Afp. Such Folly and Extravagance, would be hiffed out of the commercial World. Why then are they admitted and cherished in the Social?

Ther. Why indeed? He must be far more acute than your Theron, who can affign a fingle Reason to countenance them. To explode them, ten thousand Arguments occur.-A continual Round of gay and trifling Conversation*, of Vifits quite modish, and Entertainments not moral, muft give an indolent Turn to the Mind. Such as will enervate its Powers; indif pofe it for generous Action; and gradually sap very Foundation of Virtue.-Whereas, a frequent Conference on the Glories of the GODHEAD, or the Wonders of Creation, would invigorate and ennoble the Soul. Would enlarge her Faculties, and elevate her Defires.

the

Afp. Did not our Hearts burn within us, faid the Travelers at Emmaus, while HE talked with us by the Way? Thofe Difcourses, 'tis true, were conducted with a Spirit, and enforced with an Energy, abfolutely unequalled. Yet, the fame happy Effects would, in fome inferior Degree,

* The Significancy and Importance of fuch Converfation, was fmartly reprefented by the Philofopher. Who, being afked, How he left the Company employed, made Answer; Some in milking the Ram, Others in holding the Pail,

+ Luke xxiv. 32.

Degree, refult from our friendly Conferences, if they turned upon the fame important Points. We alfo fhould feel our Hearts, warmed with holy Zeal, and glowing with heavenly Love.

Ther. Such Conferences would not only be productive of present Advantage; but yield a renewed Pleasure, in the Retrospect. We might reflect, with real Complacency, on Hours fpent in fo rational a Manner. And who would not prefer the filent Applause of the Heart, to all those tumultuous Joys; which wanton Jefts create, or the circling Glass infpires?

Afp. One, who thoroughly knew Mankind, and had tried the Merits of the jovial Board, very pertinently compares such Flashes of Mirth, to the Crackling of Thorns under a Pot. The tranfient Blaze of the One, and the fenfeless Noife of the Other, continue but for a Moment; and then expire, that in Smoke and Darkness, this in Spleen and Melancholy.

I faid, Spleen and Melancholy-For, however jauntee and alert the various Methods of modifh Trifling may seem, whatever Eafe and Grace they are fuppofed to give the Conversation; fure I am, it will be afflictive, to look back upon Interviews, fquandered away in very Vanity; and shocking, to look forward upon

* King Solomon. ↑ Ecclef. vii. 6.

the

the Account, which We must all shortly render. What Figure will fuch an Article make, in the final Reckoning, and at the decisive Bar? "Our focial Hours, which might have pro"moted our mutual Edification, and been "fubfervient to our CREATOR's Glory, all loft in Merriment and Whim; or worse than loft, in Flattery and Detraction. A Blank, " or a Blot."

Ther. Venus, we find, has her zealous KnightErrants, and Bacchus his profeffed Votaries, in almost every Company. And is it not truly deplorable, that the GOD of Nature alone, has none to affert his Honour, none to celebrate his Perfections? Though He is the Original of all Beauty, and the Parent of all Good.

When I have taken my Morning Walk, amidst Dews and Flowers; with the Sun fhedding Luftre round Him, and unveiling the happy Landscape; how has my Eye been charmed, with the lovely Profpect! How has my Ear been ravifhed, with the Mufic of the Grove! Methought, every Note was a Tribute of Harmony; and all Nature feemed one grand Chorus, fwelling with the CREATOR's Praife. -But, how has the Scene been reverfed; when, leaving my rural Elyfium, I entered the Haunts of Men! Where I faw Faculties divine, meanly engaged in Trifles. Where I heard the Tongue, prompt to utter, and flu

ent

ent to express, every Thing but its MAKER's Glory.

I assure you, I have often been chagrined on this Occafion: and fometimes faid within myself—“ What! Shall Trifles be regarded, " and the Majesty of Heaven neglected? Shall

every Friend, and every Vifitant, receive "his Share of Refpect? And no Acknow"ledgments be paid to that exalted Being, "who is worthy, more than worthy, of all "C our Veneration ?"

Afp. This will be still more afflictive to an ingenuous Mind, if we confider, That the infinite and glorious GOD is prefent at all our Interviews: vouchsafes to exprefs his Satisfaction, and acknowledge Himself magnified; when, with Admiration and Love, We talk of his tranfcendent Excellencies.-Nay: We are affured, that the LORD of all Lords, not only hearkens, but keeps a Book of Remembrance; and will diftinguish fuch Perfons, at the Day of univerfal Retribution. When the loose Train of licentious Talkers, are driven away as the defpicable Chaff; these shall be selected for his peculiar Treasure, and numbred among the Jewels of JEHOVAH *.

Ther.

* Malach. iii. 16, 17. This is a Paffage, much to be obferved. A moft emphatical Recommendation of religious Difcourfe! Perhaps, the moft emphatical, that ever was used; and the most endearing, that can poffibly be conceived.

Ther. If the Gentlemen, who make high Pretenfions to Reafon, think themfelves difcharged from thefe Doctrines of Revelation; they fhould not forget their own Scriptures.A Philofopher will tell them the Duty of employing their Time, as in the awful Prefence, and under the immediate Infpection, of the SUPREME Being *.-An Orator will fhew them the egregious Impropriety, of wafting their friendly Interviews, in the Fumes of Drollery, or the Froth of Impertinence †.

Afp. Who then, that is wife, would not habituate Himfelf to a Practice; which comes recommended by the Voice of Reason, and is enforced by the Authority of GOD?—A Practice, which will adminifter prefent Good-will afford pleafing Reviews—and terminate in everlafting Honour?

Ther. "Tis ftrange, that Subjects, which deferve to be received, as the univerfal Topic, are almost universally banished from our Discourfe. Was this Cabinet enriched, with a

Series

* Sic certe vivendum eft, tanquam in Confpectu vivamus: fic cogitandum, tanquam aliquis in Pectus intimum infpicere poffit:& poteft. Quid enim profit ab Homine aliquid effe fecretum? Nihil Deo claufum eft. Interest Animis noftris, & Cogitationibus mediis intervenit. Senec. Epift. 83.

+ Cicero fays, with an Air of graceful Indignation; Quafi vero clarorum Virorum aut tacitos Congreffus effe oporteat, aut ludicres Sermones, aut Rerum Colloquia leviorum. Academ. Quæft. Lib. IV.