As the general duties of equals come within the limits of the chapter upon courtesy, they will not be further pursued in this.

DIVISION II.

BENEVOLENCE.

'A new commandment give I unto you, that ye love one another."

RECIPROCITY obliges us to abstain from doing wrong to others. But this is not the whole of our duty to them. We are also under obligation to do them good, and to promote their happiness, even when they have no claim upon us on the ground of justice. This is the law of benevolence.

Benevolence is that spirit of love or good will which leads us to desire the well-being of every living thing, and to do what we can to promote the happiness of all mankind. It is the most beautiful and the most God-like feeling of our nature. It is not limited to our friends, or to our country; but it extends to people of every land, and of every color; to our enemies, to the degraded and the wicked, as truly as to our friends and to the good. Brutes, as well as human beings, are included in its wide embrace; and one deeply filled with the spirit of it would turn aside, rather than trample down the humblest flower beneath his feet.

Second division of duties to others? Motto? What further duty have we to others than to abstain from doing them wrong? What is meant by benevolence? What is said of it?

"Benevolence manifests itself in being pleased with the share of good every creature enjoys; in a disposition to increase it; in feeling an uneasiness at their sufferings, and in the abhorrence of cruelty under every disguise or pretext." It leads to the question, "How can I make him or her happier?" The poorest man may lessen his neighbor's load. He who has no gold may give what gold cannot purchase. What costs us little or nothing, may be much to him on whom it is bestowed.

""Tis a little thing

To give a cup of water; yet its draught,
Of cool refreshment, drained by fevered lips,
May give a shock of pleasure to the frame.
It is a little thing to speak a phrase
Of common comfort, which by daily use
Has almost lost its sense, yet on the heart

Of him who thought to die unmourned 't will fall
Like choicest music."

We are often in circumstances in which we are dependent upon the benevolence of others. "We are all exposed to sickness, in which case we become perfectly helpless, and when, were it not for the kindness of others, we must perish. We grow old, and by age lose the power of supporting ourselves. Were benevolence to be withdrawn, many of the old would die of want. The various injuries arising from accident, as

How does benevolence manifest itself? To what question does it lead? What may be done by the poorest man? Repeat the quotation. To what circumstances that render us dependent upon others are we all exposed?

well as from disease, teach us the same lesson. And, besides, a world in which every individual is subject to death must abound with widows and orphans, who, deprived by the hand of God of their only means of support, must frequently either look for sustenance and protection to those on whom they have no claim by the law of reciprocity, or they must die." We suppose it to be the design of God, that we should, under such circumstances, help each other.

Much of the happiness of others depends upon the cultivation of their minds. We ought, therefore, to do what we can to instruct the poor and ignorant,, as well as to administer to their bodily wants.

Benevolence requires us to do good to others, whether they are good or bad, and whether they treat us well or ill. No matter if they are ungrateful, wicked, or disposed to injure us, our duty of trying to benefit them is still the

same.

The exercise of benevolence improves our own character. It serves to cultivate a spirit of meekness, forgiveness, patience and charity, and leads us to sympathize with the suffering, and to exercise feelings of pity, compassion and mercy, towards the erring and the wicked.

What is supposed to be the design of God under such circumstances? What should we do besides relieving the bodily wants of the poor? Does the duty of trying to benefit others depend on their being good and grateful? What effect does the exercise of benevolence have upon our own character?

This duty is abundantly taught by Jesus Christ. "If," says he, "ye love them that love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to those that do good to you, what thank have ye ? for sinners also do the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be children of the Highest, for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye, therefore, merciful, as your Father in heaven is merciful." Also, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise upon the evil and upon the good, and sendeth rain upon the just and upon the unjust."

To be merciful, is to promote the happiness of those who have no claim upon us, and from whom we can hope for no reward. Mercy

"Becomes

The throned monarch better than his crown.

It is an attribute of God himself;

And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice."

What are the teachings of Christ in regard to this duty! What is it to be merciful? Repeat the passage of poetry.

Christ's example is one of perfect forbearance, meekness, forgiveness and untiring benevolence. He went about doing good, and gave even his life for the benefit of others.

We have no claim upon the kind favor of God, but He is showering blessings upon us every hour. We have no claim upon His mercy and forgiveness, and yet "He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy. "He forgiveth all our iniquities, and crowneth us with loving kindness and tender mercies."

Shall we not, then, be filled with kindness towards our fellow-men, and forgive them their trespasses even as we pray God to forgive ours?

CHAPTER I.

BENEVOLENCE TO THE UNHAPPY.

"That best portion of a good man's life,
His little, nameless, unremembered acts
Of kindness and of love."

PEOPLE become unhappy from various causes. First. Poverty is a very common cause of unhappiness, and one which benevolence will lead

us to remove.

If the poor are able to labor, we ought to give them something to do, and pay them a suitable

What is said of Christ's example?. What, in God's treatment of us, should fill us with kindness towards our fellow-men? Subject of Chapter I.? Motto? First cause of unhappiness mentioned? If the poor are able to labor, how may we best benefit them?