1 COR. iv, 7. This would produce lowliness and patience, and would create a desire to do good indeed, but always in a meek and humble manner. And if it should so happen, for instance, that the child is pious and the parent ungodly, or the servant serious and the master irreligious, it should be considered, that these are the very occasions on which true piety is tried and proved. St. Peter says plainly, that servants are to be subject to their masters, (and he means all inferiors to those who are placed over them,) "with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward;" (that is illnatured and severe,) "for this is thankworthy, if a man, for conscience sake toward God, endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if when ye be buffetted for your faults, ye take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God: for even hereunto were ye called.” 1 PET. ii, 18-20.

This Scripture applies not only to the class of persons mentioned, which was the strongest case

that could be, but also to all who owe obedience to others. And it contains a most useful lesson, especially to young people, in this country at this day, when such parts of religion are passed over, as if they were not found in the Bible at all. It is the privilege of Christians when placed in trying circumstances, to honor the Gospel they profess; and especially in such matters as now under consideration, "It is the will of God, that with well doing they may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.' 1 PET. ii, 15. The world is too ready to find fault even with a "blameless and harmless" life; but if any one is so ignorant or wilful, as to use the privileges and liberty of religion as "a cloak of maliciousness," whether in a private family, or in more public matters, such a person "denies the faith," and, in some respects, is "worse than an infidel."

The pious woman, whose character is here recorded, "did not behave herself unseemly," but in all respects and towards all persons, she exhibited that propriety of conduct, which according to

the promise, she was taught through the word and grace of God. For the gospel of Christ removing the causes of illhumour and insolence, and bringin the haughty spirit of falien man into subjection, produces in the temper and conduct, such pleasant features, as attention, respect, mildness, patience, propriety, and all that is amiable and excellent.

CHAPTER VII.

CHRISTIAN CHARITY.

It is an important and interesting question, which we should seriously examine, and faithfully answer: can any one be really seeking his own salvation, and striving to walk "in the narrow way which leadeth unto life," and at the the same time be indifferent, or indeed not anxious about the souls of others? The very nature of christian charity seems to assist us in answering the question. It is love to man for Christ's sake. St. John too says plainly, "He that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen!" "Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from

him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1 JOHN, iv, 20. iii, 17. We cannot therefore pretend to be pious, unless we are also charitable. The doing good to our fellow creatures is one of the necessary evidences of religion in the heart. But in what manner can we most shew our real and warm concern for the good of others? The word Charity is often misunderstood and used improperly, as if it meant only giving of alms: whereas St. Paul says, "We may give all our goods to feed the poor, and yet not have charity at all." What then is true charity, and how shall we most decidedly prove our heartfelt love for our fellow creatures? Supposing you were walking on the bank of a river, and you looked up and saw a man drowning, and a person running away with his clothes, you could not be thought a very sensible or kind friend, if you were to leave the poor man to perish in the water, and run away to catch the thief. Or if you did so, a wise man might well stop you with these words: "Is not the life more than raiment?" In this case we see the truth very clearly: we need only use common sense, and we shall per

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