they be * Alas my great, my continual failure is in social duties! Why! Because I am almost continually in society. In solitude, one has nothing to do, but to cherish good and pleasing dispositions. In society, at every unguarded moment, bad and painful ones break out, and fill one with shame, remorse, and vexation. Selfishness shews its ugly head little contradictions excite vehemence of temper, to put out its claws: talkativeness prates away the inestimable hours, without use or pleasure. Even good humour, and easiness of temper must be restrained and mortified, else they lead to criminal negligence, and destructive extravagance. The justest affections must be regulated, else they tie down the heart too much. On the contrary, justice and gratitude demand often, that our kindest affections should be excited and exprest, where natural temper and inclination do not prompt them. We ought with the strictest eye of justice to distinguish right and wrong in characters, and yet with the tenderest charity to overlook, and compas * And how noble is even the slight insight which the juspired writer has given us into it! See Heb. xii. 22, 23, 24. sionate ten thousand lesser faults, and disagreeablenesses. In short, the life of society is the life of constant, unremitting. mortification, and self-denial. It is this, that makes the only useful hardship of the cloister, not the fastings, haircloths, watchings, and disciplines. But it is really still harder in uncloistered society. To keep the mind in right frame, amid ten thousand interruptions: to be regular, and diligent, without the possibility of any settled plan to spread cheerfulness when one is not pleased to support in one's self, when others are dejected--and a sad look, or a sad word, from those I love, sinks my heart: as a good word, and a smile raises it instantaneously. But far, far better than the cloistered rules of man's foolish and arbitrary invention, the life of society, with all its self-denials, is the appointment of the Almighty. Every individual, of human society, is ennobled, and endeared by its relation to him. For the meanest of these, Christ died. Our love to each other, to every one of each other, is the proof required of our being his disciples. Selfishness therefore must be continually overcome, except where some real harm, or great pain may be avoided by very slight in convenience: and then it should not be cunningly contrived, but openly requested: and if granted, accepted as a favour, or the refusal cheerfully acquiesced in. But, in other respects, how can we do good? Follow as God's providence leads, each in his station, within his bounds, and within his capacity. Above all keep up cheerfulness and good humour. An air of dissatisfaction is doubly faulty. It belies your eternal hopes, and disheartens all around you. But conversation is so empty, so useless.-Keep it peaceable and innocent, at least. Restrain talkativeness in yourself, that you may think a little, how to introduce somewhat useful: but do not strive too much. Mere good humour is very useful it tunes the mind. Do, in every thing, the best you can: and trust in better merits, that it shall be accepted. Look forward to the conversation of angels, and perfected spirits: of those whom you have loved, and who have loved you amidst all your mutual imperfections here. There will be nothing but joy, and eternal improvement. All joined in executing the divine will, and dwelling on its praises. No more fear of sorrow, or parting: no more doubts and jealousies of yourself: no anxieties for them: all fixed and secure. Of past sorrows and frailties will remain only the everlasting gratitude of those who have been relieved, and forgiven. Each to other, in their due degrees all supremely, to their God and Saviour! ESSAY XXV. On Trust in Providence. THIS is a day * I have cause to bless. Let no gloomy thought come near it. But can I keep out of my mind, the thought of such a friend, as I so lately had; with a whole train of ideas attending that thought? No; undoubtedly but let me think of that friend, and regulate those ideas, as I ought. Let me, with humble, joyful gratitude, consider, in how many excellent beings I have the interest of an affectionate and beloved friend. Glories of the world! I look down upon you: my happiness, my boast are of a higher kind. These friends are, at present, far separated from one another, but all happy: and in a blessed hereafter, I am permitted humbly but joyfully to hope, that we shall all be eternally re-united. What mutual gratulations, what tender recollections must attend that re-union! And oh, what unspeakable gratitude and * Probably her birth-day. |