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On Goodness of Heart.

L.

EORGE is one of the finest I tempered youths within the circle of my acquaintance. He has all the qualities which constitute in the fullest extent, what the world calls goodness of heart. A disposition uniformly pleasant, a peaceful temper which yields rather than contend, even when he is ungenerously crouded, commiseration for the suffering, and cheerfulness in obliging others, are prominent features in his character.

With all the peculiarities distinguishing her sex in the softer accomplishments, Emilia, the sister of George, is like her brother.

both to the unchangeable laws | be desired, as that which arises of God, and to the doctrines, from uniform obedience. precepts and dispensation of grace, through which they hope to be saved: It is a transgression of their own solemn engage. ment to be on the side of the Lord, and grieves the Holy Spirit, by whom alone they can be sealed to the day of redemption. If it be an evil thing to sin against a glorious Creator, how much more agravated, to dishonour him, who hath bought us with a price, even his most precious blood? Those, who, by the pains of repentance, have tasted the bitterness of sin, should watch and pray, lest, by some backsliding they pierce their own souls with many sorrows; lest, by some word or action, which Christ hath forbidden, they show themselves to be unworthy of his kingdom. Very unreasonable are those persons, who claim a right to hope through the redemption offered in the gospel, at the same time, living in disobedience to the law, which our Redeemer said should not fail, though the heavens and the earth pass away. This law, the Son of God most perfectly obeyed when he lived in the world, and died to make it honourable. Between the professed hopes and the lives of transgressing Christians there is an irreconcileable contradiction.-Reader, if thou art convinced that holiness is necessary to see God in peace, apply daily to our divine Redeemer for grace, that you may live worthily and keep all his commandments.There can be no other evidence to men of your being one of his children; nor is there any other Christian comfort, so much to

They were both educated by godly parents, who were 'noted for their Christian meekness and humility, that ornament which in the view of infinite wisdom is of great price. Whether any extraordinary mildness of natural temper distinguished these from others, who have proved less susceptible of a good education, or whether their parents have proved more uniform in their endeavours than others, more consistent in their instructions and examples, more faithful, we shall not enquire. Suffice it to observe, that the instructions of these pious parents, accompanied by their examples, the expressions of unfeigned piety in their most familiar intercourse, had an effectual influence on their son and daugh

ter. They appeared to be insensibly led to approve and copy the expressions of a temper, that spake incessantly in the conduct of their parents.

The parents however have views that are different. While they are diligent to cultivate the minds and morals of their son and daughter, and cautiously Such is the tenderness of Em- guard against every thing that ilia's feelings, that the smallest may impede their progress in expression of cruelty toward any learning and good behaviour, creature, awakens her sympathy, they know that these are only and the least neglect of the outward improvements made by feelings of others she is careful human efforts, and that an into check, observing with her fluence on the inner man renewpeculiar mildness, when any are ing the heart, which is the work carelessly wounded, let us be of God alone, is needful. With careful to hurt no one. Although gratitude to God, they acknowher parents are by no means for- ledge his kindness, in the suc getful of the necessities of the cess he hath given to their lapoor, they find a faithful remem-bours with their children, and brancer in their daughter. Fre- in the restraining influence of quently does she remind them of particular instances of poverty and want, and rejoices to bear the gift of charity, and gladden the heart of the needy. If inadvertently she gives offence to any, it wounds her to the quick, and with sincere regret, she confesses her fault. It gives her the greatest distress to incur the displeasure of her parents, nor has she any rest until with tears she acknowledge her fault, and reconcile them.

These children, (for such they are still to be considered, the one being only fourteen and the other twelve years old) are said by all their acquaintance to possess singular goodness of heart. So amiable and engaging is their deportment, that they have gained universal esteem. They are respected and beloved by all who know them. Considering the improvement of their minds as well as morals, they are supposed to possess every qualification that can ennoble the human heart.

his grace upon them. They enjoy comfort in their improvement, and behold their progress with pleasure under the care they receive. Yet they are aware that the greatest improvement of their minds, and the most excellent deportment, are far from constituting that goodness of heart which alone is acceptable to God, and is needful above all things. The necessity of renewal of heart they uniformly impress upon the minds of their children, and cease not to pray for the blessing.

An opportunity to enforce the interesting truth offered after their morning family devotions, and was improved by the father. To interest, as much as possible, the attention of all the family in the exercise of worship, it is the custom of the father to furnish, all that are able to read, with bibles, and to request each of the domestic circle to read a portion of the scripture, that is to be read in their devotions. The tenth chapter of the gospel

&c. He had been taught to consider an outward observance of the law a perfect fulfilment of its precepts, and therefore supposed himself that he had kept them all according to the divine will, because his outward conduct was blameless. And as our Lord possessed all the innocent feelings of humanity, he loved him for his natural amiableness of temper, and the sincerity of his enquiry. Read the account, keeping in view these considerations, and you will observe the wisdom and kindness of the Saviour in directing his reply to the correction of his errors. His conver

of Mark was read. The attention of George was attracted by the account of the young ruler, anxiously enquiring what he should do that he might inherit eternal life. The disappoint ment of the enquirer, his sadness and grief, awoke the sympathy of George as he read the account. After the family had all retired to their business, leaving the father with his children alone in the room, the bible was taken up again and opened by George at the chapter which had been read. He read again the account which had attracted his attention, and observed to his father, Sir, was not this a good man? He believed in the Sav-sation is founded on the words 'iour, he must have been very of the young ruler, and he en' watchful and diligent in his deavours to lead him to a true 'duties, so that he had observed knowledge of God, and his own 'the commandments from his heart. The title, Good Master, 'youth, and so upright, in all applied to the Saviour was very things, that the Saviour loved appropriate; but our Lord knew 'him? You misunderstand the it was used ignorantly, and withaccount, my son, replied the fa- out any design to acknowledge ther. He did not believe in the his divinity; and that the enSaviour according to his true quirer had no correct thoughts character, nor had he in spirit even of the supreme and spirit and in truth kept all the com- ual goodness of God, he theremandments, nor did our Lord fore observed in reply, Why love him because he considered callest thou me good? There is his obedience perfect, or in any none good but one, that is God.' wise deserving the divine favour. As if he had said, you apply the He was a polite Pharisee whose title good without considering natural temper was amiable, and, the justness of the application; being a ruler among the Jews, remember it is applicable in the as mentioned by the evangelist true sense of the word to him Luke, he might be a useful man alone who is God. God is suin his station, were his princi- premely, is infinitely good. Havples and conversation correct.ing thus called his attention to the The term, Good Master, in his goodness, the glory of God, the address, was only an expression giver of eternal life, andto the law of complaisance. According to by which this Pharisee hoped the custom of those times, it for life, he next attends to his was used out of respect to Teach-error in hoping for righteousers, and signified no more than, ness and eternal life, by the law. Sir, Doctor, your Excellency, The young man's enquiry was,

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other gods before him instead of the true God, even his riches, our Lord informs him of one great defect, requesting him to make a sacrifice, and exercise a self-denial, which in that state of his church was necessary, and was readily made and exercised by them that were his.

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said unto him, one thing thou lackest, go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have trea sure in heaven: and come take up the cross, and follow me? This afforded an opportunity to discover the nature of his obe. dience, whether it flowed from supreme love to God or not. If he could not submit to these terms, it was evident he regard. ed his possessions more than the authority and favour of God, more than eternal life. And what was his reply? Sadness and grief of heart. The terms were too hard for him, for he had great possessions. Although his mind was filled with anxiety on the subject of eternal life, his love of riches exceeded all. Now the character of this young man appears in its true light. By the answers of our Lord, he was led on, and discovered to

What shall I do?' He wished to make some extraordinary exertions, to perform some work of distinguished merit, by which he might lay the foundation of a claim to eternal life. This is strikingly intimated in the words of his enquiry as expressed by the evangelist Matthew, What good thing shall I do? What shall I add to all my meritorious conduct? To this the Saviour replied, Thou knowest the commandments: Do not commit | adultery,' &c. Observe, the import of the reply thus connected with the enquiry is this, There is but one rule of doing, but one law of works, viz. the moral law given by Moses, styled by way of emphasis, the commandments, if you are desirous to obtain eternal life by your works, and suppose it is in your power to merit the desired blessing, you must go to the commandments; and make the trial. Keep these with the remembrance of the spiritual and infinite goodness of God. In the answer of the young man to this direction you see the Pharisce, and how well the Saviour knew his heart, when he directed him to the Jaw. Master, all these have I observed from my youth?' Trust-be ignorant of God and the Saving in the outward observance of the law, he felt confident of safety, and replied boasting much like him that said, I fast twice in the week? This glorying in what he had done appears more striking, if you consider the additional words, omitted by Mark, and mentioned by Matthew, What lack I yet? To convince him of his error, and to shew that by the very first commandment in the decalogue he was condemned, that he had

iour, ignorant of the spiritual nature of the divine law, and of his own heart; and under the influence of that love of the world which is enmity with God. All his seeming goodness was only outward. Pride and sordid selflove lurked under all his natural amiableness of temper. And, my dear children, continued the father, with a heart full of concern for their souls, and with his eyes in tears, lest they should mistake their dutiful conduct

The children were much affected with this seasonable and affectionate counsel. The fa ther left them in tears, and retired to his room to implore the blessing of God upon them.

and blamless lives for true favour of your nearest friends goodness of heart, my dear chil- by seeking it. We must love dren, be on your guard against the Lord our God with all our this fatal mistake. There are heart and mind and strength. many who, like this young man, In every duty, and in every inrest upon their own supposed dulgence we must have respect righteousness for acceptance to God's will and favour. What with God, and are dreadfully dis- an addition would it be to your appointed when they are reward-happiness, to feel this in all your ed according to their deeds. None ways! How would it heighten are more exposed to this dan-your enjoyment! My heart feels ger, than they whose lives are anxious for it above all things, outwardly moral, and blameless and, on your own account as in the sight of the world. They well as mine, I cease not to pray are praised by men, and through for the blessing upon you. that natural pride of our evil hearts, which leads us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think, they suppose themselves deserving praise even from God. I thank God, that by his restraints, you are dutiful and moral in your conduct. It affords me comfort to see it; but unspeakably greater would be my comfort, if there were a good hope that your hearts were right with God. If all your dutiful conduct and moral lives, flow from no higher principle than to please myself and your mother, and to enjoy the esteem of your friends and acquaintance, you are in the same condition with this young man you read of; you lack one thing, and one very important thing, a heart regarding God as you should, a new heart. A desire to please your parents, by your dutiful conduct, is commendable, and does afford us pleasure; and

How old art thou?"

A.

THE following piece was writ ten for the month of January, but not received in time for pub lication. Events are continually happening, which render it proper to consider the question, How old art thou?

ED.

Reflections suggested by the question of Pharaoh to Jacob :"And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou ?”

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to regard the esteem of those THE history of Jacob is fulf of instruction. It is around you is highly proper: striking representation of huto feel otherwise would be sin-man life. The variety of chanful; but remember, God is to be loved above all, his will is to be regarded before any other, and his favour to be sought, though you should lose the

ges, prosperous and adverse, through which he passed, gives an affecting view of the condition, of man in this transitory state. To the question propo

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