he delights in deeds of beneficence, while many others are guided in their patriotic exertions by the violent clamours of the people, or their senseless applause. Even the prejudices of the people, it is true, on some occasions, claim respect. But while a man possessed of genuine benevolence pays them all the regard which is due, still he stands firm like the rocks of our 66 sea girt isle," and scorns to become the puppet of a party. As the magnet points to the north, so patriotism attaches his heart to his native shore.-In particular, his benevolence prompts him to relieve such as are in circumstances of real distress,—to “ deliver the poor who cry, the fatherless, and those who have none to help them." Melting with pity like the good Samaritan,* he is ready to " go and do likewise." But he is not actuated merely by constitutional # Luke, x. 33. sympathy: An occasional feeling rather than a settled principle, constitutional sympathy is variable, fluctuating, capricious, and deserves not to be dignified with the name of a Christian virtue. Without any established rule of selection in its exercise, and urging to indiscriminate charity, it encourages impostors and promotes idleness, by teaching the indigent to rely on other aid than the efforts of honest industry. I proceed now to prosecute my plan, by inculcating the exercise of benevolence.Its exercise is amiable, it is pleasant, it is profitable; independent of its being a duty which you cannot innocently neglect. No virtue contributes more than this to the formation of a character that is lovely ; but a malicious disposition is diabolical, forbidding as the statue of some ancient deity hung round with ensigns of terror, and frowning in the gloom of the woods! It instigates to the perpetration of crimes the most atrocious. What lifted up the hand of Cain against Abel? What exasperated Saul against David? What made the infamous Caligula wish the Romans had one head, that he might strike it off at one blow? Malevolence. It was malevolence that deluged Bethlehem with innocent blood. It was malevolence that reared the cross and crucified the Son of God. Malevolence has frequently armed the hand of treason, unsheathed the dagger, and triumphed amidst the blood of the slain! This description, by the power of contrast, serves to heighten the charms of that virtue which I proposed to recommend; and the mind returns to their contemplation with pleasure similar to that which the eye feels in surveying fragrant gardens and delightful groves, after beholding tremendous fragments of rocks, which have been torn from their foundation by the ravages of time and the rage of the tempest.-Be persuaded, O Christians, to cherish through the pilgrimage of life, that amiable virtue which delights in all those tender offices which soothe pain, and alleviate misfortune;-a virtue never cold nor repulsive, and calculated, of course, to disarm malignity and conciliate friendship. Its exercise is always a fertile source of satisfaction and joy: whereas sordid selfishness and cheerless malignity render life insipid and painful, a burden and a curse. These aggravate the distress of individuals while the storm of adversity beats on the species. Passion gives pain, as every moralist will assure you, to the malicious, and to them life is a number of evils. For by heaven's decree, malignant dispositions afflict the bosom where they reside; consequently, if you bear hatred to your brethren, beyond doubt, you shall be the first to suffer. But benevolence is a great con stituent of human happiness, composing turbulent passions, and keeping the soul calm and serene like the evening of a fine summer day. Where shall we find a happier than he whose little animosities last but for a moment, and perish in the blaze of benevolent emotion? His joys are exquisite like those of the elect, like those of the elect in the regions of immortality.-Yield to the dictates of brotherly love, and taste one of the purest pleasures of your nature. The exercise of benevolence contributes not only to your own happiness, but to that of others. Ever attentive to the feelings of our fellow-creatures, it operates as a powerful restraint on natural ferocity of manners, sweetens social intercourse, and infuses a spirit of gentleness into all our commerce with mankind. In particular, the dwellings of the wretched are scenes for its exertion. In the cold and lonely cottage where the orphan pines, benevo C |