or who murmur at the inevitable disappointments of this world, we should find, that such ingratitude proceeds from "men of corrupt minds, destitute "of the truth, supposing that gain is "godliness." Happiness is generally allowed to be more equally distributed, than on a first view of the world we are apt to imagine. The man of wealth, with the power to command all the blessings of life, is sometimes " poor "in spirit," living only to increase his riches; denying even to himself every lawful comfort; illiberal in sentiment, and uncharitable in practice. The ambitious part of mankind are so often hurried on by the love of gain, or worldly honors, that they can neither feel the power of Godliness, nor enjoy that contentment of mind which is independent of any untoward circumstance. In every instance where Godliness is not the promoter of contentment, regret

for the past, and anticipation of evil for the future, generally embitter the present moments of existence.

In the day of juvenile expectation, the charm of novelty may for a time realize every glowing picture of felicity; but even then worldly enjoyment, from being too highly estimated, ends in satiety; the tumult of the senses, having proved only a transient substitute for contentment. Nor religion, nor virtue, have regulated the passions, and the meridian of life too quickly approaches, unaccompanied by the blessing of an approving conscience: this world having been the object of worship, and the name of God and his doctrine yet blasphemed with impunity. If moments of reflection should then intrude, there may be little power or inclination to sanctify them to the welfare of the soul. The tyranny of habit in some, the deceitfulness of riches in others, and the

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inquietude of a discontented mind in all; bind still faster the chain of worldly slavery, and every gain but that of Godliness appears to be the pursuit of human existence. When the evil days come, and age and infirmity are not to be solaced by the remembrance of a holy and religious life, can there be a more pitiable object in existence, than a man without any religious or intellectual resource from the sad vacuum of a discontented mind? from the remembrance of vice and impiety, without the power of repentance! Warned by the natural decay of the body, by the. failure of strength, of health, of spirits, and of all that made life desirable; yet afraid to look beyond the grave, however convinced that its victory draweth near. Inestimable were even then the gain of Godliness to such a mind, "having indeed erred from the faith,"

and being pierced through "with many 66 sorrows."

Besides the decisively wicked, whose minds are harrassed by sin and impiety, there are many in the world who have never experienced that contentment which is to be gained by Godliness. Surrounded by the gifts of the Almighty, they are perhaps lamenting the deprivation of some too dearly cherished, but dangerous blessing, which had weaned their thoughts from God, and rendered this life the summit of their

hopes and wishes. There are others

without one reasonable cause of complaint, who draw misery from the visionary evils which they themselves have created. The fancied slight of a friend, the rumored prosperity of an enemy, or the yet more trifling occurrences of domestic life, spread the gloom of discontent over every scene of rational and chearful enjoyment, and if

not timely aroused by the pressure of real calamity, they exist the self-created victims of an unsocial and gloomy mind. That man, the heir of immortality, should encourage ideas so unconsonant to religion, can only proceed from not having duly considered the extent of its doctrine, and the purity of its precepts. How trifling would appear every little discord of life! how unimportant the imaginary causes of a discontented mind! when scenes of real distress had awakened the godly feelings of compassion! when power and inclination were united to soothe the sorrows of the afflicted!

But how many there are, blessed with the gifts of fortune, who have never estimated the exertions of the humble and industrious: entered the abode of poverty, heard the orphans cry for bread, or watched in any scene of suf fering bumanity! they may have shed