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able ends of "a good conversation." The inspired injunction taken as our rule, shields us from these evils: "Be not desirous of vain glory:-envying one another, provoking one another." Conversation on a self-exalting principle, which tends to obscure the excellence of others, by provoking them, draws on ourselves the most painful mortification.

There is not any part of conversation which requires greater caution than ANECDOTE.

A strict regard to truth and prudence will shield us from the injurious effects of emulating the droll, which produces a laugh at the expense of character and usefulness, by adding, diminishing, or colouring. Of such a character a sensible man conveyed the following censure;-"He is a very lively companion; but he is such a liar, one cannot believe a word he speaks." Yet a censure much more awful was passed on a minister of the gospel by one of his best hearers, who remarked, that, " in relating what he had heard, he was so accustomed to violate truth, that he was tempted to doubt even the truth of God, when he heard it from his lips!"

An anecdote should be seasonable, not forced; related with simplicity, without adding or diminishing; calculated to enliven, without inspiring levity; and to confirm or illustrate the truth of God, and enforce the obligations of man. "The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright."

If we wish others to "learn of us," we must imitate him who was "meek and lowly in heart." Edification must be our design; and by choosing a subject of general interest, by which we may instruct the ignorant, comfort the sorrowful, stimulate the indolent, establish the wavering, encourage the fearful, warn the unruly, and add fervour to the zealous Christian.

We shall facilitate our design by paying a respectful, patient, and lively attention to the remarks of others, and by a modest introduction of our answers to them. While kindly submitting our strongest reasons to them, after being " swift to hear and slow to speak," we may induce them to draw the conclusion. A more confident tone in us might induce them to demur. At least, we shall feel the satisfaction resulting from a "conversation becoming the gospel," in its truth and purity-the grace it displays, and the obligations it enforces. Nor should we, in mixed society, hazard a mere display of argument in defence of what we deem an error, lest we should lay a snare for our own souls, and the souls of others. By such presumptuous trifling with truth, I knew a minister who gradually reasoned himself out of "the faith," which he once delivered to the saints, and afterwards led his congregation into factious disputation, error, and division. When the clear perceptions of the mind, the warm feelings of the heart, and the words of the mouth, harmonize in the conversation of a good man, he will exhibit the truth, and his

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belief of the truth, in the spirit and aim of an inspired writer," I believed; and therefore have I spoken."

Since "God hath made man's mouth" to be the instrument or kindling, expressing, and improving, the natural, social, and sacred affections of the heart; we may pray, "Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise!" And address our own soul in the spirit and language of the psalmist," Awake up my glory,"-awake up my soul,-awake up my tongue. Never should we allow ourselves to trifle with " the words which the Holy Ghost teacheth," in witty or unkind applications, merely to afford diversion, or inflict a wound; nor hazard a sentence which may obscure its truth, enervate its evidence, or impede its progress; rather we should endeavour freely to communicate divine truth in wise counsel, tender sympathy, seasonable consolation, and faithful admonition. Thus promoting devout and benevolent affections, we shall instrumentally "administer grace unto the hearers."

We should-seasonably adapt our conversation to our company: "A word in season, how good it is!" This was amicably illustrated by the conversation of him "who spake as never man spake." He awakened the thoughtless, instructed the ignorant, humbled the conceited, encouraged the timid, consoled the distressed, directed and animated the sincere inquirer, and " spoke a word in season to him that was weary." Although he silenced the captious, he never raised an objection merely to display his own knowledge, or perplex a hearer, but exhibited an admirable union of "the meekness of wisdom, faithful decision, and holy simplicity. Every word he uttered discountenanced error, reproved sin, encouraged the miserable in seeking relief, and enforced compliance with obligations to faith and holiness.

We should speak under the influence of suitable motives to an edifying conversation.

First, our conversation reveals much of our characters; for, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh: a GOOD MAN, out of a GOOD TREASURE, bringeth forth GOOD THINGS; and an evil man, out of the evil treasure of his heart, bringeth forth evil things." And when evil men attempt to disguise their real characters, by speaking things good in themselves," their speech betrays them." There is something in the spirit or manner of speaking, which does not harmonize with the truths they deliver; for "excellent speech becometh not a fool."

How important is the gift of speech! Its various and wonderful powers illustrate and confirm the awful responsibility of man, to whom this talent is committed; for, " Life and death are in the power of the tongue." In one man it is "an unruly evil; full of deadly poison:" in another, it is " an instrument of righteousness," promoting the health of the body, the purity of the soul, and the

happiness of society. In one, it wounds the peace, defames the character, and disturbs the order and harmony of individuals, families, churches, and nations. In another, it heals the wounded spirit, defends the injured, unites those at variance, and advances the personal, domestic, and social interests and comfort.

In one man it blasphemes God, degrades the Saviour, perverts truth, propagates error, and strengthens criminal passions. In another, it glorifies God, extends the Redeemer's kingdom, promotes the salvation of man, and the glory of God.

Our usefulness is another motive to edifying conversation. When "the tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright," he becomes an extensive blessing to society. "The tongue of the just is as choice silver," to enrich others. "The lips of the righteous feed many; and the mouth of a righteous man is as a well of life;" to those especially who are" hungering and thirsting after righteousness."

To the "broken heart, the tongue of the wise is healing." Thus by" administering grace unto the hearers," we augment the pleasures of benevolence in our own souls, and approve ourselves the humble imitators of him, of whom it was said," Grace is poured into thy lips."

I do not wonder that infidels are numerous, when the fear and love of God are so weak in good mer, as to be more anxious to appear as gentlemen, or politicians, than believers in revealed truth. If a minister of the gospel meets those who do not believe the gospel, in a coach, in a reading room, or at the table of a friend, and accommodates his conversation to the taste of worldly company, they will think him a polite man: but perceive no difference of sentiment, of disposition, of conversation or aim. It is an easy duty to convey a sense of God, of Providence, or of some pertinent portion of the sacred scriptures. This may be done as a question, in a respectful manner, so to avoid the appearance of vain singularity. The satisfaction of having "confessed Christ before men;"--of having imitated him, who always improved opportunities of usefulness; and requires us to "let our light shine before men," and frequently affords his blessing, when we are "ready to every good word," will be an ample reward.

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Edifying conversation is accompanied by its own reward; by improving our talents, enlarging our understandings, and refreshing our hearts." He that watereth shall be watered himself." "There is that scattereth and yet increaseth."

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While "the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness," in unjust censures, sceptical objections, lewd jests, and vain-jangling, They that fear the Lord, think on his name," and speak the truth in love,' will enjoy the contrast of their own characters, under a sense of the divine approbation. "A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth." God, who hearkens and hears, directs the hopes of his people to that day when "the book of remembrance shall be

opened," to justify their faith by their words and works. The influence of the truths we believe, and the anticipation of receiving the divine approbation before an assembled world, like the live coal, &c., will touch and cleanse and warm our lips, to render “our conversation such as becometh saints;" and although such conversation may expose us to the charge of enthusiasm, cant, and hypocrisy, from persons who practically say, "Our tongues are our own, who is Lord over us?" Yet we believe that "every idle word these men speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment;" when the Judge and Saviour will address the subjects of their reproach, with inconceivable condescension and grace, as “his jewels."

A desire to advance the honour of the Redeemer, should govern our conversation. He originally "made man's mouth," and im pressed on it the characters of his goodness, wisdom and truth; and when grace renews the heart of a sinner, his tongue again becomes an "instrument of righteousness, ready to every good word," to express, to kindle and to improve the affections of the heart. By "sound speech,"" seasoned with grace," he "maketh manifest à savour of the knowledge of Christ," in his doctrines and promises, precepts and examples.

Let us thus endeavour " to do good and to communicate," encouraged by the divine promises; "Them that honour me I will honour; and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God."

No. XXXII.

NATIONAL SINS.

MANY of our men of wealth, office and rank, approve of the laws of God and man for the middle and lower ranks of society. They recommend them to live "soberly, righteously and godly;" while they "fare sumptuously every day," in intemperance, gaming, swearing and adulterous intercourse, without a blush. The law of fashion, the law of honor, the law of expediency, and the law of lust, have a share in the foundation of their characters and the regulation of their lives. And where is there a faithful Joshua, to search for the "Akan," who troubles our British" Israel?" To bring the lot" on the guilty families or individuals? Where is the "Nathan," to bring home the charge,-" Thou art the man!" Where--the faithful preachers to declare," There is no peace, saith my God unto the wicked," whether in the court, the senate, the nation or the church." "Measuring themselves by themselves," while administering to each

other the venom of flattery,-hurried on by the tumult of criminal passions,-diverted, engrossed, absorbed in a succession of pursuits of interest, power, worldly honor, and sensual gratifications,—they are "restless as the troubled sea, which cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt;" conscious of their superiority in means of self-indulgence, and to the vulgar censures passed on them, they seem to cherish the emulation of being "damned among human grandeurs and guilty pleasures," even on the sabbath day.

The intemperance which prevails among men of wealth, is a fruitful" root of bitterness." The man, who, as Wilson in his anecdotes records, was tempted under the power of his passions to whoredom, murder, or drunkenness, yielded to the last, and then committed the other two crimes. For, as divine truth expresses it," whoredom and wine, take away the head." They darken the judgment, stupify the conscience, and enslave the affections. They "take away the heart from God,-from his word,-from the obligations of duty. Hence the injunction, "It is not for kings to drink strong drink, lest they drink and forget the law," the word of God, and pervert the judgment of the afflicted." Let our great men encourage the evangelical ministers in the churches,-supplant the drones by similar characters, countenance a regular attendance at church by their own examples,-fill up the Lord's day with its duties and privileges in their families, and practically "call the sabbath a delight." And after filling the present places of worship build more, and place in the pulpits wise, holy, faithful and diligent ministers of the gospel; and thus," shewing their faith by their works, prove their own faith by their works," and put infidelity to the blush.

No. XXXIII.

ORIGINAL SIN.

GOD made man perfect in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. The fall of man has destroyed the image of God, and now presents a world of ignorance, impurity and injustice. This depravity pervades every rank and condition of society; for, in Adam, "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

After Adam had sinned, he had children in his own likeness; not in the likeness of GOD: and in the likeness of Adam as a fallen creature, we are born. This native depravity of children, soon becomes visible in its effects in pride, self-will, falsehood and bad passions. The testimony of the sacred Scriptures, fully confirms this fact. "Childhood and youth are vanity." As soon as we are born, we go astray, speaking lies. "Who can bring a clean thing out of an

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