MODESTY, DECENCY. A modest, decent Carriage is peculiarly agreeable in every one, and to all Companies; as it shows a Freedom from Vanity and Self-Conceit, and a due Regard and Deference to all present; but is more especially becoming in Young Persons. It is, indeed, one of their greatest Ornaments, and ought to be carefully inculcated by every one who has the Care of educating Youth. Modesty will prevent us from putting on any assuming, indecent Airs, and will keep us within the bounds of due Decorum.

Sub

HONOUR, RESPECT. These are due to every one in a certain Degree, but especially to some. ordination is of more Consequence in Society, than most People are aware of. Indeed, without it, due Obedience to our Superiours cannot be properly supported. It is our Duty, then, first to honour and respect our Parents, our Guardians and Preceptors, then, all our Superiours in Age or Station, especially our civil Rulers. Subordination should begin, and be taught in private Families, or it will never be thoroughly practised at all. Respect is seldom withheld, but in consequence of bad Education or ill-Breeding, or from some wrong or improper Motive. We are commanded to give to every one his Due; Fear to whom Fear, Honour to whom Honour; and the Scriptures direct us to Honour all Men.

COURTESY,

their Acquaintance as avaricious, are led by too great an Attachment to what they call their Interest, not only to neglect many indispensable Duties, but frequently to overleap the Bounds of Justice and Honesty. To be rapacious, that we may be profuse,* is no very uncommon Exhibition of Character; and is a Compound of Avarice, Injustice, Ostentation and Vanity, and demonstrates a high Degree of moral Depravity.

It

BOLD, FORWARD BEHAVIOUR, IMPUDENCE. There is scarcely a Behaviour more revolting to our Feelings, than a bold, impudent Forwardness. discovers such a total Disregard of the Sentiments and Feelings of others, as is intolerable; and he who shows such a Disposition, is commonly regarded with Disgust, Contempt and Aversion.

Modesty forms an essential Part of the female Character, and as Dr. Young justly observes, in his Manner, "A shameless Woman is the worst of Men."

A forward, forth-putting Behaviour is forbidden by our Saviour, when he directs us not to seek the chief Seats in Synagogues, &c.

DISRESPECT. To dishonour, or withhold Respect where due, argues a proud, perverse, insubordinate Disposition. But disobedience and disrespect to Parents, are peculiarly criminal and odious

* "Alieni appetens, sui profusus."

in

COURTESY, AFFABILITY.

These are social

Qualifications, which make every one possessed of them, highly welcome and acceptable to every Company, and ought therefore to be cultivated, as they increase the innocent Pleasures of Life.

CHASTITY. This is a Virtue strictly enjoined on every Christian. All impure, irregular Indulgencies, and every Species of unchaste Behaviour, are strongly reprobated, and absolutely forbidden; and this Injunction extends not only to our Words and Actions, but also to our Thoughts and Desires.

INOFFENSIVENESS. As a Disposition to please is always agreeable, so a Fear of giving Offence must always be amiable, as it is a Temper formed upon Meekness and Benevolence, both of which are Gospel Virtues, and universally commendable. We should then be careful not to give any just Cause of Offence. But we ought not to let this Smoothness prevent us from giving our Neighbour kind and friendly Advice, when we find him evidently pursuing a Course which he will certainly repent of.

Meekness is a

MEEKNESS, CONDESCENSION. Christian Temper, and, by our Lord, pronounced blessed; and he exemplified this Virtue by his Conduct, in a most conspicuous Manner; when he

was

in the sight of God and Man; and it is scarcely possible, that one guilty of these, should ever make a worthy or respectable Member of Society. Great Care is necessary, that we do not despise, or show Disrespect to any, on account of outward Circuinstances, such as Poverty, Deformity, or any Misfortune. None should be despised, except for Vice or Folly; and such should be rather pitied than contemned.

RUDENESS, ROUGHNESS, ILL-MANNERS. These are all highly disagreeable and disgusting, and discover a culpable Disregard of all we associate with.

UNCHASTITY, in all its Forms, is a Vice which, for the most Part, not only destroys our Happiness, and that of others, in this Life, but greatly impedes and obstructs our Preparations for a better, and is, perhaps, more frequently mentioned and expressly forbidden, than any one Class of Offences in the apostolic Writings.

CARELESSNESS OF BEHAVIOUR, CAPTIOUSNESS, AFFRONTIVENESS. Carelessness of Behaviour, shows such a Disregard of our Associates as is very faulty, and is always disagreeable. But to be captious and prone to give Affronts, evinces an uncourteous and unsociable Disposition, disturbs the Peace and Harmony of Society, spoils good Company, and damps good Humour.

HAUGHTINESS, SUPERCILIOUSNESS, INSOLENCE,

ARROGANCE.

was reviled, he reviled not again, and submitted to the most contemptuous Treatment, without Threatening and without Resentment; herein, leaving an Example of consummate Meekness, which all his faithful Disciples will carefully imitate. It is a Disposition not only highly useful to the World, as it promotes, more than any other, the Peace and Harmony of Society; but as it is an Exercise of Benevolence, Charity, Kindness, Generosity, Modesty, and indeed of almost every Christian Grace and Virtue. And Condescension is a sister Grace. For Gentleness towards our Inferiours, and lowering ourselves to their Condition and Capacity, is not only universally pleasing, especially in those in the higher Orders of Society, and always popular; but shows great Goodness of Heart, and is an ornamental Part of the Christian Temper.

CAUTION IN SPEAKING OF OTHERS. The Good of Society seems to require, that the Characters of which it is made up, should be pretty well known, that so every one may be estimated and placed according to his Capacity, Fidelity and Benevolence; or his Deficiency in any of these Respects; for thus far the public Interest is concerned. But we should be extremely cautious in all our Comments upon the Conduct of others, lest we deviate from the Truth. That we assert Nothing to the Disadvantage of another,