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ON COURAGE.

COURAGE in all ages

has been held in the highest estimation, and was so particularly honoured by the Romans, that it obtained the distinction of being placed among the virtues. I am sorry to observe, that on the present day, as indeed in all past times, it appears not to be perfectly understood;-thoughtless temerity, fool-hardiness, and even brutal ferocity, frequently enjoying the same distinction. That cannot surely be called courage which would make a fool rush into dangers which a wiser man would

avoid;-nay, which he ought to fear, as contrary both to the laws of God and man, setting his life and that of another at the hazard, on some contemptuous occasion, as a card, a wager, a horse race, or any other trivial occurrence. Far from such actions testifying courage, they ought to mark the perpetrator with disgrace, as he must be either extremely worthless or unjust.Surely worthless to the greatest degree, if his life is of no service to the public, to his family, or to his friends;-and in no less a degree unjust, if feeling that it can be so, he idly and wickedly robs the public, his family, or his friends of those duties which God appointed him to discharge.

True courage is not of this stamp, and justly commands all praise and honour.It is a steady and uniform resolution, an equal frame of mind, which cau, unmoved, bear all dangerous, difficult, or painful ac

cidents

cidents that attend human life. It is daring to suffer, rather than hazarding life. and soul to revenge every wrangling word, paltry affront, or imaginary disgrace.

Military valour has ever deservedly been held in the highest esteem,-but custom and example act as its stimulants, and fame, riches, and advancement, present a promise of a noble reward; add to which, a fear of death or captivity renders courage prudent as well as honourable.

Strength of limbs have no part in courage, on the contrary, they mark cowardice where they influence a stronger man to attack a weaker;-by the same rule, du-ellists seldom fight on equal terms, as one may chance to fence better than the other, or be more expert in shooting at a mark.

Courage

"

"Courage in affliction has ever been es*teemed one of the highest proofs of mortal perfection, and has been the source of the greatest actions which have done honour to human nature. Hence the founders of our holy religion have not scrupled to take up the cross and follow the example of their glorious Leader, and hence the heroes of old times, among the unenlightened nations, arrived at all their greatness.

Of this we have, in sacred history, repeated proofs, and in profane we read, among others, that the bold and honest Priscus, being ordered by the Emperor Vespasian, on pain of death, to vote against his conscience, undauntedly refused, saying,-"Do as you please, I shall do as I ought. It is in your power to put me to death unjustly, but it is for me to bear. that death with constancy."

How

How different is this courage from that of prize-fighters and duellists, who may truly be deemed pests of society; the first reminds us of the sanguinary and brutal actions of the Roman gladiators, in the ages of barbarism, and the latter, yet more culpable, spread ruin and desolation around them,-deprive women of their husbands, fathers of their sons, children of their pa rents, and yet worse than all cut off their own souls from the hopes of Heaven.The bold unprincipled duellist rushes forward to meet his antagonist with a firm step, a heart swelling with rancour, and a voice breathing defiance not only against his enemy, but almost against God himself. Gracious Heaven! is it possible that men can thus impiously hasten to commit a premeditated murder, to spill the blood of a fellow creature, or to sacrifice their own? Yet the combat once over, and the prospect of death before them, the veil of false hoK

VOL. I.

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