he is discontented. The thorns already begin to fcratch him. Pride, however, can bear a little pain. Pride is very prolific. The man under its influence foon gets peevish, envious, and revengeful. The remonftrances of conscience are filenced, and he gives himself up to the guidance of Ambition. He next afpires after rank and fashion; but Pride is very expenfive. In order to keep up appearances he does many things that at one time he would never have thought of doing. He can lie, and be very refpectable. He can overreach and defraud his neighbour, and yet be refpectable. He can feduce the innocent and unfuspecting, and destroy the happiness of entire families, and still be confidered respectable. By his flanders he has ruined the reputation of more than one. By his unrighteous schemes he attains the present object of his proud heart, and moves among the circles of rank and fashion. Yet his foul is reftlefs. It is like the troubled. fea; he pants for Power. He pursues after honours, that the trump of fame may found his name abroad, and hand it down faithfully to pofterity. He becomes now a candidate for high office. In his own opinion he poffeffes every qualification; he is aftonished that the world fhould be fo blind to his many excellencies. here meets with a competitor-he wishes him out of his way. "From pride comes contention ;" he picks a quarrel with his rival. The challenge fucceeds; the duel is fought, and his antagonist He falls weltering in his blood. He triumphs. Ah! unhappy man! Remorfe is his companion for ever the ghost of the murdered haunts him continually. He is inftalled in office. He scruples at nothing that will but increase his power; the man's pride knows no bounds-he afpires now after conqueft and dominion. He will be a Hero; he will attain the high pinnacle of military renown and glory. War, fearful, devastating war, goes before him; Famine and Peftilence attend him; Ruin and Mifery follow close behind, but "Pride goeth before destruction!" There are others who wish him out of the way. from his own ranks cuts him down. high elevation he is brought low. His glory is departed. A fhot From his "Heroes are much the fame, the point's agreed, From Macedonia's madman to the Swede; The man with his family in the happy vale, reprefents Humility. The paffions feldom operate alone; humility begets contentment and peace. He is fatiffied with the pofition God has given him. He has learned from the book of wisdom that happiness confifts not in the abundance of things which a man may poffefs; hence contentment is his fafe-guard. He has no defire to afcend the rugged path of pride; he drinks wisdom and knowledge from the fountain of Truth-he quaffs pleasure at the fprings of domeftic blifs. His greatest treafure is a good confcience-his highest ambition to walk humbly with his God. Free from the confuming, the torturing defires, the fierce paffions, the dreadful fears, and gnawing conscience of the man of Pride, he enjoys peace. He labours to discharge all the duties of his ftation, with an eye fingle, doing all to the glory of God. His present path is fafe, peaceful, and happy, and his hope of the future, bleffed and glorious. "Far from the madd'ning crowd's ignoble strife, Behold how great is the difference between Humility and Pride. Pride affumes an elevated pofition, and looks down with contempt on all beneath. Humility is content with a lowly seat, and mingles kindly with the brotherhood of man. Pride climbs a steep, dry, and rugged path, beset with thorns and briars. Humility walks the verdant vale amid rippling brooks, blushing corn, and flowers of vernal beauty. Pride occupies a dangerous place; even nature contends against him. The thunder, the lightning, and the storm, encompass him about. Humility walks with nature, and her path is safe. Pride is tormented with cares, fears, and vain defires. Humility |