suffer the miseries which his conduct de

serves.

How severely did the envious and unkind brethren of the innocent Joseph lament their barbarous behaviour? And though God may not at the present moment appear to inflict his vengeance on those who are petulant and ill-tempered; yet, be assured, that he notices every passionate expression : that he sees every act of malignity and spite; and that the envious, the sullen, the morose child, will not escape unpunished. He alone can be happy in this world, he alone will be blessed in a future state, who endeavours to be good-tempered. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God." Like their Almighty Father, they delight to promote happiness around them; and in their narrow sphere in the small circle of their own family, among their brothers and sisters, their relations or acquaintance, to diffuse and excite a spirit of kindness and affection.

obtain mercy.

The sweet influence, my young reader, be assured, will spread from heart to heart: others will catch a habit of compliance from

you; and your example will rouse them to a sense of emulation, and to a generous desire not to be outdone in good-nature. Let then your contest be, not who shall overcome in a dispute, but who shall first yield to the other, and set the first example of self-denial.

From the moment of your rising till you lie down again to repose, you will constantly meet with some opportunity to show your good-humour, or exercise your peevish and vexatious talents. As I have before told you, as the Scriptures continually remind you, every action is observed by God; for every word we must, at the day of judg ment, give account: remember, therefore, how important an object it is, to be kind, complying, obliging, civil; not when others are cross or peevish, "rendering them railing (that is, ill-tempered language) for railing, nor evil for evil, but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing." Which is intended to instruct you, that as you are called to the blessings of the Christian covenant, SO you should act worthy of that profession; and though such behaviour as railing, or doing evil, may be,

in some measure, excusable in those who are ignorant and uninstructed, yet that Christians who have read the Gospel, and been taught by the precepts and example of Christ, can plead no excuse for their bad behaviour; that it is a part of their engagement "to love one another :" without observing which, they cannot hope for the privileges or blessing of the new, or Christian covenant: "for hereby," says our Saviour, "shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if you have love one toward another ;" and though this was intended in a more extensive sense, to take in every one we either know or hear of, yet surely it is in a peculiar manner needful towards those with whom we live; and, therefore, whose happiness is so much more nearly concerned in our good or bad behaviour.

Take care, then, my young friend, how you suffer yourself to be fretful and discontented; and because you have the power to be ill-natured, because you can teaze others with impunity, therefore think you have a right so to do. Be assured, that every act, however trifling, which is designed to provoke you companions, will be the cause of

great unhappiness to yourself. While, ou the contrary, every exertion of kindness, civility, and good-humour, will afford you such inward satisfaction, in the approbation of an approving conscience, as will be found one of the highest enjoyments which this world can bestow.

SUNDAY VI.

ON ENVY.

THERE is nothing more opposite to brotherly love than the indulgence of a disposition to envy. Where this evil passion once takes possession of the mind, it destroys the benevolent influence of good. nature, and renders those who indulge it a torment to others, and a misery to themselves.

Envy arises from a consciousness of wanting either that genius, or those talents, which are the possession of another. Instead of exciting us to imitate what we think is agreeable, it inclines us to depre. ciate or undervalue their goodness or ac..

complishments. But beware, my young rea der, how you give the least indulgence to this hateful disposition; examine your own heart impartially, lest it should steal upon you undiscovered.

When you hear any of your relations or companions praised for their improvements, if you feel a dislike to the subject, are unwilling to join in their commendation, be assured, that it proceeds from envy: or, if you try to discover their failings, with a view to mention them the next time you hear them admired; if you find a desire to say, "To be sure, they are good in this instance; but in that they are worse than myself: in some particulars they excel, but in others they are very defective ;" if this be what you are inclined to say or to think, recollect that these are the suggestions of envy such feelings are the beginning of temptation and resolve to be more generous for the future. Remember, that if the merit of others gives you pain, it is because you are inferior to them; and instead of being displeased at their goodness, resolve to become like them.

If, for instance, your companion be com