statesman who adjusts the tariffs of his country, but of all who regard the moral bearing of different pursuits upon the condition of individuals and of communities.

A very large proportion of youth is another peculiarity in a manufacturing population. This feature is at once remarked by every stranger, on entering a village or a congregation composed of this class of our citizens. Few indeed are the hoary heads in such a community. Here are the young, the ingenious, the enterprising. Special efforts for their instruction and establishment in the great principles of morals and religion, can never be deemed inappropriate or unnecessary.

No small part of such a population are also widely separated from their parents and friends. They have left the nameless endearments of home, and the restraints of parental authority, to engage in the business of active life, and that, too, at an age, when the counsel of parents and of other judicious friends is of incalculable value. Not a few also are in a state of unprotected orphanage. With no father's house to which they can resort in seasons of bodily indisposition and mental distress, and no mother's attentions and prayers to assuage the grief of the heart, does not their lonely and defenceless situation bespeak the sym

pathies of humanity and of Christian benevolence?

Such a population also comprises no small share of vigorous and independent mind. There are no sinecures for mental dullness in a manufacturing community. Here, no person can get a dollar a day for sleeping. No person can be a distinguished machinist or manufacturer, with but a mediocrity of mental strength and ingenuity. It is only that class of minds which is enterprising, noble and magnanimous, that finds its element in the ceaseless industry and manly independence of a manufacturing population.

Such a community possesses immense facilities for exerting an influence on the country. The population is dense. It has all the advantages incident to frequent intercommunication. Opinions, whether good or bad, circulate rapidly. A little leaven quickly leavens the whole lump. The people are collected from different parts of the country, and perhaps of the world, and sentiments, formed by such communities, are disseminated among their friends, and thus society, throughout its numerous ramifications, feels the influence of the manufacturing villages. Even London herself, it is said, looks up to Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and other large manufacturing towns in

England, for opinions upon the great political questions, which, from time to time, agitate the public mind. The manufacturing interest in this country does by no means exert that controlling influence over public affairs, which it does in Great Britain, for here it is yet in its infancy; but it already gives tokens that it is the infancy of a giant.

Another peculiarity in the manufacturing villages of our country is, that their place on the scale of moral character does not yet seem to be determined. Whether they will sink to the low point of the manufacturing districts of the old world; or whether they will average in moral character with our agricultural, mercantile and commercial population; or whether they will surpass them all, in purity of morals, is yet a problem. It is not to be denied, that the solution of this problem is of vital importance to the country; nor is it to be concealed, that much solicitude is extensively felt for the result.

Such are the more prominent conditions of a manufacturing population in this country. In this Course of Lectures, such subjects will be presented as are deemed to be appropriate to these conditions; and, as I trust it is commenced with a desire to promote your present and eternal good,

may I not be permitted to draw somewhat largely upon your candor, and to cherish the hope that whatever of truth may be exhibited, will be cordially embraced and practised?

Solomon tells us that "the glory of young men is their strength." He probably had primary reference to the physical strength for which young men are distinguished. But, by a very easy and natural accommodation, the text may be regarded as having respect to the moral strength or influence of the young of both sexes. I propose to contemplate it in this broad moral aspect. The subject of this introductory lecture will therefore be,

THE GREAT IMPORTANCE OF THE SEASON OF YOUTH;

I. To yourselves.

II. To the world.

To yourselves, it is important,

1. As it is a season of exquisite susceptibility. From the earliest dawn of moral agency in the infantile mind, all men have a sinful moral character; but their depravity, although entire, is not of so deadly a virus, and does not exhibit such deeply indurated features, as in mature age. During the period of childhood and early youth, there is a peculiar susceptibility of moral and re

ligious impression, which we search for in vain in the subsequent stages of life. The passions now are easily moved-the conscience is tender-the mind is open to the various influences which may assail it. The whole mental and moral constitution is spread out to receive impressions, either good or evil, from whatever comes in contact with it, like the petals of a flower, displayed alike to the sunshine, the dew, and the storm.

If you have any regard, as I know you have, to your future peace and respectability, you cannot be indifferent to those numerous influences which operate, with such prodigious power, upon the character of youth. A point of no inferior consequence will be gained, if your minds should be habitually awake to the high importance of your season of life, arising from its peculiar susceptibility of impression.

It is important to you,

2. Inasmuch as it is the season of education. I know, indeed, that many of you have completed your education, so far as the schools are concerned. But the great business of education, properly so called, is by no means confined to the school-room. It is going forward every day-the education of circumstances-insensible education-by means of which, your opinions, prejudices, habits and char