Life and Literature Part 118

1630

Relaxation above produces remissness below. (In authority.)

--_Chinese._

1631

A religion that costs nothing, does nothing.

1632

They who doubt the blessings of religion because they find no Christian who is perfect, might as well deny the existence of the sun because it is not always noonday.

--_Marchioness de Spadara._

1633

Religion is good for nothing one day in the week, unless it is also good for all the seven days.

1634

Religion is the knowledge of the most excellent truths; the contemplation of the most glorious objects, and the hope of the most ravis.h.i.+ng pleasures, and the practice of such duties as are most servicable to our happiness, our peace, our health, our honor, our prosperity, and our eternal welfare. Virtue needs no outward pomp; her very countenance is so full of majesty, that the proudest pay her respect, and the profanest are awed by her presence.

1635

It is rare to see a rich man religious; for religion preaches restraint, and riches prompt to unlicensed freedom.

--_Feltham._

1636

Religion lies more in the walk than in the talk.

1637

Religion presents few difficulties to the humble, Many to the proud, Insuperable ones to the vain.

1638

Religion, if in heavenly truths attired, Needs only to be seen to be admired.

1639

REPENTANCE.

I will to-morrow, that I will, I will be sure to do it; To-morrow comes, to-morrow goes, And still thou art to do it.

Thus still repentance is deferred, From one day to another: Until the day of death is come, And judgment is the other.

--_Drexelius._

1640

'Tis not, to cry G.o.d mercy, or to sit And droop, or to confess that thou hast fail'd: 'Tis to bewail the sins thou didst commit; And not commit those sins thou hast bewail'd, He that bewails and not forsakes them too; Confesses rather what he means to do.

--_Quarles._

1641

_Profanity Gently Reproved._--It is related that the excellent John Wesley, having to travel some distance in a stagecoach, was thereby brought into the company of an intelligent and gentlemanly officer of the British army. The officer was very social with his traveling companions; but the enjoyment, which his society would otherwise have afforded to those with him, was sadly lessened by the profane expressions he used.

While stopping at a station, Mr. Wesley called the officer to one side, and, after expressing the satisfaction he had enjoyed in his company, told him he felt encouraged to ask of him a very great favor. "I shall take great pleasure in obliging you," replied the officer, "as I am certain you would not make an unreasonable request."--"Then," said Mr.

Wesley, "as we are to travel together for some days, I beg that if I should so far forget myself as to use any profane language, you will kindly reprove me." The officer immediately perceived how faithfully and how delicately his own conduct stood reproved, and, smiling, said, "No one but Mr. Wesley could administer reproof in such manner."

--_Anonymous._

1642

After I have named the man, I need say no more.

1643

PERFECT RESIGNATION.

It is reported of a person who, being ill, was asked whether she was willing to live or die; she answered--"Which G.o.d pleases." "But," said one, "if G.o.d should refer it to you, which would you choose?" "Truly,"

replied she, "I would at once refer it to Him again."

--_W. Secker._

1644

REST.

Some seek bread--no more--life's mere subsistence, And some seek wealth and ease--the common quest; And some seek fame that hovers in the distance; But all are seeking rest.