have seen that the law of kindness has effected a work, which revenge could never accomplish. In poor, oppressed Ireland, under the mild influence of father Matthew, the noble-minded and affectionate Catholic priest, over three millions of her once degraded sons have taken the pledge of total abstinence, thus securing to themselves comfort, peace, and respectability. And in our own country, from every dark corner of vice, there has come forth a vast army of inebriates, who, under the banner of temperance, are spreading abroad the holy power of virtue. The con sequences are, the filthy dens of debauchery are emptying, the idle are becoming industrious, crime is decreasing, poverty is lessening, ragged children are clothed, once sorrowful wives are rejoicing, and degraded men are becoming useful members of society. These are the immense results of tender persuasion in the cause of temperance. And when those individuals who have engaged in this work, discover the great light of joy and virtue which has sprung from their benevolent exertions to save the intemperate, do they not realize that their reward is ample, in the very fact that they have been the humble instruments of so much good? To increase the sum of happiness, is, in itself, the source of great pleasure. These instances, which might be greatly mul 66 tiplied, prove that, in every case, an ample reward is returned to him who wields the power of the Christian Law, overcome evil with good." If my readers are doubtful of this position, let them test the subject by a vigorous practice of noble kindness; and by excellent experience will they realize that "blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." And, in order to give them the holiest example of kindness with which this earth has ever been blessed, as a guide to all benevolence, it appears to me perfectly proper to conclude this work with a simple exhibition of the Character of Christ. CHAPTER XIII. CHARACTER OF CHRIST. "Who went about doing good."-PETER. We are not now to dwell upon the character of a heathen hero, or to twine a garland for the brow of a conqueror whose victories swim in blood-we are not now to eulogize frail, erring man, or to sing the song of praise to one who has swept through the world like a fiery meteor, blighting the happiness of multitudes. To us is given the pleasant and instructive duty of exhibiting the character of an individual, who has been viewed with deep devotion for eighteen centuries, and is now the light of example to multitudes in all quarters of the globe, from the pale Laplander in his snows to the sable African in his burning sun; from the humblest intellect to the mightiest philosopher; from the gates of Gibraltar to the feet of the everlasting mountains. To us is given the rejoicing theme of receiving that Saviour, whose voice constantly warns men from the inhospitable coasts of sin, whose truth breaks the chains of error from every mind, and whose hallowed words are ministering angels in the house of death. To us is given the privilege of beholding the conduct of the Messiah of the prophets, the long promised Shiloh, the beloved Son of God, the Saviour of the world, over whose birth angels sang in tones of joy, and death fled in dismay at the prospect of his defeat. Our minds could not entertain a more delightful subject, or one that kindles in the soul more of the living energies of virtue and the desire of growing in philanthropy. The Saviour's character, when held up with all its lovely qualities before the mind, awakens the dormant feelings, and leads the creature in prayer to the spiritual cross of the Saviour, to beseech for wisdom in imitating the pure conduct and Godlike spirit of the Redeemer. It is well to commune with the conduct of great and good men; to mingle our thoughts with the thoughts of the pious and religious; to trace their character, and observe how they influence others;-it is well, because such communion with pure and noble conduct as irresistibly wins the admiration of the soul as the magnet attracts the needle. Who can reflect upon the unblanching fearlessness of the apos tles in the presence of their bitter foes; upon their resolute perseverance when threatened with prisons and premature death; upon their continued exertions in proclaiming a world's salvation, in spite of every obstacle; without becoming inspired by their ardor, and enlivened. with a virtuous enthusiasm to examine the system they proclaimed? Who can reflect upon the fervent and earnest benevolence of Howard and the Sisters of Charity-upon their active exertions in alleviating the distresses of men and women, without fear of pestilence and contagion, and without expectation of reward-and not have a thrill of admiration pass through the mind, leaving a strong desire to follow in the paths of their benevolence? Who can reflect upon the stern integrity, unshaken virtue and fearless patriotism of Washington, as well as the indomitable exertions and granite firmness of the fathers of the revolution, without enrolling himself a friend to liberty, by consecrating all his powers upon the altars of knowledge and virtue? Dwelling upon the character of these individuals, opens the spring of our feelings, strengthens our better nature, and gives a deeper tone of purity to our actions. But the character of Christ possesses still more powerful influence, because it is more perfect than that of any person who has ever graced earthly life. Nothing can be more pure than the character of the Saviour. The records of time may be searched; the patriots, the philos |