“ Angels, affist our mighty joys, "Be not children in understanding."-1 COR. xiv. 20. Deep in a meadow of rich verdure green, THE engraving fhows a little child, all alone in a field. In its fimplicity it fondles a deadly ferpent; attracted by its brilliant and fhining colours, the artless child takes hold of it without fear. She is about to take it to her bofom, when the cricket's merry chirp is heard; fhe is startled. In a moment the lively infect, with one fpring, ftands before her. Now the cries out for fear; she is greatly terrified. Thus, in her fimplicity, fhe courts death, and embraces it; while fhe is frightened at homeliness, accompanied by innocence and fong. This is an emblem of the young and inexperienced. The term fimple, or fimplicity, has a twofold meaning in Scripture. There are the "fimple" whom "the Lord preserveth," and the fimple" who "pass on and are punished." In the first instance it fignifies fincerity, innocence; in the fecond, folly, or want of understanding. It may therefore be applied to the young and the inconfiderate of all ages, who, for want of knowledge and experience, act without confidering the confequences of their actions. The youth knows not how to judge of objects that present themselves before him. Inexperienced, he knows not how to choose aright. He is in conftant danger of putting evil for good, and good for evil; bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. Hence, he needs the inftruction of God's Holy Word to enable him to difcern the things that are excellent; to prove all things, and hold faft that which is good. Above all, he needs the enlightening influences of the Holy Spirit to "give him understanding," and guide him into all truth. This want of understanding, moreover, dif plays itself in the wrong choice that is often made of companions; while the homely perfon, who may have much of wisdom and goodness, is rejected, the accomplished villain is felected as a bofom friend. The youth, deceived by his showy exterior and smooth tongue, unbosoms himself to him without referve. The villain laughs at his fimplicity, betrays his confidence, and leads him into ruin irreparable. Hence, how neceffary it is that the inexperienced youth fhould feek the council of the aged and the wife, and follow the godly admonitions of parents and guardians. This would fave them many a falfe ftep, and much mifery in after life. Appearances are deceitful. The ignis-fatuus looks like a friendly light, but it betrays the unwary traveller down to the fecret chambers of death. Poisoned berries fometimes look like tempting grapes; ice, though it may feem firm, oftentimes breaks in, and plunges the rash youth into a watery grave; wine, when it giveth its colour in the cup, at the laft it biteth like a serpent, and ftingeth like an adder. It was when Eve faw that the tree was pleasant to the eyes, that she took of the fruit thereof, by which act the loft Eden, and brought death into our world, and all our woe. If then, an act seem to be right, be sure it is fo before you do it. If any thing appears to be good, be fure it is fo before you touch it. If any of your acquaintance feem to be virtuous, be fure they are fo ere you take them for bofom friends. "The fimple pass on and are punished; but he that trusteth in the Lord fhall be delivered. "Ye fimple fouls that stray Far from the paths of peace, And throng the downward road, |