gaging deportment. Converse with the meek and peaceable; you will be preserved from provocations to anger and resentment. Converse with the pure and sober; you will be kept at a distance from intemperate indulgences, and feel a salutary check upon every irregular tendency. Converse with those whose company is valued and sought, pleases and edifies; by observing what produces that effect, ye will catch the manners which command attention and winlove. "Ina word, choose as near as may "be, the conversation of those who are wiser and "more experienced than yourselves. Avoid "the company of those who indulge to intem"perate mirth, and neglect the rules of de66 cency, from whom you can expect no bene"fit, and from whom you are in danger of re"ceiving a taint to your virtue, or a blot to "your reputation. A companion of fools "shall be destroyed *."

It is, if possible, a point of more importance to cultivate the understanding and the heart; the understanding by reading and reflection, and

the heart by goodness and piety. "Above all "things we must be extremely cautious," saith Cicero," that our discourse betray no defect " in our morals." A greater than Cicero observes, that a good man out of the good "treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things; and an evil man evil things." Here must lie the foundation of a wise and useful communication of our thoughts-in an enlightened understanding and good mind. It is a recommendation of knowledge, that it qualifies us to go into company, and to contribute to its entertainment and improvement. It is the praise of pious wisdom, that as it fits us for all the scenes of life, so it prepares us to carry into our intercourses with others the best disposition to please and be pleased; to edify and be edified. It will be productive of more happy and beneficial consequences than wit and learning, which are no security for the benevolence, or even innocence, of our discourse; which are often unequal to the office of subduing the impertinence and obstinacy, or restraining the loquacity of the tongue.

Who, out of a good conversation, sheweth

his amiable and useful works with meekness of wisdom; but he, whose bosom is possessed, whose heart is governed by that wisdom which is from above; which is "first pure, then "peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full "of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, "and without hypocrisy." Would ye then have the fruit of the lips good and innocent, pleasing and beneficial, make the tree good; for every good tree bringeth forth good "fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil "fruit."

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These advices apply to the whole tenor of life and conversation; but there is another which applies to particular occasions. It is this, To recollect ourselves before we enter into company; to fortify our minds against circumstances, which might betray us into abuses of speech, and to prepare ourselves for the part that we may take in conversation.

When it is considered, that "the tongue is 66 a fire, a world of iniquity; that it defileth the "whole body, and setteth on fire the course "of nature, and is set on fire of hell."-Can this advice be thought unimportant?-Or

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shall it be rejected, as too grave for the unbended moments of life? Where is the im

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propriety of bestowing a thought on the temper and complexion of the company into which we may be cast, or on the incidents which may arise? Where is the impropriety of anticipating any opportunity which may offer to give the conversation an useful turn; or of reflecting how to meet, with propriety and decorum, what arise to offend the ear, or to may corrupt the heart? Where is the impropriety of being furnished with some topics of discourse, that may entertain and edify? I will add further, where is the impropriety; rather how great is the propriety, how useful the tendency, of lifting up the heart to the God of wisdom and love; that he would assist us to converse as reasonable creatures, and as Christians, that we may learn good and do good, with whomsoever we converse.

This holy preparation would compose the thoughts and calm the passions; it would awaken a serious attention to the purity and dignity of our characters, and lead us into company under the influence of wisdom, be

nevolence, and piety, ready to be immediately called forth into exercise. If a man join his friends and acquaintance with these sentiments warm at his heart, in the best frame and temper of mind, what is to be expected, but all that is innocent in itself and pleasing to others—all that is good to the use of edifying and ministering grace to the hearers? Will not his conversation delight, and his lips feed many? His own character will be improved ;-others will be benefited; and the greater giver of speech will be glorified.