FORMATION AND DEVELOPEMENT OF CHARACTER. 99

in their results, effect a radical change in the course of events by which they were preceded, or those less striking, because more common incidents, which are daily and hourly transpiring, and which affect the lives, the health, the fortunes, and the happiness of mankind, it is certain that each of these events, as it occurs, marks an epoch of greater or less importance in the developement of our moral being. The uses of adversity, and the ministration of sorrow, of pain, of crosses, and of disappointment, are manifold and salutary. The ravages of death, in all its various forms, nipping the opening blossom of infant existence, striking down the youth in his prime, and the man in his maturity, sundering the dearest ties of life, or gathering into its granary of mortality the aged "like shocks of corn fully ripe,"—whenever and wherever the bolts of the great destroyer are sped around us," must give us pause" in our onward progress, and recall us to salutary reflections, and a sober review of the various problems of our mysterious being. In the temporary abstraction from the busy avocations, of time and sense which events like these induce,-brooding over the ruptured and bleeding tendrils of affection, of hope, and of anticipation,-while in beautiful accordance with those organic laws of the mental as well as of the physical constitution which the Creator has benevolently adjusted to the requirements of our nature, the wounds of the heart have time to cicatrize, and its sundered ligaments to readjust themselves, a renovating process is accomplished in the character and the life. We feel that "a change has come o'er the spirit of our dream," that we are not, in all respects, what we were; and when we go forth again to mingle with the busy current of humanity, it is with a chastened appreciation of its true value, and an increased conviction of "what shadows we are, and what shadows we pursue.'

"One adequate support
For the calamities of mortal life

Exists -one only-an assured belief
That the procession of our fate, howe'er
Sad or disturbed, is ordered by a Being
Of infinite benevolence and power,
Whose everlasting purposes embrace

All accidents, converting them to good."

15. To conclude: the noblest attainment in the process of that enlightened discipline of the intellectual and moral faculties, which constitutes character, is undoubtedly to be found in the abiding and pervading influence of that catholic spirit of active benevolence, comprehensive charity, and imperturbable equanimity, which, recognizing in every individual of the human family, however low or degraded, the ineffaceable stamp of a common brotherhood, knows how to make due allowance for the infinite diversity of circumstances and condition, and, in the habitual and cheerful discharge of every individual, social, and moral duty, calmly reposes in the undoubting assurance of an everpresent Providence. To a mind so disciplined, the manifold voices of nature are attuned to a harmony refined, elevating, grateful, and accordant with every faculty.

"Not a breeze

Flies o'er the meadow-not a cloud imbibes
The setting sun's effulgence-not a strain
From all the tenants of the warbling shade
Ascends, but whence his bosom can partake
Fresh pleasure unreproved."

The vivid enjoyment of an existence invigorated by the free exercise of its own buoyant energies, enlightened and directed by progressive knowledge, undisturbed by the tumults of passion, and finding its appropriate and genial aliment in the cultivation and developement of its higher nature, and of all the virtues and graces of humanity, while it constitutes and secures our highest happiness, fulfils the objects and

purposes of that being which was conferred upon us by our Creator.

16. It is a beautiful provision of our nature, fraught alike with intimations of its immortality, its native grandeur, and upward tendency, that visions of greater excellence than any we can realize in our every-day life; aspirations for a higher and a nobler sphere of action than we find attainable within the confined limits which encompass us on every hand; and a faint appreciation of ideal beauty and sublimity, which yet, with our limited faculties, we cannot hope, except in imagination, to comprehend or to realize, often hover around us in our better moments, and seem, as with the whisperings of angels' voices, to bring us the intelligence and the foretaste of a brighter and purer world. There are depths in the mind of every intelligent human being to which the shafts of philosophy have never yet penetrated; wells of living water, whose sources lie concealed far beneath the visible surface of character or emotion, which nevertheless are accessible to him who faithfully explores the deep mysteries of his being, and which, when touched by the magic wand of truth and nature, can cause "the wilderness and the solitary places" of passion, of error, and of guilt, to "bud and blossom as the rose. "There is a one heart for the whole mighty mass of humanity, and every pulse in each particular vessel strives to beat in concert with it." That millions of the race pass through the world in ignorance of the capabilities of their nature, of its innumerable chords of harmony, and its myriad sources of enjoyment,—and that millions, perhaps, in all coming time, will overlook the flowers of happiness scattered in bounteous profusion around their daily path, in the vain pursuit of unattainable and imaginary sweets,-militates in no respect against the truth of this sentiment; and, while the reflection that this is, and will be, the wayward fortune

of humanity, should induce deep humility in view of the errors, frailties, and weaknesses of our common nature, the expanding circle of light, increasing by little and little with every revolution of the wheels of time, may hopefully be deemed the harbinger of a brighter and better day. "The Eden of human nature has indeed long been trampled down and desolated, and storms waste it continually nevertheless the soil is still rich with the germs of its pristine beauty; the colors of Paradise are sleeping in the clods; and a little favor, a little protection, and a little culture, shall show what once was there!"

CHAPTER VI.

INCONSISTENCY OF CHARACTER.

1. THE beautiful fiction pervading the ancient oriental mythology, which recognized the existence and alternate influence of two opposite powers, the one of good and the other of evil, faithfully imbodies the result of human wisdom, unenlightened by inspiration, in its attempts to comprehend the physical and moral government of the universe. The harmony and beauty which every where prevail in the material world, and the wonderful and mysterious adaptation of the innu. merable works of creation, above, around, and beneath us, to the purposes they were designed to subserve, manifest, to the most ordinary intellect, a comprehensive benevolence, an omnipotent wisdom, and an allpervading presence. In proportion as the powers and faculties of the mind expanded to a more enlarged apprehension of those principles, the conviction of an infinite and boundless beneficence would become more and more irresistible; and if, at times, the incomprehensible combination of the elements assumed a fearful and appalling shape, spreading devastation and terror around, and frightening the astonished nations from their propriety, the controlling influence which restrained the wildest fury of the storm, the earthquake, or the tornado, and prescribed its limits, is recognized as a spirit of goodness, as well as of power. The invariable succession of the seasons; the grateful alternations of light and darkness; the regular arrival of seed-time and harvest, summer and winter, day and night, were felt to be the gifts of a