nature. By motion and exertion, the system of being is preserved in vigour. By its different parts always acting in subordination one to another, the perfection of the whole is carried on. The heavenly bodies perpetually revolve. Day and night incessantly repeat their appointed course. Continual operations are going on in the earth, and in the waters. No thing stands still.

Constantine the Great, was advanced to the sole dominion of the Roman World, A. D. 325; and soon after openly professed the Christian faith.

The letter concludes with this remarkable Postscript: "P. S Though I am innocent of the charge, and have been bitterly persecuted, yet I cordially forgive my enemies and persecu

tors.'

The last edition of that valuable work, was carefully compared with the original MS.

CHAPTER V.

CONTAINING APPLICATIONS OF THE DASH; OF THE NOTES OF INTERROGATION AND EXCLAMATION; AND OF THE PARENTHETICAL CHARACTERS.

See Vol. 2. p. 107.

BEAUTY and strength, combined with virtue and piety,how lovely in the sight of men! how pleasing to Heaven! peculiarly pleasing, because with every temptation to deviate, they voluntarily walk in the path of duty.

Something there is more needful than expense;
And something previous e'en to taste;----'tis sense.

"I'll live to-morrow," will a wise man say?
To-morrow is too late then live to-day.

Gripus has long been ardently endeavouring to fill his chest: and lo! it is now full. Is he happy? and does he use it? Does he gratefully think of the Giver of all good things? Does he distribute to the poor? Alas! these interests have no place in his breast.

What is there in all the pomp of the world, the enjoyments. of luxury, the gratification of passion, comparable to the tranquil delight of a good conscience?

He who shuts out all evasion when he promises, loves truth. The laurels of the warrior are dyed in blood; and bedewed with the tears of the widow and the orphan.

Between fame and true honour, a distinction is to be made. The former is a loud and noisy applause: the latter, a more silent and internal homage. Fame floats on the breath of the multitude: honour rests on the judgment of the thinking. Fame may give praise, while it withholds esteem: true bonour implies esteem mingled with respect. The one regards particular distinguished talents: the other looks up to the whole character.

There is a certain species of religion, (if we can give it that name,) which is placed wholly in speculation and belief; in the regularity of external homage ; or in fiery zeal about contested opinions.ind

Xenophanes, who was reproached with being timorous, because he would not venture his money in a game at dice, made this manly and sensible reply: "I confess I am exceedingly timorous; for I dare not commit an evil action."

He loves nobly, (I speak of friendship,) who is not jealous, when he has partners of love.

Our happiness consists in the pursuit, much more than in the attainment, of any temporal good.

Let me repeat it ;-he only is great who has the habits of greatness.

Prosopopoeia, or personification, is a rhetorical figure, by which we attribute life and action to inanimate objects: as, "The ground thirsts for rain;" "The earth smiles with plenty.'

גי

The proper and rational conduct of men, with regard to futurity, is regulated by two considerations: first, that much of what it contains, must remain to us absolutely unknown; next, that there are also some events in it, which may be certainly known and foreseen.

The gardens of the world produce only deciduous flowers. Perennial ones must be sought in the delightful regions above. Roses without thorns are the growth of paradise alone.

How many rules and maxims of life might be spared, could we fix a principle of virtue within; and inscribe the living sentiment of the love of God in the affections! He who loves righteousness, is master of all the distinctions in morality.

He who, from the benignity of his nature, erected this world. for the abode of men; he who furnished it so richly for our accommodation, and stored it with so much beauty for our entertainment; he who, since first we entered into life, hath followed us with such a variety of mercies: this amiable and beneficent Being, surely can have no pleasure in our disappointment and distress. He knows our frame; he remembers we are dust;

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 o science and improvement.

of

The scenes which present themselves, at our entering upon the world, are commonly flattering. Whatever they be in themselves, the lively spirits of the young gild every opening prospect. The field of hope appears to stretch wide before them. Pleasure seems to put forth its blossoms on every side. Impelled by desire, forward they rush with inconsiderate ardour; prompt to decide, and to choose; averse to hesitate, or to inquire; credulous, because untaught by experience; rash, because unacquainted with danger; headstrong, because unsubdued by disappointment. Hence arise the perils to which they are exposed; and which, too often, from want of attention to faithful admonition, precipitate them into ruin irretriev able.

By the unhappy excesses of irregular pleasure in youth, how many amiable dispositions are corrupted or destroyed! How many rising capacities and powers are suppressed! How many flattering hopes of parents and friends are totally extinguished! Who but must drop a tear over human nature, when he beholds that morning which arose so bright, overcast with such untimely darkness; that sweetness of temper which once engaged many hearts, that modesty which was so prepossessing, those abilities which promised extensive usefulness, all sacrificed at the shrine of low sensuality and one who was formed for passing through life, in the midst of public esteem, cut off by his vices at the beginning of his course; or sunk, for the whole of it, into insignificance and contempt? These, O sinful Pleasure! are thy trophies. It is thus that, co-operating with the foe of God and man, thou degradest human honour, and blastest the opening prospects of human felicity.

:

SECTION 2.

Examples in Poetry.

WHERE, thy true treasure? Gold says,

"not in me:"

And, "not in me," the Di'mond. Gold is poor.