not then err for want of knowing better; we shall then be fenfible that what at distance, and when it regarded another, we might deem trifling and not worth attention, when applied to ourselves appears of real importance. And let us remember, that every thing is of importance which concerns the happiness of a fellow-creature.

To conclude-If any of us were informed of a method by which our worldly poffeffions might, without injuftice, be at once doubled, how void of fenfe and reafon should we be thought if we refused to pay attention to it!-Brethren, the method is, in effect, in every one's hands. By dwelling together in unity," the comfort and pleasure of life would be more than doubled, and this without any hazard or difficulty. It is an attempt, too, in which no one can entirely fail of fuccefs. If he cures his own bad paffions only, he takes away one caufe of strife in the circle to which he belongs; and the

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fierceft fire may be prevented from spreading by withdrawing what would feed it: at the fame time, he fecures to himself a habit and ftate of mind which will afford him peace and ferenity in the midst of the most violent storms of furrounding con

tention.

May the God of love and peace grant that we may all, in our feveral domeftic and civil relations, experience "how good and how pleafant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." Amen!

The

The Value of good Intentions.

2 CHRONICLES vi. 8.

The Lord faid to David my father, Forafmuch as it was in thy heart to build an boufe for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart.

NOTHING can be of greater importance to the right conduct of life, and to our happiness both in this world and in the world to come, than the judicious choice and application of general principles and maxim's, by which the course of our actions and the decifions of our confciences are to be directed. If these be founded on reafon and the nature of things, and withal

C 4

withal be rightly applied, we proceed upon firm and fecure grounds: but if they be either falfe in themselves, or if a wrong application be made of them in particular cafes, we may be led into errors of conduct before we are aware; we may involve ourselves in guilt and wretchednefs, whilft we imagine ourselves to be pursuing the path of innocence and safety; and thus may learn, by fatal experience, the truth of Solomon's obfervation"There is a way which feemeth right to a man, but the end thereof is death."

Among the many delufive maxims by which men are too ready to lull their confciences into falfe repofe, and to "fpeak peace to themselves while there is no peace," this is one, that the Almighty accepts of the will for the deed, and where the heart is well difpofed, overlooks the irregularities and vices of the life. This doctrine, which in a certain fense and under proper restrictions is a real and important truth, when univerfally

taken,

taken, and applied to all mankind in every fituation and circumftance of life, becomes a pernicious error. It may, therefore, be useful to us to examine the nature and foundation of this maxim, and inquire how far it is fupported by reafon, and in what refpects it is frequently misunderftood and mifapplied.

And our text will naturally lead us to the confideration of this fubject. It informs us, that though David was not permitted to execute the pious purpose which he had formed of building a magnificent temple to the honour of Jehovah, yet his good intention was in itself acceptable to the Lord, and obtained his exprefs approbation. But it appears from the particulars of the narrative, that it was only because the Lord did not require David to build him an houfe that his pious intention, although never executed, was. approved and commended, and that the Lord faid unto him-" Forafmuch as it was in thine heart to build an houfe to

my