The works of the Rev. William Thom, late minister ... - waughfamily.ca

SJ^.RM0N5. 21,7would be nothing, were it not the vicious habits ofidkn^fs, lying, curling, fwearing, and pilfering, whichthey will contract by drolling through the country.It isimpoffible for you not to be concerned about thedangers they run with refpeet to their character^ theirvirtue, their happinefs in this life, and the fiate oftheir immortal fouls in the life to come. It is nowonder you wifli to prevent all that danger ; and ifGod puts it in your power, a concern for thefe childrenfhould roufe you to activity, that you may leavethem in a hopeful way.3. I think it is the duty of a number of you atleaft, to repair to the gbod and large land which isready to receive you, from compaffion to thofe whoiiivou leave behind you. This is juft doing v/hat goodAbraham did with refpe^t to Lot. When there wasa ftrife between the herdfmen of Abram*s cattle andthe herdfmen of Lot's cattle, " Abram faid to Lot,Let there be no ftrife, I pray thee, between me andthee, for we be brethren. Is not the whole land beforethee ? Separate thyfelf, I pray thee, from me :If thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to theright ; or if thou depart to the right hand, then Iwill go to the left." There hath been too much flrifeamong you about who fhould poffefs this or that fpotof ground. I do not expect, that compaffion or regardto the welfare of your neighbours is to operatevery high in this felfifh age : But if many of you arediftrefled if through the avarice of your taik-mafters•,and your own v/eaknefs there is reafon to believe thatyour diftrefs muft continue and increafe whiiit youftay here ; if you plainly difcern, that whatever num-incline to go may be very happy elfewhere,ber fliallI think you need not grudge, I hope you will ratherrejoice, that thofe of your occupation, whom youleave behind you, fliall be happier than they are atprefent,- and rendered happier by your means ; and Icannot help thinking but that this is your duty.T