Chap. II]

CHRISTIAN CHARITY.

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upon duty, gratitude, and voluntary service. Small irritations inthe bodily frame fester and grow, by frequent attrition or neglect,into mortal distempers. So it is in the order and economy ofdomestic and social life. We must watch the beginnings , andnot despise the trifles, of human life and intercourse. It will notsuffice to say, that, because these are small duties, they may besafely neglected by a Christian. A Christian is to fulfil the “ lawof Christ ” by the performance of all duties, small as well as great.And no duty, however small, can be considered without its im-portance, which materially contributes to the happiness of indi-viduals and families, and to the peace and harmony of society.

6. An eminently patient, calm, peaceable, conciliating, for-bearing, unassuming temper and conduct form an essential partof the great duty of Christian charity. St. Paul says, “ Charityis not easily provoked, vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up ; butbeareth all things, endureth all things.” To live amidst the con-flicts of opinion, interest, and principle which prevail around us,and preserve a temper at all times calm and unclouded, is a taskas difficult, as it is necessary to adorn the doctrine of that Saviour,whose perfections are the object of our admiration, as his exam-ple is of our imitation. Provocations will sometimes inevitablyarise in our intercourse with others, by which our patience, mod-eration, and forbearance will be put to a severe proof. Theyare, perhaps, inseparable from our present imperfect state, andmay be believed to be designed by a wise Providence, to maketrial of the spirit that reigns within us, and as a part of that sys-tem of discipline by which we are to be made wise unto salvation.

No one of our passions is more impatient of restraint, moreviolent in its impulses, more unhappy in its consequences, and,therefore, more destructive of that charity which is the crowningglory of the Christian profession, than anger. When retainedand willingly cherished in our breasts, it becomes resentment; and,if still continued and harboured as a guest, it gradually comes toassume the still more dreadful forms of settled hatred, malice, andrevenge. Well may we habitually pray for deliverance “fromenvy, hatred, and malice, and all uncharitableness.” Unhappy,indeed, will our case be, if we cherish these formidable inmatesin our breasts. In compassion to our infirmities, God has not