The first clause of this verse points out the society in which men ought to walk, and the consummation which by so walking they may hope to attain. The second clause contains a solemn warning and threatening from the Lord. The great truth which the saying of the inspired writer embodies is THE SOCIETY IN WHICH A MAN MOVES IS SURE TO MODIFY HIS CHARACTER, EITHER FOR GOOD OR FOR EVIL.

1. The first clause teaches that the society of the wise will benefit the souls of those who frequent it and delight in it.

That man is a social being, and intended by God to live and work in society, needs no proof. We have only to look at the play ground where childhood gambols, in order to see evidence that man is instinctively social. There childish employments discover the tendencies of childish natures; childish companionships at once indicate the characters of the individuals composing the various groups, and tend to confirm and perpetuate them. Childhood and youth dislike solitude; and so does manhood, unless when perverted by evil passions, or soured by unkind treatment. Separated from his fellows, man cannot be happy. Although the scene of his exile should be the fairest of nature's scenes, where her glowing verdure smiles before the eye, and her balmy breezes blow to charm every sense, - still the solitary one would be wretched. He would envy the insects which flutter together in the sunbeam, and the social groups of sweet songsters that fill the air with their sweet music. On the other hand, the society of beings whom he loves, and whose minds move in symphony with his own, will gladden man's spirit though the rugged wild be his home, will make him eat the most homely meal with gladness, and repose soundly in the meanest hovel. In short, human beings must have society of some kind or other. They must WALK with their fellows. Where circumstances allow them to follow the bent of their own inclinations, we see them selecting companions of like dispositions to their own. The giddy and the trifling cultivate the acquaintance of persons like minded; and other varieties of character do the same. And from this results the most important flow. The original bent of the mind is strengthened; its native propensities are developed, and the whole character becomes more and more confirmed and established. And hence it has passed into a proverb - "Tell us what company a man keeps, and we will tell you what he is." We would add, "Tell us what company a man keeps, and we will tell you what he is soon to become." He that walketh with wise men shews wisdom in choosing such society, and by it will be made wiser. The companion of fools is a fool already. The longer he lives, he will become more and more foolish, and at last he will die as a fool dieth.

In many cases, men's acquaintances and companionships have been brought about by deliberate choice. In others, they seem to proceed from accident rather than design, - from circumstances, rather than deliberation or decision on the part of those most affected by them. But in whatever way they have come to be formed, they will have much influence. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise. Though much foolishness be bound up in his heart, though his training may have been defective, - still his walking with wise men will not fail to improve him. At the very least, it will exert considerable restraining influence upon him. It will habituate him to the sight of godly conduct, and shew him that Wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness. From the true Christian there continually emanates an influence for good. "They that fear the Lord, speak often one to another," and it is very profitable to hear the child of God declare what his heavenly Father has done for his soul. Often has it happened that a word spoken in season by a Christian acquaintance, or a prayer breathed at a family altar has been the means, through the blessing of the Holy One, of rousing an unconcerned soul to ask - What must I do to be saved? and at last of its conversion to God.

And this, let it be ever remembered, is one great object of the institution of God's Church on earth. Her proper character is that of a school for training men for Heaven. Her great presiding instructor is the Holy Spirit; and it is His power alone which turns souls to God. But under him every member is more or less employed, or ought to be employed, in edifying the Body of Christ. Parents have children given to them, to be trained up in the way of righteousness. If parents are judicious and faithful to their vows, the happiest results may, through God's blessing, be hoped for. If they are unfaithful, the most disasterous consequences may be expected. The family is intended to be one school of wisdom. Happy is the son who heareth the instruction of a wise father, and drinketh in the fond and tender admonitions of a wise mother. The Christian Church is meant to be another seminary of heavenly wisdom. Its members should be companions to make wise the simple, and direct the inexperienced. Its discipline should separate the unclean from the clean, - the profane from those that fear the Lord. All who call themselves Christ's disciples ought so to walk, that those who accompany them may be led into, and kept in, the paths of righteousness and peace.

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise. We beseech our readers so to walk. Be companions of them who fear the Lord, and of them only. Cultivate the acquaintance, frequent the society of those only who love the Lord Jesus Christ. This, it is true, will not convert you. Neither will it, of itself, suffice to preserve you from all evil. A higher than human influence is necessary to effect this. But to walk with the wise will do much to deepen any good impressions that may have been made upon you. It will do much to confirm any good resolutions which you may have formed. It will do much to strengthen your love of the things of God, - if you have any. It will do much to help you forward, if you have already set out on the journey heavenward. Whilst we would warn you against trusting to any thing merely human, - whilst we would remind you that Jehovah alone is able to keep you from falling, and to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them who are sanctified, - whilst we would ever press on you with all earnestness that the Holy Spirit only can bring to God, and that He only can keep you with Him, - we would at the same time entreat you to seek the friendship of those who fear the Lord. Their acquaintance, - their conversation, - their example - the influence of their entire character will be valuable means of keeping you from evil, and habituating you to the practice of holiness.

2. Let us now turn to the second clause of the verse before us, "But a companion of fools shall be destroyed." By fools we are to understand all who love not the Lord, and who neglect His great salvation. Of these it is declared that they are hurrying to destruction themselves, and that their companions shall be destroyed with them.

We have already alluded to the effect which associates have upon human character. Men become insensibly, yet most rapidly, assimilated to those about them. Their minds receive a tone, their characters derive an impress from the words they hear and the deeds they witness. And it is a lamentable fact, that the influence of evil is far more diffusive than that of good, and fools are far more successful instructors than wise men; that is, their lessons are more rapidly and more extensively learned. This is because the human heart is depraved, - opposed to good and bent on evil. A good influence from without is repelled and resisted by the native corruption of the mind within. The lessons of wisdom fall feeble and almost powerless on the heart, because the heart itself is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. But when fools come to operate on their companions, they find the corrupt heart a material on which they work with ease, and alas! with melancholy success. Now the process of assimilation becomes rapid. A brief association with the wicked suffices to neutralize the warnings given by Christian friends, to sap the good principles inculcated by parental affection, and to throw down every barrier that has hitherto restrained the latent wickedness of the spirit. Fools soon entice their unsuspecting companions into their evil ways. Their insidious counsels speedily dissipate all the scruples and hesitations with which better advisers had imbued the mind. Their scoffs, their shallow cavils, their profane jests, and their coarse ribaldry drive away from the youthful heart all reverence for God, and His ordinances, and His Gospel. The restraints of His law are shaken off; what he enjoins is despised and hated; what He forbids is greedily followed.

And the end of all this is Destruction. Fools generally begin by enticing their companions into evil; and then they desert them. When his worldly means fail, or his health becomes impaired, or calamity of any kind overtakes him, the companion of fools finds those whom he trusted and followed, to be as faithless as they are dangerous. Like the Old Serpent, wicked men and seducers first draw aside their victims from the good way, and then leave them to their fate.

3. We now come to the practical application of the lessons here given.

To every reader we would say, Be cautious and circumspect in the choice of your companions. Make it your study to walk with the wise, and the wise only. Eschew the companionship of those who despise Christ Jesus, and neglect His great Salvation. Walk not in the counsel of the ungodly. Stand not in the way of sinners. Sit not in the seat of the scornful. Sit not in their hearing; listen not to their language. You may as well expect to touch pitch without being defiled, as to associate familiarly with ungodly men without being injured by the contact. The very sight of sin is injurious, for it diminishes the horror with which it ought ever to be regarded. The simple hearing of the words of the profligate, the scoffer, and the infidel has a tendency to pollute the soul and to rouse within it sinful thoughts. It is a vain thing, and a presumptuous thing too, to say as many do - 'My principles are sound, my virtuous resolutions are decided, my good habits are confirmed; and there is no danger that I shall be injured by either the language or the example of others.' No one can warrantably say so, for no one is without depravity in his heart within. And divine grace is not promised to those who wilfully tread on the pitfalls of temptation. It is not promised to defend those who perversely expose themselves to the attacks of Satan and his agents. Be like the Psalmist, a companion of them who fear God. Say to the wicked, 'Depart from me, ye evil doers, for I will keep the commandments of my God.' Be, in this matter, prompt, decided, firm. Halt not between two opinions; but let it be obvious to all that you are on God's side.

To the young reader, we would specially commend the words of the inspired writer "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but the companion of fools shall be destroyed." "Evil communications corrupt good manners." Treasure these truths in your memories. Meditate on them when you sit in the house, when you repose on your beds, when you go forth to the duties and cares and temptations of life; and pray that God would give you His Spirit to guide you into the land of uprightness.

Should these lines meet the eye of any one who has but recently landed on these shores, we would urge him most solemnly to take heed to what the Lord here saith. You have as yet few acquaitances. Be careful what more you form. Do not think that because a man is pleasing and plausible in his manners and seemingly prosperous in this world, he is a safe companion for you. Does he fear God? Does he love Jesus? Does he avoid and discountenance sin? Unless he does, shun all familiarity with him. Shun also the acquaintance of drunkards. Avoid our Australian public houses. They are so many gates of hell leading down to the chambers of Death. Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy; and may the Lord of the Sabbath ever bless you. - Rev. James Forbes

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