390

DUTIES PECULIARLY CHRISTIAN.

[Part VI.

in themselves ; deferences and concessions of slight importancein the sum of happiness and comfort, may serve to establish andmaintain ties and relative positions of the greatest consequence tothe parties, to perpetuate mutual affections and duties, and thegeneral cordiality, exemplariness, and prosperity of families. Tothis end, it is even of minor importance how far the desire, tem-per, or predilection to be complied with, may be reasonable orotherwise, provided it is not in itself wrong. In all these things,sound views of human life and intercourse require unhesitating,uncritical, gracious assent, — at times, studious and watchful an-ticipation. “ Bear ye one another’s burthens ,” says St. Paul,“ and so fulfil the law of Christ,” * where commentators inter-pret “ burthens ” to mean the errors and failings of each other.

But the positive beneficial results of small compliances , how-ever great, are not of so serious magnitude, as the mischiefswhich the neglect of them usually produces. It prevents themutual favors and endearments, which sweeten and brighten socialand domestic life ; it exasperates petty and accidental griefs anddissatisfactions into general discomfort and aversion ; it graduallyembitters and estranges those who would else be tenderly, close-ly, and profitably united. When this neglect does not occasiontotal rupture and estrangement, it renders necessary intercoursepainful in an increasing degree, and obstructs the salutary influ-ence of essential merits and obligations on one side or the other.How many, who have stood and who continue to stand in the va-rious relations to which I have adverted, feel how much theyhave lost or gained by their conduct in the point of small com-pliances. The number is considerable, indeed, of husbands,wives, children, and friends, who have thriven or failed in theirwhole lives according to their conduct in this respect, whose hap-piness, respectability, final conscience and destiny have beenthus deeply affected or entirely determined. The heaviest evilshave befallen them, which could never be repaired ; regrets andremorse have been felt, which circumstances rendered perpetualand constantly active. And the aspect of the evil becomesmuch worse, when it is the case of individuals who have thestrongest claims, from nature, religion, and general beneficence,

Gal. vi. 2.