God or man; and a bold bad man, while he earns preeminence to himself, may carry along with him many more upon whom the success of his enterprises may heap similar distinctions. Many also who act upon the most selfish principles may find it conducive to their own sordid purpose to ingratiate themselves with mankind by deeds of public utility and private beneficence, the better either to conceal the end they have in view, or to forward its accomplishment. Casually also, though not designedly, some benefits may accrue to society from the operation of the worst dispositions and intentions in their influence upon mankind; a result, to be attributed only to the unceasing control of that Almighty power who "hath made all things "for Himself," and who can render the evil passions of men, no less than "the stormy "wind and tempest," conducive to good, even whilst they are spreading havock and destruction. But these fortuitous consequences (if we may so call them) in no respect affect the general position we are now maintaining. The evil actions or dispositions of men can never be said, in themselves, to promote the glory of God; nor by any possible perversion of sentiment be entitled to the same estima

c Prov. xvi. 4.

tion with the "good works" which are to form the splendour of the Christian character. Their immediate tendency, and their necessary consequence, except so far as they may be overruled by a superintending Providence, is to make the world a scene of disorder and discomfort, and to increase and perpetuate the evils of our fallen nature.

On the other hand, the dispositions on which our heavenly Lord and Master solemnly pronounced His benediction, however little they may be felt, understood, or practised, by an unthankful and unbelieving world, are precisely those which, while they give the highest possible elevation of spiritual character to their possessors, in no respect lessen their means of promoting the general good; neither do they preclude the exercise of the most powerful energies of the human mind, or in any way incapacitate men for becoming valuable members of the community, or advancing their own honourable reputation. Reflect, for a moment, how each of these is adapted to work upon the mind and to affect the conduct. Humility, whatever lowliness or self-abasement it may imply towards God or man, does not destroy that consciousness of integrity and rectitude, which incites to firmness and perseverance; on the contrary,

it best secures these, through the influence of that salutary caution, "happy is the man that "feareth alway"." Adversity endured with unrepining submission and fortitude, has that, in its very aspect, which rarely fails to command respect, and whether it awakens or not the commiseration of others, reads an edifying lesson not easily to be disregarded. Purity of heart implies that manly resistance of temptation, which is never the associate of a weak and pusillanimous spirit. Fervent devotion lifts the soul above sordid pursuits, and dispels the baser passions of our nature. Mercy instantaneously prompts to good offices, wherever there are troubles to be alleviated or wants to be supplied. Meekness, peaceableness, patient endurance of injuries, resoluteness in upholding what is right and true, under every difficulty and danger; surely these are not the virtues to be contemned or lightly esteemed; since they can only “have "their perfect work," when under the influence of that self-control which "overcomes " evil with good "," and which is among the highest graces of the Christian character, wrought in the heart by the Spirit of God himself.

Again; not only do these qualities shed

d Prov. xxviii. 14. e James i. 4.

f Rom. xii. 21.

those who possess

the purest lustre upon them, and fill them inwardly "with all joy "and peace in believing," but (which is more to our immediate purpose) they seldom are regarded by others but with correspondent feelings of approbation. Obscurity of station or secluded habits of life may occasionally intercept them from public notice; but even under the most disadvantageous circumstances, they will not entirely escape observation, or fail to make some effective impression. When they have ampler scope; when from being united to higher rank and station they come in contact with the greater interests of social life; then will their influence be more deeply and more generally felt. It will then be seen that these are not the virtues of solitude only, or of lowly condition, not the exclusive characteristics of men who have forsaken the world, or are forsaken by it; but that they adorn, improve, and elevate every rank and every occupation. And though even our best actions are forbidden to be done from the sole motive of being "seen of men," and obtaining our full reward here; yet are we encouraged, nay enjoined, to do them with a hope of leading others, through our influence and example, in like manner to glorify the Divine Author of our being.

Should these observations, however, be deemed insufficient to establish the point in question, we may appeal to the more indisputable testimony of history and experience.

Among the secondary causes which contributed to the progress of the Gospel, even the infidel historian acknowledges the extraordinary lustre of Christian virtues to have been one of the most prevailing. And what were those virtues? The very same to which our heavenly Master annexed His special blessing; the passive virtues of humble resignation to the Divine will, and meek endurance of suffering for righteousness' sake; the active virtues of zeal in the cause of truth, and charity the most diffusive and unbounded. These were the seeds which sprang up and multiplied an hundred fold. Men saw and wondered at the power which could sustain the mind under the tortures of martyrdom and the scorn of an unbelieving world. They reverenced the unaffected sanctity of a pure and blameless conduct, putting to shame the corruptions of heathen licentiousness. They beheld with delight the ardour of mutual charity and affection between men united in one common bond of faith and hope; and even from the ruthless persecutors of this unoffending race burst