this that supported the sufferer of Uzz, and was he not animated by the suffrage of conscience, when he wished that man might be permitted to plead his cause with God.

-He lives twice who can at once employ The present well, and e'en the past enjoy.

A regular life is the best philosophy; a pure conscience the best law.

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CONTENTMENT.

CONTENTMENT is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty, and no man has more care than he who endeavors after the most riches, which in their language is endeavoring after the most happiness.

The utmost we can hope for in this world is contentment, if we aim at any thing higher, we shall meet with nothing but grief and disappointment.

We should direct all our studies and endeavors, at making ourselves easy now and happy hereafter.

A contented mind is the greatest blessing any one can enjoy in this life, and if, in this life our happiness arise from the subduing of our desires, it will arise in the next from the gratification of them.

Is happiness your point in view?
(I mean th' intrinsic and the true,)
She nor in camps nor courts resides,
Nor in the humble cottage hides;
Yet found alike in ev'ry sphere;
Who finds content will find her there:
'Tis to no rank of life confin'd,
But dwells in every honest mind.
Be justice then your whole pursuit,
Plant virtue, and content's the fruit.

The way of virtue is the only way to feli city.

If you can but live free from want, care for no more, for the rest is but vanity.

Our pains should be to moderate our hopes and fears, to direct and regulate our passions, to bear all injuries of fortune or men, and to attain the art of contentment.

To be in a low condition, and contented, affords the mind an exquisite enjoyment of what the senses are robbed of. If therefore thou wouldst be happy, bring thy mind to thy condition.

What can he want who is already content; who lives within the limits of his circumstances, and who has said to his desires, "Thus far shall ye go and no farther." This is the end of all philosophy, and poor is the philosopher who has not gained that end.

Where dwells this peace, this freedom of the mind?

Where, but in shades remote from human

kind;

In flow'ry vales where nymphs and shepherds meet,

But never comes within the palace gate.
Far from the noisy follies of the great,
The tiresome force of ceremonious state;
Far from the thoughtless crowd who laugh
and play

And dance and sing impertinently gay,
Their short inestimable hours away.

To communicate happiness is worthy the ambition of beings superior to man; for it is the first principle of action with the author of all existence. It is God that taught it as a virtue-it is God that gives the example.

On God for all events depend,

You cannot want when God's your friend.
Weigh well your part, and do your best,
Leave to Omnipotence the rest.

To Him who form'd thee in the womb,
And guides from cradle to the tomb.
Can the fond mother slight her boy?
Can she forget her pratt'ling joy?
Say then, shall sov'reign love desert
The humble and the honest heart?
Heav'n may not grant thee all thy mind,
Yet say not thou, that Heav'n's unkind.

God is alike both good and wise,
In what he gives and what denies ;
Perhaps what goodness gives to-day,
To-morrow goodness takes away.

He that from dust of worldly tumult flies,
May boldly open his undazzled eyes

To read wise nature's book; and with delight
Survey the plants by day, the stars by night.
We need not travel seeking ways of bliss;
He that desires contentment cannot miss;
No garden walls this precious flow'r embrace,
It common grows in ev'ry desert place.

CONVERSATION.

IT is highly necessary to avoid too much familiarity in conversation. It is an old English adage, too much familiarity breeds contempt," so he that familiarizes himself, presently loses his superiority, that his serious air, and good deportment gave him, and consequently his credit. The more common human things are, the less they are esteemed; for communication discovers imperfections that prudent reserve concealed. We

must not be too familiar with superiors, hecause of danger; nor with inferiors by reason of indecency; and far less with mean people, whom ignorance renders insolent, for being

insensible of the honors done them, they presume it is their due.

In your discourse be cautious what you speak, and to whom you speak; how you speak, and when you speak; and what you speak, speak wisely, speak truly. A fool's heart is in his tongue, but a wise man's tongue is in his heart.

Plutarch advises to moderate and correct all base, unworthy, and hurtful passions, that in all our conversations we may be open hearted, and sincere, and not seek to over-reach or deceive others in any of our dealings.

Let all your conversation with men be sober and sincere; your devotion to God, dutiful and decent; let the one be hearty, and not haughty, let the other be humble, but not homely. So live with men as if God saw you, so pray to God as if men heard you.

Nothing more engages the affections of men, than an handsome address, and graceful conversation.

Our conversation should be such, that youth may therein find improvement, women modesty, the aged respect, and all men civility.

Talkativeness is usually called a feminine vice, but it is possible to go into masculine company, where it will be as hard to wedge in a word, as at a female gossiping.

Controversies for the most part, leave truth in the middle, and are factious at both ends,