unison, no bosom to heave with emotions of gladness at the sound of success, nor sink at the cry of defeat, no heart to exult in prosperity and happiness, nor to sigh in adversity and misery, no soul to care for good or ill, weal or wo! How forbidding the thought, that life is disregarded by others; and that death will not be lamented. But oh! how welcome, how pleasing the idea, that a place is occupied in the affections of kindred spirits, that an anxiety is elsewhere felt in condition and circumstance, that fortune and destiny are made the subject of consideration to others!

The individual is likely to become dejected, forlorn, and broken-hearted, who is doomed to pass through severe trials unaccompanied with the consciousness of sympathy, and will feel but little resoluteness of purpose, when experiencing the ills and rowns of fate. It requires a stout heart, a gigantic, godlike energy of soul, an uncommon self-sustaining principle, to preserve firmness and fortitude when treading the winepress of evil. But let an individual realize that he shares largely of sympathy, and his name, and all that appertains to him. are regarded with deep felt solicitude-let

him be confident that others make his case measurably their own, and will rejoice in his joy, feel a pang of grief at the thought of his unhappiness, exult in his triumphs, and mourn over his fall; and he will go out into the world with more heroic courage, and battle with the storms of life with a more chivalrous, dauntless spirit. He will press forward in enterprise with a prouder, firmer, more determined step, and will bear up against the tide of adversity and wo with more majesty of soul, greater moral grandeur. The existence of this sentiment often renders the individual who is conscious of sharing its interests, more reconciled to ills endured, and more patient and submissive under the severer dispensations of Providence, more contented with a forbidding condition. serves to buoy up the the heart when overwhelmed with opposite forces; carries the soul aloft, above the storms of life, to bid defiance to the fatal shafts that menace destruction, and inspires it with unshrinking energy, and more than mortal bravery, when witnessing a martyr's fate. Oh how entrancing is its voice, as we pass over life's mazy track, whatever may betide us on our way! It is sweeter than the tones of the "Eolian

It

lyre, chaunted at summer evening hour." Sympathy is the soul of the benevolent and more amiable virtues. Its influence is necessary to excite promptings to deeds of kindness and mercy. By its electric touch, the heart melts into pity at the sight of wo; and delights in the ministration of relief. The soul, destitute of this principle, would gaze on misery, unaffected and unmoved. The individual that is a stranger to this sentiment, will pass by the needy and suffering with stoical indifference, and filch away with relentless hand, the scanty pittance of the widow and the orphan. But he whose bosom glows with the feeling of sympathy, makes the condition of others his own, finds it a pleasure to befriend the unfortunate and oppressed, and considers it more blessed to give than to receive. The nobility, the dignity, the superior excellence of man, are manifest in those virtues that are intimately connected with the feelings of sympathy. The moral grandeur and godlike greatness of the soul are seen in those acts that have their stimulus in this divine sentiment. man nature never looks so lovely, so elevated, so admirable, so glorious, as when illustrating its heartfelt solicitudes for the welfare of its

Hu

kind, by efforts to ameliorate condition, and prevent the occurence of evil. Among the social institutions that have been established none are so creditable and honorable to humanity as those formed for purely benevolent purposes; and taking rise in that sympathy which commisserates want and suffering.

The Savior's mission contemplated as its leading object, the development and cultivation of the sympathies of the heart. He knew, if they were properly exercised, and were made to control mind and desire, it would become the pleasure of the soul to practically conform to the commandments of God. It is self-evident, that if sympathy excites such an interest in behalf of humanity, that self is measurably forgotten in the solicitude felt for others, and a sacrifice is willingly made to do them good, there is no danger of an encroachment on their rights to advance private interests, or of robbing them of what may justly be called their own, as their welfare seems to claim preference in consideration. Let an individual feel that sympathy for another which will make him regard his happiness as important as his own, and he will show by his deeds, that he oves his neighbor as he loves himself, and that

love never works ill to the object of its affection. Let this principle be thus fully exercised by the great body of humanity, and how soon would occasion of complaint for wrong, and injuries received, forever cease! What harmony, what friendship, what happiness would pervade all ranks of society! It is the design of the Saviour's mission to put into operation those agencies and instrumentalities, that shall eventually awaken such sympathy as shall make man the friend of man. This celestial excellence which Jesus sought to cultivate among men, was preeminently exemplified in his own character and life. It was with him the great stimulus of action. It was the presiding genius of his soul. By it the welfare of others took precedence of self. Every thing was sacrificed to the good of humanity. The angels are said to exercise such sympathy for mankind, that "they rejoice more over one sinner that repenteth, than over ninety and nine just persons that need no repentance." The same solicitude for the well-being of our race, prompted the Savior to leave the bosom of the Father, and take upon himself the form of humanity, that he might raise a world to honour and glory. "Though he was rich,