read with a general desire to derive benefit, and yet without that close, personal application of it to ourselves, which alone is likely to do us good. We would therefore recommend, especially to the reader of biography, to keep one grand object in view; and to make this close inquiry whenever such a volume is opened,--In what respects is this applicable to me?--How can I make it subservient to my own improvement? We will endeavour to offer some suggestions that may assist the reader in this inquiry.

Suppose that a young person in the quiet and humble walks of life should meet with the annals of some great warrior or statesman ;-he would probably say, "This is nothing to me, except as mere amusement; I have no ambition, at least I have no talents or opportunities to distinguish myself in public life; I am quite contented with my humble lot; I seek not great things for myself." Herein, indeed he would show his wisdom; and yet it might not be true that such a history was nothing to him. Whatever is in itself excellent, is worthy of our attention, and more or less of our imitation, however widely our circumstances may differ. Great talents and splendid achievements are necessarily confined to a few; and as we may be virtuous and happy without them, this is not to be regretted: but it is the duty and interest of every individual to aim at excellence, in his own sphere, however humble and while it may be the farthest from our wishes or our duty to engage in public services, it may still be highly to our advantage to trace the steps, and to mark the progress, by which great men have arrived at eminence. Many of the very same qualities are requisite to make a good tradesman, or skilful mechanic, which are needed to form a great statesman or general.

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We shall probably find that such a man was early distinguished from the frivolous or dissolute around him by

devotedness to his object: that he made it his study, his pleasure; not merely engaging in it as a matter of course, or of necessity. We shall find that he was not discouraged by difficulties, but rather stimulated by them to more vigorous efforts; that he never consulted his own ease or gratification, when they stood in the way of his grand design: that he was characterized by a disregard to trifles of all sorts, and by a steady aim at the most important ends. Now as these, among other good qualities, ensured to him success and distinction, so we may be assured that the same causes will produce the same effects, in whatever situations they are applied. Thus far a little apprentice-boy may learn of Peter the Great; and become, by and by, as distinguished in his trade, as the Czar was in his empire.

When we read the lives of distinguished persons, we are generally struck with the lamentable mixture of mean qualities and bad actions which sullied the glory of their highest achievements. In the whole history of mankind, there are but a very few exceptions to this remark. From which we may learn, not to envy that eminence of rank or talent, which so peculiarly exposes to temptation. At the same time it should make us watchful of ourselves; since, if men thus eminently gifted, and possessed of such gigantic powers, had not wisdom sufficient to govern their passions, nor strength to resist temptation, what need must there be for us to guard against the danger! For although it frequently appears that clever men are wicked men, it by no means follows that to be wicked one must needs be clever; on the contrary it is often seen that persons of the weakest intellect sink into the lowest degrees of vice.

From the lives of distinguished bad men, we see the small value, in themselves, of those shining qualities which dazzle mankind. What is genius without virtue ! --it is but a splendid curse; proving still more baleful

to the individual himself, than to those within the sphere of his influence. But in tracing the career of men distinguished alike by their talents and their vices, it is especially profitable to observe the gradual steps by which they arrived at the height, or rather the depth of their notoriety. There was a time when Nero appeared amiable and humane. Let us not, therefore, conclude, that we shall never be guilty of a crime, because we now shrink from the thought of it; but rather, if we find that we have not resolution to resist the small temptations of the present moment, let us remember that we are in the high road to vice, although as yet but at its commencement. It is presumption and ignorance of ourselves to imagine, that the power of resistance will increase with the strength of temptation. By such self-deception some once promising characters have become the tyrants and scourges of society: from their examples we should learn, "when we think we stand, to take heed lest we fall."

But if so much improvement may be derived from the history of bad men, and of others who have eminently possessed "the wisdom of this world," how much more profitable must it be to study the lives of those who became "wise unto salvation," who were good and great in the truest sense of the words? Our libraries are richly furnished with such profitable records; and the young reader is amply supplied with animating accounts of those of his own age, who had the courage to come out and be separate" from a vain world.

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But

are we not too apt to read the lives of eminent Christians with the same feeling of distance, as those of heroes and philosophers? as though the higher attainments of holiness were as much beyond our reach as the gifts of genius. This is a common, but lamentable mistake, proceeding not from humility, but indolence. Although perseverance and industry will in a great degree supply

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THE USE OF BIOGRAPHY.

the want of great abilities, yet genius, it mus knowledged, is so far a gift of nature, that it acquired by our own endeavours; but this i case with regard to "the wisdom which is from Hence Christian biography is all encouragemen is only sinful sloth which attempts us to say never hope to make such attainments in religi ers." Here ambition is sanctified; and here tented with mediocrity, is dangerous indeed. means, does it appear, that these "burning a lights" arrived at such eminence in their pr were they not such as are in the power of eve however humble in station, mean in intellect, in years? is it not invariably by watchfulnes gence, by self denial, fervent prayer, and givi world; in other words, by being deeply in religion, that these best gifts' are attained? then merely envy the attainments of those we but with a holy ambition resolve to emulate th There is no obstacle in the way but our own unw It is true that, like every other good, this growth in grace must be given from above surely is not a hindrance, but the highest po vantage. "He giveth more grace" to thos sire more; and they who ask "will assuredly To young readers, the encouragements and ind are especially great because their course is ning, and it is yet for them to determine in wh direct it; now they may either become like stars magnitude, or sink to the level of those com less, doubtful characters, who live in world) die without comfort.

Closely connected with this subject, is th ment of religious reading, which has proved ing to many, and with which our young reade quently presented; we refer to obituaries. I

the lives of individuals, we observe various situations wherein they are placed, in which it is highly improbable we shall ever follow them. But in accounts of the deaths of our fellow creatures, we are intimately interested; since it is a scene through which we must certainly ourselves pass and to read such records without a deep, thoughtful impression of that fact is folly indeed. We too, must die; and as we know not how soon, it behoves us immediately to inquire what reason there is to suppose that we should enjoy the same tranquillity and hope on a dying pillow, as we frequently read of. The agonizing doubts of a death-bed repentance, call loudly to those yet in health to "remember their Creator before those evil days come." While the cheerful hope of those whose youthful and healthful days were devoted to him --whom sickness and death found "watching," should stimulate us to "be also ready ;" especially as the many early deaths that are continually recorded, prove, that we know not at what hour the angel of death may come ; with some it is “at cock-crowing and in the morning.”

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VIII.

EVERY MAN HIS OWN FORTUNE-TELLER.

THERE is a strong propensity in the human mind to look forward to distant years, and to penetrate the secrets of futurity. This desire in the minds of the vulgar and ignorant, has given rise to the foolish and wicked practice of consulting pretended fortune-tellers. In these enlightened days, I have little fear that any of my readers should wish to have recourse to such absurd and sinful means of information; and yet as it is very likely they may sometimes feel curiosity respecting their future destiny, they will I hope listen to the plan I have to pro