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toms of a thoughtless age, would be a cruel bondage. His heart 

 having received a different bias, the world ceases lo allure; he 

 aspires after heavenly-mindedness ; he tastes the celestial manna; 

 and enjoys a peace which the world can neither give nor take 

 away. But his religion, far from rendering him gloomy or austere, 

 prompts him to perform every relative and social duty with pecu- 

 liar delight. On proper occasions he partakes of rational re- 

 creation, innocent amusement, and convivial pleasure. Thus he 

 pursues his earthly career, in lively faith, cheerful hope, and active 

 charity; looking through the valley of the shadow of death 

 to that city which hath foundations whose builder and maker 

 is God ! 



In India, a climate favouring voluptuousness, with other local 

 causes, aids the fascinating stream of fashionable inconsideration; 

 which, united with many smaller rills, flows in a full and rapid 

 current through the higher classes of society in Europe; and power- 

 fully carries all before it. Against such strong temptations, where 

 shall we find an antidote equal to the vigilance required by Chris- 

 tianity, and the grace promised to those who seek it? The love of 

 God is the first principle of that religion, and leads to the practice 

 of all inferior duties; while a forgetfulness of this great and ado- 

 rable Being is the source of an irreligious and worldly spirit. In 

 prosperity we should be cautious how we enter that vortex of dissi- 

 pation from whence it is difficult to extricate ourselves: so flowery 

 is the path to the Circean palace, so delightful the fascinating cup 

 of pleasure, that it requires a careful step and vigilant eye to escape 

 the alluring charms ; and where to draw the line is the great difH- 



