views. Nor in order to difcover them, need we confine our fearch to perfons of fuperior affluence or ftation. These indeed have moft power of benefiting their fellow creatures; and every beneficent action which they perform, every common civility and attention which they beftow, come recommended by fuch advantageous circumftances, that it is wonderful to fee fo many of them regardless of the comfort and fatisfaction of others, as we do. And when they exprefs, as they ought, by condefcenfion and kindnefs, a chriftian regard for thofe beneath them, attending to their complaints, relieving their wants, and foftening their afflictions, it recalls to our view, by a striking refemblance, Job's employment of his profperity, "the bleffing of him that was ready to perifh came upon me, and I made the widow's heart to fing for joy; I put on righteoufnefs and it cloathed me, my judgement was a robe and a diadem."

BUT

BUT in every ftation, in the pooreft, and the meaneft, will real charity exhibit its influence, in all the little offices of neighbourhood and domeftic intercourfe, and even in the manner in which men follow the humbleft ways of earning their daily bread. In short, as the whole bufinefs of life takes a new character without the particulars of it being changed, by its being devoted to the fervice of God; fo every action of focial intercourfe, altho' it continues the fame in outward appearance to the eyes of worldly men, affumes from this principle, the dignity of chriftian charity. And whoever would truly enjoy the prefent world, may draw from hence fuch fublime fatisfaction, that all the common gratifications from which mankind in general expect their happiness, when compared with it, fink into nothing. Let us then continually cultivate this bleffed difpofition, the feeds of which are planted in every ones

heart,

heart, by checking what is unfavourable to its growth, and cherishing whatever may encourage it. Let us moderate our eftimation of this world, in which alone there can arise that seeming oppofition of interests, which is fo unfriendly to charity, by confidering the little value in reality of those things, on account of which, we give up the delightful fenfations of univerfal love, and condemn ourselves to the internal mifery which is always occasioned by variance, enmity, and difcord; and by frequently extending our views to that better ftate, in which universal love will constitute no small share of our enjoyment.

LET us not in imagination, much lefs in converfation, indulge ourselves in the pleafure which our pride is too apt to receive, from dwelling upon the misconduct or imperfections of mankind, either towards ourfelves or others, but on the contrary, ac

cuftom

custom ourselves to obferve the pleafing features of their characters. One man will travel through a country, and return with deformities only impreffed upon his mind, whilft another will have found fomewhat to please him in the wildeft and roughest fcenes of nature.

THUS alfo may every character be confidered in different points of view, which will have very effential effects on our difpofition towards it. And when we experience feelings of an unamiable tendency, let us compel ourselves to act contrary to the fuggeftions of the moment, the doing of which, if carried into an habit, will unqueftionably influence the state of our hearts. Above all, with our conftant and ardent prayers for this particular grace, "the very bond of peace and of all virtue,"

let us heartily pray, and earneftly endeavor to obtain that fupreme principle of conduct

and

and difpofition of foul, most perfective of our nature, the reverential love of God, as poffeffed of all perfection and the fource of all good, which has a direct tendency to refine, expand, and exalt our affections towards each other; contemplating his goodness as displayed in the common gift of the fame nature, the common prefervation of life, by the fame fatherly care, the common enjoyment of it by an union in the various. gradations of fociety, and efpecially in the redemption of the whole human race from one common mifery, and the communication to all of the fame glorious hopes; thus making us fellow members one with another, of that myftical body, of which Chrift is the head. And if after all we fhould at any time feel ourfelves but inclined to act contrary to the dictates of Benevolence, let us recollect the temper and the precepts of our bleffed Lord. On the altar of divine love which he has raised,

let