The mirror., 1919-01-16

E6E5H action, so is he calculated
0Ilagg91H for honor and praise;
lGVy and according as his ac-
tions are good or evil, laudable or
base. so is he esteemed or despised,
applauded or abhorred. Thus we
see some men the objects of singu-
lar esteem and regard, and others
the subject of universal hatred and
displeasure. Such is the attach
ment we have implanted in our ma
lures to that which is excellent and
noble, and such the aversion to
that which is contemplate and
base. How noble then is man!
How far exalted above other parts
of the creation, which are all sub
servient to his pleasure and use.
How complicated and mysterious
that noblest work of God! He
steps forth lord of creation; angels
view and admire the beauty and
elegance of his form, while spite
full demons envy him that liberty
which they before enjoyed. Men
may be easily distinguished from
the other parts of creation by the
beauty and comeliness of their
form and make, as also by those
peculiar faculties which they alone
possess; but they, are only to be
distinguished among themselves
and from each other according to
the advantages that accrue to the
general good, from the different
improvements that make of those
valuable gifts of nature that so Wis.,
IDLY distinguish them from the
other creatures.
Happy it is that man is in some
measure acquainted with the worth
and excellence of his nature; he
deems it to be more honorable than
that of other beings around him;
which has ready tendency to put
the noble passions of the soul into
proper exercise. In consequence
of his perception of the worth and
superiority of his nature, he digni-
fies his species by acts of humanity,
generosity and benevolence, and
conceals those natural defects
which without those principles of
honor would be exposed to the
scorn and ridicule of the less hon.
orable part of mankind. 1t appears
that the Author of nature has
thought to mingle, from time to
time, few, and but a few, among
the associates of men, on whom he
is pleased to bestow a larger por-
ton of that ethereal spirit. than is
given in the ordinary course of
Providence to the generality of
men.
These engross almost the reason,
Of the species, and are happily cal
culated for men of honor, if wise
and prudent enough to cultivate
and nourish those hidden sparks of
genius in a proper manner, so ca
pable of enlightening the world.
Although they come into existence
like other men, yet after the effect
of surprise and inexperience is over
they differ from the herd of man.
kind in that they act like rational
creatures, and like those sent on
important errands. While the gen.
erality of mankind, like the idle
traveller gaze and stalk about with
out informing their own judg-.
ments, improving their abilities,
or making any discoveries. either
useful to themselves or others,
these observe with distinction and
admire with knowledge. Although
they may indulge themselves in
speculations and pleasure, yet as
their industry is not taken up in
trifes, so their amusement and re-
creation are not made the princi-
pal end and business of their lives.
Such men like the moistening dew
and temperate shower, which both
increase the beauty of the bloom
ing stock, and give life and