to choose intimates or friends, before we have experienced their integrity; not to buy things, without knowing whether they are equal in value to their price. "One good turn deserves another." In this proverb the vice of ingratitude is arraigned: it intimates that mutual offices of love, and alternate helps or assistances, are the fruits and issues of true friendship; that it is both meet and comely, just and equitable to requite kindnesses. "they to good men Good turns, with good turns are repaid again." APHORISMS. No. 179.] [THURSDAY. NOBILITY may exist in name, the sovereign may confer titles, the herald blazon out the descent, but solid glory and real greatness, are inseparably connected with virtue.-The day which makes a man a slave, takes away half his worth ; and he loses every incentive to action, but the base one of fear.-With time and patience the leaf of the mulberry-tree becomes satin.-She who studies her glass neglects her heart. THE GAMESTER. [FRIDAY. No. 180.] THE gamester in the pursuit of his gratifications, not only barters his own happiness, but entails certain misery on all those who are unfortunately dependant upon him. Were it possible to limit the punishment of this crime to the perpetrator of it, there would be little room for pity, but when it is recollected that a deserving wife and an innocent offspring, are too often involved in the general ruin, we cannot avoid lamenting the shocking effects of play, and beholding this ruinons propensity with a just abhorrence. Let us strictly guard against the encroachment of it; shun its wretched votaries, and never permit it to form a part of our amusements. No. 181.] THE HERO. [SATURDAY. What hero like the man who stands himself, No. 182.] [SUNDAY. ON THE REJECTION OF CHRIST BY THE JEWS. WITH what pity and concern must we look back upon the impiety and wickedness of the Jews, upon those inveterate prejudices, and that partial adherence to their narrow sects and parties, which were the causes of their rejecting the Messiah! Banish from our hearts, O Lord, every kind of prejudice, and cast down every imagination which exalteth itself against thy will that we may rejoice in that day-spring from on high, which hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Let us learn from His life and doctrine, to cherish that divine charity, which no national animosities nor religious differences can extinguish, and pray earnestly for that blessed time, when all Israel shall be saved, and the fulness of the Gentiles come. No. 183.] FUTURE HAPPINESS. [MONDAY. No situation is so remote, and no station so unfavourable, as to preclude access to the happiness of a future state. A road is opened by the Divine Spirit to those blissful habitations, from all corners of the earth, and from all conditions of human life; from the peopled city, and from the solitary desert; from the cottages of the poor, and from the palaces of kings; from the dwellings of ignorance and simplicity, and from the regions of science and improvement. No. 184.] THE VOYAGE OF LIFE. [TUESDAY. SELF flatter'd, unexperienc'd, high in hope, When young, with sanguine cheer, and streamers gay, We cut our cable, launch into the world, And fondly dream each wind and star our friend : All in some darling enterprise embark'd. How few, favour'd by ev'ry element, With swelling sails make good the promis'd port, With all their wishes freight'd! yet ev'n these, Freight'd with all their wishes, soon complain.Too low they build, who build beneath the stars. No. 185.1 COURTESY. [WEDNESDAY. In order to render yourselves amiable in society, correct every appearance of harshness in behaviour. Let that courtesy distinguish your demeanour, which springs not so much from studied politeness, as from a mild and gentle heart. Follow the customs of the world in matters indifferent; but stop when they become sinful. Let your manners be simple and natural, and of course they will be engaging. Affectation is certain deformity. By forming themselves on fantastic models, and vying with one another in every reigning folly, the young begin with being ridiculous, and end with being vicious and immoral. No. 186.] BAD COMPANY. [THURSDAY. THE danger of keeping bad company arises principally from our aptness to imitate and catch the manners and sentiments of others. The welldisposed youth, entering first into bad company is shocked at what he sees and what he hears. The good principles which he had imbibed, ring in his ears an alarming lesson against the wickedness of his companions. But, alas! this sensibility is only of a day's continuance. The next jovial meeting makes the horrid picture of yesterday more easily endured. Virtue is soon thought a severe rule; a few pangs of conscience now and then whisper to him that he once had better thoughts: but even these by degrees die away, and he who at first was shocked even at the appearance of vice, is formed by custom into a profligate leader of vicious pleasures. So carefully should we oppose the first approaches of sin! So vigilent should we be against so insidious an enemy! No. 187.] [FRIDAY. VIRTUOUS AND RELIGIOUS HABITS. In the midst of youth, health, and abundance, the world is apt to appear a very gay and pleasing scene; it engages our desires, and in some degree satisfies them also. But it is wisdom to consider, that a time will come, when youth, health, and fortune, will all fail us; and if disappointment and vexation do not sour our taste for pleasure, at least sickness and infirmities will destroy it. In these gloomy seasons, and above all, at the approach of dissolution, what will become of us without religion? When this world |