and promotes the happiness of all around him. 'It is the clear and calm sunshine of a mind illuminated by piety and virtue. Wherever views of interest, and prospects of return, mingle with the feelings of affection, sensibility acts an imperfect part, and entitles us to small share of commendation. Let not your expectations from the years that are to come, rise too high; and your disappointments will be fewer, and more easily supported. To live long, ought not to be our favorite wish, sơ much as to live well. By continuing too long on earth, we might only live to witness a greater number of melancholy scenes, and to expose - ourselves to a wider compass of human wo. How many pass away some of the most valuable years of their lives, tost in a whirlpool of what cannot be called pleasure, so much as mere giddiness and folly. Look round you with attentive eye, and weigh characters, well, before you connect yourselves too closely with any who court your society. The true honor of man consists not in the multitude of riches, or the elevation of rank; for experience shows, that these may be possessed by the worthless as well as by the deserving. Beauty of form has often betrayed its possessor. The fower is easily blasted. It is short lived at the best; and trifling, at any rate, in comparison with the higher, and more lasting beauties of the mind. A conterted temper opens a clear sky, and brightcns every object around us. It is in the sullen and dark shade of discontent, that noxious passions, like venomous animals, breed and prey upon the heart.. Thousands whom indolence has sunk into contemptible obscurity, might have come forward to usefulness and honour, if idleness had not frustrated the effect of all their powers. Sloth is like the slowly-flowing, putrid stream, which stagnates in the marsh, breeds venomous animals, and poisonous plants; and infects with pestilential vapours the whole country round it. Disappointments derange, and overcome, vulgar minds. The patient and the wise, by a proper improvement, frequently make them contribute to their high advantage. Whatever fortune may rob us of, it cannot take away what is most valuable, the peace of a good conscience, and the cheering prospect of a happy conclusion to all the trials of life, in a better world. Be not overcome by the injuries you meet with, so as to pursue revenge; by the disasters of life, so as to sink into despair; by the evil examples of the world, so as to follow them into sin. Overcome injuries, by forgiveness; disasters, by fortitude; evil examples, by firmness of principle. Sobriety of mind is one of those virtues, which the present condition of human life strongly inculcates. The uncertainty of its enjoyments, checks presumption; the multiplicity of its dangers, demands per petual caution. Moderation, vigilance, and self-government, are duties incumbent on all; but especially on such as are beginning the journey of life. The charins and comforts of virtue are inexpressible; and can only be justly conceived by those who possess her. The consciousness of Divine approbation and support, and the steady hope of future happiness, communicate a peace and joy, to which all the delights of the world bear no resemblance. If we knew how much the pleasures of this life deceive and betray their unhappy votaries; and reflected on the disappointments in pursuit, the dissatisfaction in enjoyment, or the uncertainty of possession, which every where attend them; we should cease to be enamoured with such brittle and transient joys: and should wisely fix our hearts on those virtuous attainments, which the world can neither give nor take away. VERSE. Order is Heav'n's first law: and this confest, Needful austerities our wills restrain ; As thorns fence in the tender plant from harm. Reason's whole pleasure, all the joys of sense, On earth, nought precious is obtain'd, But what is painful too; By travel and to travel born, Our sabbaths are but few. Who noble ends by noble means obtains, Our hearts are fasten'd to this world, But every sorrow cuts a string, Oft pining cares in rich brocades are drest, Teach me to feel another's wo, To hide the fault I see; That mercy I to others show, That mercy show to me. H This day be bread, and peace, my lot: Thou know'st if best bestow'd or not, Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, If nothing more than purpose in thy power, In faith and hope the world will disagree, To be resign'd when ills betide, And pleas'd with favours giv'n: Whose fragrance smells to Heav'n. All fame is foreign, but of true desert; Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife, What nothing earthly gives, or can destroy The soul's calm sunshine, and the heartfelt joy, Pity the sorrows of a poor old man, Whose trembling limbs have borne him to thy door, Who lives to nature, rarely can be poor: When young, life's journey I began, Joy after joy successive rise. But soon I found 'twas all a dream; 'Tis greatly wise to talk with our past hours; And ask them what report they bore to Heav'a....... All nature is but art, unknown to thee; All partial evil, universal good. Heav'n's choice is safer than our own; Of ages past inquire: What the most formidable fate? "To have our own desire." If ceaseless, thus, the fowls of heav'n he feeds |