The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-11-28

rene in himself, and respectable to his
associates. Nay, the truths he embrac-
es exall his feelings the hopes on
which he lives ennoble his proceedings /;
the regularity of his sahbaths gives a
tone to his general behaviour; the hab-
it of prayer raises his sensation, con-
firms his principles, animates his very
features. That blank vacuity of coun-
tenance, which disigures many frivol-
Gus unsettled mind, cannot be found
among those who keep eternity in view.
That base, disgusting, frightful physi-
ognomy, which vice stamps upon her vo-
taries, can have no place where relig-
ion purges every feeling, guides the con-
duct far away from corrupt indulgences,
and brings into steady action every vir-
tue which can adorn the man, eve
ry grace which marks the Christian.
Deeply important as are good habits. SO
deeply important is religion, whose hab-
its are all good, all friendly to the mind,
all powerfully influential on the con-
duct
Even the connexions which naturally
belong to the pious character are of
great consideration here. If man is
known by his company, it is because our
associates form Us to their own resem-
blance. To associate with the honour
able and excellent, is the way 10 become
excellent and honorable ourselves.
N othing debases more effectually than
bad company nothing is so well cal
culated TO fix the wavering character,
and to exalt the determined, as the con-
slant sight of what is amiable, the daily
emulation of what is great and good.
A man is saved by such company from
many temptation which does not
there obtain. He feels the Importance
Of character to his familiar intercourse
with them, and this compels him to
great circumspection IN his behaviour
when absent from them. He learns by
daily practice to take pleasure even in
self-denials, which yield to him self-sat-
isfaction. And the pleasures to which
he is SO accustomed, being of an intel
lectual nature, of gentle kind, of
pure tendency-he himself rises under
their benign influence, becomes more
what man should be, assimilates with
the excellent company he keeps, and
becomes prepared for society still pur-
er, more honorable, more exalted, in
the world above. He shines while in
our lower atmosphere with CORES
ponding brilliancy; ranks with the ex-
cellent of the earth, and reaps from re-
ligion those incalcuiable advantages,
which repay him well for any sacrifices
he may have made, and obloquy he may
have endured for while, from the igno-
rant, the inconsiderate, and the corrupt.
The simple fact, that religion is the
intercourse which the soul maintains
with God, will render it probable that
it must have beneficial influence on
the feelings. the principles, the conduct
of the pious. How we'll informed is
that mind, which studies his pure pre-
cepts, and does so because they pro-
coed from Him. How well regulated is
that conscience which regards his appro-
baton above all rewards, and fears his
dlspleasure more than any sufferings.
How firm are those principles which
are built on anerring wisdom. How Sc
rene is that mind which takes shelter
under infinite power. How truly hum
bic is he who compares. himself, not
with falGble men, but with the absolute
perfection of Deity. How elevated his
aims, who strives 10 attain similar excel
lence, who gains some approach there
to by every struggle. How widely will
his bene6cence spread, who contem-
plates the ocean vastness of Divine
bounty. How ready bis compassion,
his forgiveness, who, conscious that to
himself much is forgiven, desires to
spread his sense of Divine mercy by
bright imitation
From the Literary Gazette-l