One manifest purpose of pro- ness. At the same time, when vidence, in these signs and judg- perverted through an evil heart, ments, was to punish the Egyp-it often becomes the occasion

of so great evil, that it may be fitly called a destroying fire, a deadly poison, a world of iniquity; as the tongue is described by a sacred writer. Pro

with vain and idle discourse, may be ranked among sins of the higher order. These are a cause of great dishonor to God and unhappiness to men. Christ in his own discourses; and the penmen of the scriptures, by whom his will was writ en, gave many exhortations against sins of the tongue, and many warnings of their guilt in the sight of God. Christians are exhorted to be careful how they speak, that their discourse may be

tians by a series of evils; and this on two accounts. In the first place, because they were blessed with noble parts and great knowledge, which they prostituted to a shameful degree.faneness, falsehood, and slander, And secondly, because, after their nation had been preserved by one of the Israelitish family, they had, contrary to all right, and in defiance of original stipulations, enslaved the people to whom they had been so much indebted. And not contented with this, they had proceeded to murder their offspring; and to render the people's bondage intolerable by a wanton exertion of power. It had been told them, that the family of the Israelites collectively were esteem-wise, according to knowledge ed as God's first born; for from that family Christ was to proceed, who is the first born of every creature! Therefore God said to them, Let my son go, that he may serve me; and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy first born.

and in the spirit of love. They are forbid the use, not only of slander, falsehood and profaneness; but all discourse, which is not attended with benefit to themselves or others: all such discourse is called idle words.

Leaving, for the present, other sins of the tongue, it is the But they heeded not this ad- design of this paper to remark monition; hence the judgments on the wickedness of propacame upon them, which termi-gating scandal, or slanderousnated in the death of the eldestly defaming others; and to in each family: a just retaliation for their disobedience and cruelty.

THE faculty of speech one of the most excellent in the nature of man. It is a

shew that it is wholly inconsistent with a Christian temper and practice. More indulgence is given to slander than to many other sins of the tongue. On first view this appears strange, and can be accounted for, only, by that general depravity of the heart, which feels but little for the wounds of a neighbor's reputation.

Slander consists in false and

principal means of social happi- defamatory representation

the character and conduct of

others, tending to injure their often sinful, how much more is feelings, reputations or proper-slander, which consists in falseties. Scandal, although it im-ly defaming the reputation of plies an evil character, may be other men? To convince our either true or false; but slander selves of the baseness of slanderalways consists in falsehood. ing others, and how inconsistent This distinction in the meaning it is with a Christian practice, of the two words should be we ought deliberately to concarefully noticed. A propensi- sider its motives, causes and ty to propagate scandal discovers consequences. In this considea bad heart. Although the ration, we should remember that things reported be true, it is it always arises from a sinful not always wise, and sometimes heart. Did all men love their it is sinful, to proclaim them neighbor as themselves; were abroad. If in some instances, they as solicitous for the interit may be requisite for the safety est and happiness of their brethof mankind that scandals beren as they are for their own, made public, there are many the tongue of slander would others in which it doth an injury cease. They often defame othboth to society and to individualer people with an intent to adpersons. Common sense, sound vance their own reputation.reason, and an honest heart do Some portion of that pride, not find it difficult to distinguish which is natural to the human these cases. When the matter heart, is found in all men. They of scandal is true, it is not the desire to be thought superior to part of a Christian and a wise other people, and for effecting man, to divulge it, and thus scan-this, instead of a strenuous exdalize human nature, when no ertion to excel, to correct their benefit can come from the pub-own errors, and amend their lication. What pleasure can a benevolent man find in reporting the scandals of his neighbor's life, when it is not required by the public good? Allowing such scandals to be true, it is the duty of Christians to reprove, seek the reformation of the guilty, and cover their defects with charity, sooner than to blazonrise and excel is hard, while to them to the world. defame and tarnish is easy for the most degenerate mind.

The propagation of scandal doth not benefit public morals. It accustoms mankind to hear base things without abhorrence, and often establishes the wicked in an evil way, from an opinion that they are no worse than others, or that their character is irretrievably lost, after which they find no motive for restraint. If the propagation of scandal is so

faults, they endeavor to debase their neighbor below themselves. They tarnish his virtues, stain his reputation by their own ungenerous suggestions, magnify his little failings, and ascribe his conduct to very untrue motives, that they may obtain a superiority for themselves. To

Enmity is a common motive to slander. When sin extinguished a virtuous love from the human mind, it enkindled the passions of envy, hatred, and enmity. A sinner will envy his neighbor, when he knows that taking from him his reputation or property will add noth

ing to his own. A dislike to see others prosper and become happy and respected is an ingredient of a sinful temper.This malignant disposition exists, and is what we denominate envy and enmity. These passions are the poisoned breath, which spreads abroad innumerable slanders, for which no cause exists.

Jealousy is another cause of slander. Jealousy is that evil suspicion, which imputes to bad motives such actions, as under all attending circumstances admit a good construction. Jealousy discovers a bad heart. A consciousness of unworthy motives in themselves leads many to impute the same to others. What is at first only suspected, is soon believed and next reported. Although the first report be whispered or spoken to a confidential friend, it soon passes through many private communications, until it sounds abroad, and a fair reputation is irretrievably stained.

to explain some trifling circumstance in acting, from which the whole arose. So great is the temptation, in this way, that those who assemble with pure intentions should be guarded, lest their discourse degenerate into siander, the propagation of scandal, and the words of busy bodies, who meddle with other people's matters. An insinuation is often fatal. The false coloring of an innocent word or action may ruin a good name, or a transaction which is decent, by a little faise coloring, may be made to appear ridiculous, thus subjecting the innocent to undeserved shame.

In the multitude of words their wanteth not sin. Those who are constantly in company, and speak without consideration, will hardly refrain from slandering their neighbor. A dislike of retirement, a love of company, and a desire to lead in conversation, expose a person to say many foolish and hurtful things, some of which doubtless will be slanderous. No one is wise at all hours, nor hath any man such a fund of knowledge and wisdom as will warrant him to be always talking. Those, who incessantly desire a visiting circle, and to indulge themselves in a multitude of words, cannot resist the temptation to slander.

A love of amusement is often the cause of groundless and most cruel slander. This conrmonly happens in companies, which are convened to divert themselves in a vacant hour. Circles for conversation, gathered on laudable motives, often degenerate into this sin. In lack of other discourse, through The consequences of slander poverty of understanding, sub- are so destructive, that an evil jects of slander are always at can scarcely be mentioned, hand. A defamatory hint pass- which doth not follow in its es from lip to lip, every new train. It pains the honest and tongue adds some cruel circum-innocent heart, distresses famistance, until that, which origi- lies, and in many instances, by nated in loose suspicion ternii-its remoter effects, convulses sonates in the judgment and con- ciety at large. Reputation is demnation of an unfortunate fel- more dear than property, yea low creature, who is not present precious as life. All must be

most bitter retaliation. Thro' such means families enter into quarrels and become the most determined foes; while others join the contention until it spreads through a whole adjacent

sensible of this, except it be those few, who by their vices have made themselves outcasts from society; and one of the most common causes which reduces men to that miserable state is, that they have previous-country. Such contentions oftly lost their sense of the value en descend from generation to of reputation. Many, who in-generation. Behold! how great a dulge themselves in slandering matter, that which was at first a others, would esteem it the litle fire kindleth. The sin of greatest cruelty to be treated in slander, having such effects, the same manner, and would must be great against the injured find the pain of scandal to be person, against the community in bitter as death. A good name which it takes place, and against is like precious ointment; it is the Christian law, which hath a man's peace and joy, his honor, given one comprehensive rule his substitute for property, the for our treatment of others, bread of his mouth, his recom- "Thou shalt love thy neighbor mendation to be treated respect- as thyself."—However this fully, and admitted to allthe com- iniquity may escape the punforts and privileges of society. ishment of men, the Lord will By the destruction of his good chastise it as a breach of his name he is deprived of all these commandment, "Thou shalt blessings. Slander grieves the not kill." heart, and breaks the spirit of the injured person, shames his family and connections, deprives them of their daily bread, and prevents their success in the honest employments of life. What benevolent man would re-example. Many, without any duce his innocent neighbor to such distress?

This is a serious subject for the consideration of every reader. The practice of slandering others is so frequent, we hear it in so many companies that it is impossible to avoid the

fixed enmity, do it incautiously, thinking they may imitate others, or that they may innocently propagate a scandalous report, although in their own consciences they do not believe its truth. Others, finding no proper subjects for their constant loquacity, through the want of useful knowledge, are tempted to traduce; and many justify themselves by thinking it only a trifle. But reputation is so sacred, its loss is followed with so many evils, that in this matter there can be no trifling inju

The direct tendency of slander is to create ill-will and contentions. Hence, wars and fightings take place between individuals, families, neighborhoods and nations. Of the animosities with which the world is filled, a greater number arise from slander than from all other injuries. Only a few have sufficient self command to endure slander with patience. Men generally esteem it as an attack on all which they hold dear; when becoming angry and seck-ries. ing revenge they resort to the

How carefully oughtChristians to guard themselves against this

sin! All the motives and caus-, they have not by experience,

become acquainted with the enticements of the world; neither have they known the need of the grace of God to preserve them from falling into presump

es from which it proceeds are directly contrary to a Christian spirit, to the law of love by which their actions should be governed, to the good of mankind, 10 their holy profes-tuous sin. The greatest numsion, and to the mild example ber of those, who fail of eternal and benevolent conversation of life, have been, in their youth, our divine Redeemer. All may deceived into false doctrines or be assured, that however small a practice contrary to piety. this sin now appears to them, or whatever amusement they may derive from the practice, in a time of serious consideration, on a death bed and in prospect of judgment, it will grievously wound their conciences.

Am I not deceived?

TH

HIS is a question, which every considerate man will frequently propose to himself. If there were no world beside the present, and no interests greater than those of this life, it would become us often to review and enquire whether we are acting wisely? Whether we are in the path of duty, and doing that which is most conducive to the glory of our creator, our own good, and the best interests of men, with whom we are connected in many endearing and important relations?

Am I not deceived? is a question, which every youth ought to propose to himself, when the allurements of the world entice him away from the practice of such virtues, as have been inculcated by pious parents and instructors. Youth is the season of life most liable to deception. To such the world appears in false colors. They have not learned their own hearts;

Am I not deceived? is a question proper for all, who are engaged in the active scenes of life. When the world presents its enticing objects; when pleasure, power and wealth combine to tempt the weak heart, and offer all their good to its immediate enjoyment; at a time of life when the powers of nature, both animal and intellectual, have the greatest degree of energy for successful enterprize, it must be a fit time to enquire, Am I not deceived? Those persons, in the full vigor of life, who are embarked in the most prominent schemes of the day, when ther worldly property or honorable office be their object, are in great danger of being deceived concerning the value of present things. Excited by the energies for action, which they feel in themselves to be unimpaired; and, having a strong relish for worldly good, nothing short of a sense of duty and a clear opinion of worldly vanity, will save them from delusion; unless they are preserved by the special grace of God. To such, the exhortation of the prophet may be fitly applied, "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: