nature is teeming with individual existence; and thousands of creatures spring hourly to being, which are born, and in a moment pass away again, swift as the plans and purposes of the buoyant heart.

Society-First, that tract-distributors be How bright are its smiles; how cheering appointed, and a district assigned to each. | are its sunbeams; how beautiful the calmThe tract-distributors to be members of a ness which succeeds its floods of tears! All Christian church, and selected from our Society. The tracts to be changed every fortnight. Besides lending the tracts, it was agreed that little books, suited to the capacities of children, should be lent in all houses where there are children who can read.Secondly, that prayer and exortation meetings be regularly held every Sunday night. The tract-distributor to give notice of the meeting in his district, and to request the neighbours to attend. Thus the lending of the tract will give an opening for a prayermeeting; and the meetings under God's blessing may in their turn give greater efficiency to the tracts.

A considerable number of soldiers are quartered in Brecon: their temptations are very great, and their religious advantages very small. It was therefore agreed, that we should endeavour to benefit them by the lending of tracts, and by every other possible

means.

The plan laid down as above was immediately carried into execution. In less than a fortnight twelve visitors were in the field (all being professors of religion); they have since been increased to fifteen. An opening was made into the barracks, and tracts lent in about eight rooms. The prayer-meetings are regularly kept every Sunday night, after the close of the six-o'clock service. In some of the meetings the attendance has been overflowing.

The flowers of summer are blooming in their beauty, expanding their fair leaves to the sun of heaven. And should not youth unfold its buds to the bright sun of everlasting glory? Oh! should not youth develope its warm energies, and show forth the rich streaks with which its leaves are dyed? Yes, rise thee, O young man, in the glory of thy prime. Let the gale be made fragrant with the odour of thy works. Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth; and live to the glory of the God that made thee.

Now the birds are singing sweetly in the woodlands around; they pour upon the air their notes of love and joy. "Jehovah, Je"thou who fillest hovah," they seem to say, us with good, who satisfiest the desire of all things living, accept thou the praise of creation as in songs we testify our joy."

And wilt not thou too sing his praise, O young man, ere the ardour of thy heart is departed? Oh, render the honour which is due unto his name in this the excellency of thy strength, while thy bosom. glows with Thou hast more to praise unabated fire. him for than these. Let his goodness dwell upon thy lips. Let thanksgiving be offered up from the altar of thy heart.

It would be well if the religious public The flowers of summer are the promise of were more generally awake to the amazing autumnal fruits, yet sometimes they wither importance of Young Men's Societies. The | on the branches. Oh, watch over thine, and noble energies of youth, when concentrated, tend them with unmitigated care, that thou and directed by religious prudence, would mayest still bring forth fruit in old age, that accomplish a great amount of good. Bre- the Lord may be thy God when thy hairs conshire races will be held towards the close are growing grey. of the present month; and your Branch have resolved to bear their testimony against those sports by supplying every house with a handbill against races.

SUMMER.

The verdure of summer ere long will fade away. Its beauties will wither and die. The sere leaf will rustle along the blast, the trees, stripped of their foliage, become naked and bare. The fields, having yielded their increase, will be shorn of their declining strength. The thousands of animated creatures which summer pushed into being, will flutter on busy wings no more: their life will be as a tale that is told.

Thy strength too is consuming, O young As spring is a picture of childhood, the man. Use it then in the sunshine of thy infancy of the year, when intellect puts forth | days. Thou, too, shalt depart ; but not as its first buddings of beauty; so summer, these. Oh, strive to leave a fragrance beteeming over with life, and pushing into be- hind thee, like the fragrance of summer, ing fruits and flowers without number, is an that thy good works may follow thee to the emblem of the young man's ardent strength. | gates of death. T. R.

2

London: R. Needham, Printer, 1, Belle-Sauvage-Yard, Ludgate-Hill.)

THE

YOUNG MEN'S MAGAZINE.

No. 11.]

NOVEMBER, 1837.

THE YOUNG MEN'S SOCIETY.

[VOL. I.

fluence, which may be employed successfully for good purposes; and he Ar the close of an article in our who seeks to improve the condition last, upon the Power of Voluntary of his species stands on a moral emiAssociation, an appeal was made to nence amongst his fellows. This young men to make use of this power is the man who is asked to exert the in behalf of the moral interests of influence he possesses over those he their class throughout Europe. That is brought into contact with every we may not appear to propose what day; the individuals of his own class is impracticable, or too great for any and of his own age, whose feelings society to attempt, we shall devote a and modes of thinking he underfew pages to the more particular de- stands, and on whom he knows what velopment of our plans; and we it is that will operate most effectively. shall endeavour to prove that un- He is asked to form the nucleus of a known energies may be stirred up cluster of kindred spirits, beginning that will work an astonishing change with two or three only, perhaps, for the better, under the sanction of which may attract all that is best and Him who alone can impart to them purest of the elements around it. efficiency and success.

Their first efforts will be directed It is not imagined that every young to improve their own minds, to man can set before his mind, in all strengthen their principles, to purify its extent, the vast object of renewing their motives, to acquire a larger the moral face of the earth; but share of the spirit of piety. Select there is no one, if he be a Christian, reading, the composition of essays, who would not be a co-worker with conversation, society and prayer to others towards the same end. Nor the Throne of Grace, are the means can he be a stranger to those unut-appointed by the society, which it is terable sympathies for a perishing hoped may receive the divine blessworld, which heave the bosom of the ing; especially as sceptical and prochurch, or indifferent to any means fane sentiments are carefully exwhich may conduce to its salvation. cluded.

Plans for this purpose

We propose to transport him to no The next aim of the association distant scene of labour, nor do we will be to rescue a number of neighassign to him a task of peculiar dif- bouring youths from destructive ficulty. The field is around him, courses. and the labourers are ready for the harvest. Every person, whatever his sphere of life, has talents and inVOL. I.

would fill up a great portion of their leisure hours. They might include, the composition and distribution of

L

special tracts, the delivery of lectures, ment they must keep up, the corresthe establishment of schools, the cir-pondence they maintain, the visits to culation of the Scriptures, to procure country branches, printing, benevolent the preaching of sermons to the engagements, and the assistance reyoung. All these and many other quired of them by associations. beneficial suggestions might present themselves.

The branches which unite the local associations are calculated to origiSome persons think there is no nate, to support, and to stimulate definite object before the society; but them. And the correspondence of the fact is, the object is definite the branches with the parent Society, enough to improve the usefulness serves as a connecting link to the and happiness of young men every whole, which may be constantly emwhere. The methods of effecting ployed for sympathy and excitement; this are various; and this we deem an and for great purposes may be the advantage, that we are not restricted medium of producing one combined to one particular path, but may adopt and general movement throughout all any that may favour the attainment the masses of which it is composed. of the end in view. Benevolence, in When one branch or association is order to be practical, requires that it drooping, it may be cheered by the should be adapted to all the cir- success of another, and thus a wholecumstances of human nature; and some interest may be kept up in the hence it is that such a variety of de- progress of each, which may result in signs may be crowned with equal the greatest good to all. success. This society adapts itself, In the general state of the world as far as possible, to every kind of the benevolent see around them the mental constitution, that all the forms of evil, and the vast congreagencies for good may be put in gation of those who are opposed to motion, that no talent may be allowed truth and virtue; and being ignorant to remain idle, and that every la- of the number of their adherents, they bourer may have his appropriate de- are afraid to come forward and mainpartment in the work. This is fur- tain their cause. But combine all ther promoted by the united, religious, the friends of humanity, and present and literary character of the society. to them numerous bodies of men enOne argument for the Associations gaged in the same service, and fightis, their inexpensiveness: no amount ing under the same banners, and the of subscription being at all essential to form or sustain them. They may be held at the houses of the members, or at any room lent to them for the The monthly Magazine of the sopurpose. Neither are the branches ciety is well adapted to direct attenbound to incur any expense, though tion to those objects which are worthy there is more need for it in their case, to engage the various associations, because they are expected to form and to keep up an interest in everythe associations, to maintain a corres- thing that is going on in all its ramipondence with them, and, if possible, fications. It is also an admirable to establish a library and reading-arena for intellectual exercise, to room for the use of all the members. many of the members, by which the The Committee of the parent So- usefulness and power of the society ciety have the most occasion for may be constantly increased. money, on account of the establish-influence which the periodical press

timid will become bold, and do their part in the conflict, in order to share the honours of the victory.

The

work, that they may be able to confound the infidel, to confirm the doubtful, to strengthen the weak, to decide the wavering.

possesses over the public mind is well be thoroughly furnished for every good known, and cannot be easily over estimated, and therefore it is most important to employ its energies in behalf of the best interests of man. It is lamentable to think how large a proportion of its powers are swayed by the sceptical philosophy, and the profane sentiments, of the day; how newspapers and periodicals maintain their circulation in defiance of all the principles of truth and honesty, religion and morals; and how many there are that are absolutely devoted to the propagation of evil, or to fan the flames of sensuality! This proves the need of a powerful counteracting influence.

Thus we hope we have stated with sufficient clearness the plans of the society, and that they will be found to have a simplicity that cannot but commend them to our young friends. Objections, however, have been raised against them, which we will endeavour to obviate.

Another objection may be raised: that the associations do not afford more advantages; and to this it may be replied, that there is no obstacle to their doing so, but the means. It would be impossible to have them extended enough to comprise every locality, if they were formed on different principles; but when associations have resources adequate, there can be no objection to the addition of library, reading-room, &c., &c.

The objection to the society on account of indefiniteness has been answered already. The remaining part of the business of associations must obtain the assent of every well-regulated mind, as benevolent action is identified with every thing that is noble and pure in the universe.

It must be a gratifying occupation to the members of branches to raise up associations, each of which may grow into a centre of light to its neighbourhood, diffusing around it the blessings of religion and knowledge, an office not unworthy of a Christian philanthropist,-and giving scope for the exercise of talent of every kind. Such a man may be placed upon a par with those who have raised schools or hospitals, who cannot fail to receive the testimony of a good conscience, and the approbation of the wise and good.

To compose essays is thought too formidable by some young men; yet this is surely a mistaken notion, as they are not submitted to the inspection of critical judges, or to professional men, but to their fellows and equals. And if the cultivation of the mind be worth an effort, it is worth at tempting something new and untried; difficulties often vanish when approached, and none can tell how successful he may be till he has made the attempt. The reward is worth all the labour. It will afford an agreeable occupation to leisure hours, The members of the parent Comopen the mind to new ideas, and mittee have, if possible, a still higher settle and confirm it in important delight, arising from the consciousness principles. The memory will be as- of doing good on a larger scale; of sisted to review its stores, the judg-spreading blessings over distant cities, ment will be matured and strength- countries, and continents, which may ened, and the intellect will be able to be compared to angel visits of mercy, bring every acquisition into practical only more frequent and less fleeting. They who wish to do good in They may receive the vivid reflection an age of general enlightenment must of those blessings upon themselves,

use.

in ten thousand forms, more beau- to overcome all opposition.
tiful and refreshing than the colours
of the morning light. And while
the vibrations of that fluid extend
themselves over the whole circle
of the heavens, so do they look for
that time when the light of religion
and knowledge shall compass the
habitable earth.

It is not the rays of a few bright planets, but the constellation of stars in the firmament that gives light to the world.

A great defect of the present day is, that nothing has been done to provide for the full development of youthful energy. In all large societies they are lost in a mass of others, of difIf all the large cities and ferent ages, conditions, and feelings: towns of England alone, could be consequently, having no particular induced to adopt the principles channel to pour themselves into, their of this Society, what a mighty capacities are wasted or not called influence for good would be placed in into action. This is the case in nearly the hands of its directors! and what all the voluntary associations of the an important station they must hold day-of science, literature, or moat the head of England's youthful rals; and it is especially so in relireligious sentiment and ardour! Is it gion. In Christian churches the too much to say that the whole body young form but a very small proporof young men, and even the nation tion of the members; and there is no at large, might be benefited by their sphere of labour open to most of counsels and labours? and that them but the Sabbath-school. Though society, receiving a new impulse, like we would not for a moment undera second Reformation, might burst all value the occupation of Sundaythe shackles of ignorance and infidelity, school teachers, which has been atand stand forth in the might and ma-tended with many blessed results,

jesty of the sons of God? Who yet it may be doubted whether this,

knows the impetus that is given to vice and sensuality by that young man rushing on in his reckless career, unmoved by the counsels of friendship, the tears of parents, or the "terrors of the Lord." And who knows how a family, a neighbourhood, a city, a country, or an age, may be better and happier for that holy youth's consecrated talents and example. If one instance be so important, what must be the value of many? and these not separate and scattered, but compact in a holy brotherhood for saving humanity.

however excellent, should absorb all the powers of young minds, amidst a "world lying in wickedness.”

We are persuaded from our own experience, that there are many young persons who have been converted to a knowledge of the truth, looking about them with disquietude, to find out some path of benevolent action, to whom the former would not afford sufficient scope. And it is a fact we believe, and much to be deplored, that many sink into supineness, because their first ardent love to Christ is expended in fruitless desires to discover the course in which it should engage them.

The disjointed state of the Christian church, broken up into parties, and marshalled under different leaders, is There is at this moment, we believe, unfavourable to the general reception a numerous cavalry of young Chrisof the Gospel; and till the grand tians waiting for a summons to the principle is discovered which shall field. To all such we would "blow unite and blend all into one common a trumpet in Zion," saying, Come, confederacy, it must not be expected ye to the help of the Lord;

to