Page:Sermons preached in the African Protestant Episcopal Church of St. Thomas', Philadelphia.djvu/184

180 a hold transitory pleasures have in the affections, excluding therefrom all that is truly good, holy and divine. But what after all is the character of these pleasures upon which there is such a high estimate placed? They are all vain and empty as a bubble on the wave. They are like a dream which assumes all the appearance of reality, till we awake from our slumber and discover the deception.

They leave no trace upon the mind that can be dwelt upon with real satisfaction, like that which follows a virtuous and religious course. On the contrary, the pursuit of the vanities of life, is not only time lost, but it is sure to bring in its train that bitter remorse, and those keen upbraidings, which foreshadow to the guilty mind, the wrath to come. O ye lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, you who are even now indulging glowing anticipations of worldly joys, hear the impressive voice of inspiration and ponder your steps. "Rejoice, young man in