exercise, at the risk of some inconvenience, some loss of popularity, some mortification at being accounted a strange, singular, unaccountable person, some forfeiture of the good-will it is so pleasant to enjoy, some denial of the craving so natural to one's love of approbation.

And how are these occasions generally met? It is a melancholy truth that moral courage, even on a small scale, is a rare virtue. This is proved by the fact that men fall in so easily with customs which they do not approve, and even believe to be wrong; that in adopting new opinions, new theories which are frowned upon by society, they are prone to conceal them; if they have any habits, however right in themselves, which are liable to misconstruction, malicious or otherwise, the same veil is thrown over them. If they hear the good name of another, albeit a friend, attacked by a company of people among whom they are thrown, and condemnations passed that they know or believe to be unjust, how few have the courage to stem the torrent, and utter a loud disclaimer!

It is easy to see, then, that he who has this very common defect, cannot be altogether true to himself or to others. Next to God, there is no other being of whom a man should stand so much in awe as of himself. He should fear to sin against himself to do that which shall cause his own condemnation or contempt. It is only evil deeds that

should seek the cover of darkness; evil thoughts that should court concealment. What it is right to do at all, it is right to do openly. What it is right to believe, is worthy of an open profession.

When a conscientious man does wrong, what is it but a want of moral courage that prevents him from making due acknowledgment of his error? In lieu of confession, he maintains it, perseveres in it, persuades himself, and would fain persuade others, to believe a lie. He thus exerts an evil influence, instead of doing a great good; for, little as the fact is recognized, nay, obstinately as it is denied, both in theory and practice, it is nevertheless positively true, that the acknowledgment of error, whether committed in high or low places, whether by superiors or their subordinates, whether by those who teach, or those who are taught, those who rule or those who serve, disarms hatred and opposition, subdues ill-will, promotes harmony and inspires respect; for is it not a pledge of fidelity to the "higher law" which should govern society?

The class of those who, from extreme narrowness, or strong conservative tendency of mind, oppose every new truth, is not so large as it appears, because it is greatly swelled by the timid, who, though they may have more intelligent perceptions or greater frankness, dare not openly espouse what is unpopular, and therefore, prac

tically, they use their influence to oppose the spread of truth, and extend that of unreasonable prejudice.

A great deal both of public and private immorality remains unchecked, from the want of courage to protest against, or rebuke it. Many a grown-up man and woman would be incapable of conduct such as I knew of, in a manly boy, only eleven years of age, who was sent from the country to a large school of boys in one of our cities. Being remarkably mature and, in many ways, attractive, his company was sought by elder boys; and two Spaniards, young men from sixteen to eighteen years of age, were often in his room. Though he liked them in other respects, their habits of profanity annoyed him very much. At length he summoned courage to say, "Gentlemen, you must be good enough to avoid profane language, or not to come to my room." They continued to be his visitors, and never again swore in his presence.

A great deal of wrong-doing is submitted to, both in public and private life, from the same cause. If there were more Sampsons-I do not mean, more like him of Gaza-there would be fewer oppressors; and one nation, so-called Christian, would not be eager to hold another in bondage more wicked than that which made toil-worn brickmakers of an ancient race, afterwards prophetled.

If there were more boys like him I have mentioned, there would be less vice and moral disorder in schools. Who, that has ever had charge of a school, does not know what a wall of rock a few, who stand up boldly for the right, present against a threatening tide of evil? and who does not also know, alas! how much more common is yielding than resistance, even on the part of those before supposed to be reliable?

In small as well as large communities, nuisances, offensive customs, violations of right, injuries, are submitted to, because no one dares lift up his voice against them. There are many who shrink from saying or from doing what may render them unpopular, because they may thus forego the chance of some object of fond pursuit-political advancement, office, emolument; the favor of men in power, the good-will of the rich and fortunate in society, etc. But a still larger class stand in a sort of instinctive fear of their fellow-men, which is less unworthy, only because it is not quite so basely selfish as that which inspires those whom they thus resemble.

No doubt, there is a certain proper respect to be paid to one's fellow-men-a certain internal desire to be held in esteem by them. But, the more a man is governed by principle, the less will he care for what men think of him; the more he strives after the approbation of God, the less will he seek the

favor of man; the more he stands in awe of God and of himself, the less he stands in awe of man. I suspect that, if, as men advance in life, they advance also in wisdom and knowledge, they become more and more indifferent as to what men say and think of them. Human verdicts, as I have shown you elsewhere, are not very reliable-not much to be heeded or valued.

Do not misapprehend me. It is, no doubt, desirable to establish, on a substantial basis, a character, a reputation if you please, for that which is "of good report." No especial pains need be

taken, however, to secure this. He who deserves it, has it, as a matter of course; without, however, being necessarily exempt from cavil and criticism. But to these, a good man can afford to be insensible. Whoever leads a true, manly, Christian life, "is one of God's freemen-the truth has made him free;" not free, necessarily, from blame, misrepresentation, or persecution; but free from all the trammels that fetter the ignorant and the selfish; especially, free from the fear of man. He knows in whom he believes; and he has a consciousness of rectitude that makes him strong in the inner man; so that he is always self-sustained, and needs no propping from his neighbors. He feels himself to be en rapport with the wise and good of all ages; and however near, and with however unfriendly aspect, beings of another order may approach to