words, so full of hope and fear, "Thou art not far from the kingdom of heaven." But his enterprises began to be unusually successful, and his anxieties were turned into a new channel. Tried on a wider scale, his plans proved in a corresponding degree more lucrative, and proportionably greater force was infused into the worldly tendencies of his heart. At length he had left his former sphere; he had unconsciously wandered into a new orbit. Outwardly his position might be where it formerly was. The same pew in the sanctuary witnessed, at least once on the Lord's day, the same decorous recognition of Christian ordinances, the same liberality was exhibited in contributing to the sustenance of evangelical efforts, all the conventional marks by which a Christian man is distinguished from others were duly found among the externals of his life; yet he was essentially another man. The springs of religious sensibility were quite dried up; his very conscience was secularized. "Of the earth, earthy," might be seen written on the rubbish-pyramid of his ambition, and the final issue, kept from its complete fulfilment by a few remaining years, might be expressed in one word,-LOST, to God and to himself.

Nothing can equal in subtlety the first encroachments of a worldly spirit. It assumes the most attractive disguise. Is not diligence in business enforced upon us by a Divine command? Is not negligence in providing for the temporal welfare of our families placed among

the practical denials of the Christian faith? Are not the institutions of trade and commerce of Divine appointment? Is not the successful manufacturer or merchant a benefactor to mankind? Such are the specious arguments by which the first overtures of the world are sustained, but they are soon laid aside. Sin, when in comparative abeyance, will consent to knock at the door of the heart; to play the Jesuit and the cringer by turns, in order to get admittance; but, once inside, it will not consent to remain there a moment except on the footing of its own sovereignty. Any course deliberately entered upon and persevered in for a lengthened period, though at first it was at variance with our convictions, and forced us to battle with one-half our moral nature, will at length conciliate the affections, master the will, and enthrone itself in the midst of its conquests, like the strong man armed "keeping his goods in peace." No evil spirit is more bland in its professions, more promising in its appearance, or more imperious in its rule, than that of worldliness; nor is there a more impregnable position within the temporal precincts of the abyss of ruin than that which is occupied by the worldly man. The persecutor, the debauchee, the idolater, may be made a disciple of Christ more easily than he. "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man (one who loves riches supremely) to enter into the kingdom of God."

Since wealth is prone to foster misconception

respecting the character and deserts of others, it has also a tendency to affect injuriously our conduct towards them. This tendency, we need not repeat, is far from being necessary; it is not inseparable from wealth; the richest man may be the brightest exemplar of social virtue; but it is at least a tendency which is as incident to an inferior position in life. Amongst the most conspicuous manifestations of this tendency are pride and arrogance; the inward sentiment of superiority, nursed into insolent rigour, dwelt in, gloated on by selfesteem; and the outward expression of that sentiment through the medium of our words and actions. The proud man loves to isolate himself from others, as though he were cast in a more exquisite fashion, or made of more costly materials. He never looks at his fellowcreatures except through a set of lenses, the sole product of his own misled imagination, which diminishes them to the size of pigmies, and turns himself into a sort of Jupiter amongst mortals. Every word and gesture is expressive of contempt, or of a condescension which is still more repulsive. Pride is often found mixed up with feelings of a meaner kind; a subservient ambition, which sedulously courts notice of all who occupy a higher station, and makes every advance the occasion of disowning every species of intercourse with those beneath. How melancholy and ignoble does such a spirit render life! All the honest and generous friendships which bloom to-day, withered to

morrow by the merciless wand of wealth. Those whose countenance was once coveted as an honour, severed at once from our very memories because we grasp a few more lumps of gold, or the smiles of human favour beam upon us with softer benignancy. Ah! wealth is a curse indeed if it make the heart thus unfaithful and dishonest!-if it subordinate our attachment to the wise and excellent to worldly consequence and fame !—if it tempt us to sacrifice upon a heap of gold dust such imperishable jewels as love, honour, constancy, and gratitude!

It is difficult to say whether, in describing the characteristic qualities of pride and arrogance, we should brand them as foolish or pernicious. In a very high degree they are both. That must be pernicious which separates man from man, steels the heart against all sympathy, and makes an immortal being the victim of the most puerile hopes and fears. That must be foolish which provokes ridicule, is its own tormentor, and justifies itself by the very arguments which pronounce its censure. Pride is a blind passion-the precursor of destruction to individuals and states; it is the soul of faction and the spring of discontent; it inflicts incalculable evils on all who fall beneath its power, and, by silently relaxing the social ties, tends to precipitate society into ruin. As cherished by one man towards another it is absurd. Since every good gift comes from God, they who have the costliest gifts are the greatest debtors, and ought to discharge their

obligations to the common Parent by treating more kindly those of his offspring whom he has favoured in a less eminent degree. Besides, all men possess in germ the same illustrious faculties. Over all the Eternal bends in infinite pity; for all the Saviour died; all are invited to the honour of being kings and priests unto God, and reigning with him for ever.

There is another sin which is scarcely less despicable and pernicious than pride; we refer to one which is by no means confined to circles of wealth, though it is there most mischievous in its results. The vanity of display is not monopolized, alas! by any section of the community. How many sacrifice their health and run into debt to "keep up an appearance!" How many among the poorer classes neglect real wants to supply fancied ones! But when the same weakness rules a person of extensive resources, a severe blow is inflicted upon the community. His wealth is part of the national stock; he is morally one of a body of trustees, comprising a few thousands, upon whom the employment and well-being of the entire population depend. On public grounds he ought to devote the smallest possible portion of his income to mere luxury, that he may have the more to invest in remunerative enterprise, and the more to give in works of charity and mercy. Economy need not be parsimonious, nor prudence beggarly. The fine arts and costly species of manufacture depend upon the patronage of men of wealth, and patronage