Many who would property hesitates we would wish them to do to us: it is only by the outward deportment of men we can judge of their good-will; if they love us, we know it not but by their respect and kind offices of friendship. There are too many men of real worth who disdain to shew outward courtesy to men; that is a fault not to be imitated: it flows from a spirit of pride which the gospel sanctions not. tremble to rob another of his not to rob him of his peace for a time, by the rudeness of their conduct. They who, by their conversation, offend the finest feelings of our nature, adorn not the doctrine of Christ; it is a doctrine of love; and moroseness, disrespect to strangers, and want of civility to the world, is inconsistent with its principles. True politeness is ever accompanied with sincerity; it equally disdains unmeaning compliment, and that hollow profession of friendship which is so easily detected by those who have studied human nature, and are conversant in the ways of men. It stoops not to concealment for its safety, because it is founded on the broad basis of love and goodwill to man. Our happiness in society depends, in a great measure, on civilization of manners. It should be the study of the well-wishers of the general good to shew to their neighbours an example of wellregulated conduct. Sensibility is of so fine a touch, that a word sometimes wounds it more than even a misfortune in life. The truly polite will ever be found to study, not only their neighbour's comfort, but likewise their feelings, that in all things they may adorn the doctrine of Christ, in whom government of temper shone conspicuously. When accosted by the rude, instead of answering with asperity, he mildly pointed out to them their ignorance, and gently led them to the gospel-light. Every action of Christians should bear witness that they belong to Jesus; when his grace reigns in the heart, it regulates the conduct. When I enter a house, and see the inmate perusing the Bible, I expect to find civility of manner, and kindness of disposition; but should it happen that I am accosted with harshness, and refused attention to my request, my opinion of the individual alters, and I begin to doubt that what he has been reading has not impressed his mind: and if it does not so, it is, as an apostle expresses it, like a man looking into a glass, and, when he turns from it, forgets what manner of man he was. It is only they who are doers of the word to whom the reward is promised. When an emigrant leaves his native shore for a foreign land, how wistfully he looks on the home of his childhood that is fast receding from his sight, and when he sees it no more, he gives a last look to the horizon that overshadows his dear native isle, and turns all his thoughts to the land of his future dwelling! When he is nearing the shores of that clime where he is to spend the remainder of his days, joy fills his soul at the prospect of enjoying that plenty his native land denied him. We are embarked in the gospel-vessel for a heavenly country, and may we bid an eternal adieu to the world and all its fascinating pleasures. May our thoughts be turned towards Emanuel's land, where we expect to spend the residue of our years, and the nearer we approach its happy shore, may our joy rise, and may we be glad at the prospect of entering Canaan's rest! That we may be enabled to do it without distraction, with full assurance of future peace, with faith lively, and hope sure, may we, while here, in all things adorn the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ, by our manner of life and conversation in the world, obey whatsoever he hath commanded. LETTER XVI. O berceau de mes pères ! O ma chère Sion! si tu n'es pas toujours M. L'Abbé DE LILLE. Edinburgh, 26th March, 1821. THE Scripture sayeth, "Sin shall not have dominion over you.” There are none more in bondage than they who follow after the desire of their souls; they are willing slaves to vice, and, by indulgence, the bands become too strong for them to break. To see one running this heedless career, at every step plunging deeper in the paths of iniquity, and riveting habits which must end in ruin, if mercy prevent not, is a sight which the worldling would give over for lost, and the philosopher pronounce incurable. What must then become of the sinner wallowing in the mire of sin? All the world's wisdom cannot restore to him habits of sobriety and temperance, and raise his mind from sensual gratifications to heavenly joys; but what is beyond the power of the world's wisdom, Jesus of Nazareth (who raised Lazarus from the dead) can, by saying unto such a sinner, Live! raise him up to a new life. When his time is come, the dead bones shall arise, and proclaim his praise, and the sinner shall be arrested in his course,-turned from the paths of iniquity into the way of holiness,-abhorring his former ways. It is then he sees his former life was death, and that only now he has begun to live. Happy are they who are thus called by the Son of Man, and at his call live Though they may have lain among the pots, like doves they shall appear. Though their sins may have been as scarlet, they shall be as wool; though they may have been red like crimson, they shall be whiter than the snow. They shall not be left to wallow in sin; though they fall they shall arise: for he that upholdeth them will not allow the world to triumph over them. But their course may be nearly run before they hear the voice of the Son of Man; for some are called at the eleventh hour; but when that call comes with power, they willingly obey. They follow the voice of the Chief Shepherd, because H |