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(Gal. vi. 1.) and never believe that he has fallen into a state of hopeless impenitence: "God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter iii. 9.) "I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God; wherefore, turn yourselves, and live." (Ezek. xviii. 32.) "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt. v. 16.)

169. Considered as our enemy; if this misfortune should be ours, notwithstanding our efforts to prevent it, according to the injunction of the Apostle, "if it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men," (Rom. xii. 18.) we must neglect nothing that will bring about a sincere reconciliation: "If thou bring the gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift; " (Matt. v. 23, 24.) we must pardon him (150.) "If ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses; " (Matt. vi. 14, 15.) and pray for him: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, pray for them

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which despitefully use you and persecute you; (Matt. v. 44.) and never render evil for evil, but, on the contrary, oppose injuries by benefits : Recompense to no man evil for evil. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom. xii. 17, 21.)

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170. Considered as our rival, (which may happen without any wrong motive on either side,) we must bear ourselves modestly towards him: "I say to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly." (Rom. xii. 3.) "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; (Phil. ii. 3.) "being careful not to envy one another;" (Gal. v. 26.) and not seek our advantage in his misfortune: "That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter, because that the Lord is the avenger of all such." (1 Thes. iv. 6.)

171. Considered as our debtor, we ought to conduct ourselves towards our neighbor in a spirit of kindness and patience. This duty was already prescribed in the law and the morality of the Jews. "When thou dost lend thy brother any thing, if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge; in any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down." (Deut. xxiv. 12, 13.) "If thou hast nothing to

pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?" (Prov. xxii. 27.) This duty is also to be inferred from the parable in which the Lord makes use of the example of debts remitted with generosity, or exacted with cruelty. (Matt. xviii. 21-35.)

172. Finally, considered as an heir, we ought to watch carefully over our conduct to keep ourselves from impatience: "An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning, but the end thereof shall not be blessed;" (Prov. xx. 21.) to restrain our most earnest wishes, and to dispose of the goods which Providence has given us in the fear of God. The prophet Isaiah came by Divine direction to announce to King Hezekiah, "Set thy house in order, for thou shalt die, and not live." (Isa. xxxviii. 1.)

DUTIES TOWARDS OURSELVES.

173. To maintain purity and sincerity of heart is the most important of all our personal duties, because, when that is once lost, it cannot be restored or recompensed. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matt. v. 8.) "Putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor." (Eph. iv. 25.) "Neither lie one to another." (Lev. xix. 11.)

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Purity is destroyed particularly by bad associates; "Be not deceived; evil communications corrupt good manners; (1 Cor. xv. 33.) and by bad books: "And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up, and it was in my mouth sweet as honey, and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter." (Rev. x. 10.)

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174. It is easily lost in the excessive love of pleasure and the foolish distractions of worldliness; for "the friendship of the world is enmity with God." (James iv. 4.) Yet, in order to keep ourself from the love of the world, it is not necessary to fly from the world. The word of God authorizes us to be joyful in the day of prosperity; (Eccl. vii. 14.) and our Divine Master, in spite of the calumnious reproaches of his enemies, always sympathized in the peaceful and pure joys of his friends and fellow-citizens. "The Son of man is come eating and drinking, and ye say, Behold, a gluttonous man, and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners." (Luke vii. 34, 35.)

175. Purity is lost also by a want of temperance and sobriety. These vices prevent him who falls into them from watching over himself, and according to the words of Christ, his heart is overcharged. (Luke xxi. 34.)

176. The most certain safeguard against these

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dangers is labor and a good employment of time, after the example of Christ, who improved every occasion and day while upon his mission. “I must work the works of him that sent me," said "while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John ix. 4.) Besides, idleness is one of the vices which always meets its first punishment in this world. "The sluggard will not plough by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing." (Prov. xx. 4.)

177. This duty of labor comprehends the cultivation of reason and the development of the faculties which God has bestowed upon us. We are not permitted to bury the talent which might produce interest, (Matt. xxv. 18.) or to neglect the gift that is in us. (1 Tim. iv. 14.)

178. Constant attention to labor is rendered pleasant and easy by the habit of order, which prevents all loss of time. "Let all things be done decently and in order." (1 Cor. xiv. 40.)

179. Order should regulate, not only our labors, but also the fruit of our labors and our fortune, whatever it may be. True economy, equally distant from meanness and prodigality, consists especially in calculating and measuring well our resources, and allowing nothing to be lost. "Gather up the fragments that remain," said

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