ing.

"* Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!"

Envy may be called a weed of the human mind, which, like other weeds, grows with far greater rapidity than useful and wholesome plants; it is a weed too of that rancorous quality, that it poisons every thing within its reach; and, if not rooted up to the very foundation, it destroys, eventually, every seed of virtue, and every germ of human happiness.

And let people be careful not to deceive themselves, in the rise and progress of this disease of the mind; and to watch it narrowly in all its approaches to the heart. Let them, as St. Paul enjoins,

and weep with them that weep;" and let them, by promoting these sweet sympathies, as Christian duties, resist every sensation of uneasiness at the happiness or prosperity of another; resting assured that such a sensation implies a vicious disposition, that will prove the certain destroyer of their own peace.

It is the duty of every person individually, by his example and endeavours, to dispense as much as possible of the blessed spirit of Christian love, in his own circle, and to possess his own soul in that patience and peace, which it will secure to himself.-Our Blessed SAVIOUR calls the peace-makers the children of GOD; and promises His mercy to the merciful; and to all His faithful fol

* Matt. v. 7 & 9.

lowers, He dispenses "that peace, which the world cannot give:"-" My peace I give unto you;-not as the world giveth, give I unto you*:" He gives it not in the shape of worldly prosperity, gratified ambition, and pampered pride; He gives it, in the humble and unaspiring mind, the gentle and forgiving temper, and in the benevolent and affectionate heart.

CHAPTER II.

ON THE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN TEMPER BETWEEN PARENT

AND CHILD.

HAVING briefly traced the good effects of the Christian virtues in promiscuous society, I shall now proceed to take a short view of them, in the near and dear connexion of Parent and Child. The learned Prelate before mentioned observes, at page 13 of his Work: "One would conclude that nature, by planting in our breasts a most passionate fondness for our offspring, had effectually provided against every act of inhumanity towards them, and made the force

of Parental Love, a sufficient barrier against the encroachments of Parental Power."But in this indeed, as in a thousand other instances,, we see human passions surmount even the feelings of nature: and the Pagan history which he produces in exemplification of this subject, proves that mankind are too corrupt to be trusted even with their own offspring, without the restraint of Divine and human laws.But we have no necessity to refer to antient history, or even to other nations, in search of instances of tyranny and oppression, practised in domestic life, by those who are unrestrained by an aweful sense of an account hereafter; and though we may hope that, in this age of enlightened Christianity, instances of gross cruelty are more uncommon than formerly; yet it must not be dissembled, that much