Idle thoughts are those which ramble wantonly about the mind, ranging from one object to another, just as they will, without any effort to divert them into a useful channel. It might afford a profitable illustration of our meaning, if the train of thought passing through the mind of a young lady, for instance, while sitting for an hour alone at her work-table, could be taken down as it occurs.-Perhaps she would herself be startled to peruse the motley record. Or should she be disposed to plead in her excuse that it was rather silly than sinful, let her remember, that "the thought of foolishness is sin." It is not said the thought of wickedness, but the thought of foolishness. And it is so, because it wastes time and talents which might be profitably employed, and for which we must render an account. It is not sufficient that the hands are occupied; the mind may be idle whilst they are busy; and how much mischief and misery may be traced to indolence of mind! thought is the chief prerogative of our being; the great means of ennobling and reforming it; it makes the grand distinction between the man and the brute. And yet, would it be paying too high a compliment to the capacities of the linnet or the lap-dog, (who we may suppose to be the aforesaid young lady's companions at her work-table,) to presume that the train of ideas or sensations, passing through their brains at the same time, would be at least as well worthy of note as those of their mistress? I would gladly amuse my readers with the alternate cogitations of the lap-dog, the linnet, and the lady; but being unwilling to hazard a conjecture with regard to the two former, I leave them to furnish those of the latter for themselves. If "Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do," it is no less true of idle thoughts. They are the first means he employs to ensnare us: of them we are not much afraid, and therefore are easily led on to the next step, which is short and easy indeed. By vain thoughts, we may understand those wilful excursions of the imagination, those airy visions of future happiness, (as improbable as they are indeed undesirable,) which, it is to be feared, are by many, not only admitted, but encouraged. If any young persons should yield to this kind of mental indulgence, under the idea of its being a harmless amusement, it can only be for want of ob servation of their own minds, or for want of sufficient experience of its consequences. Its effects on the mind are much the same as those of intemperance on the body; enfeebling its powers, rendering every present occupation insipid-every duty dry, and creating a distaste for all mental improvement; at the same time that it cherishes the love of self, and blunts every benevolent and generous sentiment. Nor is it too much to say, that an habitual indulgence of these visionary pleasures is absolutely incompatible with religious improvement. The mind, whose favourite employment is forming plans and wishes for possessing the pleasures, honours, riches, vanities of this world, cannot be seeking, "first, the kingdom of God;" cannot be "hungering and thirsting after righteousness;" cannot have "fixed its affections on things above." Well then might David exclaim, "I hate vain thoughts, but thy law do I love." He knew that to love both was impossible, for he sets them in direct opposition to each other. It is not necessary to describe, and we hope not needful to warn our readers against, the last mentioned kind: indeed, if the two former be carefully guarded against, and dismissed from the mind as soon as they enter, there will be little danger that wicked thoughts should gain admission. But let none hope to escape even from these, if license be given to the others. The distance and difference between vain and wicked thoughts, is much less than may be imagined; it is but another step, a step soon and easily, and often unconsciously, taken. Who then will dispute that "the thought of foolishness is sin!”— Who but has need to "watch and pray that they enter not into this temptation !" If a habit of indulging vain and sinful thoughts be so injurious to the moral and intellectual powers, how healthful, how desirable is a well regulated mind, which has acquired such a command over itself, as to be able to call off the thoughts instantly from unprofitable wanderings, and fix them on useful and important subjects! Youth is the time for forming this habit: if neglected then, it will, in after life, be by painful laborious efforts only, that the mind can be brought to profitable reflection and meditation; from which it will be ever liable to be diverted by every trifle that presents itself to the senses> All mental superiority originates in habits of thinking. A child indeed, like a machine, may be made to perform certain functions by external means; but it is only when he begins to think that he rises to the dignity of a rational being. Are we at a loss for subjects of improving and interesting thought? O, look around! regard the heavens above and the earth beneath. The wonders and beauties of nature are of themselves inexhaustible sources of delightful contemplation. That must be a low, frivolous mind, in which a glance at the starry heavens excites no interest, no curiosity, no admiration, no reverence for the great Creator. Many of our employments, (and this remark especially applies to female employments,) are happily of such a nature, as to leave the mind at liberty. Let no one imagine that she is not responsible for the manner in which that liberty is used. While the useful needle is performing its humble functions, what a noble privilege it is, that the mind may be engaged in the grandest pursuits that can occupy an intelligent being! Why is it that so many who acknowledge generally the supreme importance of religion, yet from year to year neglect that great salvation? It is for want of thought. Idle and vain thoughts are the "weeds which spring up and choke" every good impression; and prevent all serious reflection. Oh, we should be ashamed to mention the trifles that, it is to be feared, occupy hours and years of eager, anxious thought, and cause such subjects as death, heaven, and eternity, to appear dull, insipid, and unimportant! Let our young readers inquire for themselves to what themes their thoughts most gladly and naturally recur. And happy, happy they, who, after such an investigation can sincerely exclaim, "O how love I thy law; it is my meditation all the day!" Let none be discouraged from attempting to acquire the right regulation of their thoughts, by the difficulties they may have to encounter. Habit will render that easy and delightful, which, at first, appears dry and difficult. The mind will gradually become enlarged and ennobled; will feel disgusted at the trifles which used to satisfy it, and aspire to pursuits and pleasures of the highest order. To be prepared for the great change-meetened for a world of intellectual and spiritual enjoyment, will then appear to us the grand concern of life, the "one thing needful." Then shall we be able to say with the Psalmist, "I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies." LESSON XII. The Stranger and his Friend. Matt. xxv. 35-40. A POOR wayfaring man of grief That I could never answer, nay. Once, when my scanty meal was spread, I gave him all; he blessed it, brake, I spied him where a fountain burst Clear from the rock; his strength was gone; The heedless water mocked his thirst; He heard it, saw it hurrying on I ran, and raised the sufferer up; Thrice from the stream he drained my cup, I drank, and never thirsted more. 'T was night. The floods were out, it blew I heard his voice abroad, and flew I warmed, I clothed, I cheered my guest, Then made the ground my bed, and seemed Stript, wounded, beaten nigh to death, In prison I saw him next, condemned And honoured him midst shame and scorn. The flesh was weak, my blood ran chill, Then in a moment to my view, LESSON XIII. Mode of acquiring the most comprehensive conception of the Bulk of the Earth.-DICK. THE earth is a globe, whose diameter is nearly 8,000 miles, and its circumference about 25,000; and, consequently, its surface contains nearly two hundred millions of square miles-a magnitude too great for the mind to |