the apartments; but all this is done with ease when different workmen assist one another.. Even things which appear to us of so little importance, that we scarcely deign to look at them, all contribute to make us happy. The very insects we so much despise are useful to us. May it teach us to value as we ought the goodness of our merciful Father, and to be sen sible of our own happiness. ON GENTLENESS. I BEGIN with distinguishing true gentleness. from passive tameness of spirit, and from unli mited compliance with the manners of others. That passive tameness, which submits without opposition, to every encroachment of the violent and assuming, forms no part of Christian duty: but, on the contrary, is destructive of general happiness and order. That unlimited complaisance, which, on every occasion, falls in with the opinions and manners of others, is so far from being a virtue, that it is itself a vice, and the parent of many vices. It overthows all steadiness of principle; and produces that sin. ful conformity with the world, which taints the whole character. In the present corrupted state of human manners, always to assent and to comply, is the very worst maxim we can adopt. It is impossible to support the purity and dignity of christian morals, without opposing the world on various occasions, even though we should stand alone. That gentleness, therefore, which belongs to virtue, is to be carefully distinguished from the mean spirit of cowards, and the fawning assent of sycophants. It renounces no just right from fear. It gives up no important truth from flattery. It is indeed not only consistent with a firm mind, but it necessarily requires a manly spirit and a fixed principle, in order to give it any real value. Upon this solid ground only, the polish of gentleness can with advan. tage be laid. It stands opposed, not to the most determined regard for virtue and truth, but to harshness and severty, to pride and arrogance, to violence. and oppression. It is, properly, that part of the great virtue of charity, which makes us unwill.. Com- ing to give pain to any of our brethren. passion prompts us to relieve their wants. bearance prevents us from retaliating their injuries. Meekness restrains our angry passions ; candour, our severe judgments. Gentleness corrects whatever is offensive in our manners; and, by a constant train of human attentions; studies to alleviate the burden of common misery. Its office, therefore, is extensive. not, like some other virtues, called forth only on peculiar emergencies; but it is continually in action, when we are engaged in intercourse with men. It ought to form our address, to regulate our speech, and to diffuse itself over our whole behaviour. It is We must not, however, confound this gentle wisdom which is from above," with that artificial courtesy, that studied smoothness of manners, which is learned in the school of the world. Such accomplishments, the most frivolous and empty may possess. Too often they are employed by the artful, as a snare; too often affected by the hard and unfeeling, as a cover to the baseness of their minds. We can not, at the same time, avoid observing the ho mage, which, even in such instances, the world is constrained to pay to virtue. In order to render society agreeable, it is found necessary to assume somewhat, that may at least carry Virtue is the universal charm. its appearance. Even its shadow is courted, when the substance is wanting. The imitation of its form has been reduced into an art; aud, in the commerce of life, the first study of all who would either gain the esteem, or win the hearts of others, is to learn the speech, and to adopt the manners, of candour, gentleness, and humanity. But that gentleness which is the characteristic of a good man, has, like every other virtue, its seat in the heart; and let me add, nothing except what flows from the heart, can render, even external manners truly pleasing. For no assumed beha viour can at all times hide the real character. In that unaffected civility, which springs from a gentle mind, there is a charm infinitely more powerful, than in all the studied manners of the most finished courtier. True gentleness is founded on a sense of what we owe to Him who made us, and to the common nature of which we all share. It arises from reflection on our own failings and wants; and from just views of the condition, and the. duty of man. It is native feeling, heightened and improved by principle. It is the heart which easily relents; which feels for every . thing that is human; and is backward and slow to inflict the least wound. It is aflable in its address, and mild in its demeanour; ever ready to oblige, and willing to be obliged, by others; breathing habitual kindness towards friends, courtesy to strangers, long-suffering to enemies. It exercises authority with moderation; administers reproof with tenderness; confers favours with ease and modesty. It is unassuming in opinion, and temperate in zeal. It contends. not eagerly about trifles; slow to contradict," and still slower to blame; but prompt to allay dissension, and to restore peace. It neither intermeddles unnecessarily with the affairs, nor prys inquisitively into the secrets of others. It delights above all things to alleviate distress; and, if it cannot dry up the falling tear, to soothe at least the grieving heart. Where it has not the power of being useful, it is never burthensome. It seeks to please, rather than to shine and dazzle; and conceals with care that supe |
