Animated Exertions in all laud. able Undertakings recom mended.

2 CHRONICLES xxxi. 21.

In every work that he began, he did it with all his heart, and profpered.

WHEN Our illuftrious countryman, the immortal Newton, was afked,

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what means he was enabled to make those rapid and fuccessful advances in fcience which had aftonifhed the world?" he answered, that if he had, in any respect, done more than others who were engaged in the fame researches, it was not so much owing to fuperior strength of genius as to a habit, which he had early acquired,

of

of close attention and patient thinking. This reply was, doubtless, in some meafure, the effect of that modefty which always accompanies extraordinary merit : but, at the fame time, it certainly proceeded from an experimental conviction of the advantage which is gained, in any purfuit, by a diligent application and animated exertion of the mental faculties. This great man, though unquestionably indebted to nature for uncommon talents, would never have made thofe wonderful discoveries and improvements in philosophy which have immortalized his name, had he not given his whole mind and heart to the pursuit of knowledge.

In undertakings of a very different nature from those of the philofopher, and in a fituation which required a different kind of exertion, the perfon fpoken of in the text experienced the benefit of this habit of interested attention. When Hezekiah came to the throne of Judah, he found many diforders and abuses to VOL. II. correct,

N

correct, and had much to reform, particularly with respect to religion. During the reign of the wicked Ahaz, idolatries, and thofe of the most shocking kind, had been encouraged. To put an effectual ftop to these impieties, and restore the pure worship of the God of Ifrael, was a talk which required wifdom, integrity, and firmnefs. A torrent of oppofition from those who were interested in the prevailing corruptions was to be withftood. The paffions and prejudices of that part of the populace which had favoured them were to be fubdued. New regulations were to be prudently introduced, and firmly fupported. All this Hezekiah executed with fuccefs, because his heart was interested in the undertak

ing. "Hezekiah throughout all Judah wrought that which was good, and right, and truth, before the Lord his God: and in every work that he began, in the fervice of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments to feek his

God,

"God, he did it with all his heart, and profpered."

Of the value and efficacy of that dif pofition and habit of mind, of which Hezekiah has left an example worthy of imitation, experience affords innumerable proofs.

In the ordinary affairs of life, who does not fee that fuccefs very much depends upon the degree of attention and spirit with which they are profecuted? Let one man, who has made choice of an occupation in life fuitable to his abilities. and inclinations, and devotes himself with unwearied affiduity to its labours; and another, who has engaged in his profeffion reluctantly, and rather fubmits to its of fices as a necessary burden than discharges them with pleasure from the hope of distinction, be in all other refpects fituated alike; there can be no doubt which of these two men will have the fairest prospect of fuccefs. The most induftrious and fpirited attention to business N 2 cannot,

cannot, indeed, in the present state of fociety, infallibly fecure profperity; but the probabilities are always greatly in its favour. In the purfuit of knowledge of every kind, and in the acquifition of all ufeful and ornamental arts, it is evident that almost every thing depends upon diligent application and a habit of patient attention. No man ever became a fcholar or a philofopher without giving up his mind to his studies, and profecuting them with ardour. No man ever distinguished himself as a poet or artist who did not feel a confiderable degree of enthusiasm in his favourite purfuit, and apply himfelf to it with a determination to excel. Even in the fecondary accomplishments of exterior air and addrefs, excellence cannot be attained without attention. In fhort, if I were to lay down any one general rule for acquiring diftinction and eminence in any profeffion or pursuit, it fhould be this-" Be interested in whatever you undertake;" or, in the language

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