he would have carried him about in a cage for all men to gaze at. But Tamerlane having obtained the victory, gave him the punishment which he intended for Tamerlane; for he caused him to be carried about in a cage of gold, and to be fed with the crumbs that fell from his table. Sapor, King of Persia, having taken Valerianus, Emperor of Rome, made use of him as a footstool to get upon his horse. How justly then did Solon tell Croesus, that rich King of Lydia, that no one (not even kings) could be accounted happy until death. These are only a few instances out of many which might have been quoted. Now what is said of the vanity of the most dignified authority may be said of all other. The warrior may have arisen to power by his heroism and valour; the philosopher, by his genius; the statesman, by his profound ability; the philanthropist, by his benevolence; the counsellor by his oratory, or the divine by his talents-but let none envy them if they move in a higher sphere, they find difficulties which others do not, and dangers from which those are exempt who move along in the obscure valley. To whom much

:

is given, much also is required: and there must be much more exertion and labour in using ten talents than one. Learn then, reader, that happiness does not depend on power and influence. Ambition may strive to climb this eminence; but the success scarcely repays the labour of obtaining it: and, when we have arrived safe at the summit, we shall not find it all luxuriant and pleasant; some barren spots will still be discerned, and we may look down and see others beneath quite as happy as we. It is wisdom then not to set our affections on this idol of the world;" but to be content with the situations Providence has allotted us. There is a power indeed we do well to covet; and that is a power over ourselves. Many, whose authority have been great and extensive, have been awfully deficient here. Alexander conquered the world, but not himself. To subdue ourselves; to overcome our own passions; to be willing to take up the cross daily; to be submissive to divine Providence ;-this, this is the noblest work of man.

1

Reader, if, under the divine blessing, you should gain the victory over yourself, it will be

á conquest far more important to you than if whole nations lay at your feet. Seek then this moral, this internal triumph. Hard indeed it may appear to obtain; but there is a power which can enable us to acquire it on this power we must depend, or all our exertion will be in vain. "The Almighty knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust." * He has promised his grace to them that ask him. Seeing then the way is open, that he has even invited us to come, let us, in the name of his Son Jesus Christ," go boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need," +

BEAUTY.

BEAUTY, what is it? Will not the fairest form decay? will not the most blooming countenance fade? will not the most elegant figure be crumbled to dust?

Contracted indeed must

* Psalm ciii. 14.

+ Heb. iv. 16.

be their happiness, whose affection centres alone in the creature. This is a snare in which some are entangled to their destruction. Beauty too often perverts the judgment, inflames the passions, and captivates the will. Nor are they the most happy, who are the subjects of these attractions. Pride and vanity are frequently its attendants, and we know that pride and vanity are no friends to peace and tranquillity. Wherever these dwell they bring uneasiness, jealousy, envy, and torment with them. How soon, too, may beauty be sullied? He who created the dignified form, and so constructed the features, as to render the countenance fair and lovely, can as easily change it into an object of disgust; that what was before idolized, shall be avoided as offensive and unpleasant. After all, then, what is it? Is it a real good? Is it a permanent good? Shall we adore that which is transient and perishing? Rather let us recollect ourselves; let us listen to the dictates of truth, than be imposed on by our imaginations. Let us hear what the voice of Revelation says: "When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to

consume away like a moth; surely every man is vanity. Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth; thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; he fleeth as a shadow, and continueth not."* But even while it continues, what is it? especially without prudence? Soloman says, "As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman without discretion."+ Yea, he declares without any limitation, "that favour is deceitful, and beauty vain." then should we value it at so high a rate, when God accounts it of no worth? Samuel looked upon Eliab and said, "Surely the Lord's anointed is before him." But the Lord said to Samuel, "Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature, because I have refused him; for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for manlooketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh upon the heart." Let us hear the opinion of the ancients.

Why

Chrysostom said, that

* Psa. xxxix. 11.

Job xiv. 2-20.

+ Prov. xi. 22.

Ibid xxxi. 30.

1 Sam. xvi. 7.