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most frivolous and empty may possess. Too often they are employed by the artful, as a snare; too often affected by the hard and unfeeling, as a cover to the baseness of their minds. We cannot, at the same time, avoid observing the homage, which even in such instances, the world is constrained to pay to virtue.

7. In order to render society agreeable, it is found necessary to assume somewhat, that may at least carry its appearance. Virtue is the universal charm. Even its shadow is courted, when the substance is wanting. The imitation of its form has been reduced into an art; and, in the commerce of life, the first study of all who would either gain the eeem, or win the hearts of others, is to learn the speech and to adopt the manners, of candour, gentleness and humanity.

8. But that gentleness which is the characteristic of a good man, has, like every other virtue, its seat in the heart; and let me add, nothing except what flows from the heart, can render even external manners truly pleasing. For no assumed behaviour can at all times hide the real character. In that unaffected civility which springs from a gentle mind, there is a charm infinitely more pow erful, than in all the studied manners of the most finished courtier.

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9. True gentleness is founded on a sense of what we owe to HIM who made us, and to the common nature of which we all share. It arises from reflection on our ov, failings and wants; and from just views of the condi and the duty of man. It is native feeling, heir', and improved by principle. It is the heart whi relents; which feels for every thing that is br backward and slow to inflict the least wor 10. It is affable in its address, and mi' our ever ready to oblige, and willi others.; breathing habitual kind courtesy to strangers, long-suf ercises authority with moder with tenderness; confers fr It is unassuming in opir contends not eagerly still slower to blam to restore peace.

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11. It neither intermeddles unnecessarily fairs, nor pres inquisitively into the sec It delights, above all things to alleviate d L

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with the af.ets of others. stress; and, if it

cannot dry up the falling tear, to scoth at least the grieving heart. Where it has not the power of being useful, it is never burdensome. It seeks to please, rather than to shine and dazzle; and conceals with care that superiority, either of talents or of rank, which is oppressive to those who are beneath it.

12. In a word, it is that spirit and that tenour of manners, which the gospel of Christ enjoins, when it commands us," to bear one another's burdens; to rejoice with those who rejoice, and to weep with those who weep; to please every one his neighbour for his good; to be kind and tender-hearted; to be pitiful and courteous; to support the weak, and to be patient towards all men."

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Trial and execution of the EABL of STRAFFORD, who fell a sacrifice to the violence of the times, in the reign of CHARLES the First.

1.

THE Earl of Strafford defended himself against

the accusations of the house of Commons, with all the presence of mind, judgment, and sagacity, that could be expected from innocence and ability. His children were placed beside him, as he was thus defending his life, and the cause of his royal master. After he had, in a long and eloquent speech, delivered without premeditation, confuted all the accusations of his enemies, he thus drew to a conclusion.

2. "But, my lords, I have troubled you too long : lon

ger than I should have done, but for the sake of these dear pledges, which a saint in heaven has left me." Upon this he paused; dropped a tear; looked upon his children; and proceeded. "What I forfeit for myself is a trifle that my indiscretions should reach my posterity, wounds me to the heart.

--

3. "Pardon my infirmity.-Something I should have added, but I am not able; and therefore I let it pass.And now, my lords, for myself. I have long been taught, that the afflictions of this life are overpaid by that eternal weight of glory, which awaits the innocent. And so, my lords, even so, with the utmost tranquillity, I submit myself to your judgment, whether that judgment be life or death; not my will, but thine, O God, be done!"

4. His eloquence and innocence induced those judges to pity, who were the most zealous to condemn him.The king himself went to the house of lords, and spoke for some time in his defence; but the spirit of vengeance, which had been chained for eleven years, was now roused; and nothing but his blood could give the people satisfaction. He was condemned by both houses of parliament; and nothing remained but for the king to give his consent to the bill of attainder.c

5. But in the present commotions, the consent of the king would very easily be dispensed with; and imminent danger might attend his refusal. Charles, however, who loyed Strafford tenderly, hesitated, and seemed reluctant;e trying every expedient to put off so dreadful an office, as that of signing the warrant for his execution. While he continued in this agitation of mind, and state of suspense, his doubts were at last silenced by an act of great magnanimitys in the condemned lord.

6. He received a letter from that unfortunate nobleman, desiring that his life might be made a sacrifice to obtain reconciliation between the king and his people: adding, that he was prepared to die; and that to a willing mind there could be no injury. This instance of noble generosity was but ill repaid by his master, who complied with his request. Ife consented to sign the fatal bill by commission; and Strafford was beheaded on Tower-hill; behaving with all that composed dignity of resolution which was expected from his character. GOLDSMITH

SECTION II.

a Ben-o-fac-tor, bên-è-fák'-tůr, he that, confers a benefit e Con-epic-u-ous, kón-spik'-ù-ůs, obvious, eminent, easily seen

e Mis-sion, mish'-ån, commission, of

fice

d Eph-e-sus, ef-fè-sås, a city of Jonia, built as Justin mentions, by the A

inazons, or by Androchus Pa-the ick, på-thět'-tik, moving, affecting the passions, passionate

f Cir-cum-stapce, ser'-kim-stánse, incident, event

g De-jec-tion, dè-jêk'-shin, melancholy

An eminent instance of true fortitude.

1. ALL who have been distinguished as servants of God, o. benefactors of men; all who, in perilous situaations, have acted their part with such honour as to render their names illustrious through succeeding ages, have been eminent for fortitude of mind. Of this we have one conspicuous example in the apostle Paul, whom it will be instructive for us to view in a remarkable occurrence of his life. After having long acted as the apostle of the Gentiles, his mission called him to go to Jerusalem, where he knew that he was to encounter the utmost violence of his enemies.

2. Just before he set sail, he called together the elders of his favourite church at Ephesus; and in a pathetice speech, which does great honour to his character, gave them his last farewell. Deeply affected by their knowledge of the certain dangers to which he was exposing himself, all the assembly were filled with distress, and melted into tears.

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3. The circumstances were such, as might have conveyed dejections in a resolute mind; and would have totally overwhelmed the feeble. They all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him; sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they should see his face no more."--What were then the sentiments, what was the language, of this great and good man?Hear the words which spoke his firm and undaunted mind.

4. "Behold, I go bound in the spirit, to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there; save that the Holy Spirit witnesseth in every city, saying, that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of those things move me; neither count I my life dear to myself so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."

5. There was uttered the voice, there breathed the spirit, of a brave and a virtuous man. Such a man knows not what it is to shrink from danger, when conscience points out his path. In that path he is deterinined to walk, let the consequences be what they may. This was the magnanimous behaviour of that great apostle, when he had persecution and distress full in view.

6. Attend now to the sentiments of the same excellent man, when the time of his last suffering approached; and remark the majesty, and the ease, with which he looked on death. "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteous

ness.

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7. How many years of life does such a dying moment overbalance? Who would not choose, in this manner, to go off the stage, with such a song of triumph in his mouth, rather than prolong his existence through a wretched old age, stained with sin and shame!

SECTION III.

a Dis-may, diz-mà', fall of courage, terrify

b Sanc-tu-a-ry, sángk'-tshù-á-rè, a holy place, an asylum

RLAIR.

c Pi-ous, pls, careful of the duties owed to God

Be-reave, bé-ève', to strip of, deprive of

The good man's comfort in affliction.

1. THE religion of Christ not only arms us with fortitude against the approach of evil; but, supposing evils to fall upon us with their heaviest pressure, it lightens the load by many consolations to which others are strangers. While bad men trace, in the calamities with which they are visited, the hand of an offended sovereign, Christians are taught to view them as the well-intended chastisements of a merciful Father.

They hear amidst them, that still voice which a good conscience brings to their ear: "Fear not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God." They apply to themselves the comfortable promises with which the Gospel abounds. They discover in these the happy issue decreed to their troubles; and wait with patience till Providence shall have accomplished its great and good designs.

3. In the mean time, Devotion opens to them its bles

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