SOCIAL RELATIONS OF LIFE.

WE have now gone over all the varieties of a day, and have endeavoured to show in what manner these may be spent so as to enable man, amidst all changes, to sustain the character of a Living Temple. We have not, however, particularly noticed, that, during all the engagements into which these varieties of his day may summon him, man still acts in the view of his fellow-men,—and with relation to their feelings and conduct. This view of his condition, however, is one which cannot be overlooked in the delineation of a good life ;-for there is no other circumstance of his lot that gives occasion to a greater variety of duties,—while, at the same time, those relations in which he stands to others, are so distinct and interesting, as to afford

an opportunity for a display of his obligations, of which all minds may feel the application.

This, then, leads us to the grand duty of Christian charity in all its branches;—for love to man is the principle which the Divine Teacher has chiefly endeavoured to inculcate,—and under which he considers all the other parts of human duty, in so far at least as the connexion of men with each other is concerned, as capable of being arranged. "Love," says the Apostle, "worketh no ill to his neighbour;' therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."

And it is with deep insight into the nature and relations of men, that this truly-divine principle 'has been raised to this pre-eminent rank;-for the connexion of men with each other, as inhabitants of the same world, and governed by the same hopes and fears, the same laws,-and the same interests, -is of the most touching and instructive kind when properly viewed;—and there can be no question, that what is chiefly wanted for the perfection of our condition, considered as beings who have to act along with others in a great variety of most interesting relations, is the universal prevalence of that kindliness and good-will to man, which it is the great object of the Author of Christianity to incul

cate, and by the pre-eminence of which, in his doctrine, his system of duty is peculiarly distinguished from that of all the other institutions that have aimed at the improvement of the human race.

There are then, fortunately, certain relations in which men stand to each other, some more and others less comprehensive,-which are pointed out by Nature herself, and which offer themselves to our view on the most superficial consideration of the place which man holds in life. We cannot, then, do better, with the view of illustrating this subject, than avail ourselves of these distinctions as pointed out to us by Nature;—and the adoption of this mode of examination will at once maintain the living unity of our subject, and save us from that minuteness and particularity of detail which has so commonly prevailed in similar treatises,-but which have rather seemed to take all interest from the subject, than to place it in that intelligible and pleasing form in which it is desirable that it should be exhibited.

These relations are the following:-First, that of man as the member of a domestic circle or family, which is the fundamental relation of human life ;secondly, as a friend or intimate of some other indi

viduals whom he has chosen as his particular associates ;-thirdly, as a member of a neighbourhood; -fourthly, as a being surrounded by others who are exposed to suffering and distress of many various kinds;-fifthly, as a person exposed to the enmity of others;—next, as a member of a public community;—and, lastly, as one of the universal family of the human race.

There is obviously nothing forced in the selection of these topics, for they are derived from distributions made by Nature herself;-and the rules which they suggest are such as can be made available by every man in the ordinary intercourse of life.

FIRST, THE FAMILY RELATION.

It will at once occur, as the great principle applicable to this view of our condition, that the man who conducts himself in the manner most suited to his situation, is the person who has all the natural feelings of his heart in the kindliest and most vigorous operation,-and who manifests their existence in the most pleasing and effective manner.

It is, in short, love,-natural and human love in

its purest and most fundamental form,-that is here chiefly wanted;—and thus the value of the great principle of Christian charity presents itself to our notice on the very first aspect of the social condition of man,—and as the chief requisite for the perfection of that relation which is destined to prepare him for all the others in which, with respect to his fellowmen, he can be placed.

And Nature herself has signified the value which she has attached to the cultivation of this principle, in the daily intercourse of domestic life, by having made the feelings which bind parents and children, brothers and sisters,-relations of every degree, and all indeed who dwell with us in the same house, and who participate in our most private interests, the most vigorous,—and tender,— and pleasant to be indulged,—and, it may be added, the last to be eradicated from the human heart, of all those which form the supremely beautiful mechanism of the human constitution.

There are, indeed, other passions in the human heart which occasionally seize it with more overwhelming force ;-but there are none whose existence is so incorporated with the very elements of our being,-which maintain their influence with so