prove his comforts. Fidelity to his interest is, therefore, the essence of a servant's engagement. It is quite natural that the servant should look to his own interest, as well as that of his employer. But the servant's interest being secured by the stipulated wages or commission, his faithful and zealous services are due in return; and when these are rendered, the servant seldom fails of a further reward, in the good repute and preference which they secure to him, and the advancement to which they often lead.

Very different are the consequences to the unfaithful servant, the eye-servant, the wasteful servant, to him who uses his cunning to get as much from his master as he can, and to do as little for him as he can in return. These swell the number of those who complain that they cannot get employment, and who are generally seen sinking from distress into crime and wretchedness.

Servants and agents not unfrequently devise two plans of action-one of industry and economy for themselves, and another of negligence and waste for their masters: but in doing this they embarrass themselves with troublesome distinctions, and involve themselves in continual mistakes. If the servant have been habituated to negligence and waste in his master's service, when he has to act for himself, from forgetfulness at the instant, his bad habit will prevail, and his own affairs will suffer. From how much trouble, how much unprofitable thinking, from how many mistakes, does a servant, or agent, save himself, who always acts on one uniform good principle; who uses just the same diligence and economy, whether he act for his employer or for himself. His course is thus rendered simple and easy, and the advantages that follow usually prove to him, that by faithfully regarding the interest of his employers, he has best promoted his own.

In all co-operations of many for a common purpose, the submission of the many to a leader is evidently indispensable, and unless this be faithfully preserved, there can be no unity of action. The varying opinions, inclinations, and interests of the many would scatter them in contrary directions, or involve them in continual conflicts. It is only by surrendering their individual wills to a leader, that they can be brought to enjoy the benefits of co-operation. This is seen in the lower works of nature, as well as in the higher. Beasts and birds gather into flocks, and commit themselves to the guidance of leaders. If we engage a body of labourers to dig or mow a field, they adopt a leader. If there be a meeting for a discussion, or a dinner, a chairman is always found necessary.

Even in savage life we observe a faithful obedience yielded to the head of the family or tribe. But in a high state of national civilization and wealth, the necessity of co-operation is greatly increased: surrenders of individual freedom to additional rules of government, in the same degree multiply. If the government vigilantly exercise the power thus conferred for the general good, the portions of individual liberty surrendered are well bartered for the advantages thereby gained, and the Fidelity of the people cannot too strongly respond to the directions of their rulers. Nor ought their Fidelity to be shaken by the representation of errors or defects in the government, even if well founded, for all human institutions are imperfect; neither ought it to be disturbed by eagerness for change, for hasty changes are generally seen to bring with them new evils, which are greater than those they remove; but every projected change should be cautiously examined, and should be attempted, if deemed necessary, by means which are consistent with Fidelity to the

state.

If, however, the governing power countenance acts of injustice and imposture, or impoverish the people by vexatious restraints, and burthensome expences, for objects of individual aggrandizement, their breach of faith releases the people from the duty of obedience. Still the withdrawal of Fidelity can only be justified by extreme and indubitable cases of misrule; for although the people may suffer much under a bad government, the horrors of anarchy, and the tyrannies of revolutionary competitors for power, are seen to be even more terrible; and these impress upon the people the policy of maintaining the Fidelity of their allegiance, even under a considerable misuse of power, trusting to the force of remonstrance, public opinion, and patience, for ultimate relief.

EXTRACTS.

Duties of Parents toward their Children.

PROVERBS, XXII., 6. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

1 TIMOTHY, V., 4. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.-8. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Duties of Children toward their Parents.

LEVITICUS, XIX., 3. Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God. DEUTERONOMY, XXVII., 16. Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother and all the people shall say, Amen. PROVERBS, X., 1. A wise son maketh a glad father, but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.-XXVIII., 24. Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

G

MATTHEW, XIX., 19. Honour thy father and thy mother; and thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

EPHESIANS, VI., 1 to 3. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.-Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise ;-That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Duties of Husbands and Wives.

PROVERBS, XXXI., 10 to 12. Who can find a virtuous woman ? for her price is far above rubies.-The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.-She will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.-25 to 28. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.-She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.-Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

COLOSSIANS, III., 18 and 19. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.-Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

TITUS, II., 2 to 6. That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.-The aged women likewise, that they may be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.-To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.-Young men likewise exhort to be soberminded.

HEBREWS, XIII., 4. Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. 1 PETER, III., 1 to 6. Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;— While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel ;-But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.-For after this manner in the

old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands.-Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Duties of Masters and Servants.

DEUTERONOMY, XXIV., 14 and 15. Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of the strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:-At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto thee.

MATTHEW, VI., 24. No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and

mammon.

COLOSSIANS, III., 22 to 25. Servants, obeying in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:-And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men ;Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.-But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.-IV., 1. Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

TITUS, II., 9 to 12. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;-Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

1 PETER, II., 18 to 20. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.-For what glory is it, if when ye buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.