Page images
PDF
EPUB

[WEDNESDAY.

No. 136.]
PITY DUE EVEN TO THE VICIOUS.

WE can no where find objects more claiming our pity, than among the wretched outcasts of society. A man whose vices and irregularities have brought his liberty and life into danger, will always be viewed with an eye of compassion by those who know what human nature is made of; and while we acknowledge the severities of the law to be founded upon principles of necessity and justice, and are glad that there is such a barrier provided for the peace of society, if we consider that the difference between ourselves and the culprit is not of our own making, we shall be tenderly affected by the view of his misery; and not the less so, because he has brought it upon himself. The sinner claims our pity, his sins our detestation.

No. 137.] ENGLISH PROVERBS. [THURSDAY.

"VIRTUE which parleys is near a surrender." As in fortified places besieged by an enemy, and well provided to hold out, the valiant soldiers who are resolutely bent to defend it, scorn to treat or capitulate with the enemy, but receive their dishonourable offers with contempt and disdain so when virtue (the fortress of the soul, which ought to be defended with the utmost obstinacy) is attacked by bold assailants, they who are resolutely bent to defend it, will hearken to

no terms, but repulse dishonourable offers with the utmost indignation. This proverb is more especially applicable to females, who, if once they lend a listening ear to offers, though never so high or flattering, will in the end fall victims to disgrace and sorrow.

No. 138.]

VICIOUS HABITS.

[FRIDAY.

WITH caution taste the sweet Circean cup;
He that sips often, at last drinks it up.
Habits are soon assum'd; but when we strive
To strip them off, 'tis being flay'd alive.
Call'd to the temple of impure delight,
He that abstains, and he alone, does right.
If a wish wander that way, call it home;
He cannot long be safe whose wishes roam.
But if you pass the threshold, you are caught;
Die then, if power Almighty save you not.

No. 139.]

[SATURDAY.

IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING ORDER.

THROUGHOUT your affairs, your time, your expence, your amusements, your society, the principle of order must be equally carried, if you expect to reap any of its happy fruits. "Let all things be done in order." By attending to order you avoid idleness, that most fruitful source of

crimes and evils. The man of order stands in the middle of two extremes, and suffers from neither; he is occupied, but not oppressed. By the preservation of order you check inconstancy and levity. In him only can we place any trust, who is uniform and regular; who lives by principle, not by humour; who acts upon a plan, and not by desultory motions.

No. 140.]

[SUNDAY.

SUPERIORITY OF THE SACRED WRITINGS.

THE holy books which have preserved religion to our times, contain the first records of the origin of things. They are more ancient than all the fabulous productions of the human mind, which have since in so melancholy a manner amused the credulity of the following ages. The sincerity of Moses appears in the simplicity of his history. He used no precautions to gain credit, because he relates none but facts. Far from flattering the pride of that generation, the Holy Books declared fully the ingratitude of their fathers. There is a nobleness and an elevation in the maxims of the Gospel, to which mean and grovelling minds cannot attain: the religion which forms great souls, appears to be made only for them; and in order to be great, or to become so, there is a necessity of being a Christian.

No. 141.] THE ART OF PLEASING. [MONDAY.

do to us.

THE desire of being pleased is universal; the desire of pleasing should be so too. It is included in that great and fundamental principle of morality, of doing to others what we wish they should There are indeed some moral duties of a much higher nature, but none of a more amiable. The manner of conferring favours or benefits is, as to pleasing, almost as important as the matter itself. Take care, then, never to throw away the obligations, which perhaps you may have it in your power to confer on others, by an air of insolent protection, or in a cold and comfortless manThe man who is amiable will make almost as many friends as he does acquaintances. Civility is the essential article towards pleasing, and is the result of good-nature and good sense.

ner.

No. 142.]

SPEECH,

[TUESDAY.

SACRED interpreter of human thought,
How few respect or use thee as they ought!
But all shall give account of every wrong,
Who dare dishonour or defile the tongue;
Who prostitute it in the cause of vice,
Or sell their glory at the market price;
Who vote for hire, or point it with lampoon,
The dear-bought placeman and the cheap buffoon.

No. 143.] ENGLISH PROVERBS. [WEDNESDAY.

""Tis too late to spare when all is spent." This proverb enjoins frugality and providence, and forbids excesses and luxury. It likewise admonishes us not to put off necessary duties, till we have not time left us to perform them in.

"The more haste the less speed!" This proverb reprehends too precipitate and hurrying tempers, and shows the value of calmness and sedateness in the management of any business.

No. 144.]

[THURSDAY.

INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY.

THERE were men every where ready to expose the Christian institution, had it contained any thing either false or frivolous, absurd or immoral; if it had consisted of either enthusiasm or imposture, or any mixture of these. At that time the many sects and factions in the world had whetted themselves by contention, and were perpetual spies upon each other; so that no considerably new form of religion could gain ground among them, without being thoroughly sifted by the adverse parties. The Pharisees and Sadducees, the Stoics and Epicureans were subtle disputants, and all of them eager in opposing the Christians. The world had then also sufficient knowledge of the powers of nature to be able to judge of miracles, and distinguish them from merely uncommon appearances in it, or any effect of art.

« PreviousContinue »