FALSE GRIEF. n 
Nothing is more common, than to fee the moft delicate of both 
fexes roufing from a drowfy repofe, and calling up their fortitude,, 
fubdue the greateft calamities; and yet thofe very perfons are fub- 
jecfb to be ruffled by the moft trivial incidents. This truth is put in 
a very good light by a celebrated faying of the great prince de 
conde : “ No man,” fays he, <£ was ever efteemed a hero by his 
“ valet de chambre.” Nor I believe many women heroines by 
their fille de chambre. But true heroifm leads us ta command our- 
felves in the leaf!, as well as in the greateft events of life. Thofe 
who are never called to great trials, may be equally acceptable 
in the fight of god, by difcharging their duty well in little 
ones ; and fhould, for this very reafon, be watchful to acquit 
themfelves well, and not become the ftaves of their own folly. 
We are apt to forget that we are accountable for every mo- 
ment of our time ; for what we say, as well as what we do*. 
every petulant exprefflon mull be deemed a foolifh word ; as 
well as elery immoderate tranfport of grief, efpecially for trifles, 
an inordinate affedion. Mediocrity in all things is beft. 
“ Immoderate grief, or exceftive joy, are equally unbecoming 
“ man that is born to die,” fays seneca, who was a heathen. 
But Christianity has a thoufand charms, to cure this ficknefs 
of the mind, more, perhaps, than either you or I ever thought of. 
We ought to keep our forrow for our fins : real calamities will 
indeed have their tribute; but all the reft is produdive of infi- 
nite mifchiefs to ourfelves, and for the moft part, very injurious 
to others. The important lefton which common fenfe, as well as 
religion and philofophy, teach, is to confider life itfelf as held by 
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