appropriate sphere, and therefore hasten to return to the humbler walk of private life. Having, in some of the preceding chapters, had occasion to point out the malignant feelings excited by a disappointment of gratification to the selfish principle, it is necessary, before concluding this imperfect sketch, to show how such disappointment operates when not productive of malignity. In persons who, from natural temperament, or the habitual influence of religious and moral principle, are incapable of indulging the emotions of jealousy, envy, or resentment, the propensity to enlarge the idea of self, though it engenders no hatred or ill-will to others, is frequently productive of misery to the individual. Let us examine the foundation of all those querulous murmurs in which persons of acute sensibility, and conscious genius, so frequently indulge. Of what do they complain? Do they substantiate their claim on our com 1 passion, by describing their situation as exposing them to an unusual share of physical or moral evil? No: They have neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor calamity of any kind to mention, as particularly distinguishing their lot. Yet still they are miserable. And why are they miserable? Because their efforts to expand the idea of self have been unsuccessful. Others have not sought to augment their glory, by identifying themselves with the same objects with which they were identified. Hence they seem to stand alone in society. All by whom they are surrounded seem bent on repressing them, and diminishing in their minds that notion of self, which incessantly struggles for expansion. Worn out by these ineffectual efforts, they sink into despondency; or only revive occasionally, when, for a moment, they are permitted to taste that gratification for which their hearts have never ceased to pant; but which is no sooner withheld, than they are again shrouded in darkness. And this, even while reason holds her seat, and is capable of appreciating the value of those numerous blessings, of which every individual in this terrestrial scene has his portion; and the more inestimable value of those hopes of everlasting happiness brought to light by the gospel! What better argument can be offered, for the necessity of vigilantly guarding against the influence of a propensity, which, even in amiable minds, can produce ingratitude to God for all his precious benefits? What greater incitement can we require, to examine with attention what means have, in the order of Providence, been appointed to save us from the dominion of desires that lead to misery, and of finally extinguishing the corrupt principle, whose end is death? |