speech which often excites as much remorse in those who indulge it, as indignation in those against whom it is directed, a virulence often used with as much freedom, as if men were proper, and candid judges of their own injuries, and with as much force as if every slight injury against ourselves, cancelled all the rights of humanity towards its author, and marked him out as the fit victim of impure, and unbridled invective.

The meek disciple of him, who was the meekest of all, is strongly impressed with the vanity, and unworthiness of every thing human; in whatever station he may place himself, relative to his fellow-creatures, he cannot deduce materials for pride, for he deems that the highest are low, and the strongest frail, and the earth an idle dream; while vulgar pride attaches the highest degree of importance to every thing, however distantly, and minutely related to itself; meekness, in viewing itself, and the earth upon which it is placed, trembles at the attributes, and works of God, and wonders that it should be remembered amidst the 2215 labyrinth of moving worlds.

It subdues high-mindedness by reflecting on the ignorance with which human schemes are planned, the casualties by which they are interrupted, the unexpected consequences by which they are followed,and the shortness of life by which they are frustrated, dissipated, and mocked. This view of the insignificance of life, intended for the cure of pride, may, by abuse, and misapplication, encourage levity, and inactivity; we are not to be careless in the government of ourselves, and in the adjustment of our conduct, because this world, contrasted with the sum of things is insignificant; and to pass through life in boisterous merriment, or supine indifference, because life is short;-this world, so insignificant is the world in which we are destined to act, this life so short, is all that is granted us for probation; its narrow limits, its feeble powers, and its sad vicissitudes, cannot justify sloth or despair, though they ought to subdue pride, and to promote that ornament of a meek, and quiet spirit, which is so congenial to the gospel, and so well adapted to the condition of

man.

The absence of this meekness produces a false estimation of life, and gives birth to many follies, and some vices; a proud man is, in his own eyes, the best, and greatest work of God; the most trivial circumstances which relates to himself, is of more importance than the happiness, or misery of a province; as often as he condescends to mention them, he exacts the most lively, and watchful sympathy to the minutest of his pleasures, and his pains: as he is every thing to himself, he expects he should be every thing to you; he not only confines his thoughts to this world, but to that particular atom of it which he is; whether this atom be hot, or cold, or moist, or dry, or joyful, or sad; these are the principles which, in his estimation, should diffuse joy, or sadness over the creation, and regulate the sum of things.

Placability is a common attribute of the character described in my text: whoever thinks humbly of himself, will not be prone to conceive the injuries he experiences, as too atrocious for pardon, too enormous to be washed away with tears, or atoned for

by contrition; perhaps he who has suffered the injury, has in some measure caused it; perhaps, under similar circumstances, he might have inflicted it; he has done as much before to others; he may do as much again; his transgressions against God are innumerable; he is placed, for a few years, among frail beings, of a mixt and fluctuating nature, himself as frail as they; why judge as he would fear to be judged? why make a life of suffering a life of wrath? why exhibit the spectacle of remorseless insignificance ? these are the considerations which dispose a quiet, and humble mind to the forgiveness of injuries, and increasing benevolence in the world, promote the mild, and merciful purposes of the gospel.

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The last characteristic of meekness, which I shall specify, is long suffering,patience for the weaknesses, and transgressions of others, as far as wisdom will permit; something opposed to irascibility, and quickness of resentment. And this is not mere facility of temper which prefers any endurance, however great, to any opposition however slight; but a conviction

that forbearance often does more than violence; that men are never more grateful, than when they come afterwards to discover that their errors, and offences have been borne with affectionate patience, from the hope of future amendment. It is from meekness alone, that the most complete, and lasting penitence is produced; that which proceeds not from the reproaches, and the punishments of others, but from the reproaches which he who has offended makes to himself; that which a bad son feels at the speechless grief of his mother; or an ungrateful friend, at the silent melancholy of his benefactor; or a false disciple at the sight of his master. Thus the fugitive apostle, whom anger might have hardened, was subdued by the meekness of Christ," and Jesus looked upon him, and straightway Peter went out, and wept bitterly."

Having thus expressed some clear, and definite notions of what meekness is, it shall be my care, on some future occasion, to point out the pleasures which result from