167 Saviour has given us upon this subject, must surely be deemed worthy of serious attention by those who profess to believe in him. With the form of words in which he instructed us to pray, we are all familiar; but perhaps that very circumstance may sometimes prevent their making a due impression upon the mind. Let us examine this divine composition, and we shall be sensible that every petition it contains is in such perfect unison with all he taught, that it may be considered as an epitome of his doctrines; calculated to impress them upon our hearts, and to call us to a perpetual remembrance of the spirit which they inculcated. When we contemplate the works of God, and behold such astonishing proofs of power and greatness, we are apt to shrink in dismay on recollecting our own comparative insignificance, significance, and to say with the Psalmist, "Lord, what is man, that "thou art mindful of him; or the "son of man, that thou visitest " him!" By our Saviour we are taught to look to the Eternal Governor of the universe with other sensations than those of doubt or terror; encouraged to address ourselves to him, not as to a sovereign removed from us by the awful state of inapproachable majesty, but as a father; an appellation so endearing, so connected with the ideas of love and confidence, as to speak peace to the trembling heart, and tranquillize the timid soul. In addressing him as Our Father, we are reminded of our fraternal connection with the whole human race. We are reminded that our situation in society makes no difference in his sight, but that "as a father pityeth his "children, so God pityeth all who love him." Experience assures us how necessary it is to have such reflections often forced upon us, in order to check those passions, which the too great value we place upon the things of this world has a perpetual tendency to enflame. Those who are doomed to eat the bitter bread of dependance, or to drink of the cold cup of poverty, find it difficult to look with a benevolent eye on the possessors of wealth. They feel indignant at the pride which they deem inseparable from riches, without reflecting that it is from pride their indignation springs.* The *As an illustration of this truth, many apt quotations might be given from the works of the sages of antiquity and the moralists of The consciousness of mental our own times. VOL. II. I superiority The distinctions of society are not only essential in a political, but necessary in a moral point of view, as means of exercising and proving our virtue. Whatever tendency they may have superiority especially makes it difficult to bear with patience the proud man's contumely," nor is it possible to forbear sympathising in the feelings that are thus excited. Who can peruse the indignant effusions of the Scottish peasant Burns, without giving way for the moment to a sense of injustice? How deeply must he have felt when he thus expressed himself! Blow, blow, ye winds, with heavier gust! Not all your rage, as now united, shews Vengeful malice, unrepenting, Than heaven-illumin'd man on brother man be. stows! Even in the peaceful rural vale, Truth, weeping, tells the mournful tale, How have to inspire the feelings of selfishness or malevolence, and that they have such tendency cannot be dis puted, the spirit of devotion provides a remedy for the evil. Inspired by it, the owner of the rich domain, and the rustic hind who labours it, meet with feelings of mutual benig nity before the throne of grace, and look up with equal trust and confidence to that Heavenly Father, to whose parental care they are alike indebted; on whose parental bounty they alike depend. Raising their hearts to Hea How pamper'd Luxury, Flatt'ry by her side, (The parasite empoisoning her ear,) With all the servile wretches in the rear, Looks o'er proud property, extended wide, And eyes the simple rustic hind A creature of another kind; Some coarser substance, unrefined, Placed for her lordly use thus far, thus vile below! I 2 ven, |