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"The kindly throbs that other men control,

Ne'er melt the iron of the miser's soul;

Thro' life's dark road his sordid way he wends,

An incarnation of fat dividends."

But what will he do when God shall make inquisition for blood? Judas felt an intolerable curse burning into his soul, and was as eager to get rid of his ill-gotten treasure, as before he had been to gain it. But there was no divorce from torturing conscience. By renouncing integrity, he sought death and was wedded to remorse forever. It is to be greatly lamented, that we are so little inclined to profit by the teachings of heaven and the examples of the bad on earth.

"How oft must men a fate like Milo's mourn,

Who tore the oak, and by the oak was torn."

Integrity not only insures safety the most secure; honor the most exalted; and profit the most enduring; but, fourthly, it is promised rewards the most glorious.

We are told by the highest authority that, "To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice." That is, outward oblations can never take the place of moral obedience, or the consistent adoration of a truthful soul. It is never allowed to substitute the ceremonials of religion in the place of its substance. Scrupulously to tithe "anise and cummin," to the neglect of the "weightier matters of the law -judgment, mercy, and faith, is to incur the just indignation of the Most High. Israel abounded in the observance of their religious ritual most, while indulging the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah; but God taught them how much more available is an upright life than sanctimonious hypocrisy. When the Corban sacrifice stands in the place of filial piety and righteous dealing, the foul and presumptuous worshipper will soon feel the wrath of outraged justice. Of the pure, the docile and truly devout, it may be said,

"I've scann'd the actions of his daily life

With all the industrious malice of a foe;

And nothing meets mine eyes but deeds of honor."

Such an encomium is deserved only by the unstained devotee at the shrine of integrity, and it is at once the highest praise and best reward man can ever earn.

There is great force in the Scripture which asserts that "Treasures of wickedness profit nothing; but righteousness delivereth from death." What was the profit of Naboth's vineyard to Ahab, when in his "ivory palace" he was withering under the curse of God? What were the "thirty pieces of silver" to him who had obtained them by betraying his Lord, and who, shrouded in flaming remorse, confessed that the accursed pelf was "the price of blood?" A competency honorably earned is the greatest wealth. "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." The cheat and villain may seem to outrun his honest neighbor in hoarding emoluments; but to his indescribable horror he will finally learn that the treasures of wickedness are the treasures of eternal wrath. Sad is the condition of such a wretch both for time and eternity.

"Mammon's close-link'd bonds have bound him,
Self-imposed, and seldom burst;

Though heaven's waters gush'd around him,

He would pine with earth's poor thirst."

The summary of this whole theme is embodied in the following proverb: "In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death." The happiest and holiest light, constantly augmented, shines on their path, and when the varied journey of life here below shall end, it blends with the raptures of immortal bliss. The man of pure conscience and upright conduct walks towards the judgment-seat cheerful as the sinless bird, "singing of summer in full-throated ease." He is contented and useful in wakeful toil, and

blest with unwonted joys even in dreams, "when sleep sits dewy on the laborer's eye." The dishonest are accompanied and cheered only by hopes both lying and dying; but the eternal God is the buckler and patron of the upright. They are perpetually invigorated by strength welling up within their loyal hearts, and in every lonely hour are cheered by echoes from beyond the grave. Says an old writer, “Especially those accommodations prove most delightful, which our industry hath procured to us; we looking on them with a special tenderness of affection, as on the children of our endeavor; we being sensible at what costs of care and pain we did purchase them. If a man getteth wealth by fraud or violence, if he riseth to preferment by flattery, detraction, or any bad arts, he can never taste any good savor, or find sound comfort in them; and from what cometh merely by chance, as there is no commendation due, so much satisfaction will not arise. In so many years, wherein Samuel judged Israel, it cannot be but many thousand causes passed his hands, wherein both parties could not possibly be pleased; yet so clear doth he find his heart and hands, that he dare make the grieved part judges of his judgment. A good conscience will make a man undauntedly confident, and dare put him upon any trial; where his own heart strikes him not, it bids him challenge all the world, and take up all comers. How happy a thing is it for man to be his own friend and patron! He needs not to fear foreign broils, that is at peace at home." This is identical with the well known sentiment of the great poet of nature and truth.

"What stronger breastplate than a heart untainted?
Thrice is he armed, that hath his quarrel just;
And he but naked though lock'd up in steel,
Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted."

The honors and rewards which Daniel and Joseph ultimately won by their integrity, are well known. Like causes

will always produce like results, and we should be most anxious to be thus blessed.

"Honor and glory were given to cherish;

Cherish them, then, though all else should decay;
Landmarks be these, that are never to perish,

Stars that will shine on the duskiest day."

CHAPTER VIII.

EXTRAVAGANCE;

OR, THE SPENDTHRIFT DISGRACED.

THE germ and guiding thought of the following discussion is in Prov. 21: 20, "There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise: but a foolish man spendeth it up." In unfolding this topic, let it be remarked, that extravagance strives most after what the soul least needs; seldom proceeds honorably in acquiring the luxuries it is ambitious to display; is never contented with the splendid misery it may for a moment have attained; and ends in perpetual ruin where it had aspired after transient joys.

In the first place, the extravagant man is most anxious to possess what he has least occasion to use. He is habitually influenced by the allurements of sensuality, and, to secure a present gratification, utterly neglects the claims of the future. He purchases satiety at a dear rate and pays enormous interest to obtain the requisite means. Byron was not the only one who could say,

"In my young days they lent me cash that way,
Which I found very troublesome to pay."

The improvident generously pays those who indulge his criminal wishes, but leaves the virtuous and industrious unrewarded. Every foolish whim iş indulged, and all profitable pursuits are despised. While those who are dependent on the spendthrift are suffering from want, he gives feasts to his idle associates,

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