tion must fall under the vices of the tongue, in the discussion of its government.

"If it be possible as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men"-and this is to be done only by avoiding occasions of offence. "Study to be quiet, and to do your own business"-this is the christian rule, and it is the most simple and effectual that can be imagined to secure the advantages of society: which will depend more upon our habits of mildness and conciliation, than upon our most active services, even were these supported by a genius as powerful as our spirits are ardent. In preserving union, more is to be avoided, than accomplished: and our most severe, and most important duties, will be often those rather which are passive, than those which are active.

Habits of justice are required, without which, the social compact must be speedily dissolved. The oppressor, like Ishmael, has his hand against every man, and every man's hand against him. He who refuses to act his part in society, is a fragment broken off from the grand structure, deforming the edifice by the little chasm which he has left, and lying neglected upon the ground, while he partakes of neither the grandeur or the strength, the unity or the durability of the building. Such a fragment is the indolent; who contributes nothing to the general weal, and is treated in return with just indifference.

Moderation is of importance in our social habits. The mind that has no resources in itself is too apt

to prey upon others-to invade retirement-to interrupt private duties-to tax the patience and urbanity of the friendly and the industrious :-and this, not intentionally, but from an habitual sloth, which incapacitates the social persecutor from duly estimating the time so invaluable to others-and a no less habitual selfishness, which forgets what is due to other interests than its own, and too highly rates its personal gratifications. "Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house, lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee."

Habits of delicacy deeply influence society. There is a rudeness that offends a gentle spirit, where no evil is intended by the boisterous associate. Himself a stranger to milder emotions, he feels astonished that those who would prize his sterling qualities shrink from his company. But if the enjoyments of society arise from that kind and amiable spirit of mutual accommodation, which calls forth the buds and blossoms of the moral and intellectual world, as the genial influences of the spring unfold the flowers and foliage of the visible creation, this turbulent invader of the social circle comes, like the east wind of that season of promise, beauty, and mutability, to spread desolation over the fair scenery, by blowing upon it too roughly.

Habits of consistency, must be considered as essential to the well-being of society, and should be carefully cultivated. Caprice destroys confidence -and confidence is the foundation of all real com

munion. If one mode of conduct be pursued today, and another to-morrow, the uncertainty annihilates trust. If that which pleases one moment, offends the next-farewell the pleasure of intercourse, and with it the social union. To press this individual point of consistency, must belong to the government of the temper, hereafter to be considered: but in speaking of those general habits upon which the weal of societydepends, it is of importance to insist upon it, that those who would avail themselves of its advantages, should give themselves the trouble to know their own mind, and not to subject all who approach them occasionally, or are connected with them more intimately, to the uncertainty whether they are to be received with the chilling apathy of indifference, the lowering frown of displeasure, or the warm cordiality of friendship; and the still greater uncertainty from what possible cause this mutable and capricious deportment arises.

There is a consistency also which society expects from age and station. That which would be levity in age, possesses a charm of sprightliness in youth. That which would be unbecoming in one station of life, is natural, easy, unconstrainand amiable in another. From elders, referring as well to office as to age, the apostle requires gravity; and let no one attempt to justify, upon this demand, whatever be his profession, or whatever his time of life, a morose, supercilious, unbending spirit. Suavity, cheerfulness, and socia

bility, are consistent with the most solemn calling, and the most advanced periods of life. It is difficult to say, which is most disgusting-old age affecting childhood, or childhood aping old age. If childishness must, in some melancholy instances, be associated with advanced years, let it be the imbecility of the understanding, and not the weakness of the heart-let it be apparent that the effects deplored are the ravages of time, and not the choice of a vain, worldly, trifling imagination. For "aged women" to deck themselves like girls, to retain affectations which were never tolerated by good sense, but overlooked in the personal graces with which they were accompanied, and pardoned because of the tender age in which they were indulged-would move derision, if shame were not at hand to suppress it. For "aged men" in their dotage, to imagine themselves in their boyhood, betrays them into absurdities as pernicious to society as odious to themselves. The counterpart of this, is the affectation of experience, wisdom, and authority, on the part of childhood and youth. Advancing years, and habitual contact with the world, will teach suspicion soon enough, far too soon, for the honour of human nature, and the comfort of the individual—but to see the youth, who is little more than a child, locking up his heart, and casting a doubtful eye upon those by whom he is surrounded, argues something wrong within-a consciousness of some concealed motives on his own part, which induce that suspicion of others, the justice of which experience cannot

have taught him, and the existence of which is so hateful to the benevolent spirit, the undisguised character, and the frank emotions of unsophisticated youth, that observation alone would not be sufficiently powerful to impress it upon the generous heart.

There is also a consistency of a higher character, giving perfection to all these general habits so necessary to society; it is religious consistency, on the part of a christian, and is marked by his purity. He loses none of his civil rights by christianity: he is not withdrawn from the social circle; but he is eminently qualified to inform, improve and ornament it. "I pray not," said the departing Saviour in his last prayer-"that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil." To walk through and not inhale its pestilential atmosphere—to scatter around him life and healing as he advances-is his glorious prerogative. He is required to "adorn the doctrine of God his Saviour in all things." Purity is his principle-consistency its application. He bears about with him the,nature of man: but shews every where impressed upon it the image of God.

PARENTAL AFFECTION.

THERE are emotions too powerful to be expressed; too ethereal to be substantiated; too spiritual to be embodied. Such are the vivid, varied, attenuated anxieties of parental tenderness: yet