No such unwor

the interested: it shall not cleave to me. thy motives shall adhere to my soul, or debase my highminded views. "I consider myself, though king of Israel, as a subject of God, and sin as treason against his supremacy. A froward, stubborn, or rebellious heart shall depart from me. Such a disposition I will neither indulge in myself, nor tolerate in others. I will not know a wicked person; an infamous character shall be no friend or intimate of mine: no royal favor, no royal munificence, shall he experience.

The next character that excited the animadversion of David, is more troublesome and mischievous than any mentioned in the whole psalm, and he threatens the delinquent with merited punishment and reprobation. It is in truth a delinquent hateful to God and man; a character that sows more discord, and spreads more dissatisfaction in the field of the world, than almost any other. Need I say that the Psalmist alludes to the busy-body, the intermedler, the whisperer, the talebearer, the slanderer, the propagator of falsehoods and unfounded rumours? Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off,-severely punish, discard, or banish from my court and dominions. He that worketh deceit, says the royal admonisher, shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies, shall not tarry in my sight. No calumniator, no informer, shall remain in my service. Against the base insinuations of mischief-makers, against the poisonous breath of defamers, I will manifest the most unrelenting sternness, the most unmitigable severity. I will early, or invariably, destroy all the wicked.

of the land;-all such evil-doers, such criminal characters, such disturbers of the peace and harmony of society, I will cut off from the city of God.

A noble resolution, but of most difficult accomplishment. Human nature continues the same in all ages. Where there is no religion, no moral principle, there will be lying; where ignorance and bigotry exist, there will be a fondness for misrepresentation; a love of wild rumours and wild surmises; a relish for calumnious tales and miscreated suspicions; a welcoming of the marvellous, the incredible, the impossible; a thirst for the waters of strife, evil speaking, clamour, malice, bitterness; an exclusive spirit, defamatory suggestions, uncharitable and unchristian judging:

This is an appalling catalogue of crimes. Individuals of this irreligious temper, persons of a high look and a proud heart, who are insensible to their own imperfection and unworthiness, but who fabricate or retail slander against a neighbour, David declares that he will not suffer or endure. Moses had made a similar proclamation by the command of the Most High: Thou shalt neither raise nor receive a false report. Solomon is equally explicit against this criminal habit:-He that hides hatred with lying lips, and he who utters a slander, is a fool. In the multitude of words, there wanteth not sin; but he who refrains his lips, is wise. But the most awful denunciation against this vice, which I remember to have seen, you may find in the Revelation. Observe with what characters the author classes liars, and the tremendous doom of all; and whenever you feel disposed to employ falsehood, to misrepre

sent, to calumniate, I pray God that you may remember the sentence and stand in awe of Him who witnesses the thoughts of your heart and the words of your mouth. The unfaithful, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolators, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. The blessed Saviour, too, attaches the same criminality to abusive or malicious speeches; I say unto you, that for every idle or unprofitable speech, every false or injurious word, which men shall speak, they shall give account in the day of judgment; for by thy words thou wilt be justified, and by thy words thou wilt be condemned.

Do you wonder, my readers, that David was so deeply impressed with the sinfulness of vague and evil-minded rumours? that he communicated his disapprobation so strongly? I think you do not, for you all know something of this evil; few of you have escaped its venom, and few of you have remained innocent of its sin. If then your impressions resemble my own, be it your aim to discourage the slightest appearance of this crime both in yourselves and others. If sometimes compelled to hear the calumnies and floating rumours of the day, just as you hear some dismal howling that enters your window by night, do not propagate those rumours any more than you would propagate these melancholy sounds; let them die even from your own memory. He who spreads a false accusation, becomes an accomplice with the original contriver. Many evil rumours may be true, but it does not become you to

promote their circulation. It forms a part of the universal prayer, to "hide the fault we see." Therefore have nothing to do with forging an untruth; and have no concern with falsehoods of other people's forging: both to retailer and receiver they are a most unprofitable commodity; to him who entertains, and him who disposes of them. The example of the divine Teacher, and the golden rule which he gave for our direction, I have often recommended as truly of heavenly origin, and I would recommend them now: Make that perfect example and that golden rule your directory. You will find them of universal application and efficacy like the love of God shed abroad in the heart, they will diffuse a benign influence over your minds, your affections, and your intercourse with mankind. Strive, then, during the remainder of your earthly day, to imbibe their spirit and to exemplify their divine principles. The example of Christ, I hope, is imprinted on the memories of all. He suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps: he committed no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: when he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to Him who judges righteously. He exemplified the wisdom that is from above,pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Blessed words, and worthy of being inscribed upon every heart! But not more blessed than the rule, which the Saviour proposed for your observance : All

things, whether thoughts, words, or actions,-whatsoever you desire others to entertain, express, and perform, in regard to you, fail not to entertain, express, and perform yourselves; for this is the law and the prophets. Such are the principles and practice, which your heavenly Father will approve and reward; and he will view you with the same complacency, with which David promised to regard his faithful advocates and friends: Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: He that walks in a perfect way, shall both serve me and participate in my glory.

I have pre

I have now accomplished what I proposed. sented some of the more prominent features of David's promised administration,-those principles of conduct, which he promised should influence his government of himself and his government of the kingdom. Many of his views are extremely applicable to the situation and circumstances of Christians, to your own religious improvement, and to your intercourse with the Christian community. May your conviction of their truth, your corresponding endeavours to observe them, and the blessing of the Almighty promote your comfort on earth and immortal life in heaven.