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

if once more in fafliion ?SERMONS. 3y.And if fenfible and religiousconverfation were again counted polite and fafhionable,we need not fear but it would be cultivated.I cannot help thinking, that, if ever a general reformationof the world fhall take place, the way of converfingin companies will be much altered from whatit is at prefent. This may be the effed: of the world'sbeing reformed, but it may alfo furprifingly contributeto it as a caufe.It isnot neceflary cr even expedient, that the fincerefearers of God lliould fpeak to one another a-bout fpiritual things only. Divine obje£ls, if longand ftedfaftly beheld, muft needs impair and weakenthe fenfe of mortals. The converfation may be varied; it may at times be turned to other parts ofknov/ledge which are both plcafing and profitable, andilill tliere may be room enough left for innocent mirthand gaiety.The above are advantages which all men who havedifcretion and fome degree of knowledge, fuch as thepublic inftruclors of religion, may obtain by free conferenceamongfl themfelves :or fuch as themfelves.called the upper part of the v/orld, itI fay among themfelves,When we converfe with thofemay not be alwaysfafe to indulge ourfelves in the freedom of converfation; it may be rather proper to be fomewhatupon the referve. The prudent will often keep filence,and keep in his tongue with a bridle -, andwould be indelicate to fay,ithow much frequent converfewith mean, poor, and uninfl;ru