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by an unbecoming spirit of resentment and anger, which often appeared in his daily habits. He was regular in the private and social duties of religion, but frequently, before prayer in a morning, or immediately after it, he would speak to his domestics in that severe and unbecoming manner, which led them to complain, and to say, “ How can this man be a christian? How can such a temper be consistent with the profession which he makes of religion?" Indeed at one time some of his servants said they would sooner live with men who made no profession at all, than to live with such a dissatisfied and passionate man, whom they found it was impossible to please. His reading and praying in the family, did not well agree with other parts of his conduct; and he became a stumbling-block to many, and a grief to his minister, as he gradually gave way more and more to the violence of his disposition.

He observed the sabbath, and filled up his place in the house of God; but did not always hear with that candour and teachableness of disposition which should characterize the true christian. Hence he would often speak of the minister in terms of disrespect, rather than in terms of love and esteem.· Besides this, he discovered a deal of acrimony in his intercourse with the members of the same society. They hoped he was a good man, but he never rose high in the general esteem. Not only did he indulge in ill tempers, but became also exceedingly parsimonious, and seldom could be induced to concur in any plans of benevolence; and though his means were extensive, he did but little towards the supporting and advancing the cause of God in the world. In

the present day there are many claims, and heaven and earth unite in saying, “Do something, arise from your slumbers, and come to the help of the Lord against the mighty." But Mr. Hasty (notwithstanding his name) is always behind; he has a large family, or he thinks it is needless, and therefore generally declines, and would have no objection if others followed his example. One time he was asked to do something for the Sunday School, but some of the poor children happened to offend him, and he refused. It was much the same whatever other good object was brought before him,

Mr. Hasty was often engaged in lawsuits of a trifling nature, which cost him more money than ever he had given away in his life. If his temper bad not been unyielding, nearly all these expenses might have been avoided, and he might have lived in peace and comfort by his neighbours. He was always in some dispute with somebody. When he went to the town-meeting he generally offended several persons, by his rough and overbearing manner. Hence, what few good qualities he had, were thrown into the shade, and, in the whole parish, a general dislike prevailed against him.

He was on the whole a good master, though not a liberal one. He would frequently dispute with his work people, which made them less alive to his interests. Once he whipped a town-apprentice so unmercifully, that the neighbours all cried "shame on him" for it; and he did many other things, which sadly dishonoured the christian name, and much disgraced his profession.

It is needless to say of such a man, that he was

His

far from being happy. How could he be happy? And as for his soul, poor man! it was as barren as an African desert. He was a stranger to spiritual joy and peace, and instead of being "a cedar of Lebanon," he was a mere "shrub in the wilderness." He had little communion with God; and divinely instituted ordinances afforded him no comfort. At times he was filled with deep lamentations; and would own that his temper was a great trial to him, and his easy-besetting sin. His friends often admonished him, but still he remained the same. dying illness was a scene of great distress. He confessed his sins, and appeared to be deeply humbled before God. His views of the plan of salvation were clear, and all his feeble hopes were suspended on Christ crucified. He cried earnestly to the Lord, but had very little comfort. His faith was weak, and his evidences clouded; but his temper improved, and he bore, with considerable patience, the chastening of the Lord," though it was very severe, till at last he died, crying for mercy through the pardoning blood of Jesus. "Some said he was a good man, but others said, nay." As he had not lived in much respect, so his death was but little regretted.

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Such a disposition as the above must always be a great hinderance to soul prosperity. Let us watch and pray against it, and "let the same mind be in us, which was also in Christ Jesus."

EXAMPLE II.

MISS HASTY was married to Mr. Bickering in her 24th year. They lived in a small market town. She

Some

had six children, and kept two servants. Like her brother, Mr. Hasty, she professed to love her Bible, and was a communicant at the Lord's table. times she was very pleasant, and even too familiar with her servants, as they were sure to take advantage of it, when she was far from desiring it.

One morning the servant had the misfortune to break a small bason by some unavoidable accident. No matter for that, a storm came on very suddenly, and did not abate in violence, or scarcely intermit, for two hours. Mr. Bickering was present, and though not naturally one of the best tempered men in the world, tried more than once to "hush the loud thunder, and the pelting hail." This, however, was to no good purpose, and seemed only to increase the tempest, and had nearly brought its contents upon his own head.* Mrs. Bickering turned smartly upon him, and said he was always excusing the servants, and taking their parts, when they were in fault; alleging that when she corrected them, he always defended them. If it had been so, perhaps it might have been proper, but he intended no such thing. All he wanted was to still an unruly

* The striking words of Solomon are not sufficiently observed by persons whose souls are cast in an angry mould, Prov. xxi. 9. and which may be thus rendered: "It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than to cohabit in a palace with such a brawling companion of life."

"We cannot expect," says Dr. Watts, "to pass through the world, and to find all things peaceful and pleasant in it. All men will not be of our mind, nor agree to promote our interest. There are savages in the wilderness which lies in the way to the heavenly Canaan; and we must sometimes hear them roar against us. Divine courage will enable us to walk onward without fear, and meekness will teach us to pass by without resenting. We should learn to feel many a spark of angry fire falling upon us, from the tongues of others; and yet our hearts should not be like tinder, ready to catch the flame, and return the blaze."

tongue, but as he seldom succeeded, he was like Aaron," he held his peace." Before his conversion he often answered to his name, by frequent wranglings and disputings, but " the lion was changed to the lamb." His disposition became mild and peaceable, and when he could not subdue the storms of angry strife, he would often walk into the country, to be quiet, and till the storm had subsided.

At another time Mrs. Bickering observed a little soil left on the floor, and after a burst of anger, she would have the whole room washed over again. This led to other discoveries, and the whole house must be cleansed, before Mrs. B. or her maids, or even her husband, could have any rest. As anger and falsehood are generally closely connected, Mrs. B. when in a passion, often spoke in the most unguarded manner; and if at such times she had said "black was white," or one and two were four, she would with the utmost pertinacity have maintained it. When the frenzy was over she would not tell a known untruth; but the servants, who did not put the best construction upon such matters, said their mistress took the sacrament, but she told untruths, and was very passionate and unreasonable; nor could they account for such inconsistences. It may here be observed that if such persons have any real religion, they do it very little honour. Nor can they have much enjoyment of it in their own souls. It is impossible their souls should prosper so long as such tempers are predominant. No body thought much of Mrs. Bickering's religion. She stormed away a good part of her existence, and frittered away her life in vexing herself and others about mere trifles. In