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Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.-xxvi. 12.

Because he has so much to unlearn, before he can learn any thing aright: and unlearning is, very often, harder than learning.

The self-confident, positive man is, not unfrequently, a' mere idler; one who hangs upon society, takes up an opinion at pleasure, and then stands to it, for no other cause than that he pleases to think so. "The sluggard is

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wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. So that self-conceit, backed by sloth, is an over-match for seven good reasons.-What an argument for humility and activity!

Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.-xxix. 8.

If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.-xxx. 32.

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

She will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

She is like the merchants' ships: she bringeth her food from afar.

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hand she planteth a vineyard.

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

She perceiveth that her merchandize is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

She maketh fine linen and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

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Prov. xxxi.

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. 10-31.

It may safely be challenged, whether there be, in any writer extant, a more beautiful picture than this, of the loveliest of all human characters.

The counterpart-a most noble and touching description of "a virtuous man"-is drawn by Job; while, in the extremity of his anguish, he simply dwells on the tenor of his own former life. (Job xxix. xxx. xxxi.)

It seems impossible that these two descriptions, of a virtuous man and a virtuous woman, should be surpassed. The more they are studied, the more will their beauty be felt; by those, at least, who study them practically.

One of the secret main-springs in this "virtuous woman" is, her Self-denial. She imposes no duty upon others, in which she does not herself bear a principal part. Without this, her influence would be slight, and remote. Το controul and govern self, to devote and resign self, are among the first steps in the art of ruling others.

It is this which gives, also, to the whole sketch, so much of what is called Nature: there is no artifice, no pretension, no colouring in the Character; all is genuine, simple fact: no desire of praise; nothing but a wish to abound in well-doing. Her works praise her : so also do her children, and her highly-favoured husband.

To "give timely orders" is a well-known maxim of family-government. This is fully exemplified in the economy of this Scripture-character.

She is in her household, however extensive it may be, the Centre of Order. The husband may, necessarily, be often absent from the house, engaged in the duties of his station; strong men retain riches: this, therefore, is his province or department. But she, "a keeper at home," is the gracious woman that retaineth honour; her own, and also the honour of her husband, children, and domestics.

In the distribution of employments, not only is the husband a priest to his own household in performing family

worship; but a pious master and mistress will see to it, that the domestics have a space every day, if practicable, for their own private devotions. This is one of the kind

est and wisest things they can do for their dependants.

The following remarks, which I have copied, appear to be of great practical value in general; and of peculiar importance to every family circle. The writer observes

"I hope I have not lived to the present time without deriving some very important lessons from observation and experience, particularly in domestic life. This is the sphere of a woman's action. It is here that full scope is given for the right use of her understanding, and for the exemplification of true religion. A very important trust is committed to her.

"Her trials will chiefly arise from those of her own household it is therefore of very great importance that a good and decisive system should be first arranged. Let it be fully impressed on the domestics, that such things, and such rules, you expect will be observed. The fewer deviations, the more their comfort, as well as that of their superiors, will be preserved. But it is from the breach of good order, the non-performance of things necessary, and expected to be done, that the trials and exercise of temper and patience chiefly arise: hence the vast importance of self-command.

"Our tempers are chiefly exercised by an opposition to self-will and the more of Self-importance there is in the character, the more frequent, and the greater in degree, will be the trial. It appears to me to be well to settle it in the mind, that daily trials may or will arise-trials known to God, which may greatly tend to promote a spirit of watchfulness and self-acquaintance: and from a proper use of them the Christian temper may become more established.

"For this end, how needful, every morning, to pray for special grace to keep me from manifesting any temper contrary to the Gospel, either by hard or unkind speeches; or by suffering trifles wholly to engross that mind which ought to be supremely fixed on heavenly things! The indulgence of evil tempers 'darkens evidences, and clouds

comforts." Most earnestly do I entreat of God a complete mastery over myself, that, as far as I am concerned, my house may be a Bethel-that servants, and all connected with me, may be constrained to admire the blessedness and efficacy of true religion. What importance will they attach to my admonitions! How much greater will their respect be for a mistress who has reason at her command, and who enforces all by a spirit of love!

"Good order and punctuality I consider as of vast importance to the right regulation of a family. This will have its foundation in early rising: without which I shall be unable to devote time to doing good, in various ways, to my indigent fellow-creatures.

"There is something very delightful in living to good purpose to have the prayers and blessings of the pious poor! "―(Memoir of Mrs. Cooper, by Dr. Adam Clarke.)

I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?-Ecclesiastes ii. 2.

A time to keep silence, and a time to speak.-iii. 7.

If a man possess what is called a talent for conversation, it will be of little value to himself or others, unless it be united with a talent for silence. As it is in free, social parties that the conversational powers are cultivated; so in the same circles a wise man learns when to refrain from speaking. La Bruyère beautifully asks, Me montrera-t-on une plus belle science, que la science de se taire à propos ? But the beauty of these social accomplishments consists in their flowing from Christian humility and kindness.

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

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