afpects, and profecute its operations with diffimilar advantages. There is one defcription of individuals laid open beyond others to its influence; thofe, namely, who for whatever purpose are affociated, whether avowedly or tacitly, into a party. I mean not to speak of political parties in the legislature; though to them, and especially to the leaders of them, the spirit of the observations to be fubjoined, if it will apply to any man, will apply with particular pertinency. I fpeak of petty parties in private life. These, at one time, arise from the pursuit of a common professional object ; at another, from union' in a commercial undertaking; at another, from concurrence in fome religious distinction. Into all thefe affociations, blameless or laudable as the origin of them may be, the general evils adhering to party infinuate themselves. The perfons who ftand at the head are very generally féen to become elated by pre-eminence. If the party be formed on a religious ground; the leader, not unufually, grows fupercilious," dogmatical, impatient of contradiction. But in each affociation, and from the highest even to the lowest member of it, partiality is commonly difcernible, often prevalent. There is a manifestation of a narrow-minded spirit

of exclusion towards perfons who do not belong to the body. Towards those who do belong to it, unreasonable preferences and unmerited countenance are extended. For their feveral interefts, as well as for the general advantage of the body, proceedings widely at variance with the rule of christian love to our neighbour are adopted and upheld. In parties conftructed on a still smaller scale kindred confequences are visible. An individual becomes in his own circle, or in his own house, the head of a little knot of partifans. Into the number of these favourites, who commonly owe the diftinction to an acquiefcence in the opinions, a compliance with the humours, and a fupport of the projects, of the principal, no one who does not evince correfponding acquiefcence and compliance and fupport, finds admiffion. At any rate, when refractorinefs becomes evident, favour is withdrawn. On behalf of those who continue to fubmit Partiality is conftantly exercised. Their good qualities are overcharged; their faults are vindicated; their interefts are promoted at the expence of other men. Among the female fex also these minor parties are not very unfrequent. Whether fubfifting among women or among men, they are highly inju

rious to the individual who governs, and to the perfons who are held in fubjection. They fofter on the one fide self-conceit, ungraciousness of manners, irritability and impetuofity of temper: on the other, flattery, direct or indirect, fervile obfequioufness, diffimulation and cunning on both fides, Partiality. Where is the spirit of Christian humility? Where is the spirit of Christian fincerity? Where is the spirit of Chriftian love?

SER

And in thofe Days, when the Number of the Difciples was multiplied, there arofe a Murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their Widows were neglected in the daily Miniftration.

SUSPICION is the second subject, to which the paffage of Scripture now before us leads our meditations.

The Grecian Jews, feeling themselves in fome measure confidered as foreigners at Jerufalem, would easily be tempted to apprehend that their widows would not be relieved with the fame fairness and liberality as thofe of the Hebrews. And if they were also conscious that the fund from which the relief came had been raised principally among the Hebrews, their fufpicions would be strengthened. Yet it is very poffible that,

notwith

notwithstanding their furmifes*, the diftribution had been made with impartiality and propriety or at any rate that, if the reafonable claims of the Grecian widows had been more or less overlooked, the neglect had arifen from accident, not from evil intention.

There are various fources from which a habit of fufpicion may arife.

Some persons are naturally of a fearful turn of mind. Open to alarm, and apprehenfive of injury or of danger, they easily fuppofe mifchief and unkindness to be in contemplation against them; and attribute malevolent intentions to others not only beyond proof, but without proof, without evidence, without probability.

Others are rendered fufpicious by a consciousness of weakness. Perceiving that plans to their detriment might be accomplished without difficulty, they conclude that their fituation cannot escape the notice of designing and interested men, and will of itfelf invite and perfuade them to take advantage of it.

Some perfons again, overvaluing worldly objects and worldly estimation, and being in confequence extremely folicitous to retain poffeffion of them, become, through these

The original words, yoyopes of trapetsaperta, &c. might perhaps be rendered-" there arose a murmuring that their "widows were neglected.”

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