alleviate in any other way. And towards every person with whom we come in contact, whether he be a superior, an equal, or an inferior, yea, and whether he be a friend or foe, we should " put on kindness," and exercise nothing but bene- volence. As least of all, we should be ever ready to take the lowest place, " putting on humbleness of mind," and, with unaffected simplicity, rendering ourselves the servants of all around us. This, I say, should be the daily habit of our minds ; not called forth by great exertion, but operating readily, naturally, habitually, as the feelings of a mother towards her infant offspring.]
2. In his deportment towards others —
[Here, alas ! we cannot but be sensible what irritability we have shewn on the slightest occasions; what displeasure, when an offence has been of any continuance ; what alienation we have felt from those who differ from us in their sentiments and conduct ; and what vindictiveness, when any serious in- jury has been sustained by us. But all of this is sadly unbecoming us as the followers of Christ, whom, by every possible consideration, we are bound to imitate and resemble. For anger, we should " put on meekness ;" and " long-suffer- ing," in the place of retaliation or complaint. Instead of harbouring intolerance, we should " put on forbearance ;" and, instead of retaining a vindictive spirit against any, we should call to mind how many and great offences Christ has forgiven us ; and should gladly " mete to our fellow-creatures the measure which we ourselves have received from him." This is the spirit which we are to manifest on all occasions ; and this is to be the constant tenour of our way, in all our intercourse with mankind.]
3. In the governing principle of his life —
[Here is man's great defect. By nature we are altogether wrapt up in self. Self is the principle that actuates us in every thing, and the end for which alone we live. Self-seeking, self- pleasing, self-interest, occupy, for the most part, our every thought, and regulate our every motion. But there is a new principle that is imparted to the Christian, and under its influence his whole life must be directed : and this is, the principle of love or charity. This is the root and essence of every other grace : it comprehends all, combines all, con- solidates all. Whatever there be that enters into the compo- sition of Christian "perfection, this is the bond" which unites it altogether, and forms it into one harmonious mass. It is the spirit which pervades and actuates every faculty of the soul, even as the soul directs and regulates every member of the body. The soul, in operation, causes every member to