many trifling wrongs, forgive slight injuries, as the natural, and inevitable consequences of the imperfect morality of man; he will subdue malice by openness, and benignity; turn away wrath by soft answers; disarm hostility by patience; and endure much for the gospel, that he may gain the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which, in the sight of God, is of a great price.

Evangelical meekness is never more exemplified, than in the proper management of superior talents, so as to make them rather a source of pleasure, and encouragement, than of apprehension to those with whom we live. The same observation applies equally to superior rank, superior birth, and every species of artificial, as well as natural distinction; meekness softens down the distance between man, and man, sweetens the malevolent passions which it is apt to excite, and is so far from diminishing subordination, that it strengthens it by converting a duty into a pleasure : For mankind are at the bottom, perhaps, well aware that they must be governed, and the

obedience of men may be raised into a species of idolatry, when those who could command them court them; and, when they find the garb of power laid aside, on t purpose to give pleasure, and diffuse the ri cheerfulness, and confidence of equality. } The true meekness of the gospel, therefore, is powerfully evinced in the suppression of any superiority that may be painful, and oppressive, by informing, rather than exposing the ignorant, by rising up the humble, and judiciously bringing forward to notice, those whose merits are obscured by their apprehensions; Christianity is not confined to churches, and to hospitals; to houses of mourning, or of prayer; but it penetrates every situation, and it decorates every relation of life; the ornament of a meek, and a quiet spirit may be worn amidst worldly joys, without diminishing them. We may be near to God, when we seem the most distant from him, and offer up a sacrifice of meekness, that shall be as pleasant as a prayer in the temple.

It is not only unchristian, but it is unworthy, and little, to thrust forward

every pretension to notice;-to blazon our selves over with the arms, and insignia of our merits, and to be perpetually occupied with putting the rest of the world in mind of their inferiority ;-greatness is, then, infinitely attractive, when it seems unconscious of its self; when it is detected by others; not when it publishes, and praises its own importance ;—when it is called forth, by the chances of the world, to eminence, and light; and is unconscious of the wonder, amid the praises, and acclamations of mankind.

A meek man does not exact minute, and constant attentions from his fellow-creatures; he is not apt to form an exaggerated estimate of the duties which are owing to him; he is grateful for little services, and affectionate for any slight mark of notice, and respect;-he attributes every act of benevolence, not to his own merits, but to yours; he is thankful for what has been conferred, without being incensed that more has been withheld: To give to the meek, is to lend to that Saviour whom they imitate; it is to confer favors upon a man

who is ever ready to repay them seven-fold, because his memory of them is tenacious, and his gratitude lively: his spirit burns with a consuming fire, till he can make the soul of his benefactor leap with joy.

On the contrary, the most obliging disposition cannot keep pace with the pretensions of a proud man. The most arduous efforts to promote his interests, he considers as so many duties owing to his merits; no sacrifice is too humble, no concession too flattering, no negligence venial, no momentary remission of benevolent exertion to be endured;-whatever you confer you lose, for whatever you are deficient you suffer; it is a service abundant in punishment, and utterly barren of reward.

If a meek man hides his own superiority, he is ever ready to do justice to the pretensions of others; the weak, the absent, and the defenceless, feel safe in his judgments; they are sure not to be tortured by asperity of speech, malignantly calumniated, or sacrificed to unprincipled ridicule ;-their

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virtues, and excellent qualities he is ever ready to acknowledge, because he has no motive to suppress them,-his justice gives us ease, his innocence security, repose on such a Christian character, the shadow of a large rock in a weary land; we cast ourselves under it for refreshment, and peace, weary with the dust, and the heat, and the panting of life.

As man advances in civilization, the feelings of his mind becomes so vulnerable, and acute, that severity of invective, the mere power of inculpative words, becomes more intolerable than bodily pain, or any evil that fortune can impose. The intemperate expressions of anger, inflict wounds, which are never healed for a life, and lay the foundation of animosities, which no subsequent conciliation can ever appease. The tongue of a meek Christian is held with a bridle; his words are yea, and nay, righteous, temperate, beautiful, and calm; -remonstrance without bitterness,—firmness without passion, pardon without reproach; he has not to lament that disgraceful, and unchristian violence of