ページの画像
PDF
ePub

thy triumph! Thou hast demolished the tabernacle of clay, but the inhabitant of the tabernacle which thou hast destroyed, has risen upon its ruins, is not destroyed with it: that still lives which thou didst intend to annihilate. The immortal, which thou thoughtest to shut up in the dark and silent tomb, and to bind with the bonds of corruption at the same time with the mortal, has soared aloft to its creator God, and lives and rejoices in the splendor of his light.

Section XVII.

DOMESTIC HAPPINESS.

Nothing can more usefully engage our attention than Human Nature and Human Life. The proper study of mankind is Man. His origin and his end; the structure of his body and the powers of his mind ; his situation and his connexions; are all capable of yielding us boundless and edifying instruction.

In observing mankind, the private and familiar views of their character are by far the most curious, interesting, and profitable. The greater part of our history is composed of minute and common incidents; and little and ordinary things serve more to discover a man, and conduct more to render him useful than splendid and rare occurrences. Abroad a man`appears cautious; at home he is unreserved. Abroad he is artificial; at home he is real. Abroad he is useful; at home he is necessary; and of this we may be fully assured, that a man is in truth what he is in his own family, whether vicious or virtuous, tyrannical or mild, miserable or happy.

One of the most agreeable scenes we can ever survey upon earth, is a peaceful and happy family; where friendship comes in to draw more closely the bonds of nature; where the individuals resemble the human body, and if one member suffer, all the mem

bers suffer with it, and if one member be honoured, all the members rejoice; where every care is divided, every sorrow diminished, every joy redoubled, by discovery, by sympathy, by communion; where mutual confidence prevails, and advice, consolation, and succour are reciprocally given and received. To such a sight God himself calls our attention; Behold how good and pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Some things are good but not pleasant, and some things are pleasant but not good. Here both are combined, and the effect is fragrant as the sacred perfume, and reviving as the influences of Heaven.

"Who will shew me any good?" is the cry. The world passing along hears it, and says, Follow me, emulate this splendour, mix with this throng, pursue these diversions. We comply. We run, and we run in vain. The prize was nigh us when we began; but our folly drew us away from it. Let us return home, and we shall find it. Let us remember that happiness prefers calmness to noise, and the shades to publicity; that it depends more upon things cheap and common, than upon things expensive and singular; that it is not an exotic which we are to import from the ends of the earth, but a plant which grows in our own field and in our own garden.

It does not depend upon RANK and AFFLUENCE. It is confined to no particular condition; the servant may enjoy it as well as the master; the mechanic as well as the nobleman. It exhilarates the cottage as well as the palace. What am I saying? What says common opinion? Does it not invariably associate more enjoyment with the lowly roof, than with the towering mansion? Ask those who have risen from inferior life, whether their satisfaction has increased with their circumstances; whether they have never advanced to the brow of the eminence they have ascended, and looking down sighed, "Ah! happy vale, from how much was I sheltered while I was in thee!" There can be indeed but one opinion concern

C c

ing the wretchedness of those who have not the necessaries of life. But "Nature is content with little, and Grace with less." "Better is a dinner of herbs

where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith." "Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices and strife."

"Let not ambition mock thy useful toil,
"Thy HOMELY joys and destiny obscure;
"Nor grandeur hear with a disdainful smile,
"The short and simple annals of the poor."

39

In vain will he be tempted to go abroad for company or for pleasure, whose home supplies him with both. "And what," says he, 66 are the amusements and dissipations of the world? I have better enjoyments already; enjoyments springing fresh from out rural walks, from our social evenings, from our reading and conversation, from our cheerful lively mutual devotion. Here are pleasures perpetually renewing and which never cloy. Here are entertain

remorse.

ments placed easily within our reach, and which require no laborious preparation, no costly arrangement. Here I acknowledge only the dominion of nature; and follow only the bias of inclination. Here I have no weakness to hide, no mistakes to dread. Here my gratifications are attended with no disgrace, no They leave no stain, no sting behind. I fear no reproach from my understanding, no reckoning from my conscience; my prayers are not hindered. My heart is made better. I am softened, prepared for duty, allured to the Throne of Grace. And can I be induced to exchange all this, O ye votaries of the world, for your anxieties, confusion, agitations, and expense? Shall I part with my ease and independence, for the trammels of your silly forms, the encumbrance of your fashions, the hypocrisies of your crowds? Shall I resign my freedom for the privilege of your slavery, which so often compels you to disguise your sentiments, to subdue your gen

uine feelings, to applaud folly, to yawn under a lethargy of pleasure, and to sing for the hours of retirement and release? Shall I sacrifice my innocent endearments, to pursue the fatal routine of your dissipation, the end of which is heaviness, and from which you return deprived of seasonable rest, robbed of peace of mind, galled by reflection, disinclined to prayer, feeling the presence of God irksome, and the approach of death intolerable?"

TION.

"Domestic Happiness, thou only bliss
"Of Paradise that has escap'd the fall!
"Thou art not known where pleasure is ador'd,
"That reeling goddess with a zoneless waist,
"Forsaking thee, what shipwreck have we made
"Of honour, dignity, and fair renown."

Section XVIII.

ON PATIENCE.

[ocr errors]

Patience is to be displayed in bearing PROVOCA"It must needs be that offence will come." Our opinions, reputations, connections, offices, businesses, render us widely vulnerable. The characters of men are various; their pursuits and their interests perpetually clash. Some try us by their ignorance, some by their folly, some by their perverseness, some by their malice. There are to be found persons made up of every thing disagreeable and mischievous; born only to vex, a burden to themselves, and a torment to all around them. Here is an opportunity for the triumph of patience, here is a theatre on which a man may exhibit his character, and appear a fretful, waspish reptile, or a placid, pardoning God. We are very susceptive of irritation; anger is eloquent; revenge is sweet. But to stand calm and collected; to suspend the blow,

which passion was urgent to strike; to drive the reasons of clemency as far as they will go; to bring forward fairly in view the circumstances of mitiga tion; to distinguish between surprise and delibera tion, infirmity and crime; or if an infliction be deem ed necessary, to leave God to be both the judge and the executioner-This a christian should labour af

ter.

His peace requires it. People love to sting the passionate. They who are easily provoked, commit their repose to the keeping of their enemies; they lie down at their feet, and invite them to strike.— The man of temper places himself beyond vexations, interruption and insult. "He that hath no rule over his own spirit, is like a city that is broken down and without walls," into which enter over the ruins, toads, serpents, vagrants, thieves, enemies; while the man, who in patience possesses his soul, has the com mand of himself, places a defence all around him, and forbids the entrance of such unwelcome company to offend or discompose.

IIis wisdom requires it. "He that is slow to anger is of great undersanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly." "Anger resteth in the bo som of fools." Wisdom gives us large, various, comprehensive, sailing-round views of things: the very exercise operates as a diversion, affords the mind time to cool, and furnishes numberless circumstances tending to soften severity. Such is the meekness of wisdom. Thus candour is the offspring of knowledge.

His dignity requires it. "It is the glory of a man "to pass by a transgression," "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." The man provoked to revenge, is conquered, and loses the glory of the struggle; while he who forbears, comes off a victor, crowned with no common laurels ; for, "he that is slow to anger is better than the mighty and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city." A flood assails a rock, and rolls off, unable to make

[ocr errors]
« 前へ次へ »