modified to agree in the non-essentials of religion. Natural peculiarities do, and will exert a powerful influence; and it is needless to contend with those slight deviations from general maxims, which detract naught from personal happiness or the well-being of society. The Bible is the touchstone of right and wrong. To this test we bring our ideas, from this code we form our faith, and by this rule we regulate our lives. If the vital principles be found, so far from minor differences operating against the testimony of truth, they will render striking the more prominent Christian graces, and also tend by the development of intervening excellencies to display the harmony and beauty of genuine piety.

While making allowance for individual peculiarities, no indulgence however, can be given to that spirit of latitudinarianism which palliates evil. That which is morally wrong demands the severest censure. At the same time that charity

is pourtrayed adorned with all the loveliness of "hoping all things, believing all things, bearing all things," a holy jealousy prescribes the limits of her benevolence: "rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." The most pointed reproofs, the heaviest denunciations are levelled against those dispositions of the mind, and those affections of the heart, which are radically bad. No lenity can be shown to the depraved passions of human nature. With jealous care we would guard the susceptibilities of the heart being moved with pity for those defects in the moral constitution, which merit condemnation. The foibles of an unregenerate heart are errors of lasting importance. The deviations of corrupt nature lead unto the chambers of death.

No. I.

ANGER.

ENJOYING the pursuance of my own ideas, I sat down close by my table, and leaning my head upon my hand, I began to ruminate upon the miseries resulting from the indulgence of anger. I was in a frame of mind for it, and so I gave full scope to my imagination.

I commenced with the wrath of princes, the disunion of churches, the distraction of families, and the disquietude of neighbourhoods, and found that to the fruitful source of ungoverned passion might be traced many of the scenes of public calamity and private distress which strike us with astonishment and horror; but though the picture was appalling, this general survey did not serve my purpose; it was too remote, I

could not bring it near, and the multiplication of calamity rather confused than aided me

I took a single individual, one that memory recalled from the stage of active life, and having spread a trivial offence, I then looked for the expression of anger

I beheld a lovely nymph suddenly changed into a fury, and felt a kind of terror which paralysed my intended expostulation. The previous silence was abruptly broken-the eyes which before had beamed intelligence now flashed fire -the playful smile was seen no longer, grinding teeth and quivering lips succeeded and the vehement, high-raised voice dealing out abusive epithets, made the hand delineating these features, to tremble

But here the honour for my sex was roused-to proceed further was impossible-I left the frightful visage to be finished by a sterner mind, and

began to sketch another part of the portrait.

She was sitting, bathed in tears, listening to reproof; the charge of ingra'titude was preferred, and "do you thus requite a mother's love!" filled her with remorse-by her side lay the pledges of sincere affection, given in softer hours, and now returned as unworthy of the sacred seal of friendship-numerous duties, left unperformed by the freakish banishment of a faithful servant, urged their claims-and with a load of unpardoned guilt, she smote her breast, and vainly wished that, ere the tempest rose she had ceased to live. As I was witness of the storm, so also was I witness of the wreck it had occasioned-hopes blasted, friends lost, desolation felt, and misery entailed. I heard the self-accusing lamentations, which like the heavy swells left by the furious winds, troubled yet more and more the agitated breast; the deep-drawn sighs