PIETY DIGNIFIES.

recognize in every man

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a friend and brother,"

and God as the common Father of all.

Not more truly does the polished mirror reflect the object presented before it, than will the conduct of the sincere Christian reflect back the image which the Holy Spirit imprints on the heart. There, like the unruffled lake upon which the sun has just dawned, "the sun of righteousness arises with healing in his wings," diffusing beams of light that awaken up many latent emotions, feelings and desires, and a thirst after holiness utterly unknown before. How entire the change from what was lifeless to vitality and beauty! impress of divinity is the seal and witness of a relationship to God; and just as we delight to trace the features of the father in those of the child, do we find the characteristics of a renewed man in all that are "born of the Spirit."

This

Apart from the consideration that our relationship with heaven necessarily gives a dignity to our characters, there is a majesty and power in moral excellence, that is potent everywhere. It lends a splendour to that which is already dignified, and "raises up the beggar to set him with princes, even among the princes of God's people;" investing him with a title to an inheritance, incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away." Without destroying any conventional distinctions,

it gives an equality to all as rational and responsible agents. In poverty or affluence, youth or age, whether rude or learned, or whatever be our circumstances, it is "an ornament of grace to the neck" that becomes attractive and influential, and others see in all that we do a semblance of the meekness, charity, and benevolence of the Saviour's character.

In the wilds of India, Henry Martyn's amiable deportment, piety, and earnest endeavours to do good, tended to soften the natural ferocity of the savages into gentleness, inspiring them first with hospitality, and afterwards with love to things which are heavenly in their character and tendency. Yet abstract truths, though poured fresh from a mind richly imbued with intellectual grace, fell powerless on the hearts of his auditors; while the grand theme which kindled up his best affections-mercy to man through Christ Jesus-was irresistible. In this they felt a sympathy with the missionary, and their obdurate hearts began to melt into tenderness and love, for it was evident that he spoke as one who had "felt, and tasted, and handled" the soul-inspiring truths which gushed from his lips in "thoughts that breathed, and words that burned."

It matters little what a man teaches, or whether he exhorts as with an angel's tongue; if

THE INFLUENCE OF PIETY.

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the precepts and example are not in agreement, the themes will fall idly upon the minds of his hearers; while true piety, in whatever way developed, is productive of lasting good. Even when not united with mental graces, how it kindles into genial warmth hearts which were frozen with sin and error; while in cases where piety has been added to learning, such has been its commanding influence, that titles and rank, the pompous pretensions of official power, as well as the most erudite attainments of minds unrenewed by divine grace, have yielded to its supremacy.

Without arrogating any merit for the individuals, History, sacred and profane, affords ample proof of the correctness of these observations. Often, when most crushed by the malice and power of man, religion has risen to a loftier standard, in the suffering and persecuted Christian; and the accused and the accuser have for a time exchanged their position. Before the uncompromising integrity of goodness, and the sternness of truth, haughty monarchs have trembled, cruel oppressors betrayed fears, and vice has retired crest-fallen. Such was the case when Luther stood before the Diet of Worms, and advocated the fundamental doctrine of justification by faith alone, in opposition to the execrable papal indulgences, which were sold in places of public resort.

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THE MAJESTY OF GOODNESS.

The martyrs, in their confessions, and while life was slowly consuming away under every species of refined cruelty that ingenuity and malice could invent, evinced this hallowed supremacy, and yielded up their lives rather than their consciences and religion, to the caprice of men who hated goodness, because it reproved their vices, and fixed a foul stigma on their sinful conduct. This was seen when Paul reasoned before Felix, "of righteousness, temperance, and a judgement to come;" and was still more prominently manifest when the innocent Saviour stood as a condemned culprit in the courts of Jerusalem. Here was

majesty and grace, unruffled by adversity or circumstances of peril. As the ancients long coveted to see, truth was embodied in the person of Christ. It flowed copiously from his lips, as waters gush from an inexhaustible fountain, so that his enemies confessed, 66 never man spake as this man." Yea, in each of the cases to which we have referred, there was a magnanimity and heroism united with moral beauty, such as the world has never found amongst its votaries. They put into the shade all the pretended greatness of intellect and courage of past ages, and far eclipse the bravery of the warrior in his proudest victories, even though associated with the forgiveness of those who had sought his dethronement and vassalage. And, if

the contemplation of great deeds tends to ennoble the mind, then, of all examples, those of superior piety should be made the most prominent when we endeavour to inculcate a lofty spirit in early life.

Undoubtedly, their irreproachable lives and inflexible adherence to right principles, commanded much attention to the truths which were advocated. Goodness here asserted its rightful claims, and rose above every other excellence in their characters, being manifestly true greatness, just as charity is the greater of the three Christian graces. It reflected back a heavenly splendour on the cause which these individuals advocated, that has not died out even to this day. Here goodness was truly

"Most adorned, when unadorned the most." Oft has it been reiterated, that vice is the parent of cowardice; and we may with equal truth affirm, that confidence and serenity of mind are the offspring of virtue. Men may trample on innocence, but conscious integrity of heart will generally bear up the persecuted under the worst of cruelties. Religion girds up the mind to its proper standard; giving an elasticity to its powers, and bringing strength equal to the day. It invests its possessors with a courageous demeanour, and teaches them patiently to suffer wrong, and even martyrdom,