holy temple,'^ Prfuhii v, 7. It is Ggreeable to our flense of tiie value of theHe religious habits; it is encouragiug to all who cherish them, to observe, that they are associated, as a moral condition, with the experience of the richest, ihe purest consola- tions. We are informed of tin* Churches through- out nil Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, that thejr walking in the fear (f the Lord, was accompanied by their enjoying •' the comfort of the Holy Uhoal." Acts ix, 3l« liow forcibl}' is this amiable and devout character i^commended to us, not only by the essential and infinite perfections of God, or the earlier commu- nications of his will to the fathers of the Israeiitish race, but especially b}^ his perfected revelatioa ill the New Testament of our Lord end Saviour Jesus Christ? Our fear of God is gieatjy sweet- ened because his terrible ipajesty as displayed on Mount Sinai, is tempered by the demonstration of his mercy on Mount Sioo. It was *» through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day spring from on liigh," his dear Son, ♦' hath visited us," Luke, i, 78. Now, we much mire revere God, as our Father in Christ Jesus, than we dread him as a Sovereign of omnipotent righteousness. Ho is our Fatner in heaven. Who would not fear hi.n and glorify his name ? How ''easy," how "light" is the "yoke" of our duty, as enjomedin the Gospel, compared with the burdensome servitude inculcat- ed by the Law 1 His commaudments now are 14 OBADIAH U i »ot gnevous. as they were often felt ,o be bef,,,,, Cmiat came, but joynus; they a,,, „ei„,e.. i„. effioacous nor u„pr„mable, and in keeping ,he,„ »«e,e .s great reward, IJohn v. 3. This ia ,h" pure, the iovely, .he peaceful character, whi h we zrrr '" "" ""'"' '•'•""' '"' "-- »"--- mien' V '"n ?"■"" ^"" •" S''* " >■'"' «"«We. .01.00, you W.II be unable to withhold from it your approval. Nor will you deny your obli«a, of o U.W subject. \ou are aware that it will be of un^ known advantage successful teacher of her exemplary son. It is more than likely, that if Obadiah had not thus feared God in his youth, he would not have become a truly religious man in after years. The time of his life was emphatically an evil time. The Pro- phets of God were denied the liberty of exercising their otTice in public — the altar of Jehovah was de- molished— it was deserted— His people were wickedly oppressed —idolatry was patronised by the court— the royal family lavished vast treasures upon its priests, and the votaries of Baal were re- 16 OBinrAK : wnrded by preferiTTont. How little tlierefuro is it to b» supposed \\v\t if Ob.»di»ih Iiad grown up to confirmed mimbood '• without God" in such a time, he would eiih.:- have been enabled, or ioclined, io after years to seek, so as to find Him ? Are there not equal reasons to fear that those of our young friends who may unhappily arrive at mature ago without real religion, may never after- wards attain to its enjoyment ? Think now of tho tenderness of your mornl sensibilities, the wakefuj. ness of your conscience ; all are favourably and 8tr. ngly impulsive to the fear of the Lord. Tlio progress of years will surely benumb your conscien- tiousness and render your feelings dangerously ob- tuse. The heart becmes callous by protracted im- penitence, just as the soil, which in the spring fh» frost leaves loose, and moist, and soft, becomeji baked by the summer heat to an impenetrable^ hardness. Think of the light of truth, and th» drawings of grace, v>hich you must now resist if you remain unconverted. Matt, xviii, 30.— Think of the evil, because ungodly habits which you will form, and which you will be less and less able to relinquish from year to year. How little hope should we have, that one whose man- hood had been arrived at whilst he industriously followed the laborious parts of agriculture should subsequently become a clever goldsmith. H» would not bring to his new pursuit that steadiness of hand, that delicacy of touch, that acuteness of eight which proficiency in the art demands. How A SERMON TO YOUTH. 17 little should we expect, that one who had growa up in the uuinterrupted labours of a common sea- man, should afterwards acquire the faculties of a skilful physician ? So, do we greatly fear that early irreligion, in most cases, will not be dis- placed by true godliness in riper age. True it Ui that with God all things are possible. It is well that it is so, otherwise multitudes would prematurely despair of making their peace with Him. ]s it not also ti ue, that it is only less dilBculC fur the Ethiopian to chani^e his skin, or the leopard bid spots, than it is fur those to do good, who have long been accustomed to do evil, Jfcr. xiti, 23. Let me then most affectionately con- gratulate the decidedly pious youth, that you have already chosen the good part. You have evinced true wisdom ; you ha/e found the pearl of great price. Let me entreat all others, most earnestly to imitate their example, to know the day of your visitation. Suffer me to say to you in the piercing words of Elijah to all the people, that by his request bad been gathered upon Carmel — *• How long halt ye between two opinions? Jf the Lord be God, follow Him, but if Baal, then follow him." 1 Kings xviii, 21. I would strenuously urge myyoungfriends to im- mediate decision in this important business, because SINCERE, AND GENUINE PIETY IN yoiJTH WILL IN ALL PBOBABlLlXr BKCOJME EMINENT IN AFTER J-iFE. It may be confideutly expected tliat early piety, with proper culture, will be sloadv — deep— 18 onvDi/vn innture— and exemplary. So it unquoslionobly was in tiie case of Obadiali. It is therefore SHid verses. "NowOBAOfAn fkaked the Lokd eRKAT- LY." His religious professiou was not a mere con- venience, whereby he hoped to ovoid some ad- versity, and maintain a tolerable reputation. Hq was no time-server. With him the fear of the Lord was a mighty principle, inwrought into his moral being. It was a sanctifying leaven, whose f xpansive influence extended to all his thoughts, to iiis whole conversation, and conduct. [Je feared the Lord GREATLY. It was well for this servant of God, that he was thus consistenily devout, and €onsequeuily eminent in his religious deportment «nd experience. Mow otherwise could he have withstood the dangerous corruptions of the limes? How could he have escaped the fascinaiing snares that l)iy ill his path ? Had he not followed the Lord fully, he could not liave maintained his holy singularity hi the midst of such abounding ungodli. iiess, and lucrative idolatry. If his experience of the power and joy of the grace of God, had been more limited, the good impressions, the holy pur- poses, and the correct l]«bits of his youth would iiave been as " a morning cloud, and as the early dew, it goeth awiiy," IIos. vi. 4. His whole char- flcter was obviously formed by his reverent obedi- ence to the will of God. Hence he became " As an iron pillar strong, And steadfast as a wall of brass." 3t is a character of this high standard that we A SERMON TO YOl'Tir. 19 wish nil our young people to exemplify. It will bo- to liltle purpose tliHt you become only nominally Clnisliuns. We ure deeply concerned that you should joyfully pnrricipato tnr power of godliness. Indeed, we desire that you should propose to your- selves, thoroughly to understand ChiiBtianity, ia its promises, ns well as rts laws, and its doctrines, *» that you may comprehend with all saints what iff the breadth, and length, and depth, and height^ and to know the love of Christ, which passetb knowledge," which gloriously exceeds what is «o called, ♦' that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." Eph. iii. 18 — 19. In your devotion to Christ why should you not be, not only almost, but alto- gether such as was the Apostle of the Gentiles ? whose life was a life of faith on the " Son of God*, who loved us and gave himself for us." Gul. i, 20. You are well aware that even tine goodness admits of degrees, that it is by no means necessarily equal in different persons. In the Kingdom of God, some are ♦» least " while others are in a sense •♦ greatest." Whatever may be the advanta- ges, the honours, or tlie rewards of those who aro the least in the Kingdom of Heaven, we earnestly recommend to all of you, to become qualified for th» higher felicities of those, who, by their large and humbling self-knowledge — their believing appre- hension of Christ Jesus — their obedient love to God— and their intelligent zeal for the prosperity of pure and undefiled religion, are, as it were, tha ^' greatest in the Kiugdotn of Heaven." Nor do w» I 20 OnADFAH i i If I 8UH how tliis most (Jesinihlu stnte should be nttain- ed, except by your tearing tlie Lord greatly in your youth. If a man would distinguish himself by the acliievements of a day, it behoves him to commence early. He must not postpone hi'^ labour until the fiun is past th^ meridian. The prodiice of seed that is sown unseasounbly late, h very inferior in quality, and is much less abundant, than of that Avhich was sown earlier, and which was coo8e» quently favoured with the genial warmth and rain of the spring, as well as with the mellowing heat of summer. Come then, my young friends, do not allow the short morning of your day to expire, before you apply yourselves in earnest to the great work of making your ♦* calling and your election sure." Do not suffer the spring time of your life to depart, before you sow to yourselves in right©-* ousness — before you sow to the Spirit, it) the r^so- lute performance of every Christian duty, and by pursuing every Christian privilege, lest instead pf reaping sixty or a hundred fold, the evening of life, the winter of age overtake yoii, and so 720 fruit be brought forth unto perfection. The possibility of so great a calamitv gives peculiar force to the counsel of Solomon, " i v nber No-iV thy Creator in the days of tij"¥, va /..h, lylile the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, whea thou shajt say, I have no pleasure in them," Ecci» xij, 1. Further, these things deserve your very best consideration, been use, thus early to fear the Lord^ /. SKUMON TO VOUTir. 21 WILL BK HlCHl.r FAVOUKrtHl.t TO INTELLKCTUAl. IMPHOVEMKNT. The influence of piety is most Quspicious on the acquisition of n croditubie. nod valuable measure of knowledge. Ttie opinion l)io;t we shall form of Obadiuh, will be injuiious to him^ because it will be lees corn^ct thaw is warranted; unless we believe him to have been learned and wise. Hod he not possessed more than ordinary intelligence he would have been ill qualified for th« high office which he h«id. In the language of modern courts — Obadiah was Lord High Stewaid of Ahab's household. In the beautifully simple Btyle of holy writ he is called, verse 3, •' the gov- ernor of his house." Had be not competent and even commanding tclonts for thai dignity, it is very improbable that he would have been able to retait? it, as the king, the queen, and their attendants generally were bigotted id'^lrtors, to whom the holy singularity of the steward of trie household* must have been a constant rebuke, from which they would desire to be freed. The most striking evir dence of the cultivated understanding of Obediah is supplied by the twelfth vers«, "And it shall come to pass, as soon as I om gone from thee" he [^aid, addressing himself to the prophet, who had desired him tio go to his master^ and inform him that Elijah was in that place, ** that the Spirit of the Lord shall carry thee whither 1 know not, and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he canniit find thee he shall sley me." This speech shows him to have beep well, acquainted with the most import-^ 22 OBADIAII : I lit I nnt subject, Jhe wonderful history of true reJigioir, and its ehvuting doctrines. He may be thought to refer to the sudden, nnd niiraculo ; translution of Enoch, Gen. V, 24. He well understood the high source of Elijah's superior wisdom, — it was the Spirit of the Loid— the Divine fountain of inspira- tion. He confessed the watchful care of Cod for his prophet. Every word of Obadiah on tliis mo- ir.entoua occasion, indicates that he was well in* formed of the character, the works, the providence of God. It must have been an additional recom- mendation of his person, that his piety was adorned by so much intelligence. Nothing is more creditable in young persons, t.ian to desire the improvement of their minds. The surest way to succeed is early to fear the Lord. Any young person who imagines the contrary, 13 in error. Nor is that youthful Christian walkings in the more excellent way, who does not strive ta add to hh virtue, knowledge, 2 Peter i, 5. It would be easy and pleasant to point out a long array of persons, who were originally of very low social' rank, who have been raised to the highest walks in learning, by the impulse to mental improvement which they received from their early piety. It would detain us too long now to sketch the history of such men as Fergusson— Prideaux— Watt Hall— Carey— Lee— and Milne. Their names will ever be conspicuous in the illustrious catalogue of those \>ho have been successful in the pursuit of knowledge under difficulties. With stiiJ higher A SERMON TO YOUTH. 23 satisfaclion may a Wesleyan Methodist Minister refer to the venerated Dr. Adam Clarke, and the Kev. Richard Watson. Their educational advan- tages, in boyhood, were inferior to those which many of you enjoyed. 13«t by diligent application under the direction of enlightened, fervent piety — they became masters in Israel. Religion discovers and developes the powers of the mind— it intro- duces to the best comi>any, that of real Christiana — it requires engagemeflt in the most elevating ex- ercises — and above all, it creates, and perpetuates, BO strong a sense of our responsibility to God — that it becomes, by these means, an overflowing source of the strongest motives to diligent mental culture. Under the guidance of that enlightened conscientiousness which true religion imparts, the industrious youth will be led to iuvaluubie attaiir ments in the various departments of science and Urerature, Let the youth who thirsts for know- ledge truly and seriously f«ar the Lord, and he shall attain to it. Let every pious youih search for knowledge as for hid treasure, that he may beautiiy, and recommend his profession to all observers, •'jinhold tne fear of the Lord, that is wisdom ; and to depart from evil is understanding." Job xxviii, 28. It may also be observed that early pikty is the CKRTAIN WAY TO DO GOOD, AND THE USEFULNESS OF THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD IN TIIKIR YOUTH. MAY l^ECOME VERY DISTINGUISHED. Of llllS position^ that servant of the Lord, whose character suggests these observations, is a remarkable example,-— OBADIAII N to Israel, « ext to Elijah, whose good service was more than that of its chai^ ts and horse- meih Obadiah seems to have been the most useful man in the kingdom. One cannot easily think of a more benevolent, or a more useful work, than is recorded to be done by this servant of God, in verse 4, '* For it was so, when Jezebel cat off the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah tt)ok an hundred prophets and hid them by fifty in a cave* and fed them with bread and water." He provided them with suitable maintenance, ♦* bread and water" in the sacred narrative stand for food in general. These '* prophets" were probably advanced pupils in those schools, which had been establisljed by Samuel, and who had not been endowed with the full prophetic commission, 1 Sam. xix, 20; 2 Kings ii,3 — 5. What zeal does this discover ? What determined assiduity in doing good to be able, in the peculiar circumstances of the kingdom, to collect, to secrete, to feed, and so to preserve so many men of God. — Here too Obadiah manifests his liberality, he was a generous patron, for it must have been attended with to small charge, in that lime of drought and dear- ness, to provide for the sustenance of so numerous a college. Tliis was a public benefit to the irue religion. It was equally a favour to the prophets themselves, and to the cause of Uod in the land. When the storm of idolatrous wrath was expended, * See note A in the Appendix. m A SEflMON TO YOUTH. 25 or it hnd been brought to an eml by the miraculous interposition of Jehovah, ns related in the subse- quent part of this chapter, verse 36 — 40, they would come fvirth to instruct the people in the law of the Lord, awd assist them in their worship.— Good Obadiah ! What cotnfort hadst thou in this thy deed of love 1 Thine too, was the blessing of many that were ready to perish. It came upon thee ! What fervent effectual i)rayer8 would bo offered to God on his behalf? Perhaps, to ihesrt prayers it may be ascribed, that Obadiah was shielded from the fatal effects of Ahab's caprice, and Jezebel's malice. Is it not true that most of those who have been eminently useful have been examples of early piety? The Scriptures furnish us with other instances, as Joseph, Samuel, and Josiah, David and Timothy. The age and the land of our fathers abound with examples — some of whom are fallen asleep in Jesus, others are yet pillars of the Church at home, whMst many are multiplying her converts in foreign lands. Earneatly do I desire that this important consideration, should penetrate to the central heart of all our youth, and there find a lasting abode. We ought to be profoundly con- cerned for the continued prosperity of pure and undefiled religion. To an extent which can liardly be over-estimated, this depends on the character, the principles, the habits of those who are rising lip to take the phice of our fathers iu Christ, who ore gradually passing away. 26 Ou.^ulAH : 'i t It is not without painful nnxiety. which however is sometimaa delightfully relieve.!,* that the leaders of the sncred cause look upon thP state of the Church. end of theWorld. Sincere Christians, are less cordi- ally united among themselves, than they should be. Their varieties of opinion, cause needless alienatioQ of affection. These divisions are sources of weak- ness. Some Christians are tenacious of their re- lioious f)rm9, and unconcerned about vital godli. ness in it.verse proportion, to what is respectively due to each. By some the exposition of God's word is conducted on principles, which are subver- sive of spiritual, holy, joyous piety. Others are too busy or too careless, to rear an altar to God in their own house, or to beep it in effective repair, for morning and evening sacrifice. And thea what multitudes, are either worldly or infidel— or lovers of pleafure more than lovers of God ? What reasons then have the Obadiahs of our day to look with trembling solicitude to the youth of our Churches, and of our familias ? It is into your hands that the treasure of the Gospel will soon be committed.— How important is it that you should be faithful men, by whom the cause of Christ shall not only be upheld, and perpetuated, but also that it may be gloriously extended, and its triuiTjphs repeated until the angel's voice shall be heard, in accents as gladdening as true. '• the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of * See Note B iu the Appendix. A SERMON TO YOUTH. 27 his Christ ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." Rev. xi, 15. To whom, but to the youth of our day, shall our fathers look for the agency that shall secure this result? O that you could be duly sen- sible of the great woik in this kind which there is to be done. O that you could understand that its execution will require eminent piety, and corres- ponding wisdom. We wish you to be fired with the ambition of being worthy to be entrusted with so great an enterprise ; of being capable of engag- ing successfully in the glorious work of subjugating thf world to him. who by the grace of God - tasted death for every man." May eiich of you cherish, and rightly manifest a consistent zeal for the greater efficacy of the Gospel in the sphere in wliich you personally move; and that its tiiumphant progress may be wide as the world, and lasting as time. Do not think me tedious, nor that I take an un- due advantage of your patience if, from the fulness of my heart I add, in the last place, that early, l^T*:LLIG^.^T, a.nd pkrskverkng piety, is the TRUE PATH TO HONOUR. Our soul is created capable of glorious elevation. It is the fear of God by which alone it can perma- nenlly lise. "Ho that followelh after righteous- ness and mercy, findeth hfe, righteousness, and HONOUR.'*— Prov, xxi. 21. Obadiuh was ennobled in a variety of ways. His godly character—his high social rank — his intellectual resources — and the abundant good which he effected by tho influence of his position »nd ' '^ abilities, are so manv fl'-^- I 28 OBVDIAH : dems in his coronet. It is a remni kuble teslimony to llie Iruu dignity, the virtuous greatness of this devout man, that in the emergency of a drought of three years'continuance, his sovereign was unable to find any other that he could securely trust. So tiiat when the nation was reduced to the last extremity, the land was divided, at the will of the king, be- tween these two, — '* Acd Ahab went one way by himself, andObadiuh went another way by himself." ver. 6. He was a proved man, unlimited confi- dence could therefore be placed in him. In all but the kingdom, Ahab had raised Obadiah to his own level. Is it not an honour to have all this recorded of him, with so much favour in God's book 1 Scarcely can we find a more satisfactory or a incre instructive illustiation of that oracle, "now the Lord saiih. them that houour mo I will ho.nouu." 1 Sam. ii, 30. My dear young friends, we recognise in you those priucij)les of our common nature, that impart a Bweet and animating relisjj to the commendation when it is merited, of iho wise and g:>od. It is the development of these principles in sanctified souls— and the conscious approbation of Ilim whose un- derstanding is infinite' — and who is glorious in holi- ness, which give extacy to the sijiiits of just men made perfect. '*!'» his favour is life." Psalm xxx, 5. WU " loving kindness is better than life." Ps'ilm Ixiii, 3. There are many who look on a man of serious and euruest religion as being of a mean and con- A 8EKMON TO TOUT II. Ud n iractod spirit ; us having a soul that in iucapuble uf dignity, or of honour. Nevfi- wa8 there a greater mistake. He deserves no answer who shall .ay of the ocean that it lias nv amplitude — of the sun that it wants brighlneas — of the nioon and the stars which God has created, that they have neither beauty nor magnificence ; but, a thousand voices will contradict him "who shall charge fbose who truly fear the Lord, with meanness and imbecility. On the contrary, the character — the principles- - the habits, which have been hero recommended to ytxu., will assimilate yoji to the most honourable of all men — they will produce in you som« acknow- ledged resenjblance to our Lord Jesus Christ, who being hoi) — harmless — undefiled, — went about do- ing good. Thus wiil you become prepared fur the accomplishment in your hi;!5hly favoured |)er8ons — of his most encouraging promise, John xii, 26. *'If iiny man serve me, let him follow me, and where I «m there shall inv seivant be, if anv man serve me him will MY Father honour." Yes, and when the false glory of those who fear 7iot God, though as renowned in their generation as Pharoah, or Ahab, or Herod, shiill have burnt out like the «moky, fierce, and filful beacon fires, kindled ou hills, the shameful signals of sedition, rebellion, and muider — the crow.n of them that fear the Lord eliall be as the brightness of the firmament, it shall €hine pure, serene, and inextinguishable, as ths «TAR8 FOR EVER AND EVER I! Dun. xii, 3. Your |>raii>ewoi thy atlouliou shall now bu rollev- 30 OBADIAII : 1;! 3 ed. If you would find the treasure tliRt is so greatly to be desired — whose price is above rubies, let there be no delay. O make haste to keep God's commaDdments. May you all be endued with heavenly wisdom, and with saving grace. Then cleave unto the Lord with purpose of heart. Say unto God "My Futher, thou art the Guide of my youth," Jer. iii, 4. Then shall you joyfully prove, that he is •• the strength or your heart and YOUR portion for EVER." Psalm Ixxiii, 26, Unto Him be glory in the Church by Chbist Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Eph. iii, 21. 9ifftnoxx, JTE A PAGE 24. CAVES IN PALESTINE. «' The country of Judea, being mountainous and rocky, is in many purls full of caverns, to whicii allusions, frequently occur in the Old Testament. At Engedi in particular, there was a cave so large, that David with six hundred men, hid themselves in the sides of it, and Saul entered the mouth of tho cave without perceiving that any one was there. 1 Sam. xxiv. Josephus tells us of a numerous gang of banditti, who having infested the country, and being pursued by Herod with his army retired into certain caverns, almost inaccessible, near Arbela in Galilee, wliere they were with great difficuliy subdued. "Beyond Damascus" says Stiabo " are two mountains, called Trachones, from which the country hns the name of Trachonitis, and from hence townrds Antbia, and Ilurea, are certain rugged mounluins, in which there are deep 32 APTENDTX. cnverns ; one o f which will hold four thousand men. Tnvernier. in lira '• Trnvels in Persin" Bpenhs of H grolto b«>twepn Aleppo nnd Bir, that uM hold nenr three thousand horses. An(i wo JVInundrell assures us, that '• three hours distant from Sidon. about a mile from tli» sen, there run» along a high rocky mountain, in the sides of which are hewed a multitude of grottoes, all very little diflTaring from each other. Thoy have entrance* about two feet square. There are of these sub- terraneous caverns, two hundred in number. Il may with probability Kt least, be concluded, that these places were contrived for the use of the liv- ing nnd not of the dead." These extracts may be useful in explaining such passages of Scripture as the following '• Because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made them dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strongholds." Judges vi. 2. To ♦hese they betook themselves for refug© in times of distress, and hostile invasion ;•--" When the men of Israel saw that they were in straits, for the people wero distressed, then the people did hide thenvselves in caves, and in thickets, nnd in rocks, and in high places, nnd in pits." 1 Sam. xiii, 6. ''To enter into the holes of the rocks, an;tl into the caves of the earth," became with the prophets, a very proper, and familiar image to express a state of terror and consternation." Isaiah ii, 19. — IVat- sons Biblical and Theological Dictionary. Article Caves or Caverns. APPENDIX. REI NOTE B — PAGE 26 .TGIOUS REVIV AL AT WESLEY COL LEGE, SHEFFIELD. TO THE EDITORS OF THE WATCHMAN. Bristol, Dec 4. 1848. Dear SiRs.—It will gratify mnny of your rcnJers fobe i..fuime(K tl.Ht r very remiukHble revival of the work of God hus brokeu out amongst tii« be- »oved youth in the College at Shefriej,]. From ru early pe,i„d „f Us history, this Inatitu;ion has been favoured with similar visitations ; and the fruits of them are^ adorning and blessing the Connexion, not only at iiome, but in foreign lands. The present, however, seems much the most extraordinary that has taken place A judicious and anxious observer says, in a letter which 1 received tiiis morning, that •'the w(»rk exceeds anything h^ ever saw or read of— so quiet— so deep—so universal/* Though somewhat sudden in its comm(3ncement, it is obvi- ously the result of the blessing of God ujmn a long and careful use of scriptural means, and is accom- panied not only by a spirit of deep and earnest de- voti.n. but what is always the fruit of this, a gen- eral and greatly heightened interest in the word of God. Intq any of the particulars of this work, thougli there are some of thrilling interen. it wou Id be obviously improper to enter: but the fact itself should scarcely be concealed. Of the high churac. l«r of the College we bive reason, m a Connexion, :U kvn.siyxx. Ut h* i>iftii«I : but it 1« ilnubly tleli^liU'ul to Hh iissurej that i\>t»yt> \!* iiniliin^ ill m sIvIh oi- l»'ar.liiiig iu li»« \fii^'\ iiici.iii|»iiiiljh< wifli thn ^ijupleyit atid most ♦•li#»i i/'liHii of lli(»«f .-;niMil iiiciilent>4 nnd opHi'Hliodif bv i\ liirli tiuv i)iiiiii;i\rt ;ind Jipdsifolic :ViefliO(iism • JmjB- iVoin tilt' Lcuiiiiiiii-. been cliani('rtMi«