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cies, which borrow its name, are little better than ropes of fand, that have neither confiftency, reality, nor beauty.

Let us next compare them in point of Delight. And here we will fuppofe a fmall felect fociety of intelligent, goodnatured, and well-disposed youth, among whom the stiffness of ceremony, the sharpnefs of raillery, and the venom of envy, were wholly excluded; who, drawn together by the confpiring impulse of kindred difpofitions, feized every opportunity of meeting at a distance from noife and nonfenfe, to enjoy undisturbed" the feast of

the

reafon, and the flow of foul." We will fuppofe, that this happy fociety underftood how to blend reflection upon fublimest themes with the fprightliness of candid wit, and all the agreeable colouring of fancy; that with confidence and fafety they unbofomed themselves on whatever was moft interefting to each; that they often confulted on projects of

private improvement, public usefulness, and virtuous fame; that they spoke their opinions on every head with modest freedom, and liftened to one another with respectful attention; that they frequently diverfified and enlivened converfation with that fort of reading in which entertainment is the vehicle of inftruction; in a word, that without apprehension, and without ftudy, they gave fcope to the fineft effufions of the mind, and of the heart. And now imagine that you behold this chofen band in thofe paffages where they appear moft vifibly affected by the communications of Friendship. An honest rapture glows in their countenances: every eye beams with benevolence and fentiment: every bofom catches from the reft additional ardour on the best subjects; and all prefent receive and give a felicity which is multiplied by the collifion and rebound of ideas, and which, as the focial spirit rifes and still rifes, is kindled into a flame of facred enthusiasm, that runs with re

fiftless energy through the whole amiable circle Amiable indeed, and bleffed, if any thing on earth can deserve such epithets! Would it not refemble in part what we have been taught to believe of Heaven? Would not the angelic Spirits who are sent forth from that world by the common Parent," to minister to the

heirs of falvation," be almost induced to fufpend for a while their higher harmonies, in the pleafing contemplation of their mortal brethren, thus emulating fome of their employments; and when they witneffed, though invifible, a scene of so much happiness, would not their friendly natures experience new acceffions of tranfport, and at laft difpofe them, by a kind of divine fympathy, to burst into louder and yet louder tones of praise ?— Say not that the fcene we paint is impoffible, because it is rare. So are all the more exalted forms of Humanity in a degenerate age. Think not that the little ring of Friends, we have figured, would VOL. II.

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affect a refinement above the reach of men. What is there of innocent diverfion, or convivial joy, which they might not, on every proper occafion, mix with their nobler intercourses? Would mirth and feftivity have the worse relish for being corrected by temperance, and seasoned with wisdom? When fuch companions parted to business or retirement, with what fincere fatisfaction would they review the hours they had paffed together; and when they recollected the undiffembled approbation by which they had encouraged each other to excel, how sweetly would the expreffions of it be repeated by the echoings of confcience! With what augmented vigour and alacrity would they advance to the remaining conflicts of virtue, while their ears, fo to fpeak, refounded with the gratulations and triumphal fhouts of their confederates and fellow-foldiers!

When I think of this, I cannot help imagining to myself, however imperfectly, the holy exultation that must have fwelled

the foul of a Nathaniel, of a Lazarus, of a John, every time they reflected on the teftimonies of complacence and affec tion, with which they were privileged by the great Model of Friendship.

That Friendship is not authorized by Christianity, has been alledged without foundation. Though not directly enjoined in our Saviour's difcourfes, it is yet powerfully enforced by his example. Who has not heard of the Difciple whom "Jefus loved," honouring him in his life with diftinguished tokens of esteem, and at his death with a mark of confidence that could only proceed from particular attachment; I mean in committing to the filial protection of that difciple, Father than any of the reft, his helpless and forrowful mother, whom, in the true fpirit of the pureft Friendship, he thus left him as the most precious legacy he could beftow.

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