"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselyes unto the elder; yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility for, GoD resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble." By an attentive cultivation of the Christian virtue of humility, most of our turbulent passions would disappear; and, instead of the perpetual contest for superiority, we should feel only an incessant wish to promote each other's interest and welfare; and the only contest would be, who should contribute. most largely to the general stock of domestic happiness, and excel most in those Christian graces, that would promote it. In order to sum up the social duties of Brothers and Sisters, let us refer to the fountain-head of all our precepts. In the 13th Chapter of the first Epis le to the Corinthians, is a divine sum mary of these blessed virtues.-Charity, which, in the original, signifies Love, 66 is there the general term for Christian graces; and we are told that every other virtue, without Charity, profiteth us nothing: Charity suffereth long, and is kind; Charity envieth not, is not puffed up; doth not behave itself unseemly; seeketh not her own; is not easily provoked; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth: Beareth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."This Charity, or Christian love, though necessary in all social intercourse, forms a particular part of our domestic duties; and without it, no happiness or affection can subsist. Let it therefore be the rule of conduct for every member of a family: let them bear, and allow for, each other's failings and infirmities; let them be kind and attentive to each other's comforts; and let them avoid envy, ill-will, and competition, as destructive of virtue and social happiness: "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."-Let them behave to each other with gentleness; cultivating a meek and humble temper, seeking each other's happiness and interest in preference to their own; restraining peevishness, and resisting provocation; rejoicing in the prosperity and success of each other, and "+ bearing one another's burthens," in sickness and sorrow; hoping every thing good, and believing, and trusting in the virtues and affections of each other, and as St. * James iii. 16. + Galatians vi. 9. " * Be Paul instructs the Philippians, ing like-minded; having the same love; being of one accord; of one mind: Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than himself. Let this mind be in you, which was also in CHRIST JESUS." And "Let brotherly love continue." "Let all bitternes, and wrath, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice; and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for CHRIST's sake hath forgiven you." “§ Finally, Brethren, farewell :-Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind; live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you." Philippians ii. 2. ↑ Hebrews xiii. 1. CHAPTER IV. ON THE CHRISTIAN DUTIES OF A WIFE. I COME next to that social connexion, which, being the most intimate, and most indissoluble, more than any other demands the exercise of Christian virtues, and is a state of such a nature, that neither happiness nor peace can exist without them. In all these cases, I presuppose as much reasonable virtue in both parties, as human nature will admit, though I believe, in a general way, the scale of virtue oftener preponderates on the female side. We have no reason however to sup |