The Portland gazette., 1818-12-29

For the Portland Gazette.

For the Portland Gdsette.
On promoting The semstbltuy and actsrc 6enevo-
lerlce.
1T is object of peculiar Importance, in the
education OF the young, to cultivate in their
hearts refined delicacy OF feelings; to teach
them to derive pleasure from the contemplation
of benevolent actions, and to be affected with
di sgust, at scenes of wickedness. They should
be instructed to hate vice, though dressed IN the
pride of fashion and greatness; and to love, and
reyrre virtue, though in rags, and suffering IN
wretchedness. The kinder sympathies OF our ma
ture should be assiduously cherished. They
should learn to weep with those who weep, and
rejoice with those VINO rejoice. How lovely would
be the sight OF pidOs parent carrying her tender
charge to the house of poverty and disease, and,
when the affecting scene dissolyes IN pity, the
sensibility of childhood, pleading for the suffer-
ngs, and persuading he- child to give to the sui-
ferer, what might be wasted in the purchase Of
delicacies and toys. Then she might repeat the
precepts of Christianity, and shew her little pupil
what true religion is /; or she might remind her
chid OF the instructions of her faithful minister a.
shew what use is to be made OF the lessyns which
are given from the pulpit Why is it that so ma
nv grow hard and unfeeling, but for want ofsuch
instructions as these? Many have friends which
possess the sparkling brilliancy OF the diamond,
but their hearts at the same time like the dla-
mond hard & unsusceptible OF impression. Perhaps
even such may have feelings of the most exqui-
site sensibility over the pages of a novel; but
there, alas their tears are all shed, aud they
behold, with dry eyes, the glooay scenes OF real
woe. The feelings never ought to. be excited
in vain. They were given to rouse us to action.
And they should always lead to action, if it be
possible. Thus the truths to which we attend
will always influence our life. Thus the gospel
which is preached from the pulpit will be atten-
ded with more effect, and even children viii
learn to govern their lives by the instructions Of
the sanctuary. When child has read some ai-
fecting tale, why may not parent seize the OPP
portunity to excite her offspring to pious actions.
Suppose for instance, child has read the melting
story off, Little Henry and his Bearer" might
not parent when the impression Of the story was
fresh on the mind, address her child thus: My
dear. do you not pity those who live like little
Henry. in the ignorance of the bewildered heath
en- unacquainted with Christ aud heaven (! Are
you not willing to do something to inform such
children Of God and fthe salvation OF the soul
Won't you consent to give some OF your money to
those who 20 where such children live, to help to
instruct them about happines after death! Perhaps
you may then meet some little Henry IN heaven
who was saved by the books or instruction your
money procured lim? Thus let the tender ieel-
ings OF humanity be carefully cultivated, and IN
stead ola multitude, who shed useless tears by
their fire. sides over a moving tale, we may see
many with true sympathy, going about doing
good, and by their tears OF sincere sorrow consol-
ing the afflicted and desponding and, with
liberal hand supplying their wants. These are
the persons whlth whom would love to associ-
ate. these are they with whom | would choose
to tread the path OF life and enter heaven. BY
their example | would reprore myself and by
their benevolence, would, Hpossible, kindle the
IRE of holy love in my own breast. y ith these
would wish to live, like these would desire to
die.