the place of the ennui that disturbed and dissatisfied me. It was really a great many years before I discovered that it was no accidental or trifling disturbance of the moral system which these attacks of restlessness indicated, but that they were the necessary and natural accompaniments of a lapsed spiritual condition. Well then, as soon as I had breakfasted, I informed myself that there would be no going to town to-day to buy either books or music, for neither was wanted. Many persons may say, "Well, suppose you had dissipated your uncomfortable feelings by indulging yourself with the purchase of any little matter you had a fancy for, where would be the harm?" To which I reply that it is not the mode in which this restlessness of nature acts that is of so much importance as the thing itself. The disease itself is the dreadful thing, and that which is to be fought against. Reminiscences of Thought and Feeling. Every unpleasant feeling is a sign that I have become untrue to my resolutions. Richter. When by diligent and humble attention one has acquired a habit of understanding the nature of his inner world, the difference is quite remarkable between what arises in the mind whilst in a passive, obedient, and receptive state, and what is worked out in the strength and impetuosity of self-will. In vain will you let your mind run out after help in times of trouble; it is like putting to sea in a storm. Sit still, and feel after your principles; and, if you find none that furnish you with a stay and a prop, and which point you to quietness and silent submission, depend upon it you have never yet learned Truth from the Spirit of Truth, whatever notions thereof you may have picked up from this and the other description of it. No lesson indeed of a practical kind requires to be so often repeated, as that which enjoins upon the mind a state of passivity; for what an electric thing is it! How does it dart forth after this and that, flitting from sweet to sweet (for it never willingly tastes of bitter things,) and "feeding itself without fear!" This is always dangerous, and commonly unprofitable. Most wise and safe, therefore, is that holy maxim, “Gird up the loins of your mind;" meaning, no doubt, that there must be a continual compression, and a driving back to its centre, of the force which wants to run out and spend itself in words and deeds; and in giving form and strength to a thousand evil things. Who is there that sets himself steadily to the task of watching his thoughts for the space of one hour, with the view of preserving his mind in a simple, humble, healthful condition, but will speedily discern in the multiform selfreflecting, self-admiring emotions, which, like locusts, are ready to "eat up every green thing in his land," a state as much opposed to simplicity and humility as night is to day? And is this a state to be overlooked as a negation, in the estimate we take of our actual condition, and which may be tossed out of the calculation as in no way influencing it? And do we suppose that merely by willing to be good or great in thought or action, and choosing to take our moral possessions by a coup de main, the matter can be accomplished? Reminiscences of Thought and Feeling. Some men will follow Christ on certain conditions if if he will not he will not lead them through rough roads enjoin them any painful tasks if the sun and wind do not annoy them—if he will remit a part of his plan and order. But the true Christian who has the spirit of Jesus, will say, as Ruth said to Naomi, "Whither thou goest, I will go!" whatever difficulties and dangers may be in the way. Cecil. Constitutional bias is a suspicious interpreter of Providential leadings. A man should be very jealous of such supposed leadings of Providence as draw with his constitutional propensity. He is never safe unless he is in the act of collaring his nature as a rebel, and forcing it into submission. Ib. Of the spirit of Sacrifice there are two distinct forms: the first, the wish to exercise self-denial for the sake of self-discipline merely, a wish acted upon in the abandonment of things loved or desired, there being no direct call or purpose to be answered by so doing; and the second, the desire to honor or please some one else by the cost liness of the sacrifice. Now, it cannot but at first appear futile to assert the expediency of self-denial for its own sake, when, for so many sakes, it is every day necessary to a far greater degree than any of us practise it. But I believe it is just because we do not enough acknowledge or contemplate it as a good in itself, that we are apt to fail in its duties when they become imperative, and to calculate, with some partiality, whether the good proposed to others measures or warrants the amount of grievance to ourselves, instead of accepting, with gladness, the opportunity of sacrifice as a personal advantage. Ruskin. Viele Dinge sind's, Die wir mit Heftigkeit ergreifen sollen : Goethe. Though the Temptation of any Sin whatsoever should last all our Life, it could not make us unpleasing to the Divine Majesty, so that it delight us not, and that we give no occasion to it. De Sales. As soon as thou findest thyself in any Temptation, do as little children when they see a Wolf or a Bear in the Field; for presently they run into their Father's or Mother's Arms, or at least call them to their help and Run thou in like manner unto God, imploring his mercy and assistance: it is the remedy which our succour. Saviour himself taught us, saying; Pray, lest ye enter into Temptation. Although we must fight against great temptations with an invincible courage, and the victory gained against them be extremely profitable, yet it may happen that we may profit more in resisting small Temptations. It is very easy to forbear stealing other men's goods, but hard not so much as to covet or desire them; very easy not to bear false witness in judgment, but not easy to avoid detraction in conversation; very easy not to be drunk, but hard to be sober; very easy not to desire another man's death, but hard not to desire some inconvenience to him; easy to forbear defaming our adversary, but hard not to despise him. Consider from time to time what passions reign most in thy Soul, and having discovered them, take a course of life clean contrary to them in thought, word, and deed. Speak also earnestly and often against Vanity (if thou art inclined to this fault); and although it seem to be against thy heart, cease not to despise it, for by much. speaking against a thing we come to hate it, though at first we loved it. Unquietness is not a simple temptation, but a spring from which, and by which, many other temptations are derived. I will then speak something of it. Sadness is nothing but a sorrow of mind, conceived for some inconvenience which we suffer against our will; whether it be outward, as poverty, sickness, contempt; or inward, as ignorance, want of devotion or repugnance, |