VIRTUE signifies that disposition of mind which gives the ascendant to moral principles. VICE signifies that disposition of mind which gives little or no ascendant to moral principles.

An upright heart and sound morality make the essence of religion.

Heav'n notes the sigh afflicted Goodness heaves; Hears the low plaint by human ear unheard, And from the cheek of patient Sorrow wipes The tear, by mortal eye unseen or scorn'd.

The more talents and good qualities we have received, the more humble we ought to be, be

cause we have the less merit in

doing right.

They are the most vain who say they have no vanity for no one ever thought that the want of vanity he boasts of proceeded from want of merit; he rather thinks that he excels all mankind in having a mind superior to vanity; and what is this opinion but the summit of vanity.

Pleasure is a rose near which there ever grows the thorn of evil. It is Wisdom's work so carefully to cull the rose as to avoid the thorn, and let its rich perfume exhale to

Heaven in grateful adoration of Him who gave the rose to blow.

As the sun breaketh forth in winter, so is joy in the season of affliction. As a shower in the midst of summer, so are the salutary drops of sorrow mingled in our cup of pleasure.

Study is to the mind what exercise is to the body; neither can be active and vigorous without proper exertion. Therefore if the acquisition of knowledge were not an end worthy to be gained, still study would be valuable on its own account, as tending to strengthen the

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mind; just as a walk is beneficial to our health, though we have no particular object in view. And certainly, for that most humiliating mental disorder, the wandering of the thoughts, there is no remedy so efficacious as intense study.

An hour well spent condemns a life. When we reflect on the sum of improvement and delight gained in that single hour, how do the hours already past rise up and say, what good has marked us? Would'st thou know the true worth of time, employ one hour.

We should not trust too much to the appearances of things, nor be

over hasty to condemn; always remembering there are things probable which are not true, and things true which are not probable.

Feeble are the attractions of the fairest form, if it be suspected that nothing within corresponds to the pleasing appearances without. Short are the triumphs of wit, when it is supposed to be the vehicle of malice. By whatever arts you may at first attract the attention, you can hold the esteem, and secure the hearts of others, only by amiable dispositions, and the accomplishments of the mind. These are the qualities whose influences