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"which she had made" for the poor. How natural a circumstance; and how eloquent! He felt it; "kneeled down and prayed, and turning him to "the body said," with a voice of power, "Tabitha, "arise;" working a miracle to restore a life so useful. From this amiable person's being denominated in the history a Disciple, I would only remark, that in those days a Christian was known and characterised by real excellence: whereas every thing now is a christian, not excepting her who never, but when forced, went into the house of mourning; never knew the joy of giving purely for the love of God, without expecting any thing again; let me add, never denied herself one trapping of vanity to clothe the naked, nor one indulgence of luxury to feed the hungry. Alas! my poor friend, what wilt thou say for thyself at the tribunal of Jesus? I leave with thee that question: answer it to thy conscience, as in the presence of thy judge. You have read the process which he will observe, nor can you have forgot it.

On these points it were easy to enlarge at great length, and with exact method. I am willing however to hope that, by the grace of God, a few hints thus thrown out with plainness and affection, may suffice to every mind that is open to the sentiments of humanity; but especially to every heart that is impressed with the principles of religion. It is these principles, iny honoured hearers, that serve beyond every thing else to enlarge and inspire those sentiments. It is the love of God, the faith of Jesus, and the hope of immortality, that chiefly expand affection, and animate zeal. The divine character is the sovereign standard of benevolence, the christian institution its brightest display, and a happy futurity its highest reward. Can you worship

the Universal Father, and not feel for his family? Can you believe in the Common Saviour, and not live to those for whom he died? Can you contemplate yonder world of friendship, and not anticipate its joys, and not cherish an ambition that your works of charity may praise you in the gates of heaven?

SERMON XIII.

ON FEMALE MEEKNESS.

1 PET. iii. 3, 4.

Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel: but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a Meek and Quiet Spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

THE apostle of the Circumcision, like him of the Gentiles, seems to have been no stranger to female nature, or to what becomes it. Both were sufficiently aware, that ornament was a favourite object with women; and both were too well acquainted with the arts of persuasion, to think of combating the general idea. It was their business to make the best use of such a handle. Accordingly their converts of that sex might continue to study embellishment as much as ever; only those inspired teachers wished them to direct it right, by turning their chief care to that which was of greatest value and longest duration, namely, "the hidden man of "the heart." The doctrine of St. Paul on this point we have examined very fully. That of St. Peter, now read, we propose for the ground-work of our concluding discourse, with a view to complete the plan which we have prosecuted thus far. We have reserved it for this place, as believing, that Meekness, cultivated on christian principles, is the proper consummation, and highest finishing,

of female excellence. The subject being so important, may we not hope to be still honoured with your attention?

I begin with observing, that the virtue in question has its foundation in the softer composition of the sex. That there is a sex in minds was hinted before. This original distinction has never, I think, been better understood than by our great epic poet. As in his admired work of Paradise Lost he has with equal judgment and delicacy marked, throughout, the separate characters of the First Pair; so, in two lines, he has happily expressed the principal objects of their respective destina

tions :

"For contemplation He, and valour form'd;

"For softness She, and sweet attractive grace."

The virtue of meekness, it is true, our religion requires of all without exception. Moses is celebrated for it in an eminent degree; and our Saviour characterizes himself by the epithets of Meek and Lowly. The disposition, in general, may be considered as Charity's first-born, appearing in all the mildest attitudes of forbearance, gentleness, and peace. But still in men, it may be often found connected with the greatest boldness, and most undaunted magnanimity. Much for the honour of true courage, it has been observed, that the bravest minds are commonly the most humane, generous, and forgiving. These several qualities are beautifully blended in many parts of the history of that man of God just now mentioned. Nor can you have forgotten the calm heroism of our divine deliverer, together with that dignity of goodness which

dwelt about him, in circumstances of the deepest humiliation and sorrow.

As for you, my fair pupils, we no doubt wish you to possess such fortitude as implies resolution, wherever your virtue, duty, or reputation, is concerned. But along with that we expect to find, on other subjects, a timidity peculiar to your sex; and also a degree of complacence, yieldingness, and sweetness, beyond what we look for in men. Nei ther do we, so far as I know, ever rank amongst feminine qualities, valour, strictly so called. A woman heading an army, rushing into the thickest of the foe, spreading slaughter and death around her, or returning from the field of battle covered with dust and blood, would surely to a civilized nature suggest shocking ideas.

Your best emblem, beloved, is the smiling form of peace, robed in white, and bearing a branch of olive. Like the apostles and first christians, your highest glory is to conquer by benignity, and triumph by patience. Roughness, and even ferociousness, in a man, we often overlook, and are sometimes diverted with. In a woman, we are always hurt by them. A loud voice, a bold gesture, a daring countenance, every mark of bravery, shall please in the former, when his courage is particularly called forth: but in a female we wish nothing to reign but love and tenderness; and where they do reign, they will produce very different

effects.

No, my friends, you were not made for scenes of danger and opposition. I repeat it again; fearfulness to a certain degree becomes you; not that cowardice, which many of you show, and some of you affect, on every trifling occasion, and frequently without any occasion at all. Such behaviour is