picious temper; which ascribes every seldom occur: the condition of the action to the worst motive, and greater part of mankind in a good throws a black shade over every cha- measure precludes them. But in the racter. As you would be happy in ordinary round of human affairs, a yourselves, or in your connexions thousand occasions daily present with others, guard against this ma- themselves of mitigating the vexalignant spirit. Study that charity tions which others suffer, of soothing which thinketh no evil; that temper their minds, of aiding their interest, which, without degenerating into cre- of promoting their cheerfulness, or dulity, will dispose you to be just; ease. Such occasions may relate to and which can allow you to observe the smaller incidents of life: but let an error, without imputing it as a us remember that of small incidents crime. Thus you will be kept free the system of human life is chiefly from that continual irritation which composed. The attentions which reimaginary injuries raise in a suspici- spect these, when suggested by real ous breast; and will walk among benignity of temper, are often more men as your brethren, not your ene- material to the happiness of those around us, than actions which carry But to be peaceable, and to be the appearance of greater dignity candid, is not all that is required of and splendour. No wise or good a good man. He must cultivate a man ought to account any rules of kind, generous, and sympathizing behaviour as below his regard, which temper, which feels for distress wher tend to cement the great brotherever it is beheld; which enters into hood of mankind in comfortable the concerns of his friends with ar-union. mies. dour; and to all with whom he has Particularly in the course of that intercourse, is gentle, obliging, and familiar intercourse which belongs to humane. How amiable appears such domestic life, all the virtues of tema disposition, when contrasted with a per find an ample range. It is very malicious or envious temper, which unfortunate, that within that circle, wraps itself up in its own narrow in- men too often think themselves at literests, looks with an evil eye on the berty to give unrestrained vent to success of others, and with an unna- the caprice of passion and humour. tural satisfaction feeds on their dis- Whereas there, on the contrary, appointments or miseries! How little more than any where, it concerns does he know of the true happiness them to attend to the government of of life, who is a stranger to that in- their heart; to check what is violent tercourse of good offices and kind in their tempers, and to soften what affections, which, by a pleasing is harsh in their manners. For there charm, attach men to one another, the temper is formed. There the and circulate joy from heart to heart! real character displays itself. The the Exertion of a benevolent Temper. Blair. forms of the world disguise men when abroad; but within his own $ 54. Numerous Occasions offer for what he truly is. In all our interfamily, every man is known to be course, then, with others, particularly in that which is closest and most inYou are not to imagine that a be- timate, let us cultivate a peaceable, a nevolent temper finds no exercise, candid, a gentle, and friendly temper. unless when opportunities offer of This is the temper to which, by reperforming actions of high generosi-peated injunctions, our holy religion ty, or of extensive utility; these may seeks to form us. This was the temper of Christ. per of Heaven. This is the tem- is owing to a total want of reflec- § 55. A contented Temper the great of heart, in the end. It Ibid. fulness of a well regulated mind springs from a good conscience and the favour of Heaven, and is boundA contented temper is one of the ed by temperance and reason. greatest blessings that can be enjoy-makes a man happy in himself, and ed by man, and one of the most ma- promotes the happiness of all around terial requisites to the proper dis- him. It is the clear and calm suncharge of the duties of every station. shine of a mind illuminated by pieFor a fretful and discontented temper ty and virtue. It crowns all other renders one incapable of performing good dispositions, and comprehends aright any part in life. It is un- the general effect which they ought thankful and impious towards God; to produce on the heart. and towards men provoking and unjust. It is a gangrene which preys on the vitals, and infects the whole 56. The Desire of Praise subserconstitution with disease and putrevient to many valuable Purposes. faction. Subdue pride and vanity, To a variety of good purposes it is and you will take the most effectual subservient, and on many occasions method of eradicating this distemper. co-operates with the principle of virYou will no longer behold the objects tue. It awakens us from sloth, inviaround you with jaundiced eyes. gorates activity, and stimulates our You will take in good part the bless-efforts to excel. It has given rise to ings which Providence is pleased to most of the splendid, and to many bestow, and the degree of favour of the useful enterprises of men. It which your fellow-creatures are dis- has animated the patriot, and fired posed to grant you. Viewing your-the hero. Magnanimity, generosity, selves, with all your imperfections and fortitude, are what all mankind and failings, in a just light, you will admire. Hence, such as were acturather be surprised at your enjoying|ated by the desire of extensive fame, so many good things, than discon- have been prompted to deeds which tented because there are any which either participated of the spirit, or at you want. From an humble and con- least carried the appearance, of distented temper, will spring a cheerful tinguished virtue. The desire of one. This, if not in itself a virtue, praise is generally connected with is at least the garb in which virtue all the finer sensibilities of human should be always arrayed. Piety nature. It affords a ground on which and goodness ought never to be exhortation, counsel, and reproof, marked with that dejection which can work a proper effect. Whereas, sometimes takes rise from supersti- to be entirely destitute of this passion tion, but which is the proper portion betokens an ignoble mind, on which only of guilt. At the same time, the no moral impression is easily made. cheerfulness belonging to virtue is Where there is no desire of praise, to be carefully distinguished from there will be also no sense of rethat light and giddy temper which proach; and if that be extinguished, characterizes folly, and is so often one of the principal guards of virtue found among the dissipated and vi- is removed, and the mind thrown cious part of mankind. Their gaiety open to many opprobrious pursuits. He whose countenance never glow-give birth to actions which are both ed with shame, and whose heart ne- splendid and useful. At a distance ver beat at the sound of praise, is they strike the eye with uncommon not destined for any honourable dis- brightness; but on a nearer and tinction; is likely to grovel in the stricter survey, their lustre is often sordid quest of gain; or to slumber tarnished. They are found to want life away in the indolence of selfish that sacred and venerable dignity pleasures. which characterizes true virtue. Lit Abstracted from the sentiments tle passions and selfish interests enwhich are connected with it as altered into the motives of those who principle of action, the esteem of our performed them. They were jealous fellow-creatures is an object which, of a competitor. They sought to on account of the advantages it humble a rival. They looked round brings, may be lawfully pursued. It for spectators to admire them. All is necessary to our success in every is magnanimity, generosity, and coufair and honest undertaking. Not rage, to public view. But the ignoonly our private interest, but our ble source whence these seeming public usefulness, depends, in a great virtues take their rise, is hidden. measure, upon it. The sphere of Without appears the hero; within, is our influence is contracted or en- found the man of dust and clay. Conlarged, in proportion to the degree sult such as have been intimately in which we enjoy the good opinion connected with the followers of reof the public. Men listen with an nown; and seldom or never will you unwilling ear to one whom they do find, that they held them in the same not honour; while a respected cha- esteem with those who viewed them racter adds weight to example, and from afar. There is nothing except authority to counsel. To desire the simplicity of intention, and purity of esteem of others for the sake of its principle, that can stand the test of effects, is not only allowable, but in near approach and strict examinamany cases is our duty and to be tion. totally indifferent to praise or censure, is so far from being a virtue, that it is a real defect in character. Blair. Ibid. 58. Sense of Right and Wrong, independent of Religion. Mankind certainly have a sense of $ 57. Excessive Desire of Praise right and wrong, independent of retends to corrupt the Heart, and to that the allurements of present plealigious belief; but experience shows, create disregard to the Admonisure, and the impetuosity of passion, tions of Conscience. are sufficient to prevent men from An excessive love of praise never acting agreeably to this moral sense, fails to undermine the regard due unless it be supported by religion, to conscience, and to corrupt the the influence of which upon the imaheart. It turns off the eye of the gination and passions, if properly dimind from the ends which it ought rected, is extremely powerful. We chiefly to keep in view; and sets up shall readily acknowledge that many a false light for its guide. Its influ- of the greatest enemies of relience is the more dangerous, as the gion have been distinguished for colour which it assumes is often fair; their honour, probity, and good naand its garb and appearance are ture. But it is to be considered, that nearly allied to that of virtue. The many virtues, as well as vices, are love of glory, I before admitted, may constitutional. A cool and equal temper, a dull imagination, and un-ing; yet this affords no presumption feeling heart, ensure the possession of a shallow judgment in subjects of many virtues, or rather, are a se- where the imagination and passions curity against many vices. They have no influence. may produce temperance, chastity, honesty, prudence, and a harmless, 60. Ibid. Effects of Religion, Scepticism and Infidelity. inoffensive behaviour. Whereas keen passions, a warm imagination, and Feebleness of mind is a reproach great sensibility of heart, lay a natu- frequently thrown, not only upon ral foundation for prodigality, de- such as have a sense of religion, but bauchery, and ambition: attended, upon all who possess warm, open, however, with the seeds of all the cheerful tempers, and hearts pecusocial and most heroic virtues. Such liarly disposed to love and frienda temperature of mind carries along ship. But the reproach is ill founded. with it a check to its constitutional Strength of mind does not consist in vices, by rendering those possessed a peevish temper, in a hard and inof it peculiarly susceptible of religi- flexible heart, and in bidding defiance ous impressions. They often appear to God Almighty: it consists in an indeed to be the greatest enemies to active, resolute spirit; in a spirit that religion, but that is entirely owing to enables a man to act his part in the their impatience of its restraints. Its world with propriety; and to bear most dangerous enemies have ever the misfortunes of life with uniform been among the temperate and chaste fortitude and dignity. This is a philosophers, void of passion and sen- strength of mind, which neither athesibility, who had no vicious appetites ism nor universal scepticism will ever to be restrained by its influence, and be able to inspire. On the contrary, who were unsusceptible of its terrors their tendency will be found to chill or its pleasures. Gregory. all the powers of imagination; to depress spirit as well as genius; to ness of Mind. $59. Religion not founded on Weak-sour the temper and contract the heart. The highest religious spirit, and veneration for Providence, Several of those who have sur-breathes in the writings of the anmounted what they call religious cient stoics; a sect distinguished for prejudices themselves, affect to treat producing the most active, intrepid, such as are not ashamed to avow virtuous men, that ever did honour their regard to religion, as men of to human nature. weak understandings and feeble Can it be pretended, that atheism minds but this shows either want or universal scepticism have any tenof candour, or great ignorance of hu- dency to form such characters? Do man nature. The fundamental ar- they tend to inspire that magnanimiticles of religion have been very ge- ty and elevation of mind, that supenerally believed by men the most riority to selfish and sensual gratifidistinguished for acuteness and ac- cations, that contempt of danger and curacy of judgment. Nay, it is unjust of death, when the cause of virtue, of to infer the weakness of a person's liberty, or their country, require it head on other subjects, from his which distinguish the characters of attachment even to the fooleries of patriots and heroes? Or is their insuperstition. Experience shows, that fluence more favourable on the humwhen the imagination is heated, and bler and gentler virtues of private and the affections deeply interested, they domestic life? Do they soften the level all distinctions of understand- heart, and render it more delicately sensible of the thousand nameless du- Scepticism, or suspense of judgties and endearments of a husband, ment, as to the truth of the great ara father, or a friend? Do they produce ticles of religion, is attended with the that habitual serenity and cheerful- same fatal effects. Wherever the ness of temper, that gaiety of heart, affections are deeply interested, a which makes a man beloved as a state of suspense is more intolerable, companion? or do they dilate the and more distracting to the mind, heart with the liberal and generous than the sad assurance of the evil sentiments, and that love of human which is most dreaded.. kind, which would render him revered and blessed as the patron of depressed merit, the friend of the widow and orphan; the refuge and support of the poor and the unhappy? Gregory. 61. Religion considered as a Sci ence. The general opinion of man- Religion may be considered in kind, that there is a strong con- three different views. First, as connexion between a religious disposi- taining doctrines relating to the betion and a feeling heart, appears ing and perfections of God, his moral from the universal dislike which all administration of the world, a future men have to infidelity in the fair sex. state of existence, and particular We not only look on it as removing communications to mankind, by an the principal security we have for immediate supernatural revelation.their virtue, but as the strongest Secondly, as a rule of life and manproof of their want of that softness ners.-Thirdly, as the source of cerand delicate sensibility of heart, tain peculiar affections of the mind, which peculiarly endears them to us, which either give pleasure or pain, and more effectually secures their according to the particular genius empire over us, than any quality they and spirit of the religion that inspires can possess. them. There are, indeed, some men who In the first of these views, which can persuade themselves, that there gives a foundation to all religious beis no supreme intelligence who di- lief, and on which the other two derects the course of nature; who can pend, Reason is principally concernsee those they have been connected ed. On this subject, the greatest with by the strongest bonds of nature efforts of human genius and applicaand friendship gradually disappear- tion have been exerted, and with the ing; who are persuaded, that this most desirable success, in those great separation is final and eternal; and and important articles that seem most who expect, that they themselves immediately to affect the interest and shall soon sink down after them into happiness of mankind. But when our nothing; and yet such men appear inquiries here are pushed to a cereasy and contented. But to a sensi- tain length, we find that Providence ble heart, and particularly to a heart has set bounds to our reason, and softened by past endearments of love even to our capacities of apprehenor friendship, such opinions are at- sion. This is particularly the case tended with gloom inexpressible; with respect to infinity, and the mothey strike a damp into all the plea- ral œconomy of the Deity. The obsures and enjoyments of life, and cut jects are here, in a great measure, off those prospects which alone can beyond the reach of our conception; comfort the soul under certain dis- and induction, from experience, on tresses, where all other aid is feeble which all our other reasonings are and ineffectual. founded, cannot be applied to a sub |