accidental, unmeaning effusion, or flagrant hypocrisy. It is not, however, unfrequently the case, that men are entire. ly ignorant of their motives, and while they deceive others, by an apparently correct conduct, their own hearts deceive them. They may believe themselves actuated by a regard for God and religion, while they are wholly influenced by their private interests, secret vanity or some other sordid motive. Thus Hazael, when his ambition prompted him to murder his king, might believe himself actuated by a just regard for the will of God; because the prophet had told him that he was soon to reign over Syria. -Without some supposition of this nature we may find it difficult to account for the fact, that a man who was so indignant at an insinuation of cruelty, should on the very next day be guilty of murder. No doubt the apostles, James and John, thought themselves actuated by the purest motives, when they requested liberty to call fire from heaven to chastise the insolence of the Samaritans towards their Master. But instead of pure Christian zeal and gentleness they were insensibly governed by a spirit of pride, revenge and cruelty.

We need not wander so far for instances, by which to show the necessity of frequently examining our hearts. Those who are the best satisfied with their religious at tainments may perhaps, on investigating the sources of their

actions, discover great cause for humility, and for increased vigilance and circumspection. We may boast of zeal in religion, but it is worth our attention to inquire, whether a natural ardency of temper and a mere spirit of party are not the principal causes of our exertion, whether our sharp animadversions do not proceed more from a spirit of censoriousness than piety. On the other hand, when we profess a great degree of liberality, charity and catholicism in matters of religion, it may be well to inquire, whether it does not result from listlessness and inactivity of spiritfrom lukewarmness, indifference and disregard to religion in all its forms. We may speak peace to our consciences because we are punctual in attending public worship; but do we go to the house of God, from a principle of conscience, to serve our Creator and Redeemer, and to profit our immortal souls? or is it from custom or curiosity, from a fear of singularity, or even vanity? We are perhaps charitable to the poor; but has neither pride nor ostentation any share in procuring our liberality? We should consider whether even in our best acts we are not.more influenced by the opinion and applause of men, than by the will and approbation of God. Unless we are careful and thorough in our examination, we may deceive ourselves to our everlasting ruin, we may esteem ourselves highly for those things which are an a

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bomination in the sight of the Lord. For he seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

Lastly. Self-acquaintance is an essential part of our preparation for death. Clouds and darkness hover over the future condition of that man who is ignorant of himself. True, he needs no argument to convince him that he is fast approaching the boundaries of his existence on earth; he entertains no doubt but that the thread of life will soon be cut asunder, but ignorant of what he is, he must hang in doubtful anxiety for what he shall be. Not so with the man who is not a stranger to his own bosom. Having become previously assured of the reality

of a future state of happiness, and of the qualifications requisite for obtaining it; and having been able after long and patient investigation to discover in himself those affections. and habits, which through the grace of Jesus Christ shall procure him admission to heaven, he enjoys a cheerful serenity in the evening of his days. The prospect of another life smoothes the pillow of death, for the grave has no terrors to alarm him. Do we desire to procure a fair and honourable reputation in life, to become tranquil and resigned in the hour of death, and happy through the revolving ages of eternity? Then, next to the knowledge of God, let us strive to obtain knowledge of ourselves. A.

MR. EDITOR,

an

A CORRESPONDENT takes the liberty to send you extract from a Sermon, preached in a country village, the sabbath after the interment of the late Chief Justice Parsons; not for the sake of eulogizing his character, but to extend the influence of an example, by which "he, be ing dead, yet speaketh." The text was in Matthew 23. 11. "He that is greatest among you shall be your servant ;' and the extract is as follows: "How dignified, how amiable, how happy is he, who, in imitation of his Father in

For the Christian Disciple. heaven, does good to all! Who is great, not so much on account of any exclusive priviJeges, with which he is favour ed, as because he is useful to his brethren of every class: because he adopts and pursues a conduct tending to diffuse contentment and joy throughout the circle of his intercourse and acquaintance: because he is just, charitable, and beneficent in the prevailing series of his actions.

"In whatever sphere he moves, his first concern is to fulfil the various obligations, under which he is laid. This he believes the highest hon

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our within the reach of his attainment. Is he stationed in the humbler walks of society? Far from thinking himself at liberty to disregard the comfort of others, he uses all the means in his power to promote it. Is he blessed with affluence and plenty? Instead of cherishing the sordid disposition of the miser, or falling into the shameful excesses of the voluptuary, he considers that he is but the steward of divine bounty, and, therefore, "uses this world, as not abusing it;" is "rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for himself a good foundation against the time to come." Is he called to posts of public trust? Not his own profit or gratification, but the welfare of his country is the object of his most ardent pursuit. In prosecution of this object, he spares no pains, and withholds no sacrifice which duty demands. In a word, his whole character proves him the friend of human kind. Faithful to his promises, upright in his dealings, industrious in his calling, condescending in his manners, benevolent in his feelings, he contributes much to the general good. He achieves the end of his creation, and rises to permanent greatness and honour; he commands the respect of beholders, and, in defiance of every adverse event, is provided with a source of consolation and felicity in himself.

"What a blessing are such men to the world! and how

great the loss which surviverssustain, when the time of their departure arrives! With this blessing we were indulged, in the life, and with this loss we are afflicted, by the death of the late Chief Justice of the Commonwealth. Distinguished by a native acuteness of understanding almost without a parallel, his gigantic nind, versed in all the learning of the age, and capable of efforts and achievements, beyond the conception of ordinary intellects, was happily engaged in the public service, and disposed to advance the cause of truth and righteousness. Whilst he sustained the important and responsible office, in which he died, he did much to simplify and facilitate the administration of justice; and had he been spared to complete his designs, most of the perplexity and delay, so often complained of, in juridical proceedings, would probably have disappeared. Nor were his vigilance and sagacity less successfully exerted in behalf of our University. In consequence of arrangements suggested or patronized by him, as a member of its Corporation, that venerable Institution is raised to an elevation, unknown in former times, and presents a prospect of increas ing respectability and usefulness, for which we might, oth erwise, have looked in vain. Inured to intense application, how many, and how great the benefits, which might have been anticipated from the continued exertion of his pre-eminent talents, guided, as they

confessedly were, by christian principles! Yes, on the most deliberate, profound, and critical examination of the subject, this great man was an undoubting believer in the gospel of Christ; and let the ephemeral assailants of our holy faith, awed by the recollection of such a champion, who, though "dead, yet speaketh," retire in silence, and "cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord."

"Few instances of mortality have occurred in our land, which are more deeply to be lamented; perhaps none, since Washington was called to the skies. But to eulogize the deceased is not my object. I only wish to fix your attention on the conduct of providence in his removal, and to persuade you, whilst you look to God for direction and aid, to imitate the example, and and receive the instruction before you.

"To make the salutary ten dency and result of our conduct the exclusive ground and measure of our claims to distinction is unquestionably incumbent upon us all. View this process in the abstract, and it is full of dignity and beauty. View it in contrast with its opposite, and this dignity and beauty are unspeakably heightened. View it in its obvious consequences, and a variety of motives, irresistible to the ingenuous mind, will enforce its adoption.

"Here, then is ample scope for the exercise of an ambition, equally laudable and boundless. We are under

no necessity of waiting for some signal, some rare occasion to display those talents and virtues, which shall raise us to eminence and glory: nor are we warranted to imagine true greatness confined to a few chosen spirits, who now and then, outstrip their fellows, and shine with the dazzling lustre of genius, conquest, or wealth. Opportunity is daily and hourly given us to distinguish ourselves, by achievements, to which both a temporal and an eternal crown are annexed In the ordinary business and commerce of life; in our domestic, social, and civil relations, though seldom called to exemplify a degree of courage, or a species of conduct adapted suddenly to arouse the admiration and astonishment of the world; yet the numberless tender charities, which perceptibly sweeten existence, and render it more supportable and happy, incessantly invite our attention, and urge us to action. These, when performed with a devout respect to the divine command, and a benevolent regard to the comfort, improvement, and salvation of those around us, will invest us with a character, at once, acceptable in the sight of God, and honourable in the estimation of man. These, of course, will be highly advantageous to us, in every period of our pilgrimage state, as well as, "at the resurrection of the just."

"Whilst, therefore, we cultivate an habitual sense of our responsibility, at the tribunal