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No. 63.]

ORIGINAL SIN.

[SUNDAY.

ORIGINAL sin is the fault and corruption of the nature of every man: whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness and is of his own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the spirit; and therefore in every person born into this world, it deserveth God's wrath and damnation. And this infection of nature doth remain, yea even in them that are regenerated. For although there is no condemnation for them that believe and are baptized, yet the apostle doth confess that concupiscence and lust hath of itself the nature of sin.

No. 64.]

EDUCATION.

[MONDAY.

An industrious and virtuous education of children is a better inheritance for them than a great estate. The foundation of knowledge and virtue is laid in our childhood; for the principles we imbibe in our youth, we commonly carry to our graves. It is education that makes the man. To become an able man in any profession, study and practice, are indispensable. The child that is sensible of praise and touched with glory, will cry at the shame of being out done. It is not in the power of every man to provide for his children the good things of this world. But it is in every man's power to form their minds to the practice of virtue, and instil into them, as early as possi

ble, the principles of religion and morality. If the child be never corrected, it is most probable that the man will never be virtuous; and if the child be always complied with, the man will be always unhappy.

No. 65.]

MAGNANIMITY.

[TUESDAY.

MAGNANIMITY, is the noblest way of acquiring applause. It renders the soul superior to the trouble, disorder, and emotion which the appearance of great danger might excite; and it is by this quality that heroes maintain their tranquillity, and preserve the free use of their reason in the most surprising and dreadful accidents. It admires the same quality in its enemy; and fame, glory, conquests, desire of opportunities to pardon and oblige their opposers, are what glow in the minds of the brave. Magnanimity and courage are inseparable.

No. 66.]

COMPASSION.

[WEDNESDAY.

COMPASSION is the sense of our own misfortunes, in those of another man. It is a wise foresight of the disasters that may befal us; so that the services we do the unfortunate are in reality so many anticipated kindnesses to ourselves.

Compassion proper to mankind appears ;
Which nature witness'd when she lent us tears;
To shew by pitying looks, and melting eyes,
How with a suffering friend we sympathize.
Who can all sense of others' ills escape,
Is but a brute, at best, in human shape."

No. 67.]

LUXURY.

[THURSDAY.

THAT which is splendour, sumptuousness, and magnificence, in people of quality, is in private men extravagance, folly, and impertinence. If sensuality were pleasure, beasts are happier than men. Pleasures unduely taken enervate the soul, make fools of the wise, and cowards of the brave.

"Reason's whole pleasure, all the joys of sense,

Lie in three words, health, peace, and competence,
But health consists in temperance alone,
And peace, O virtue! peace is all thy own."

No. 68.]

VIRTUE.

[FRIDAY.

VIRTUE is of indispensable obligation, and the foundation of honour and esteem, and the source of all beauty, order, and happiness in nature. It procures us the approbation and love of all wise and good beings, and renders them our allies and friends. Beauty and wit will die, learning will vanish away, and all the arts of life be soon forgot; yet virtue will remain for ever. But what

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is of unspeakably greater consequence is, it makes God our friend, unites our minds to his, and engages his almighty power in our defence. is the importance of virtue. Of what consequence therefore is it that we practise it! If you are wise, then, study virtue, and contemn every thing that can come in the competition with it. Remember, that nothing else deserves one anxious thought or wish. Remember, that this alone is honour, glory, wealth and happiness. Secure this, and you secure every thing; lose this, and all is lost.

No. 69.]

APHORISMS.

[SATURDAY.

A libertine's life is not a life of liberty. To raise esteem we must benefit others; to procure love we must please them. The kindnesses which are first experienced, are seldom forgotten. Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present. Without frugality none can be rich, and with it, very few would be poor. Few things are impossible to industry and skill. Many things difficult to design, prove easy to performance.

No. 70.]

[SUNDAY.

ETERNAL SALVATION ONLY THROUGH CHRIST.

"IF we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.'

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Christ in our

nature was made like unto us in all things, sin only except, he came to be the lamb without spot, who by sacrifice of himself once made, should take away the sins of the world. For holy scripture doth set out unto us only the name of Jesus Christ, whereby men must be saved.

No. 71.]

DRESS.

[MONDAY.

In dress, as well as in other things, an extreme should be guarded against. To be led by every fashion which fancy dictates, is the mark of a little, effeminate, and worldly mind; and to be rigidly plain, carries with it an air of affected singularity. There is a simple elegance, connected with uniform neatness, that appears more consistent than all the meretricious ornaments of the gay, or the very peculiar dress of those who run to the other extreme.

66

-In fashions, the same rule will hold,
Alike fantastic if too new or old;

Be not the first by whom the new are tried,
Nor yet the last to lay the old aside."

No. 72.]

FASHION.

[TUESDAY.

THE power of fashion is an ideal influenza, that spreads with the utmost rapidity, infecting a whole community. With the quickness of a

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