80 SUNDAY XL. ON THE PARTICULAR DUTIES OF A HIGH STATION. MANY of our religious and moral obligations are alike incumbent on all mankind. But there are duties which particularly respect our age, rank, and circumstances in life, and must vary in some degree with the situation of every individual. Those instructions, therefore, that more immediately suit with our condition, are likely to make the happiest impression, and to contribute towards our advancement in virtue. The passions of youth, ever liable to seduce them into evil, are strengthened by the prosperity, and inflamed by the indulgence, of an affluent and exalted station. Inexperienced in the ways of the world, and untutored by misfortune, the precipitate ardour of that early period is increased by flattery; and the pride of self-conceit does but too often usurp the place of valuable and important attainments, Alas! my young friend, your eleva. tion demands all the prudence and caution which riper years can bestow. How danger. ous must it then become to your youthful nind! Like a city which is built on a hill, and therefore cannot be hid, you are placed by Providence on a summit exalted above the generality of mankind; but this fatal distinction has proved the ruin of many, who are now remembered only with detestation. The annals of history, sacred and profane, are filled with the accounts of infamous characters, who have disgraced the station, by which they could not be ennobled. The impiety of Ahab and his detestable queen,—the sacrilege of Belshazzar,-and the cruelty of Herod, were punished by God, and reprobated by men, although they were distinguished by regal dignity, and elevated on a throne. mankind are by nature equal; and though, for wise and good reasons, the present state of subordination is permitted; yet that power, who is alike the Father and the Friend of the whole creation, will not estimate his creatures by the rank they hold in this probationary system, but by the diligence they manifest in fulfilling its duties. All Consider, therefore, my young reader, the motives which your high station affords, to stimulate your endeavours in a course of excellence; but remember, as you must ever be accountable to your Maker, you have no cause for supercilious pride, or reason to indulge an undue contempt for those beneath you. The uncertainty of life should be an argument of constant humility; since, in a future state, all the distinctions you now arrogate will entirely cease, and those who are your inferiors in fortune if dignified by superior merit, will there claim the noblest precedence. Let us therefore impartially consider the advantages you may derive from your high birth or splendid fortune, and the peculiar temptations you will be exposed to in consequence of these privileges. It is certain, my young friend, that your post is allotted by infinite Wisdom; and, therefore, you may be assured, you are capa. ble, if you exert your endeavours, of becoming useful to others, and rendering yourself happy. Reflect seriously on your importance, and you will find no occason for pride, though many arguments of caution. The example of those in every station will be of consequence to their connexions, and have weight with their companions. But the influence of the great is more diffusive, and extends beyond the limits of ordinary life. The higher, therefore, your rank in the community, the greater is your obligation to exhibit those virtues which are worthy of general imitation. Your most common actions are re. marked, and form the subject of conversation to numbers with whom you are totally unacquainted. Every thing belonging to persons thus distinguished seems to acquire dignity from the connexion. The world expects a correspondent heroism of mind, and greatness of action, from those who are exalted above their fellow.beings. "The king's daughter should be all glorious within," as well as “have her clothing of wrought gold ;" and they who forfeit their pretensions to esteem by an unworthy deportment, will find the homage of sincere respect is an attribute sacred to goodness alone. In those who are descended from noble ancestors, we expect to find the spirit of their fathers even at the earliest age. The folly of Rehoboam is particularly shocking in the son of Solomon; and the vices of Manasseh are rendered doubly inexcusable by the pious conduct of his excellent predecessor, the good Hezekiah. Can you bear, my young friend, to be regarded as the heir of your parents' possessions, without desiring to inherit their virtues? Will you not wish to transmit your own name to posterity, unsullied by meanness, and untainted by guilt? If you share the advantages, you must pay the price, of being distinguished. Every juvenile indiscretion will be remarked, every failing remembered, in those whose conspicuous situation in life points them out as a light to the world. In such a state, how much circumspection is requisite! The least deviation may sully the lustre of your character, and tarnish the brightness of that fame, whose memorial is to descend to generations yet unborn. It depends on your present conduct to prepare the way to future glory, to prepossess the world in your favour, and betimes engage its candour on your side. Mankind are disposed to judge with less rigour those whom they have been accustomed to love, while every tale of calumny is believed to the discredit of such as have render. ed themselves obnoxious to the public by any previous misdemeanor. Do not flatter yourself with the idea, that the faults in your temper, or impropriety in your manners, can be concealed. Your domestics, dependents, and associates, are too numerous not to divulge every secret imperfection. Labour not therefore to hide your defects, but to eradicate them. Avoid all the trouble of dissimulation, by a con |