chou Mingo, should die. At the time appointed for the execution, the aged father of Mingo came forward, and expressed an earnest desire to be put to death in his son's stead. He urged his request by saying that he was an old man, and no longer good for anything; that his son was young and vigorous, and his life was necessary for the support of a mother, wife, and four infant children. The surrounding multitude (among whom were many French soldiers present) were affected to tears; the Choctaws accepted the offer of the heroic old man, and with a hatchet severed his head from his body.

§ 249. Of the moral sublimity of great benevolent undertakings. Brief as the remarks are which have been made, we indulge the hope that a train of thought has been opened which may lead to a correct understanding of this interesting subject. The inquiry, however, is too extensive to be pursued here at great length; being not less wide than the limits of whatever is morally good and beautiful in human nature, which is susceptible of being increased to an intensity of action. There may be a sublimity in courage, a sublimity in piety, a sublimity in benevolence, a sublimity in mere consistency and perseverance. Every trait in human character may become sublime, which is of such a nature as to secure to itself the approval of our moral sentiments, and can, at the same time, strongly interest and excite us. But we are under the necessity of leaving the subject, with merely adding a few remarks on the sublimity of benevolent enterprises and of the spirit of forgiveness.

Ordinary acts of benevolence are merely pleasing. Almost every person performs such acts from time to time, but the knowledge of them is not expected to excite any very strong feeling. But it is different when the object is one of great difficulty in the attainment, and requires to be pursued with great perseverance and sacrifices even for successive years. The enterprise then acquires a high degree of moral sublimity.

The abolition of the Slave-trade was a distinct object; one of incalculable importance in the estimation of every real friend of man, and surrounded with a multitude of

difficulties. A few persons (among whom the distinguished names of Clarkson and Wilberforce stood preeminent) engaged in this great contest with no object but that of securing the rights of humanity, and with no arms but a strong faith, determined perseverance, and the approbation of God. The public mind was to be enlightened; the moral apathy which existed on this momentous subject was to be dispelled; the influence of a powerful party, who were directly interested in the traffic in slaves, was to be overcome; jealousies and hostile passions, arising from other causes, were to be met, resisted, and subdued.

The prominent individuals in this noble enterprise, though few in number, and almost wholly unsustained except by the exaltation and purity of their object, laboured unceasingly for twenty years, amid every form of opposition, rebuke, and discouragement. They determined, while the press of England remained free or God gave them the power of speech, to vindicate, in print, and in conversation, and on the floor of Parliament, the cause of a greatly-injured people. There was no swerving from their purpose; no disposition to take up with half-way measures, and make a compromise with this fearful abomination; no relaxation of effort, because their undertaking brought them into conflict with men high in power and office. And thus, after long years of unwearied and unchangeable effort, they succeeded in causing it to be solemnly acknowledged in their National Senate, and to be written on the statute-books of their country, that differences of complexion cannot annul the claims of nature, and that minds are never to be sold.

It was then that the light first dawned upon benighted and suffering Africa; and, in view of the struggles that preceded the rising of that light, we may assert with confidence, that even the gentle feeling of benevolence may become so quickened and so prolonged, and so active and irresistible, as to be truly overwhelming in the contemplation of it.

§ 250. The spirit of forgiveness in some cases sublime. There may be sublimity also in forgiveness. It will

generally be conceded, that forgiveness, even when the injury is a small one, is a pleasing and somewhat striking trait; the more so, because men in general are much less apt to forgive than to return injury for injury. But when the injury has been a great one, the forgiveness which is exercised calls forth an increased degree of admiration.

It is related of Demetrius (surnamed the conqueror of cities), that, having received a marked and undoubted provocation, he laid siege to the city of Athens. The inhabitants made a desperate resistance, but were at last obliged to surrender in consequence of a great scarcity of provisions. Demetrius then ordered them, with the exception of the women and children, to be assembled together in one place, and to be surrounded with armed soldiers. Every one was in the greatest fear, conscious how much they had injured him, and expecting every moment to be put to death. It is not surprising, therefore, that they were overwhelmed with joy and admiration when they heard him, with a magnanimity honourable to human nature, thus address them.-"I wish to convince you, oh Athenians, how ungenerously you have treated me; for it was not to an enemy that your assistance was refused, but to a prince who loved you, who still loves you, and who wishes to revenge himself only by granting your pardon, and being still your friend. Return to your own homes; while have been here, my soldiers have been filling your houses with provisions."

you

It may with propriety be added here, that the duty of a sincere and unlimited forgiveness, even under the most trying circumstances, is clearly recognised and enjoined in the Christian system. And one of the earliest professors of that system gave a practical exhibition of the obligation attending it. When the martyr Stephen was stoned to death by a cruel and infuriated multitude, as he cast his dying eyes upward to the heavens and the visible throne of the Almighty, his prayer was not, in the language of an old Roman, "Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts, and dash them to pieces;" but, in a far more generous and sublime temper of soul, he cried, with a last and loud voice, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Lord, lay not this sin to their charge."

THE SENSIBILITIES.

PART SECOND.

THE MORAL SENSIBILITIES, OR CONSCIENCE.

MORAL OR CONSCIENTIOUS SENTIMENTS.

CLASS SECOND.

FEELINGS OF MORAL OBLIGATION.