166 GENERAL BENEVOLENCE, 
we do not perform, for no other reafon, I believe, than that it 
is not the custom ; or that we are afraid of being thought lin- 
gular. “ Glorify thy foul in meekness, but give it honor ac- 
cc cording to the dignity thereof,” is a very important and wife 
admonition ; but our prefent light behavior leads us to think 
mod: honorably of fuch things as are pompous and fhining, tho’ 
they fhould happen to be proofs of fplendid infamy. Our bed: 
actions may have dome tindfure of vanity, but we need but afk 
ourfelves this dmple quefiion : “ Will the thing I am doing, 
be acceptable in the fight of god?” 
Pain of body, or anguifh of mind, are alfo evils which grow 
in every foil : tho’ there is always dome hazard of being thought 
officious or impertinent, we may find frequent occafions to al- 
leviate fuch misfortunes. The proper exercife of tenderness 
and compassion, when we can ffiew our good-will in no other 
way, have a magic power to charm the foul into peace. You 
remember the apodle’s declaration, “ Silver and gold I have 
“ none, but fuch as I have, give I unto thee;” and at the fame 
time work’d a miracle to cure a difeafe. 
The compofing of differences amongft friends, relations, or 
acquaintance, is likewife a duty of no mean rank. The defire 
of fpeaking well of others ; to be always ready to do it ; to 
fupprefs evil reports, and to take nothing upon popular rumor, 
are duties which will give proof, not of the goodnefs of your 
heart only, but of your head alfo. Credulity in matters of in- 
difference, is a difiinguifhing mark of weaknefs ; but where the 
welfare of another perfon is concerned, it has a great mixture 
of 
