No. XIX.

Who is weak, and I am not weak; who is offended and, I burn not?

2 CORINTHIANS, chap. xi, ver. 29.

THE illustrious character who made this amiable appeal, exhibits in the whole tenor of his apostolic labours and writings, a temper deeply imbued with the kindliest feelings of our nature; an essential ingredient this, in the disposition of those who are employed in the work of bringing that nature under the benign influences of the gospel; which, as a message of love to our degenerate race, claims to be delivered in a strain, and to be accompanied by a conduct in harmony with itself, that is, characterized by pure affection, and tender sympathy.

Various and frequent are the opportunities afforded to every traveller in the

wilderness, of manifesting this temper, and of exercising those tender sympathies which are forcibly inculcated by his own wants, and feelings, and sufferings, and which are called for by the sufferings, feelings and wants of those around. These services, which have their source in the heart, it is in the power of every one to render in some degree, however confined his sphere of action, however circumscribed his means, and though in the strictest sense of the word, he

should be able to say, silver and gold have I none.' To what an extent might not those ills be cleared away, which so bestrew our path; evils, real evils, which, because they come under the description of trifling annoyances, and amount not to serious calamities, are suffered to intrude with impunity, and often to try the temper and the patience in no small degree, even of those who may at the same time be groaning under the pressure of more weighty afflictions; and to whom, therefore, the removal or pre

vention of these lesser annoyances would be an object well worthy the attention of the kind-hearted around them; of those especially who would sustain the character of philanthropy and christian benevolence.

Fellow-traveller, you profess to be well intentioned, and your professions are not questioned; but do your sagacity and skill in the science of human nature keep pace with these good intentions? Do you perfectly understand when, and where, and how, the numerous but indefinite services which genuine kindness of heart and pure sympathy suggest, will prove most acceptable and most solacing? And are you disposed to soothe a grief, though it may not be of that kind which has ever assailed yourself: is it enough for you, that it is a grief, a pain; and that therefore you cannot unconcernedly pass on your way, without turning aside to mitigate and assuage it? Then do you indeed perform the part of a neighbour to him whom you have found in distress.

But now, to put these kindly sympa

thies to the test, there passes a traveller, groaning and writhing beneath a load, by no means, in your view, so ponderous and so burdensome as to warrant the heavy complaints and moanings which you hear. You think that what he calls a heavy burden, would be a light one to you; but are you aware of the weak or wounded side on which it presses? or can you certainly know the kind and degree of suffering which such pressure occasions? Have you no weak side? Is there nothing on which your own feelings are acute and irritable? If so, go on your journey, as a strong man rejoicing in his strength;' but the honour of sympathy shall not be yours: on your head the blessing shall not alight, which the sufferer has to bestow. If you can

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not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; if in no respect you are tempted as we are, gladly we turn to him who was, and who enjoins his disciples to imitate him, and to be willing always to stoop to the infirmities of his creatures,

and to alleviate and soothe the smaller. as well as the greater ills of life.

He merits no higher character than that of an empiric, who possesses but one remedy for every disease; but the skilful physician, studying, not merely the general nature of diseases, but the various causes from which maladies of the same class may originate, varies his treatment of them accordingly: it is, however, the privilege only of a gifted few, to be so thoroughly versed, like a skilful physician, in the science of human nature, as to know how to administer the appropriate remedy adapted to every case; how to deal with the mind under its multifarious trials and exercises, of greater or of lesser degree. But can those who are yet ignorant of themselves be expected to deal successfully with others?

it

Genuine sympathy is not exclusively confined to the alleviation of suffering: while it weeps with those who weep; can also rejoice with those who rejoice.' Nor does this suffice; for although we are