The hopes and fears, which a belief in the religion of the gofpel naturally raises in the heart of man, although, confidered in themselves and their immediate confequences, they have no claim to the character of meritorious; yet directly lead to the production of affections, difinterested in their immediate motive, and, therefore, ftrictly deferving of reward.

Under the conduct of right reason, they roufe us from the fatal lethargy of vice, they urge us to the practice of every ufeful virtue; until at length the heart, led captive by the charms of truth, forgets the motive, which firft engaged it in her fervice; and expanding itself wide as the creation of the almighty, and emulative of the joy of God, confiders every increase of the happiness of others, as an addition of happiness to itself.

Hath heaven, therefore, bleffed thee with riches? confider thy felf as the appointed difpenfer of them to thy brethren: and know, that thy happiness does not confift in the envied poffeffion, but in the liberal communication, of thy fubftance.

Thou

Thou fill wilt be happier than thy poorer neighbour: he receives thy favours, thou conferreft them: "it is more bleffed to give, than to receive.”

Beat down the fpirit of pride, which causes thee to infult the lowly fortune of thy less happy brother. The fenfe of pain, arifing from a comparison of his state with thine, fhall be diminished in his breaft; and thou shalt find thy reward, in that inward tranquillity, which meekness shall infpire.

The gift of fuperior wisdom, and abilities, the advantages of learning, are valuable only in the ufe. He that increaseth knowledge, increaseth forrow, if he toileth only for himself. If he hath no other end in view, than the gratification of a vain aspiring fpirit, the humble diffidence of the unlettered peasant is more deferving of our praise.

Let not then the light of science shine inward only on thyfelf. Let it irradiate thy neighbour's footsteps with its friendly beam: let it light him on his dark and dangerous

way through the wilderness of human life. The ray of knowledge, which thus informs his mind, fhall by ftrong reflection more powerfully illuminate thine own.

Repine not, though thy humbler ftation circumfcribe thy powers of being useful, within a narrower fphere. No man liveth to himself; the labours of the lowlieft of the fons of men are neceffary to the well being of the whole. Confecrate them, by an upright intention, to the general good; they shall be remembered to thy praise. True merit fhall not hereafter be difregarded, though now it may lie concealed in the obfcurer walks of private life. The impartial hour of future retribution fhall call forth the friend of man, whatever may have been his station here below, to substantial happinefs; and place an unfading crown of glory on his brow.

Nor will that facred ardor, which glows within the patriot's breaft, be unknown to the profeffor of the gospel. With confcious dignity of mind, resulting from a sense of high defert, 'he treads the path of public virtue,

virtue, with determined refolution: or if, like the amiable founder of our religion, he diffolves in tears at the profpect of the impending defolation of his country, yet, affifted by the power of faith, he directs his view to thofe improved forms of civil polity which future ages fhall disclose in happier climes; and, enraptured with the glorious profpect, enjoys a fource of fatisfaction, which the fceptred king may envy,-which the felfish cannot feel.

Restrain the refentment arifing from the injuries of unreasonable men. Thy adverfary fhall praise thy mild forbearance; and thy forgiveness of a brother's trespass be requited by the more important pardon of thy own offences against the tremendous majelly of heaven.

But most of all, be actively benevolent ; glory not in the ferocity of thy nature, nor fteel it against the foft fenfations of pity and compaffion. Better for thyfelf, as well as others, that thy heart fhould overflow with the milk of human kindnefs; better that thou shouldest melt at every tale of woe,

than poffefs that unfeeling temper, which forbids thee to rejoice, when thou heareft the voice of gladness; or withholds thy tears, amidit the diftreffes of a creature of like paffions with thyself.

The neceffities of our brethren are so numerous, and the advantages, which the meaneft of us enjoy, may be rendered fo effectually fubfervient to the removal of their forrows, that every one, who poffeffes the will, may find the power to practise this nobleft virtue, this most effential duty of mankind.

The various actions and pursuits of mortal men, difcordant as they may feem to the incurious mind, are directed by the hand of providence to the general good.

In the imitation, therefore, of this conduct of the almighty will confift the height of human happiness; as furely, as happiness may be expected to become our portion, when our hearts are found confenting with his will.

The relations of life indeed are numerous,

but