AWv£5

EARLY PIETY RECOMMENDED
FROM
THE EXAMPLE OF JOSIAH;
A
S E 1

^ ^9
OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OP
GEORGE GRIFFITHS, i
AND DELIVERED. AT
Bridge-Street-Meeting-House, BRISTOL;
, On Lord's-day Evening, the 3a of October,
18,0 2,
By SAMUEL LOWELL.

mwxmw:
PRINTED BY AND FOR S. HAZARD.
SOLD ALSO BY WILLIAMS, STATIONERS-COURT, LUDGATE-
STREET, LONDON; JAMES, BRISTOL; AND ALL OTHER
BOOKSELLERS.

EARLY PIETY RECOMMENDED
FROM THE EXAMPLE OF JOSIAH ;
A SERMON, &V.

a Chronicles, xxxiv. 3.
WTiik Josiah was yet young, he began to seek 'after
the God of David his father.
SUCH is the divine and honourable testimony
. respecting this pious prince, whose reign was
a blessing to his nation, and whose death, though
affecting in its circumstances, was as peaceful as
his life had been virtuous. So bright an example,
we wish, most affectionately, on the present occa
sion, to recommend to the imitation of the youn
ger parts of this assembly. In an attempt of this
kind, we have to contend with many difficulties,
arising from the prejudices which young persons
are so apt to imbibe against a religious life. While/
"however, they so generally imagine-that serious
devotion proceeds from contracted views, or from
a melancholy disposition, and that it is fatal to
A 2

4 EARLY PIETY RECOMMENDED
enjoyment ; — better information, and a happy
acquaintance with the influence of Christianity on
the. heart, would convince them that " pure and
" undefiled religion," instead of contracting, ex
pands the mind, regales the affections, and lays
the most rational and permanent foundation for
enjoyment. This was most strikingly the case
with the pious youth, whose remains we so re
cently committed to the silent tomb, and whose
decease has directed our thoughts to the subject
of this evening's meditation. He ranked not, in
deed, with the opulent, the gay, or the fashion^
able ; bnt being a partaker of heavenly wisdom,
looked down with a laudable aversion on the fol
lies and trifles by which the multitude are so un-=
happily amused, and so fatally betrayed. Like the
amiable Jewish prince, while he zvas yet young, he
began to seek after the God of David, the God of
his father.
It will be our present business.
First, To consider the excellencies which are
here ascribed to Josiah.
Secondly, To exhibit the reasonableness, and
advantages of early piety. And
Thirdly, To attend to the exemplification of

FROM THE EXAMPLE OF JOSIAH. 9
these advantages, as they appeared in the dear
youth, whose happy dissolution we so joyfully re
cord. Let us, then, proceed to contemplate the ex
cellencies which are here ascribed to Josiah, of
whom we are told, that zohile he was yet young, he
began to seek after God,
To " seek the Lord " is an expression common
to the sacred writings, but which has various ac
ceptations. In a more limitted sense, it refers to
asking divine counsel, especially in a time of dif
ficulty or distress. Hence Elihu addressed Job in
his affliction, saying, I would seek unto God, and
unto him would I commit my cause. When it is
applied to the conduct of mere professors, it al
ludes to their attendance on divine ordinances.
Thus in the days of the prophet Isaiah, when the
Almighty exhibited various awful charges against
a rebellious nation, yet, said he, they seek me dai
ly, and forsake not the ordinances of their God. In
most instances, however, this language compre
hends a serious attention to the whole of religion ;
and this is the import of that exhortation, Seek ye
the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him
while he is near. And from the language of the
text we infer, that Josiah was most truly devoted
to God, and that by a suitable spirit and conduct

EARLY PIETY RECOMMENDED

he uniformly displayed the excellencies of true
godliness. In imitating his example, we must
unite the knowledge, the experience, and the-
practice of religion. Mere knowledge, will but
inspire a fond conceit of our own superior wisdom,
and expose" us to all the dangers of the whirlpool
of scepticism. On the contrary, if our passions
only are excited, while our judgment remains un
informed, we shall become visionary enthusiasts,
and be rendered the sport of every fabulous sys
tem; which ignorance or" avarice may invent.
But, if the great truths of the gospel be clearly
perceived, and cordially embraced ; if its heaven
ly doctrines engage the affections and raise the
heart to God ; then will every divine precept be
cheerfully obeyed, every act of worship will be
sincere and spiritual, and our religion will be that
which is recommended and enforced in the vo
lume of inspiration. It ^vill be as a goodly fa
bric, the foundation ofwhjchis -wisely laid, the
different parts of which exhibit a just proportion,
and which answers all the important purposes of
superior enjoyment, and conscious protection.
Such were the excellencies, and such the advan
tages which were united in the religion oi Josiah,
whose piety will appear remarkable, whether we
consider, the peculiarity of his circumstances, the
warmth of his zeal, or the uniformity of his con
duct.

FROM THE EXAMPLE OF JOSIAH. /
Josiah, besides being a partaker of that depra
vity which sin has rendered common to the whole
of the human race, was placed in circumstances
peculiarly unfriendly to every thing relative to se
riousness and devotion. He had none of the ad
vantages of a pious parentage, and so perfectly
corrupt was his education, that the powers of
darkness seemed combined to render his ruin cer
tain and complete. It does not appear, that at
that period of life, when the heart is most suscep
tible of tender impressions, he had any earth
ly friend to apprize him of the evil of sin, to ex
plain to him the nature of religion, or to stimu
late him to walk in the way of righteousness. On '
the contrary, by the fascinating charms of a splen
did court, sin was presented in every delusive
form, and any singularity on his part, would,
doubtless, have excited a malignant disgust. To
crown the whole, every vile practice had the sanc
tion of his impious father, who did evil in the
sight of the Lord, and humbled not himself as did
Manasseh, but trespassed more and more.
Being in his childhood surrounded by these
complicated evils, he is raised to the throne, and
becomes encircled with all the splendour of mo
narchy. Every situation in life has its peculiar
temptations, but in some stations, the delusive
snares of sin are much more multiplied than, in

S EARLY PIETY RECOMMENDED
others ; and the extremes of wealth and penury,
have ever exposed men to the most imminent
danger. If, then, temptation becomes perilous
in proportion as men are exalted, the throne must,
doubtless, form the pinnacle of danger ; nor can
we wonder that not many mighty; not many noble
are called. When Josiah was crowned, it is scarce
ly possible to conceive of a more corrupt court
than that by which he was surrounded ; not an
encouraging circumstance seems to have existed ;
and as if Providence intended that his misfortunes
should be rendered complete, he had all the dis
advantages arising from the inexperience of youth.
Even the gravity of age, unaided by the influence
and motives of religion, seldom surmounts the
power of temptation ; but who trembles not for
a youth when surrounded by the perils of bewitch-*
ing enticements ? In such circumstances, ruin ap
pears to be so nearly inevitable, that the fondness
of hope, is almost destroyed, by the painful ap
prehensions of fear. As, however, Josiah was
by divine grace enabled to overcome temptations
so numerous, and so combined, we present him
to your attention as an illustrious example of ear
ly piety, and earnestly pray, that like him, you
may seek after God.
In recording the virtues of this pious prince, it
is impossible to be unobservant of that holy ar*

FROM THE EXAMPLE OF JOSIAH. 5»
dour for the divine-honour, which constituted his
sacred zeal. This grace was particularly displayed
in his determined opposition to idol worship, for
he brake down the altars of Baalim, and cut down
the carved images, and the molten images he brake in
pieces, and made dust of them, arid strozced it upon
the graves of them that had sacrificed to them. This
may, perhaps, appear to us, to partake of extra
vagance; but if the period in which Josiah lived
be recollected, and the manner of the eastern na
tions be taken into the account, we, shall then
perceive, that it was a most becoming expression
of holy indignation against the sin of idolatry.
Equally fervent was his zeal for the pure - worship
of the one living and true God. Under the in
fluence of the most sacred ardour, he diligently
exerted himself in repairing the temple of the
Lord, and in keeping inviolate those institutions
which were of divine appointment. There was -
nopassoverlike to that kept in Israel, in the days of
Josiah, when all Judah were present, and all the
inhabitants of Jemsalem. Nor did he act as though
he imagined that the whole of religion consisted
in an attendance on public ordinances, but was se
riously concerned to cultivate and promote a spirit
of uniform piety towards God, and an universal
obedience to his commands. He made a covenant
with the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep

10 EARLY PIETY RECOMMENDED
his commandments, and his testimonies, and his sta
tutes, with all his heart and with all his soul. And
he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and
Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Je
rusalem did according to the covenant of God, the
God of their fathers . What an unspeakable bles
sing are godly princes, and godly magistrates !
Their good influence on the subordinate ranks of
society is incalculable. It is to the moral world,
in a certain degree, what fertilizing rains, and
cheering suns are to the earth. Instead of sterili
ty and barrenness, " the desert blossoms like the
" rose," society is adorned with the fruits of the
Spirit, and the land is " as a field which the Lord
" hath blessed."
It was the happiness of Josiah, that his profes
sion was uniformly consistent, and steadily perse-
verant. It was not an overflowing tide, which is
seen but for a day, but it was " a well of water
" springing up into everlasting life." So happy
and universal were the effects of his example on
society, that all his days the children of Israel de--
parted not from following the Lord the God of their
fathers. His death was severely felt as a public
calamity ; and, perhaps, in the history of princes,
never did a people more.sincerely lament the loss
of their king, than the Jewish nation lamented
the loss of Josiah. Jeremiah lamented for Josiah,

FROM THE EXAMPLE OF JOSIAH, 1 1
and all the singing men, and all the singing women
spake of Josiah in their lamentations, and made them
an ordinance in Israel.
From this faint and imperfect sketch of a pious
and amiable man, who from the days of childhood
was devoted to God, we proceed,
Secondly, to consider the reasonableness and ad
vantages of early piety. My address will now be
more particularly directed to you, my dear young
friends, whose numerous attendance on the pre
sent occasion, inspires a pleasing hope, that I
shall be heard with candour, and that I shall not
speak altogether in vain. Permit me, as in the di
vine presence, to assure you, that I feel all that
tender solicitude for your present peace and eter
nal felicity, which is the genuine fruit of an affec
tionate friendship ; and if I may but be honoured /
in promoting your highest happiness, my lieart/
/ shall rejoice, even mine. ' I hope your passions will
not be permitted so to excite your prejudice, as
to oppose our representation of the reasonable
ness of your devoting the morning of life to the
service and honour of your Maker. This is most
clearly comprehended in your duty to your hea
venly Father ; and every part of that which he
hath enjoined, is your reasonable service. It is im
B 2

12 EARLY PIETY RECOMMENDED
possible that you can be altogether insensible of
being greatly indebted to Him who gave you be
ing, and by whose indulgent providence you are
so constantly protected, sustained, and comfort
ed. In proportion as you feel your obligations,
the very light of nature will convince you, that
if returns be possible, they should be cheerfully
made to so kind a Benefactor. If you yourselves
bestow but one favour, especially if it be of much
importance, you expect that your kindness should
be acknowledged ; and when these reasonable ex
pectations are disappointed, you attribute the
neglect to ingratitude, and then unite in pro
nouncing ingratitude a vice which betrays a pe
culiar depravity of heart. Now as your own life
is made up of favours, you cannot, I presume,
imagine that you can possibly be excused from
making those returns, which reason so plainly dic
tates, and which revelation so powerfully en-*
forces. If any grateful emotion dispose you, to
ask " What shall I render ?" the endearing lan
guage of Heaven thus salutes your ear; "My son,
" give me thine heart ; and if thou wilt obey my
" voice, I will be thy God, and thy exceeding
fC great reward." While he is thus saying " Seek
*' ye my face," may he graciously dispose your
hearts to reply, " Thy face, Lord, will we seek!"
The reasonableness of early piety will more ful-

TBOM THE EXAMPLE OF JOSIAH. 1 3
ly appear, if k be recollected that a state of irreli-
gion, is, at all times, a state of ignorance and fol
ly ; so that however harsh the epithet may sound,
the irreligious are by the highest authority pro
nounced " Fools." Persons are irreligious ei
ther because they do not believe in the existence
of a God, and the immortality of the soul ; or,
if they do believe these things, they act contrary
to their convictions. In the former case, what
amazing ignorance is displayed ! It supposes,
that all the beautiful and harmonizing order of
things by which we are surrounded, is the effect
6f mere accident. That the invariable revolutions
of seasons, and all the regular successions of day
and night, are but so many fortuitous events ;
and that the glorious luminaries of the visible hea
vens sprung into existence without any intelligent
Cause. That the universe has no Governor to con-
troul its affairs, and that in opposition to the evi
dence of successive ages, all creatures and things
are the precarious sport of chance. That the dis
proportion of intellect subsisting between the
brute creation and the human race, cannot be at
tributed to any assignable cause ; and that the ul
timate state of the midnight assassin, who plunges
the murderous dagger into the breast of his bene
factor, will be as happy as the most excellent of
mankind, who under the meltings of an affecti
onate sympathy, rescue the oppressed, feed the

14 EARLY PIETY KECOMMENDBD
hungry, and clothe the naked. If you say that
such sentiments are shocking to your reason, and
that wherever they exist they involve the greatest
of all possible absurdities ; it may, perhaps, be
worth your while, impartially to examine, how
far your own'character may furnish an example of
still greater absurdity, than even that which you
so forcibly condemn. You say that " you be-
" lieve in the existence of the eternal God, and
that you have the fullest conviction of the purity
of his nature, the rectitude of his government,
and the reality of a judgment to come." But
with these convictions, do not you live as though
there were no God, and as if it were certain even
to demonstration that you were never to become
accountable for your actions ? Your inquiries do
not respect the divine will, but your own gratifi
cation : and while you are thus openly insulting
the majesty of God, you tell us that you believe
that you are on your way to his awful tribunal,
and that you shall be rewarded according to your
works. " If angels' tremble, 'tis at such a sight ;
" More struck with grief or wonder, who can tell ?"
While your avowed sentiments, and your open
conduct are thus opposed to each other, you, at
least, must be silent respecting the absurdity of
infidelity ; for you are even more absurdthan the

FROM THE EXAMPLE OP JOSIAH. 15
"fools who say in their heart, there is no God."
If, therefore, you make any pretensions to con
sistency, be it remembered, that such claims can
never be established, but by your regarding in aa
inferior light, the things which pertain to the pre
sent life, and by making it the grand concern of
your existence to be found of God in peace at the
last. We, however, propose -to your attention, not
only the reasonableness, but the advantages also,
of early piety ; by which it will appear, that reli
gion is as closely connected with your present in
terest, as it is binding on your numerous obliga
tions. To prove that this is the case, let it be re
membered, that the time of youth is the most fa
vourable period for imbibing and cultivating the
principles of piety. In early life the obstacles are
fewer, and less formidable than in more advanced
years. I am aware that the contrary is a prevail
ing opinion with young persons ; but the voice
of wisdom, and the testimony of experience, both
accord with our representation. In earlier life,
the mind is less enslaved by those anxieties which
are the usual result of extended connexion ; and
is, therefore, more at liberty than when the cares
of this world begin tp engross its attention. Be
sides this, evil habits and propensities, usually be
come confirmed, in proportion to the length of

16 EARLY PIETY RECOMMENDED
time in which they are indulged ; and, therefore,
though difficulties will ever be attendant on that
course of self-denial which is connected with the
salvation of the soul, these difficulties will be" in
creased by every day's procrastination. Were your
house on fire, and you found deliberating on the
best means of extinguishing the flames to-mor
row; or instead of making exertions, were hold
ing disputes with your friends, respecting the most
eligible mode and time of getting the mastery of
the devouring element ; you would, in such case,
be justly suspected of insanity. Every sentiment
and feeling which reason could inspire, would en
force the indispensable importance of embracing
the present moment. Were you seized with some
malignant disease, wisdom would' instantly sug
gest the high importance of attempting, without
the loss of a single hour, to repel its influence.
Most thankfully would you accept of medical ad
vice, and as strictly adhere to the directions of the
physician, in whose wisdom and benevolence you
¦ could confide. Would to God your conduct were
equally rational respecting the disease of sin,
which not only robs you of present enjoyment,
but also threatens your future ruin ! Whatever
passion or prejudice may suggest, if the great bu
siness of salvation be , postponed, so multiplied
will be your difficulties, arid so formidable your
obstacles, tha,t nothing can ultimately deliver

FROM THE EXAMPLE OF JOSIAH. 17
your souls, but that kind of miraculous interposi
tion on which it were madness to presume. That
obstacles are increased by years, and that the heart
usually becomes less susceptible of religious im
pressions, in proportion as life advances, is an af
fecting truth which an appeal to facts would con
firm. Inquire, and you will soon discover, that
many of your friends, who in early life had seri
ous concerns of mind respecting their eternal in
terests, -but who presumed to give their first at
tention to their pleasures, their farm, or their mer
chandise ; are now so immersed in the cares of this
life, as to forget whatever relates to a future state ;
or if these things ever force themselves on their
remembrance, it is only to prove the folly and
criminality of those delays which have ensnared so
many of the human race. They are become the
. ignoble slaves of evil habit, and so ponderous are
the chains of their vassallage, as almost to pre
clude every hope of emancipation. An heathen
philosopher said, that "to give life to a dead
" man, and to instruct an old one, were tasks
" equally hopeless." Bemember, therefore, thy
Creator in the days of thy youth.
Among the advantages of early piety, permit
me to remind you of the superior honour by
which' it has ever been distinguished. " Honour"

18 EARLY PIETY RECOMMENDED
is a term which has usually had an attractive sound,
and the false ideas which it has excited has been
ruinous to thousands. There is, however, such a
thing as true dignity of character ; and the wise
and good will unite in testifying, that religion is
not only essential to its existence, but that it sheds
that amiable lustre around its possessor, which best
secures the admiration and love of all whose es
teem is worthy of your regard. If, therefore, in
the morning of life, you become the happy par
takers of divine grace, and are enabled to con
duct yourselves agreeably to the precepts of our
Lord Jesus Christ, it will be likely, even in a tem
poral view, to have the most happy influence on
your future years. Numerous are the instances
wherein young persons have immerged from very
low situations, have attained almost the summit
of public confidence, and ranked with the most
wealthy of their fellow-citizens. In a very large
proportion of these instances, it will be found,
that that firm unyielding integrity, which pure
and undefiled religion ever inspires, was the
grand occasion of their prosperity. Exalt tyisdom,
and she shall promote thee ; she shall bring thee to
honour when thou dost embrace her. She shall give
to thine head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory
shall she deliver to time. Religion will assist you
in the prosecution of your secular concerns ; and
whether you are looking forward to those con-

FROM THE EXAMPLE OF JOSIAH. 1°<
nexions which are temporary, or to those which
are expected to be more permanent, it will dis
pose you to ask divine counsel, and if "in all
" your ways you acknowledge God, he will direct
" your paths." It will, moreover, be an additi
onal security to your health, which is so univer
sally acknowledged to be the most important of
all temporal blessings. Innumerable are the mi
serable objects who are bowing to the earth, and
daily descending into the grave, under the insup
portable pressure of disease, and thexstill more
intolerable load of guilt, occasioned by the sins of
their youth. If, however, you are so happy as
truly to fear the Lord, that divine principle will
keep you from " the paths of the Destroyer," and
will be unto you a fountain, of life. We cannot, in
deed, give you any reason to hope for a total ex
emption from sorrow in a world of sin ; but we
can with the fullest confidence assure you, that the
religion of Jesus will help you to acquiesce in all
the dispensations of a wise and holy Providence,
and thus will it help you to bear the various cala
mities of life, from which even piety itself affords
no infallible security. We wish not to excite in
you any unnecessary gloom, nor to create in your
minds any dissatisfaction with that settled order
of things, which it is so impossible for mortals to
counteract ; but on the contrary, do merst affecti-

20 EARLY PIETY RECOMMENDED
onately wish you the fullest enjoyment of all that
temporal prosperity which will comport with your
highest interest. It will not, I presume, be
thought inconsistent with these professions of
friendship, if we remind you, that whatever now
affords you pleasure, is also capable of giving you
pain. Your health is held by an uncertain tenure.
Your possessions and hopes are all precarious.
Your dearest friends are mortal ; nor do you
know how soon you may be called to follow an
affectionate parent, a beloved brother, or an en
dearing sister to a prerriature grave. Before ano
ther week elapse, it is possible, notwithstanding
your present apparent security, that we may hear
some of you exclaim, Lover and friend hast thou
put far from me, and mine acquaintance into dark
ness. Thus exposed, if you now reject the aids
of religion, you must then expect to feel all that
poignant anguish which knows no alleviating
circumstance. On the contrary, if you are allur
ed by the heavenly charms of piety, and yield to
its benign influence, you will, in the day of ad
versity, experience its sustaining power, and with
the holy Prophet be enabled to say, Although the
fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the
vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields
shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from
the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls : yet

FROM THE EXAMPLE OF JOSIAH. 21
will I rejoice in theLord, I will joy in the God of
my salvation.
Permit me to add, that the early dedication of
yourselves to the great interests of the Lord Jesus^
will be peculiarly acceptable to God. Far be it
from me to suggest, that the obedience of a late
convert will ever be rejected ; but speaking after
the manner of men, may we not be permitted to
say, that the cheerful services of youth are more
acceptable than those which are only rendered
when a weight of years so presses down the hu
man frame, as to render it almost incapable of
sinful indulgencies ? We rejoice to see even an
old man forsake his vicious courses; but our
pleasure is sometimes damped, by the fear of his
reformation being rather of necessity than choice.
" Charity hopeth all " things ;" it is, neverthe
less, possible, for an aged man to abstain from the
follies of life, merely because he is no longer ca
pable of enjoying them. We may be ascribing to
him all the honours of a devoted piety, while he
may with guilty desires be still " lifting up his
" soul unto vanity." " If he enters the temple,
" he may flee to it merely as a sanctuary, "hoping
" to take hold on the horns of the altar, and to
" find it a place of refuge, rather than to enjoy it
" as a retreat for devotion." But if you dedicate
your youth to God, you will have the peculiar ho-

22 EARLY PIETY RECOMMENDED
ndur of standing free from every suspicion
amongst men, and he will himself proclaim on
your behalf, / will remember my covenant with
thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish
unto thee an everlasting covenant, and thou shall
know that I am thy God. Such promises will he
graciously fulfil to you as you advance in life,
and " when heart and flesh shall fail, he will be
" the strength of your heart, and your portion for
•*' ever." Before I proceed to the closing part of this dis
course, faithfulness requires, that I apprize you
of the indispensable importance of an early ac
quaintance with the things which make for your
everlasting peace. It is not merely that which is
to be preferred, but that which must be embraced,
if you would avoid the most awful dangers, and
the most tremendous, ruin. You, perhaps, ima
gine, that you may venture, at least for a few
years, to gratify your inclinations, that at some
future period of life you shall obtain repentance
and pardon, and that thus your eternal interests
may become secure. Even if this were certain,
your present perseverance were folly in the ex
treme. You would certainly condemn a person
who was in the daily pursuit of transactions which
he foresaw would endanger his safety, and which
would at least fill him With shame and remorse in

FROM THE EXAMPLE OF JOSIAH. 33
proportion to the period of their continuance.
And. why should you prefer the pleasures of sin,
even for a season, when the pleasures of piety are
so unspeakably superior ? But let it be remem
bered that if you persevere in folly, . you may not
at a more advanced period obtain repentance ;
and this is far more probable than the former sup
position. It has been commonly remarked, by
pious and thinking persons, that there are com
paratively very few instances of conversion to God,
which are not effected in the earlier periods of
life. And what reason have you for supposing
that your mind will be better prepared for an at
tention to the great concerns of religion at a more
advanced period ? Is it not highly probable that
the infirmities of age, such as the weaknesses of
the body, and the benumbed state of the powers
of the mind, will operate as so many serious im
pediments to your aspiring heaven-wtard ? On
what principle do you reason, when you con
clude that at a period when even your " strength
" shall be labour and sorrow," you will be better
qualified for self-denial and exertion, than while
you possess the energies of youth ? But you say,
you mean not to postpone this great concern to
the extremes of old age, and that your present
apology for delay, does not extend far beyond
the present period. Thus have thousands been
fatally deluded.

24 EARLY PIETY RECOMMENDED
" Procrastination is the Thief of time ;
" Year after year it steals, till all are fled :
" And, to the mercies of a moment, leaves
' " The vast concerns of an eternal scene.
" If not so frequent, would not this be strange ?
"That 'tis so frequent, this is stranger still.
Remember that you have no certainty of life ;
and that in dying circumstances, our reasoning on
these subjects would strike you as most just and
important, even though they may now be treated
by you with supercilious and scornful neglect.
Having attempted to represent the reasonable
ness and advantages of early piety, let us pro
ceed, Thirdly, To the exemplification of these advan
tages, as they appeared in the dear youth, whose
dissolution was the occasion of directing our
thoughts to this subject.
George Griffiths was only sixteen years of age
at the period of his decease. Though his life was
short, it was devoted to the most important of all
possible pursuits ; it was the great prevailing ob
ject of his heart, to glorify God on earth, and to
spend with Him an eternity of bliss in the hea
venly world.

FROM THE EXAMPLE OF JOSIAH. 25
" Virtue, not rolling suns, the mind matures.
" That life is long which answers life's great ertd."_ .
His race may be divided into three distinct peri
ods; namely, the days of his infancy, the time
from whence his heart was effectually turned to
God, and his confinement and dissolution. It was
his high advantage to be blessed with pious pa
rents, whose religious care has been wisely exert
ed in bringing up their family " in the nurture
"and admonition of the Lord." They have now.
lived to see the ample reward of their labours in
the hopeful piety of all their children. Our young
friend has left behind him two brothers ; one is
honourablyand usefully engaged in the ministry,*
and the other has recently " given himself to the
" Lord, and to this church by the will of God."
The religious instructions which the departed
youth received in his infancy, were so far suc
ceeded, that almost as soon as reason began to be
in exercise, he discovered a remarkably tender
conscience ; and at so early an age as eight years,
was frequently observed to retire for private pray
er. When about ten years old, he began to make
memorandums of the outlines of most of the ser
mons which he heard ; and whatever was peculi-
D
* The Rev. DanieLGriffiths of Alton, Hampshire.

26 EARLY PIETY RECOMMENDED
arly important or impressive, was almost sure to
be carefully observed by him, and to form a sub
ject for future remark and conversation. During
this period, however, though there was an air of
modesty and seriousness in his carriage, the doc
trines of the Gospel appear to have been rather
the subjects of his study, than the objects of his
delight. God had, nevertheless, mercy in store
for him, which was richly displayed in his con
version and sanctification, and is now perfected
by that consummation of bliss which, we doubt
not, he enjoys in the heavenly world.
He did not attribute the change of heart which
he experienced to any particular means ; but in
the autumn of ninety-nine, and when he was thir
teen years of age, as he continued to read the
Scriptures, and attentively to listen to sermons,
the light shone with increasing lustre on his mind,
and his heart became more seriously impressed.
He, however, attributed more to a very season
able and instructive letter, which about this time
he received from his brother at Alton, than to
any other circumstance. Repeatedly did he men
tion it in his last illness, and often said, that letter
had peculiarly endeared his brother to his affec
tions. From about that period, he became most
truly devoted to God ; his mind was more habitu
ally fixed on divine subjects, and he began to

FROM THE -iXAMPLE OF JOSIAH. 27
enjoy much heavenly consolation. He most
strictly observed the Christian Sabbath ; and if
on the Lord's-day, any thing like worldly conver
sation happened to be introduced in his hearing, it
never failed to give him very evident pain ; and
sometimes he would with much modesty and ten
derness, administer gentle reproof. When he
attained the age of fifteen years, he became more
studious than ever, frequently employed his lei
sure hours in writing on spiritual subjects, and
various of these juvenile productions has he left
behind him. They are the delicate fruits of a
premature spring ; and though they possess not
the fulness and luxuriance of autumnal ripeness,
yet such is their flavour, as to convince us what
they would have been, had they been permitted
to remain. Surely the great Dresser of the vine
yard would never have removed such a plant, but
with a view to its occupying a place in the para
dise of God !
Our young friend had a constitution which was
remarkably, delicate. Affliction was his frequent
lot, and from the first of January last he became
closely confined. Blessed be God ! he was, how
ever, the " prisoner of hppe." Greatly did he
regret the loss of public ordinances, to which his
heart was most devoutly attached. It was, how-
d 2

28 EARLY PIETY RECOMMENDED
ever, the grand prevailing desire of his soul, that
he might cordially acquiesce in the will of God.
For several weeks, prior to his dissolution, he
was very fully persuaded that " the time of his
" departure was at hand." His hope was unsha
ken, and though always expressed with much dif
fidence, nothing could be more evident than that
it was as " an anchor of the soul," which most
effectually prevented the fatal" effects of a tempes
tuous sea, by the rolling billows of which he
would otherwise have been overwhelmed. So
pertinent were his remarks, so scriptural and
weighty were all his sentences, as to discover a
knowledge of divine things far superior to his
years. I well remember that when on one occa
sion I dropped a sentence or two in his hearing,
on the importance of " a good hope " in the
midst of suiTounding afflictions, and especially
in the near prospect of death ; he, with unusual
solemnity , lifted up his sinking eyes, and raising
his poor emaciated hand, exclaimed, " My hope
" is in Christ. I hope in his atonement for par-
" don ; I hope in his righteousness for justifica-
" tion ; and I hope in his Spirit for the sanctifi-
" cation of my mind, and the salvation of my
" soul." Repeatedly did he say, " I have a de-
" sire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far
" better." Three days before his departure, on
being observed to be peculiarly serene and hap-

FROM THE EXAMPLE OF JOSIAH.- 29
py ; a friend, who very kindly, and almost con
stantly visited him, asked what was the occasion
of that unusual degree of tranquillity which he
seemed to enjoy ? To which he calmly replied,
" I am happy in thinking, that if my disorder
" continue its progress, how soon it will bring
" me to my journey's end ;" and immediately ad
ded, • " O glerious hour ! O blest abode !
" I shall be near, and like my God !
" And flesh and sin no more controul
" The sajcred pleasures of my soul."
-" I," said he, " shall see that Jesus, who groaned,
" and bled, and died for me. I shall join thege-
" neral assembly of the redeemed ; shall see Abra-
" ham, and Isaac, and Jacob ; shall unite with
" prophets and apostles, and martyrs ; and
" through eternal ages shall be for ever with the
" Lord." He then said, " AH this is of grace;"
and after a short interval, added,
* " O to grace, how great a debtor !
" Daily I'm constrain'd to be 1"
In this delightful frame of mind he continued, un
til he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, and thus " en-
" tered into the joy of his Lord."
I now feel inclined to indulge a hope, that ma
ny of you, my dear young friends, are beginning
to say, " Let me die his death, and let my latter
" end be like his." With all possible sincerity.

30 EARLY PIETY RECOMMENDED
my heart most affectionately echoes its fervent
Amen ! That love which I feel for your eternal
interests, induces me, however, to remind you,
that if you would die his death, you must live his
life ; and if you would live his life, you must be
come partakers of those divine principles, with
which the grace of God had so happily enriched
his heaven-born soul. If you are apprized how
much you need this blessing, " Ask, and it shall
" be given you ; seek, and ye shall find ; knock,
£C and it shall be opened unto you : for every one
si that asketh, receiveth ; and he that seeketh,
" findeth ; and to him that knacketh> it shall be
" opened." Some of you parents,, are perhaps ready to ex
claim, " O that my child, or children, were of a
" similar character to the happy youth, whose life
" was so highly exemplary, and whose death was
" so truly glorious ! But, alas ! I am painfully ap-
" prehensive, this will never be my happiness.
" Such is the folly, the irreligion, and vice of my
" sons and daughters, that I fear my future days,
" instead of being sweetened by their goodness,
" will rather be embittered by their evil ways ; and
" there are times when I even dread, that they
" will bring down my grey hairs with sorrow to
" the grave." Unhappy man ! Miserable wo
man ! We feel for your sorrows ; but may we not
ask, Is there not a cause for the occasion of your

FROM THE EXAMPLE OF JOSIAH. 31
"complaints ? « Yes/' say you, and that cause is
" the depravity of their hearts." It may be so;
but ought it in justice to be attributed solely to
that ? It is possible that you may never have in
structed your children in the great truths of reli
gion ;_ and though you say much respecting your
desires for their salvation, perhaps, they could
testify that they never heard you offer one devout
prayer to God for their souls. You may make a
profession, but you must imagine that your chil
dren are void of understanding, if yon suppose
that they can think you sincere. You may affect
to lament their want of piety ; but it rather be
comes you to lament your own folly and madness,
and to deprecate that double damnation to which
you are exposed by walking yourself in the way
of death, and by dragging your children down the
gulph of eternal perdition. You ensnare their
souls by your. inconsistent conduct, and then pre
tend to wonder that they walk not in the way of
God's commands. You may express your surprise
in language as emphatic as you please ; but the
greatest wonder is, that you are not more asham
ed and humbled before God for your own crimi
nal neglect May he in mercy grant you that re
pentance, which shall produce an amendment of
conduct, that your children may not in eternity
execrate you as the authors of their misery ; but
that together you may obtain pardon and eternal
life through Jesus Christ !

32 EARLY PIETY RECOMMENDEB, Sec.
Finally, let pious parents be encouraged, even
though their instructions and prayers on behalf of
their children may appear hitherto to have been
unavailing. In the name of the Lord, persevere in
your counsels and intercessions : and despair not,
even though you do not receive the answer of your
prayers in this life ; for they may, notwithstanding
all your discouragements, be answered when you
are become inhabitants of the grave ; and, by the
answer being thus, delayed, your joy may be
heightened in the great day of the Lord.
I close by congratulating you, my dear bereav
ed friends, that under the afflictive dispensation
with which you are visited, you have, as a coun
terbalance to your sorrow, the greatest of all pos
sible consolations. Look forward with cheerful
hope to that. glorious period, when you shall em
brace your child in the House of your heavenly
Father, never again to be interrupted by pains,
or tears, or death. There, my dear hearers, may
it be my happiness to meet you all, and through
an endless duration to unite with you in ascribing
glory, dominion, and honour, to Him that " lov-
" ed us, and washed us from our sins in his own
" blood." To his blessed ,name. let all creatures
ascribe boundless and immortal praises. Amen.
HAZARD, PRINTER, CHEAP-STREET, BATH.

YALE
UNIVERSITY UBRARY