what his motive may be), must not expect God's blessing on his work. "He sows the storm, and he must reap the whirlwind."

6TH REASON. Whatever good may arise from an unlawful act in the overruling providence of God, yet it can never balance the evil. The good is at least uncertain, the evil is actually committed.

7TH REASON-It is a great encouragement to the wicked to continue in their evil ways, and a temptation to others to follow their example: All can see the evil, but few will discern the motive. The sinful example is open and palpable, but the secret object buried out of sight.

8TH REASON. It is contrary to the law of God, and "cannot come of good."

9TH REASON. It is trusting to worldly cunning, might, and power, rather than to Him "who disposeth all things."

SIMILES.-It is like the old Roman custom of taking boys to scenes of debauchery and drunkenness, in order to make them avoid the same: The contagion of evil examples is far too virulent to render such a plan justifiable.

He who uses acids to make his teeth white, will soon destroy the enamel, and produce decay.

A man who commits forgery for a charitable object, does infinitely more harm than good.

The poets say, Prometheus stole fire from heaven in order to make man immortal; but he brought everlasting punishment on himself, and inundated the world with sorrow, sickness, and death.

If the stream be brackish, the fountain is salt also; but if the fountain be pure, the stream will not be otherwise.

They who play with fire in order to warm their fingers, must not be surprised if they burn them.

Those who take stimulants to excite an appetite greatly injure their digestion.

Cosmetics to improve the complexion are deleterious, both to the skin and to general health.

HISTORICAL ILLUSTRATIONS.—Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit that "they might be as gods;" they gained the "knowledge of good and evil" thereby, it is true, but entailed with it a curse on all their posterity.

When the Spaniards conquered America, and set the native population to work at the mines, the amount of suffering endured was most deplorable; death carried off thousands, disease and premature old age invaded others, the whole colony was dying on all sides, worn out with fatigue and misfortune. In this extremity, Las Casas proposed to the Spanish government to transplant African captives, in order to assist the colony in their labours, and supply the place of the sick or dead. Though Cardinal Ximenes opposed the measure, it was carried by a great majority, and from this apparently laudable and benevolent suggestion, the traffic in man's blood began, and still remains in America, the badge of infamy.

Robin Hood became a robber in order to relieve the poor from the oppressions of the Norman barons, but the noble outlaw committed "most mischievous foul sin in chiding sin;" for he taught thousands to be thieves for the sake of plunder, and raised up a gang of desperadoes which became a terror to the land.

The various persecutions both of ancient and modern times have been set on foot, with a view of purging out heresy, and leaving truth without "any mixture of error;" but the blood of the saints and martyrs shall be a swift witness against this unrighteous proceeding "on the great day of accounts."

The whole folly of papal deception rose from the mistaken principle of "doing evil that good may come."

Aaron made a calf of gold in Horeb, in order to pacify the people, who were clamorous about Moses, who had been absent from the camp for forty days and forty nights. Had he not done so, they would have revolted and killed

him: but neither man nor God justifies this act, which brought a severe punishment upon Aaron and all the children of Israel who induced him to it.

When Jehu was anointed king over Israel, he compassed the death of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his kinsfolks, priests, and nobles, and all the worshippers of Baal, in order to purify the land from idolatry, and out of "zeal for the Lord God of Israel:" But although Jehu was a scourge in the hand of God to execute vengeance," yet his conduct is never justified, and God raised up an avenger to " avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and cause it to cease in Israel."-2 Kings, x. 11. 25. and Hos. i. 4.

Almost all wars, all rebellions, all revolutions, all national aggressions, and very many private sins, such as lying, dissimulation, deceit, &c., are palliated with "the flattering unction" that they have a righteous object, although the means employed may be objectionable.

QUOTATIONS.-Abstain from all appearance of evil.— 1 Thess. v. 22.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding; In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths: Be not wise in thine own eyes, but depart from evil; It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.-Prov. iii. 5–9.

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Which justify the wicked for reward. . . . As the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff; so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust.—Isa. v. 20–24.

Some men flatter themselves that, by what sinister means soever their fortune be procured, they are determined to use it well when obtained: But let such men know, that this recompensing of evil with good, though it

may be approved after the action, yet is justly condemned in the design.-Lord Bacon.

By their fruits ye shall know them.—Matt, vii. 20.

Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God, but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.-3 John, 11.

Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean ?— Job, xiv. 4.

Bassanio.
Portia.

To do a great right, do a little wrong.
It must not be !.

"T will be recorded for a precedent,

....

And many an error by the same example
Will rush into the state. It cannot be !

Shakspeare.

Let mankind rest upon the corner-stone of Divinity and Philosophy, both which nearly agree in the thing that ought first to be sought; For Divinity says, Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all other things shall be added unto you;" and Philosophy directs us to seek first the goods of the mind, and the rest will be not much wanted." -Lord Bacon.

Present justice is in our power, but of future issues we have no security.-Lord Bacon.

Good intentions can never justify evil actions.-Maunder's proverbs.

One bad example spoils the best precepts.-Maunder's proverbs.

Bad manners are bad morals.-Paley.

Neque est ulla fraus vitæ lucrosa.—Plautus.

Exitus non acta probat.- Ovid.

In eadem re utilitas et turpitudo esse non potest.-Cic. Damnum appellandum est cum mala fama lucrum.

Exemplo plus quam, ratione vivimus.-Seneca.

Ut sementem feceris, ita metes.- Cicero.

CONCLUSION.

THEME LXXVII. Study to mind your own Business.

INTRODUCTION.

1ST REASON.

PART I.

It will be more profitable. A man gets no profit by interfering with his neighbours, even if his suggestions are adopted and succeed.

2ND REASON. It will be more satisfactory to the mind. The consciousness of having done one's duty is always agreeable, and that of having neglected it always distressing.

3RD REASON.-By attending to your own business, and not gadding after the affairs of others, your mind will be more staid, and your habits of life more domestic, sober, and modest.

4TH REASON. You will avoid much mischief-making. Those who pry into abuses, in order to reform them, bring to light many forgotten evils, open old grievances, hinder business, and are a constant annoyance.

5TH REASON. Those who are diligent at their own work win for themselves respect and a growing reputation; but those who leave their own business to interfere with that of others are always disliked and disrespected.

6TH REASON. If you do not mind your own business, who is to mind it? It must be neglected, as “every body's business" always is.

7TH REASON.-Mind your own business, for such is the will of God.

SIMILES. -A horse may carry one rider safely, but stumble with two.

A rolling stone will gather no moss.

Your own shoe will not pinch you like that of another man's.

If a bird would hatch her eggs she must not wander from her nest.