to be subdued by kindness, and melted by the tones of a friendly voice.

Let the prisoner feel that he is followed to his cell by the compassion of his fellow-men; let him be treated there as though he had some good feelings left; let him enjoy some advantages for improving his mind and heart; and let him feel that, on his release from prison, he will be met with kindness, and that the world will gladly assist him in gaining respectability; and then we may hope that he will repent and "sin no more."

CHAPTER III.

BENEVOLENCE TO THE INJURIOUS.

"Be to their faults a little blind,
Be to their virtues very kind."

1. WHEN a person injures us intentionally, he is guilty of wickedness, and it is right that we should view the wicked act with abhorrence and detestation.

But, at the same time, we ought to pity the person, who not only does us wrong, but also brings upon himself great unhappiness. We ought to forgive him his trespasses, as we would desire our heavenly Father to forgive us ours.

What course of treatment would lead us to hope that on coming out he would sin no more? Subject of Chapter III. Motto? How should we view the act when a person is guilty of wickedness? How regard and treat the person?

And more than this, it is our duty to try to do him good, and to make him better, by showing him all the kindness in our power, and the utmost readiness to oblige him. We should not render "evil for evil, or railing for railing," but overcome evil with good," and still do, not as is done to us, but as we would that others should do to us.

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It is noble and exalted to reward evil with good; it shows great meanness and littleness of spirit to revenge.

The best way to put a stop to injuries is not to injure in return. No one will long continue to abuse us, if we bear it meekly, and repay him only with goodness. This treatment will tend to make him better, and less liable to do wrong in future. We ourselves shall be better too.

But if we retaliate, that is, do wrong to others because they do wrong to us, there will be no cessation to our quarrels; and, in the end, we shall be as bad as he who began the injury, and shall have cause to be ashamed of acting meanly, when we might have done nobly in forgiving the wrong. If all children would act upon the maxim of the sweet-tempered little girl, "Never to hunch when others crowd," that is, never return anger for anger, or evil for evil, but give "a kiss for a blow," they would

And what more than this is our duty? What is said of rewarding evil with good, and what of revenge? The best way to put a stop to injuries? Effect of this? What if we retaliate? How might children be saved from a great many quarrels and difficulties?

be saved from a great many of their quarrels and difficulties.

The following anecdote shows the best way to punish those who injure us: "As a worthy old woman, in the city of New York, was one day walking along the street quietly smoking her pipe, a jovial sailor, rendered a little mischievous by liquor, came sawing down, and, when opposite the old woman, saucily pushed her aside, and, with a pass of his hand, knocked the pipe out of her mouth. He then halted to hear her fret at his trick, and enjoy a laugh at her expense. But what was his astonishment, when she meekly picked up the pieces of her broken pipe, without the least resentment in her manner; and, giving him a dignified look of mingled sorrow, kindness and pity, said 'God forgive you, my son, as I do.' It touched a tender chord in the heart of the rude tar. He felt ashamed, condemned and repentant. The tear started in his eye; he must make reparation. He heartily confessed his error, and thrusting both hands into his full pockets of change, forced the contents upon her, exclaiming, God bless you, kind mother! I'll never do so again.""

2. Sometimes, when a man is injured by another, or supposes himself to be injured, he challenges him to fight, that they may settle the difficulty, and maintain their honor, by killing each other. This is called duelling. It is a

What anecdote shows the best way to punish those who injure us? What is duelling?

barbarous custom, which was established a great many years ago, among savage people, who knew no better way of settling their difficulties. But if a man is challenged to fight a duel, it is far more noble and honorable to decline it, than to kill his adversary, or to throw away his own life, on account of some little offence which he has given or received. He is the mean man and the true coward who fears to refuse to fight a duel. And more than this, it is as wrong, and as much murder, to kill a man in a duel, as in any other way.

Boys are apt to have their duels as well as men. They do not use swords and pistols, but they often try to settle their difficulties by fighting and stoning each other! But no boy of a truly noble mind would ever lower himself by adopting such a foolish and brutal course.

3. The same rules are to be observed, when one nation injures another nation, as when one individual injures another individual.

As, by the law of God, no one person has a right to return evil for evil, but each is bound to do what he can to promote the happiness of all others, of whatever country; neither have a large number of persons taken together, and forming a nation, any right to injure another nation; and if injured, they ought to forgive

What is said of the custom of duelling? What is the more truly honorable way, if a man is challenged? Who is the true coward? What is the real character of killing by duel? What is said of boys' duels? What if one nation injures another nation? How is this shown?

the people who injure them, and strive to make them better and happier.

Therefore, it seems that all wars are contrary to the will of God, and that one nation has no right to declare war against another. God commands us to love every man, and no arguments in favor of war can justify us in breaking His.command.

"Have peace

The Bible commands are: one with another." "Be at peace among yourselves." "See that none render evil for evil unto any man.” "God hath called us to peace." "Live in peace." "Put off anger, wrath, malice." "Avenge not yourselves." "If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink."

Jesus Christ says: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth; but I say unto you that ye resist not evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other 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."

The meaning of these passages is, that we should not give way to angry passions, but that we should have the spirit of forbearance, forgiveness, benevolence, and love, towards those who injure us; and all these dispositions are entirely opposed to the spirit of war.

What follows, then, in regard to wars? What are some of the Bible commands? What does Jesus Christ say upon this subject? The meaning of these passages?