84 OBLIGATION OF THE SABBATH. 



Discussion too peldom dignified. 



It is to be lamented that Discussion is so seldom the noble 

 and beautiful thing it ought to be. As the handmaid of Truth, 

 it should have only less than her queenly dignity^ with all her 

 captivating attractions. If I might illustrate my conception by 

 a comparison, I would say, that Argument should be like the 

 Crystal Palace of London : constructed not for a party or 

 nation, but for a world ; of ample comprehension ; of harmo- 

 nious proportions : of pure and polished material ; fitly framed, 



EusEBiA, wliom he tenderly loved. At a very early age, he presented 

 her with a beautiful necklace, composed of ten priceless pearls, fastened 

 on a golden chain, each link of which was curiously inwrought with 

 his own name. He clasped it around her neck with his own hand, and 

 charged her to preserve it unbroken through her whole life, as the 

 proof of her filial love. When she came of age, Eusebia formed the 

 acquaintance of a gentleman by the name of Apeithos, One day, on 

 examining her beautiful necklace, he surprised her by pronouncing 

 positively that one of the snj^posed pearls was but a p aste imitaiion. In 

 her curiosity to ascertain the fact, or her indignation at a supposed 

 impositioD, she broke from her neck the golden band which bound 

 them all together; and instantly, to her dismay, she beheld all the 

 glittering pearls rolling in the dust, and trampled under foot by filthy 

 swine. Apeithos coldly turned away, and left her blinded with her 

 tears, to collect them again as she could. But in vain she tried to 

 clasp the golden chain around her neck as before. Filled with sorrow 

 and shame, and fearful of her father's just displeasure, she sought her 

 eldest brother Ciiristos, and entreated his intercession. The gene- 

 rous Prince sympathized in her affliction, and proifered his best offices 

 in her behalf. Soothed by his tenderness, and supported by his arm, 

 she hastened to her father, and at his feet confessed her fault, and 

 implored his pardon. Her father, out of regard to her generous bro- 

 ther, kindly -forgave her, and pressed them both to his bosom. He 

 then commanded his Son's name to be engraved on the golden chain, 

 together with his own, in perpetual memory of the event ; and as he 

 reclasped the golden band around her neck, charged her in future, by 

 her filial and fraternal love, to beware of a second delusion, especially 

 from the confident tone of a stranger. — (The key to this Apologue will 

 be found in Matt. v. 17—20.) 



