William Wirt to his Daughter. The way to make yourself pleasing to others, is to show that you care for them. Let every one see that you care for them, by showing them what Sterne so happily calls "the small, sweet courtesies of life"- those courtesies in which there is no parade; and which manifest themselves by tender and affectionate looks, and little kind acts of attention — giving others the preference in every little enjoyment at the table, in the field, walking, sitting, or standing. This is the spirit that gives to your time of life, and to your sex, its sweetest charms. It constitutes the sum total of all the witchcraft of woman. The seeds of love can never grow but under the warm and genial influence of kind feelings and affectionate manners. Vivacity goes a great way in young persons. It calls attention to her who displays it; and if it then be found associated with a generous sensibility, its execution is irresistible. On the contrary, if it be found in alliance with a cold, haughty, selfish heart, it produces no farther effect, except an adverse one. Courtesy on one side only lasts not long. Men in general are willing to be led, if they are led courteously. Less of your courtesy, and more of your coin, would render many persons more acceptable. Do not mislead yourself by expecting more attention, courtesy, and confidence than you show. Ed. Unless you are doing something. Ed. Courtesy to a literary man, a Christian, or even a man of active business, consists in promptly appearing at their call in the attire that happens to be on, and in preparing them a meal in the least possible time; not in preparing the most kinds and best quality of food. When dandies call, deck; when sensualists, cook, if you would please. Ib. Christian courtesy, founded in true benevolence, and guided by scriptural rules, is adapted greatly to promote the happiness of society, and prepare the way for revivals of pure and undefiled religion. 112 COVENANT OF GRACE, COVETOUSNESS. Ed. It is impossible to maintain the domestic, religious, moral, literary, and political associations of life, and transact our necessary business, without intercourse with those who have great and numerous faults. Christ ate with Pharisees, publicans, and sinners; and Paul became all things to all men, in Christian courtesy and condescension, that by all means he might save some. Indeed, all the intercourse, attention, and civilities necessary to gain the eyes, the ears, and the consciences of sinners, are among the plain and indisputable duties. Many prejudices are to be allayed, much stupid crabbedness to be overcome, and a multitude of hateful things to be borne with, if we would convert all sorts of sinners from the error of their ways, and all sorts of hypocrites from their blindness and delusions. There is a wide field for Christian courtesy and kindness, that does not involve decisive manifestation of Christian fellowship; and the practice of these virtues is indispensable to Christian influence and usefulness. 181. COVENANT OF GRACE. Spring. Such is the beauty, the generosity of God's love, that the covenant relation of every family to him and his church is decided by the believing, and not the unbelieving parent. This is a most wonderful and gracious arrangement, and so full of encouragement, that the believing parent cannot hope too much from God for his or her children. The irreligion that is in a family may throw obstacles not a few, to the religious culture of the rising generation; but because the religion that is there is of God's planting, his faithfulness is pledged to sustain and give it influence. Ed. The covenant of grace is the medium of God's manifold spiritual mercies to our race. It involves infinite condescension, and faithfulness equally marvellous. Though it is a very serious matter to be in covenant with such a terrible rebuker of covenant sins, it is infinitely the most desirable relation conceivable in the world, for it is well ordered in all things, and sure. 182. COVETOUSNESS. Tillotson. The covetous man heaps up riches, not to enjoy them, but to have them; and starves himself in the midst of COVETOUSNESS CREDIT. 113 plenty, and most unnaturally cheats and robs himself of that which is his own; and makes a hard shift to be as poor and miserable with a great estate, as any man can be without it. A prodigal son succeeds a covetous father. Cowley. The covetous man is a downright centaur, a draughthorse. He is an indigent, needy slave- will hardly allow himself clothes and board-wages. Charity begins at home: Ed. The charity of the covetous, and maintains remarkable unity of purpose. Bacon. The covetous man cannot so properly be said to possess wealth, as wealth to possess him. Spring. The spirit of the world is grasping and covetous. It is inordinately desirous of wealth, and excessively eager to obtain and possess the treasures of time. It is gay or pensive, as secular prospects wax, or wane. It is stagnant and spiritless, only when it sees there is nothing to gain, or to lose, by enterprise. Be it disappointed or gratified, the more vehement are its desires; and never is it so satisfied as to say, It is enough. [See 59, 612, 854.] 183. COWARDICE. Giles. I have studied in vain to find out what a coward is good for. Ed. Cowards serve to detect traitors in the army, and hypocrites in the church. He who dare not avow his religious and moral principles, is the true coward; he who will not, is a knave. To tyrannize where there is no resistance, is cowardly and base in the extreme. The men most brave in speech, are generally most cowardly in action. There is no reasoning cowards into courage. 184. CREDIT. Credit is often a dangerous temptation, and the means of destroying itself. Like health, it is preserved only by prudence and moderation. Ed. Credit is good or bad, as the means of its attainment are honest or deceitful. Wealth, gotten by deceit, and credit, obtained by imposition, are dangerous investments, both to the possessor and others. 185. CREDULITY. All trust in him who has been guilty of one act of positive, cool villany, against a virtuous and noble character, is credulity, imbecility, or insanity. Who knows nothing, fears nothing. Sh. He has a free and open nature, Who thinks men honest, that but seem to be; And will be led as freely by the nose, As horses are. Who reckons without his host, must reckon again. Ed. Who buys the cheapest ticket buys the wrong one, and has to buy another. Quackery has no such friend as credulity. Ed. Credulity is the genuine original sin of mankind, and about as hard to reform. 186. CRISES. Crises develop character, as storms the pilot, peril the brave, and the seven green withes the strength of Samson. Sh. There is a tide in the affairs of men. 187. CRITICS, CRITICISM. Swift. The long dispute among the philosophers about a vacuum, may be determined in the affirmative; that it is to be found in a critic's head. They are at best but the drones of the learned world, who devour the honey, and will not work themselves; and a writer need no more regard them than the moon does the barking of a little senseless cur. For, in spite of their terrible roaring, you may, with half an eye, discover the ass under the lion's skin. Ed. Swift denounces the critics, like one who has been handled by them, and exemplifies the "roaring" he detests. Ed. Who will not endure thorough searching, and pungent criticism, is unworthy of friendship or confidence, and worthy of serious suspicion. Ib. Criticism-a most indispensable, parental, and friendly duty, that is sadly dispensed with. CRITICAL, CRUELTY. 115 Ib. It is hazardous for superficial thinkers and readers to grapple in criticism with the profound. They resemble the archer, who fired a heavily loaded gun, and being told that the deer had escaped, uninjured, replied, it would have been otherwise, had he been at the other end of the gun. 188. CRITICAL, NICE, PRECISE. Lord, J. K. It is one of the nicest mental operations, to distinguish between what is very difficult, and what is impossible. Ed. This is nothing in comparison with distinguishing between many professed Christians, and non-professors. Ed. Critical work demands critical attention. 189. CRUELTY, VENOM. Montaigne. The greatest vices derive their propensity from our most tender infancy, and our most important education depends on the nurse. Mothers are mightily pleased to see a child writhe the neck of a chicken, or please itself with hurting a cat or dog; and such wise fathers there are in the world, who consider it as a notable mark of a martial spirit, when they hear their sons miscall, or see them domineer over a peasant or lacquey, that dares not reply or turn again; and a great sign of wit, when they see them cheat and overreach their playfellows by some malicious trick of treachery and deceit but these are the true seed and roots of cruelty, tyranny, and treason. Ed. Some persons manifest disinterested benevolence, and know what it is to love and be loved. Others manifest disinterested malice, or a disposition to do mischief for its own sake. Cowper. Thus harmony and family accord Were driven from Paradise; and in that hour Hence date the persecution and the pain Or his base gluttony, are causes good |