selves, and incompatible with the real happiness and dignity of man. Listen not, ye generous youths, whose hearts are yet untainted, listen not to the delusive advice of deluded and base men. Have courage enough to avow the sentiments of your souls, and let your countenance and your tongue be the heralds of your heart. Please consistently with truth and honour, or be contented not to please. Let justice and benevolence fill your bosom and they will shine spontaneously, like a real gem, without the aid of a foil, and with the most durable and captivating brilliancy. No. 259.] ADMONITIONS. [SUNDAY. FORGET not to dedicate yourself to God's service every day; to implore his forgiveness of your faults, and his protection from evil every night; and this not merely in formal words, unaccompanied by any act of the mind, but in "spirit and in truth," in grateful love and humble adoration. Nor let these stated periods of worship be your only communication with him; accustom yourself to think often upon him in all your waking hours; to contemplate his wisdom and power in the works of his hands; to acknowledge his goodness in every object of use or of pleasure; to delight in giving him praise in your inmost heart, in the midst of every innocent gratification, in the liveliest hour of social enjoyment. No. 260.]] [MONDAY. THE OBLIGATION TO RELIEVE THE POOR. WHETHER pity be an instinct or a habit, it is in fact a quality which God appointed: and the final cause for which it is appointed, is to afford to the miserable, in the compassion of their fellowcreatures, a remedy for those inequalities and distresses which God foresaw many must be exposed to, under every general rule for the distribution of property. The scriptures are more copious on this duty than upon almost any other. The apostles also describe this virtue as propitiating the Divine favour in an eminent degree; and these recommendations have produced their effect. It does not appear that before the times of Christianity an infirmary, hospital, or public charity of any kind, existed in the world; whereas most countries in Christendom now abound with these excellent institutions. No. 261.] DECEIT. [TUESDAY. EVERY day's experience evinces the justness of that representation in the Scriptures, in which it is said, that the heart is deceitful above all things, who can know it. In the most trifling intercourse where neither pleasure nor profit are in view, the propensity to deceit appears in the little promises, professions, and compliments which are mutually made, usually without any sincerity of regard, and often with real and inveterate aversion. But where interest is in view, the machinations made use of for the accomplishment of mean and mercenary purposes are often such as might characterize an infernal agent. Early and late, by night and by day, in season and out of season, as the Scripture strongly expresses it, we should inculcate in the breast of youth the just remark of the moral poet, that an honest man is the noblest work of God. No. 262.] [WEDNESDAY. TRUTH AND FALSEHOOD. As you value the approbation of heaven, or the shame of the world, cultivate the love of truth. In all your proceedings, be direct and consistent. Ingenuity and candour possess the most powerful charm; they bespeak universal favour, and carry an apology for almost every failing. The lip of truth shall be established for ever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment. The path of truth is a plain and safe path; that of falsehood is a perplexing maize. After the first departure from sincerity it is not in your power to stop. No. 263.] [THURSDAY. TRUTH AND FALSEHOOD (continued). ONE artifice unavoidably leads on to another; till, as the intricacy of the labyrinth increases, you are left entangled in your own snare. Deceit discovers a little mind which stops at temporary expedients, without rising to comprehensive views of conduct. It betrays at the same time a dastardly spirit. It is the resource of one who wants courage to avow his designs, or to rest upon himself; whereas openness of character displays that generous boldness which ought to distinguish youth. No. 264.] SOLITUDE. [FRIDAY. Is stormy life preferr'd to the serene? And thorny care, and rank and stinging hate, No. 265.] THE ART OF HAPPINESS. [SATURday. A GOOD temper is one of the principal ingredients of happiness. Almost every object that attracts our notice, has its bright and its dark side; he that habituates himself to look at the displeasing side will sour his disposition and consequently impair his happiness; while he who constantly beholds it on the bright side insensibly meliorates his temper, and in consequence of it improves his own happiness, and the happiness of all about him. By this practice we may arrive at that easy benevolence of temper, which the world calls good-nature and the Scripture charity, whose natural and never failing fruit is happiness. No. 266.] SILENT ADORATION. Frequent my heart [SUNDAY. With gratitude expands, and silent thanks, On outward adoration. Oft it beams Of modest privacy. When early morn Leads on th' attendant hour; when highest noon Rides in the centre of the day; and eve Comes dress'd in shade, drawing o'er nature's face Her undulating hand-then swells my mind. Replete with THEE. |