of it. But, then, it does nothing towards the sancti- fying of the heart, or the improvement of the soul in heavenly dispositions : on the contrary, it is too often found to operate precisely as the spiritual gifts did at Corinth, to the engendering of pride and envy, of conceit and jealousy, of hatred and malignity, in the very circle where it most abounds.
But Charity elevates the mind, and purifies it from all these hateful dispositions. It raises the soul to God, and calls forth all our energies in behalf of man. It even transforms us into the very image of God himself, whose name and nature is love. It also greatly tranquillizes the mind, and cuts off all occa- sion for those painful feelings which agitate the bosoms of the generality, and kindle animosities be- tween man and man. I may go further, and say, as the Apostle does, that, whatever we may possess of such attainments, they will soon vanish away, and leave us as little benefited as if we had never pos- sessed them. But Charity constitutes our meetness for the heavenly inheritance, and is indeed the com- mencement of heaven in the soul : and it will exist within us, in full activity, when all other things shall have ceased for ever.
Charity, too, is more excellent than learning, for the benefit of the zvorld at large. Learning, as I have said, confers extensive good upon mankind : but it is also frequently a vehicle of incalculable evil. To a vast extent has it been employed in the service of infidelity and profaneness ; insomuch, that, even in Christian lands, some of the most distinguished his- torians, poets, and philosophers, have put forth all their energies for the subversion, rather than the establishment, of our holy religion. But Charity is never employed but for the good of mankind. Gladly would it drive from the world every noxious senti- ment and feeling, and contribute, as far as possible, to the happiness of all. To benefit the souls of men, is its highest aim : and not so much as one would it suffer to perish, if by any means it could induce him to embrace the proffered salvation. We need only