concessions: if you are yourself injured, you should, if possible, anticipate concessions by ready forgiveness. In such circumstances, the true hero is not the vanquisher of others, but of himself.

Never was a more moving scene of fraternal reconciliation, than in the history of Joseph. The text presents Joseph weeping in the midst of his brethren. What a groupe for the hand of a painter! But in so beautiful a symmetry of affections, what point should we fix upon as the most exquisite? "I am Joseph-Doth my father yet live? And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his neck— moreover he kissed all his brethren and wept upon them." Shame and remorse might withhold from their eyes the same gush of tenderness; but none of them could, for some time, find utterance for words.

If you would keep alive the delicate plant of brotherly affection, let it be observed, even

where no resentment shall induce the violent rupture of it; still the most cordial kindness is liable, from various causes, to decline and to wax cold. It is at once imprudent and ungenerous-while, with forward zeal, we cherish the good opinion and the good will of strangers-to neglect the duties we owe to those to whom we are most intimately bound, from a confident presumption of their unalterable constancy. The mode in which Nature works in first calling forth the cordialities of friends and relatives, is by the progressive laws and power of habit; and habit is the result of repeated acts and recollected sentiments. Whatever interrupts that train of acts and sentiments of which the endearing ties of friendship are composed, threatens their dissolution. But let not brothers and friends indulge in mutual complaints: let each rather be solicitous, with disinterested alacrity, to fulfil his own part in the intercourse of kindness. If thy brother be remiss, be thou, not the less, but the more, intent upon supporting that fabric

of love, in which both may find ultimately, the most lasting benefit; the sweetest solace, amidst the mingled joys and cares of life. "Behold how good and how pleasant it is, for brethren to dwell together in unity: it is like the precious and fragrant oil poured on the head of Aaron; as the dew of Hermon, and that which descendeth on the mountains of Zion, where the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."

SERMON X.

THE DUTY OF MASTERS AND SERVANTS.

EPHESIANS VI. 5-9. Servants, be obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eye service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will, doing service, as to the Lord and not to men; knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And ye, Masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening, knowing that your master also is in Heaven, neither is there respect of persons with him.

AMONGST the divine characters of our holy Religion, is its universality. As the vital

stream, impelled by the motion of the heart, carries nutriment through every branching artery to the extremities of the human frame, so does the Christian doctrine convey instruction, that comes home, with minute and appropriate accuracy, to the most distant varieties of the community of mankind. It addresses, with equal authority, young and old, high and low, rich and poor, master and servant; it enforces upon the consciences of men, in all conditions, whatever is peculiarly incumbent upon each; and, by inclining superiors to condescending mildness, equals to mutual good will, and inferiors to submission and fidelity-so far as its influence extends over the minds of men-maintains the harmony of the world. In the passage just recited, with what strength and propriety has the apostle delineated the respective duties of masters and servants! And how conducive were it to the peace, the ornament and the happiness of society, were these excellent rules but tolerably observed by those whom they immediately concern.