The most common propensity of mankind, is, to store futurity with whatever is agreeable to them; especially in those periods of life, when imagination is lively, and hope is ardent. Looking forward to the year now beginning, they are ready to promise themselves much, from the foundations of prosperity which they have laid; from the friendships and connexions which they have secured; and from the plans of conduct which they have formed. Alas! how deceitful do all these dreams of happiness often prove! While many are saying in secret to their *hearts, "To-morrow shall be as this day, and more abundantly," we are obliged in return to say to them; "Boast not yourselves of to-morrow; for you know not what a day may bring forth!"

CHAPTER II.

Narrative Pieces.

SECTION I.

a Di-o-nys-i-us,di-d-nish'-è-ås, the tyrant of Sicily and enemy of Carthage Dem-o-cles, dám-mo-klèz, one of the flatterers of Dionysius

e Spe-cious, spe'-shus, showy, plausible d Com-pli-ment, kôm'-plè-ment, an act of civility, to flatter

e Banq-uet, bank'-kwêt, a feast, to feast f So-fa, so'-fa, a splendid seat covered with carpets

g Em-broi-der-y, êm-broè'-důr-è, variegated needle work

i

k

In

o

Treas-ure, trêzh'-ure, wealth hoarded,

A Page, påje, a boy attending on a great to hoard

No rank or possessions can make the guilty mind happy.

1:

DYONYSIUS, the tyrant of Sicily, was far from being happy, though he possessed great riches, and all the pleasures which wealth and power could procure. Damocles, one of his flatterers, deceived by those specious appearances of happiness, took occasion to compliment him on the extent of his power, his treasures, and royal magnificence: and declared that

no monarch had ever been greater or happier than Dionysius.

2. Hast thou a mind, Damocles," says the king, "to taste this happiness; and to know, by experience, what the enjoyments are, of which thou hast so high an idea?" Damocles, with joy, accepted the offer. The king ordered that a royal banquet should be prepared, and a gilded sofa, covered with rich embroidery, placed for his favourite. Side boards, loaded with gold and silver plate of immense value, were arranged in the apartment.

3. Pages of extraordinary beauty were ordered to attend his table, and to obey his commands with the utmost readiness, and the most profound submission. Fragrant ointments, chaplets of flowers, and rich perfumes, were added to the entertainment. The table was loaded with the most exquisite delicacies of every kind. Damocles, intoxicated with pleasure, fancied himself amongst superior beings.

4. But in the midst of all this happiness, as he lay indulging himself in state, he sees let down from the ceiling, exactly over his head, a glittering sword hung by a single hair. The sight of empending' destruction put a speedy end to his joy and revelling. The pomp of his attendance, the glitter of the carved plate, and the delicacy of the viands, cease to afford him any pleasure.

5. He dreads to stretch forth his hand to the table.He throws off the garland" of roses. He hastens to remove from his dangerous situation; and earnestly entreats the king to restore him to his former humble condition, having no desire to enjoy any longer a happiness so terrible.

6. By this device, Dionysius intimated to Damocles, how miserable he was in the midst of all his treasures; and in possession of all the honours and enjoyments which royalty could bestow.

SECTION II.

a Jo-ram, jo'-rám, a king of Israel
b Ben-ha-dad, bên-hå'-dâd, a king of
Syria

c I-dol-a-ter, l-dôl'-lå-tår, one who wor-
ships images

d Is-sue, ish-shu, to come out, proceed, j
to send out

• Haz-a-el, ház'-â-el, one of the kingsk
of Syria
f Pro-phet ick, prò fêt'-tik, foreseeing
or foretelling

CICERO.

g Tyr-an-ny, tir'-rån-é, crue govern

ment

h In-dig-na-tion, in-dig-na'-shin, anger
mingled with disgust

Pre-dict, pré-dikt, to foretell, foreshow
Je-ho-a-haz, jè-ho'-a-ház, a king of
Israel.

Trans-form, trans-form', to change.
form, to be changed
In-iq-ui-ty, in-Ik'-kwè-tè, injustice,
wickedness, crime

Change of external condition is often adverse to virtue.

1. In the days of Jorama king of Israel, flourished the prophet Elisha. His character was so eminent, and his fame so widely spread, that Benhadad, the king of Syria, though an idolater, sent to consult him, concerning the issued of a distemper which threatened his life. The messenger employed on this occasion was Hazael,e who appears to have been one of the princes, or chief men of the Syrian court.

2. Charged with rich gifts from the king, he presents himself before the prophet; and accosts him in terms of the highest respect. During the conference which they held together, Elisha fixed his eyes stedfastly on the countenance of Hazael; and discerning, by a prophetic f spirit, his future tyrannys and cruelty, he could not contain himself from bursting into a flood of tears.

3. When Hazael, in surprise, inquired into the cause of this sudden emotion, the prophet plainly informed him of the crimes and barbarities, which he foresaw that he would afterwards commit. The soul of Hazael abhorred, at this time, thoughts of cruelty. Uncorrupted, as yet, by ambition or greatness, his indignation rose at being thought capable of the savage actions which the prophet had mentioned; and with much warmth he replies; But what is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?"

4. Elisha makes no return, but to point out a remarkable change, which was to take place in his condition; "The Lord hath shown me, that thou shalt be king over Syria." In course of time, all that had been predicted came to pass. Hazael ascended the throne, and ambition took possession of his heart. "He smote the children of Israel in all their coasts. He oppressed them during all the days of king Jehoahaz" and, from what is left on record of his actions, he plainly appears to have proved, what the prophet foresaw him to be, a man of violence, cruelty, and blood.

5. In this passage of history an object is presented, which deserves our serious attention. We behold a man who, in one state of life, could not look upon certain crimes without surprise and horror; who knew so little of himself, as to believe it impossible for him ever to be concerned in committing them; that same man, by a change of condition, and an unguarded state of mind, transform

ed in all his sentiments; and as he rose in greatness, rising also in guilt; till at last he completed that whole character of iniquity,' which he once detested.

SECTION III.

BLAIR.

a A-has-u-e-rus, å-hâzh-ù-è'-rås, king|j Ex-ter-mi-nate, êks-ter'-me-nåte, to of Persia

destroy

Ar-ta-xerx-es, år-tá-zêrks'rèz, king k De-cree, dè-krèè', an edict, a law of Persia, he succeeded his father Sub-mis-sion, såb-mish'-ån, resignaXerxes tion, obedience

e Ha-man, ha'-mån, a minister of them, Ut-most, it'-most, extreme, the most Persian court

d Ser-vile, ser'-vil, slavish, mean
eHom-age, hôm -Aje, service, respect
f Pros-trate, pros'-tråte, to fall downo
in adoration, lying at length
Ad-u-la-tion, ad-ju-la-shůn, flattery
Mor-de-cai, mor ́-dè-kà, a celebrated

Jew

i Rev-er-ence, rêv'-êr-ênse, veneration, to venerate

that can be

n Tri-umph, tri'-åmf, pomp or joy for victory, to exult'

Ag-o-ny, ág'-d-nè, anguish, misery p Ze-resh, ze'-rêsh, the wife of Haman Pre-am-ble, pre-am-bl, introduction Se-quel, se'-qwêl, succeeding part Prone, prone, inclined to, bending downward

s

Haman; or, the misery of pride.

1. AHASUERUS, who is supposed to be the prince known among the Greek historians by the name of Artaxerxes, had advanced to the chief dignity in his kingdom, Haman, an Amalekite, who inherited all the ancient enmity of his race to the Jewish nation. He appears, from what is recorded of him, to have been a very wicked minister. Raised to greatness without merit, he employed his power solely for the gratification of his passions.

2. As the honours which he possessed were next to royal, his pride was every day fed with that serviled homage, which is peculiar to Asiatic courts; and all the servants of the king prostrated themselves before him. In the midst of this general adulations one person only stooped not to Haman.

3. This was Mordecai the Jew; who, knowing this Amalekite to be an enemy to the people of God, and with virtuous indignation, despising that insolence of prosperity with which he saw him lifted up, "bowed not, nor did him reverence."" On this appearance of disspect from Mordecai, Haman "was full of wrath: but he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone."

4. Personal revenge was not sufficient to satisfy him. So violent and black were his passions, that he resolved

to exterminate the whole nation to which Mordecai belonged, Abusing, for his cruel purpose, the favour of his credulous sovereign, he obtained a decree to be sent forth, that, against a certain day, all the Jews throughout the Persian dominions should be put to the sword.

5. Meanwhile, confident of success, and blind to approaching ruin, he continued exulting in his prosperity. Invited by Ahasuerus to a royal banquet, which Esther the queen had prepared," he went forth that day joyful, and with a glad heart." But behold how slight an incident was sufficient to poison his joy! As he went forth, he saw Mordecai in the kings's gate; and observed, that he still refused to do him homage: "He stood not up, nor was moved for him;" although he well knew the formidable designs, which Haman was preparing to execute.

6. One private man, who despised his greatness, and disdained submission,' while a whole kingdom trembled before him; one spirit, which the utmost stretch of his power could neither subdue nor humble, blasted his triumphs." His whole soul was shaken with a storm of passion. Wrath, pride, and desire of revenge, rose into fury.

7. With difficulty he restrained himself in public; but as soon as he came to his own house, he was forced to disclose the agony of his mind. He gathered together his friends and family, with Zeresh his wife. "He told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and of all the things wherein the king had promoted him; and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

8. He said, moreover, Yea, Esther the king suffered no man to come in with the king, to the banquet that she had prepared, but myself; and to-morrow also am I invited to her with the king." After all this preamble, what is the conclusion? "Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."

9. The sequel of Haman's history I shall not now pursue. It might afford matter for much instruction, by the conspicuous justice of God in his fall and punishment. But contemplating only the singular situation, in which the expressions just quoted present him, and the violent agitation of his mind which they display, the following reflections naturally arise :

10. How miserable is vice, when one guilty passion creates so much torment! how unavailing is prosperity, when in the height of it, a single disappointment can de