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18. Generosity.

1. Always be generous and candid; never intrude upon any one willingly; show pity and consideration when you see any one in trouble; be helpful and kind, as your circumstances and opportunity admit.

2. Fair dealing, generosity and candor, possess powerful charms; they beget universal favor, and seem, though silently, to hand out an apology for almost every failing.

19. Forgiveness.

1. "Of him who hopes to be forgiven it is indispensably required that he forgive." The words of our Savior on this subject are these, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew, vi. 14 & 15.

2. Perhaps there are none so perfect, but that they sometimes err, and need the forgiveness of God, and their fellow beings. Reconciliation and love, between brethren and sisters, parents and friends, are what unite soul to soul; these, with condescension, are the richest treasures of Heaven.

3. Grudges and hard feelings may be truly said to be the weapons of war, wherewith souls wound each other. How, then, is it possible for a soul to forgive you, while you hold a grudge (or spear,) to keep him from approaching your spirit? If he should attempt to draw

near to you while you are thus armed with sword and spear, (or grudges and hard feelings,) to keep him at bay, he must do it at the risk of his life of happiness and character. He who will not forgive, is a tyrant of the basest kind, and unfit for society. Of reconciliation, Christ says, Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar; first, be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Matt., v. 23 & 24.

20. Speaking of Yourself.

1. Be particularly careful not to speak of yourself, if you can help it. An impudent person intrudes himself abruptly on all occasions, and is ever the hero of his own story. The less you say of yourself, the more the world will give you credit for; and the more you say of yourself, the less they will believe you.

2. Whatever perfections you may have, be assured people will find them out; but whether they do or not, nobody will take them on your own word.

MANUAL OF GOOD MANNERS.

21. Civility.

1. "The first principle of this good breeding is, never to say any thing that you think can be disagreeable to others in company; but, on the contrary, you should endeaver to say what will be agreeable to them; and that in an easy and natural manner, without seeming to study for compliments."

2. "There is, likewise, such a thing as a civil look, E*

and a rude look; and you should look civil as well as be so; for if, while you are saying a civil thing, you look gruff and surly, nobody will be obliged to you for a civility that seemed to come so unwillingly."

3. "If you have occasion to contradict any one, or to set him right for a mistake, it would be very brutal to say "that is not so," "I know better," "you are out;” but you should say with a civil look, "I believe you mistake," or, "If I may take the liberty to dispute you, I believe it is so and so."

4. "For, though you may know a thing better than other people, it is very shocking to tell them so, directly, without something to soften it; but remember, particularly, that whatever you may say or do, with ever so civil an intention, a great deal consists in the manner, and the look, which should be easy and respectful."

MANUAL OF GOOD MANNERS.

22. Of Gross Evils.

1. Swearing, taking God's name in vain on any occasion, that is, to use it in common conversational language, in a light, jeering manner; lying, stealing, disobedience to parents and teachers; breaking the Sabbath, or playing on the Lord's day, cheating, and such like, are sins too gross and wicked to need comment; suffice it to say, they are among the worst of sins, and those who commit such crimes, are basely wicked, and subjects fit only for hell.

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The following lessons were extracted from a little book written nearly four hundred years ago, by a German by the name of THOMAS HAMERLEIN; who wrote said book, at the age of sixty years.

1. Every man naturally desires to increase in knowledge; but what doth knowledge profit without the fear of the Lord? Better is the humble peasant that serveth God, than the proud philosopher, who, destitute of the knowledge of himself, can describe the course of the planets.

2. He that truly knows himself, becomes vile in his own eyes, and has no delight in the praise of men.

3. If I knew all that the world contains, and had not charity, what would it avail me in the sight of God, who will judge me according to my deeds?

4. The soul is not satisfied with the multitude of words; but a holy life is a continual feast, and a pure conscience the foundation of a firm and immovable confidence in God.

5. Be not exalted for any uncommon skill in any art or science; but let the superior knowledge that is given thee, make thee more fearful, and more watchful over thyself.

6. If thou supposest that thou knowest many things, and hast perfect understanding of them, consider how many more things there are, which thou knowest not

at all; and instead of being exalted with a high opinion of thy great knowledge, be rather abased by a humble sense of thy much greater ignorance.

7. And why dost thou prefer thyself to another, since thou mayest find many who are more learned than thou art, and better instructed in the will of God?

8. A humble knowledge of thyself, is a more certain way of leading thee to God, than the most profound investigation of science. Science, however, or a proper knowledge of the things that belong to the present life, is so far from being blamable, considered in itself, that it is good, and ordained of God; but purity of conscience, and holiness of life, must ever be preferred before it and because men are more solicitous to learn much than to live well, they fall into error and receive little or no benefit from their studies.

9. But if the same diligence was exerted to eradicate vice, and implant virtue, as is applied to the discussion of unprofitable questions, and the vain strife of words, so much daring wickedness would not be found among the common ranks of men, nor so much licentiousness disgrace those who are eminent for knowledge.

10. He is truly good, who hath great charity; he is truly great, who is little in his own estimation; he is truly wise, who counts all earthly things but as dross, that he may win Christ; and he is truly learned, who hath learned to abandon his own will, and do the will of God.

11. To learn how to mortify thy evil passions, is a matter of infinitely more importance than the solution of all the abstruse questions that ever perplexed men's minds, and divided their opinions.

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