To a real wise man, the well weighed approbation of a single judicious character gives more heartfelt satisfaction than all the noisy applauses of ten thousand ignorant, though enthusiastic, admirers. We may say with Parmenides, who, upon reading a philosophical discourse before a public assembly at Athens, and observing that, except Plato, the whole company had left him, continued, notwithstanding, to read on, and said that Plato alone was audience sufficient for him.

Lord Mansfield, in his speech upon Wilkes's trial, declared this sentiment: "I do not," says he, "affect to scorn the opinion of mankind. I wishearnestly for popularity; I will seck, and I will have popularity; that popularity which follows, and not that which is run after. It is not the applause of a day, it is not the huzzas of thousands, that can give a moment's satisfaction to a rational being : that man's mind must, indeed, be a weak one, and his ambition of a most depraved sort, who can be captivated by such wretched allurements, or satisfied with such momentary gratifications."

"I would not," says Dr. Doddridge, 66 purchase that phantom, popularity, which is often owing to the very worst part of a man's character or performances, by any compliances beneath the dignity of a Christian minister."

The means, which some use in order to obtain popularity, and by which they often get it, are sometimes exceedingly improper. "For instance," says Dr. Campbell," those who court popular applause, and look upon it as the pinnacle of human glory to be blindly followed by the multitude, commonly recur to defamation, es

pecially of superiors and brethren. I knew ȧ preacher, who, by this expedient alone, from being long the aversion of the populace, on account of his dulness, awkwardness, and coldness, all of a sudden became their idol."

The love of fame, as well as gain, must have been very strong in the following instance, related by Gurnall. "I have read of one,' says he," that offered his prince a great sum of money to have leave once or twice a day to come into his presence, and only say, 'God save your majesty.' The prince, wondering at this large offer for so small a favour, asked him what this would advantage him. 'O, Sir,' said he, this, though I have nothing else at your hands, will get me a name in the country for one that is a great favourite at court; and such an opinion will help me to more, by the year's end, than I am out for the purchase.""

Few persons were ever so popular as Mr. Whitfield, and few persons ever bore it so well. "Let," say he, "the name of Whitfield die, so that the cause of Jesus Christ may live. I have seen enough of popularity to be sick of it; and did not the interest of my blessed Master require my appearing in public, the world should hear but little of me henceforward."

THE PRAYING KINGS.

CF all the virtues which united in the character of Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, that which crowned the whole was his exem

To a real wise man, the well weighed approbation of a single judicious character gives more heartfelt satisfaction than all the noisy applauses of ten thousand ignorant, though enthusiastic, admirers. We may say with Parmenides, who, upon reading a philosophical discourse before a public assembly at Athens, and observing that, except Plato, the whole company had left him, continued, notwithstanding, to read on, and said that Plato alone was audience sufficient for him.

Lord Mansfield, in his speech upon Wilkes's trial, declared this sentiment: "I do not," says he, "affect to scorn the opinion of mankind. I wishearnestly for popularity; I will seck, and I will have popularity; that popularity which follows, and not that which is run after. It is not the applause of a day, it is not the huzzas of thousands, that can give a moment's satisfaction to a rational being: that man's mind must, indeed, be a weak one, and his ambition of a most depraved sort, who can be captivated by such wretched allurements, or satisfied with such momentary gratifications."

"I would not," says Dr. Doddridge, 66 purchase that phantom, popularity, which is often owing to the very worst part of a man's character or performances, by any compliances beneath the dignity of a Christian minister."

The means, which some use in order to obtain popularity, and by which they often get it, are sometimes exceedingly improper. "For instance," says Dr. Campbell, "those who court popular applause, and look upon it as the pinnacle of human giory to be blindly followed by the multitude, commonly recur to defamation, es

pecially of superiors and brethren. I knew a preacher, who, by this expedient alone, from being long the aversion of the populace, on account of his dulness, awkwardness, and coldness, all of a sudden became their idol.”

The love of fame, as well as gain, must have been very strong in the following instance, related by Gurnall. "I have read of one," says he," that offered his prince a great sum of money to have leave once or twice a day to come into his presence, and only say, 'God save your majesty. The prince, wondering at this large offer for so small a favour, asked him what this would advantage him. 'O, Sir,' said he, this, though I have nothing else at your hands, will get me a name in the country for one that is a great favourite at court; and such an opinion will help me to more, by the year's end, than I am out for the purchase.'"

Few persons were ever so popular as Mr. Whitfield, and few persons ever bore it so well. "Let," say he, "the name of Whitfield die, so that the cause of Jesus Christ may live. I have seen enough of popularity to be sick of it; and did not the interest of my blessed Master require my appearing in public, the world should hear but little of me henceforward."

THE PRAYING KINGS.

CF all the virtues which united in the character of Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, that which crowned the whole was his exem

plary piety. The following is related of him when he was once in his camp before Werben. He had been alone in the cabinet of his pavilion some hours together, and none of his attendants at these seasons durst interrupt him. At length, however, a favourite of his, having some important matter to tell him, came softly to the door, and, looking in, beheld the king very devoutly on his knees at prayer. Fearing to molest him in that exercise, he was about to withdraw his head, when the king espied him, and, bidding him come in, said, "Thou wonderest to see me in this posture, since I have so many thousands of subjects to pray for me; but I tell thee, that no man has more need to pray for himself than he, who, being to render an account of his actions to none but God, is for that reason more closely assaulted by the devil than all other men beside."

Henry IV, of France, uttered this prayer just before a battle in which he obtained an entire victory: "O Lord of Hosts! who canst see through the thickest veil, and closest disguise; who viewest the bottom of my heart, and the deepest designs of my enemies; who hast in thine hands, as well as before thine eyes, all the events which concern human life; if thou knowest that my reign will promote thy glory and the safety of thy people, if thou knowest that I have no other ambition in my soul but to advance the honour of thy holy name and the good of this state; favour, O great God! the justice of my arms, and reduce all the rebels to acknowledge him whom thy sacred decrees and the order of