The Wilmingtonian., 1823-09-25
PIOUS MEDITATION.

PIOUS MEDITATION.
"Ye have heard" says Christie his dis
ciples, "Ihou shalt love thy neighbour,
and hate thine enemy; but say unto you,
love your enemies bless them that. curse
YOU, do good to them that hate you, and
pray for them which despitefully use you,
and persecute YOU" This was lessonl
SO new, and so utterly unknown, till taught
by his doctrines, and enforced by his ex-I
ample, that the wisest moralists of the wi
sest nations anll ages represented the de-
sire of revenge as mark OF noble mind,
and the accomplishing of it, as one oil
the chief felicties attendant on foriu-
nate man. But how much more magnan-
inous, how much more beneficial to man
kind, is forgiveness 1t is more magnani-
nous, because every generous and exalted
disposition of the human mind is reqni-
site to the practice OF il. For these alone
can enable us to bear the wrongs and IN
suits of wickedness and folly, with pa
tience, and to look down on the perpetra-
tors of them with pity, rather than lndlg-
nation; these alone can teach US, that such
are but a Part of those suiierinss allotted
TO Us in this state Of probation, and to
know, that to overcome evil with good, is
the most glorious of all victories. IT is
The most beneficial, because this amlable
conduct alone can putan end to an eternal
Succession of injuries and retaliatons
:. for every retaliation becomes new injury
and requires aaother act of revenge to
satisfaction. But would We observe TIM
salutary precept, to love our enemies, ami
TO do good to those who despiteiui'y us'
us. this obstinate benevolence would a
last conquer the most inycterate heart
and we should have no means to forgive
How much more exalted character
therefore, is christian martyr, sufern
with resignation and praying for the gull
". than that Of Pagan hero, breathln
revenge, and destroying the innocent
"Charity sufiereth long and is kind
charity envieth not; charity vaunteth ne
itself; is not pulled up; doth not be!.as
itself unseemingly; seeketh not her own;
not easily provoked; thinketh no evil RI
joiceth not in iniquity, but reioiceth
truth; feareth all things bclieYeth a
things hopeth all things ehdureth a
things" Here we have an accurate del
nation Of this bright constellation o. a
virtues, which consists not, as many I'M
.. CINE, in the building of monasteries, e.
dowment Of hospitals, or the distribute
Of aims, but in such an amiable dispos
tion Of mind, as exercises itself every ho'
in acts OF kindness, patience, complace
cy, and benevoence to all around US; ar
which alone is able to promote happine
in the present life, or render US capab
of receiving it in another. And yet III
is totally new, and SO it is declared to
Inv the author Of 1t: A new comman
ment give unto you, that you love .
another: as / have loved you, that ye 10
another: By this shall men know that
are my disciples, if ye have love one
another" This benevolent disposition
made the great Characteristic OF a chr
tian, the test Of his obedience, and
mark by which he is to be distinguish
This love for each other, is that char
lust now described, and contains all th'
qualities which are there attributed to
humility, patience, meekness, and hen
cenoe; without which we must live mn
petuaI discord, and consequently can
pav obedience 70 this commandment
loving one another; a commandment
sublime, SO rational. and SO beneficial,
wisely calculated to correct the deprav
diminish the wickedness. and abate
miseries of human nature, that, did
universally comply with it, we she
/. soon be relieved from all the inquletu