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a regard to the good opinion of others should be the sole and paramount rule of conduct, since our constitution developes a higher rule, that of the moral sense, to which every other one is not only subordinate, but responsible. Nevertheless, it is undoubtedly true, that a suitable regard, as has been remarked, may safely and justly be paid to the favourable opinions of our fellow-men. The regard and approbation which they not unfrequently bestow on those whose conduct they are called upon to witness is one of those natural rewards which the Creator has appointed as an attendant upon virtue. When, therefore, we are strongly tempted, by the influence of prejudice, passion, or selfinterest, to pursue an erroneous though pleasing and favourite course, it is important to aid the will by presenting before it, as a counteracting motive, the judgment of enlightened public sentiment; remembering that there is something in the heart of man which is instinctively responsive to the just and true in human conduct, not only to condemn or approve such conduct as right or wrong, but to despise or to honour it as ennobling or as degrading. He whose fixed and immoveable volition is always coincident with the requisitions of immutable rectitude, is cheered by the hearty and consentient voice of the wise and good; while he who yields himself to an evil course, or even weakly vacillates between the right and the wrong, can expect nothing but their aversion and their frowns.

§ 202. Of aiding the will by a reference to the conscience. But particularly in those conflicts of life where we find the will halting between two opinions, we should refer, as has already been intimated, to the consolations and guidance of that higher power within us, the Moral Sense. It is undoubtedly true that we may derive strength from an enlightened public sentiment; but it cannot be denied that public opinion is always changeable and sometimes wrong. We may perhaps admit that, in a large majority of cases, it is just in its decisions; but still it is obviously so imperfect as a

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rule of action, that we greatly need some other; not, perhaps, of a more amiable aspect, but certainly more lofty in its bearing and more inflexible in its requisitions. He who constantly subjects himself to the influence of the general rule that conscience is never to be violated, who strictly observes it in small things as well as in great, is a tower of strength to himself. Beginning to feel as if he were in some degree acting up to the dignity of his nature, he finds within himself a fountain of joy springing up with spontaneous and everlasting freshness. While he builds, as it were, a mighty wall around the will to prevent its erring into forbidden paths, he at the same time gives it direct and positive strength to pursue its onward and allotted course. In all cases whatever, however we may explain the fact, rectitude is strength. If it is true that knowledge is power, it is still more so that moral uprightness is power. It will always be found that he who faithfully walks within the magical circle of virtue, experiences an invisible protection; but when the limit is once passed over, he is left to himself, and rushes headlong. There is profound wisdom in the terse and emphatic expressions of a Roman writer, that a single departure from rectitude prepares the way for a greater downfall: "UBI SEMEL RECTO DEERRATUM EST, IN PRÆCEPS PERVENITUR."

§ 203. Of the aids furnished by the principle of imitation. We here take the liberty of recalling to the reader's notice a remark already made, to the effect that the power of the will is a definite thing; that, although it may not be precisely the same in every individual, it has nevertheless, in every case, its fixed limits of capability and action; and that we cannot reasonably expect from it what is obviously beyond its ability. And hence the propriety of always keeping in mind its true nature; of carefully considering what it can do, and what it cannot do, in order to aid it in cases of doubt and trial in every possible way.

Among other directions important to be kept in

mind, we may make the further remark, that the operations of the will may be greatly aided by availing ourselves of the principle of Imitation. Of the nature of this principle we propose to say nothing further. than to remark, in a word, that it is an original one, and is very extensive and powerful in its influence; perhaps there is none more so. Hence in common life, and particularly on extraordinary occasions, we find constant appeals to it. When soldiers are on the eve of a battle, the commander instigates them to the great and decisive effort, not only by the consideration of what is due to their country, but by setting before them the example of others who fell in the renowned fields of war. In the numerous and sanguinary battles of Napoleon, he rarely permitted his soldiers to advance into the conflict without reminding them of the great days and heroes of victory, and endeavouring to inflame their courage and to increase their energy by proposing for their imitation the soldiers of Lodi and Marengo, of Jena and Austerlitz.

It will be naturally understood that we introduce this instance merely as an example of the power of the principle, and of the use which has been made of it. It would be much to be lamented if there were no other examples than those of a military kind to sustain in trial, and to encourage to endurance and effort in trying emergencies. In the ordinary trials of life; in those perplexities which assail us from every side; in those afflictions, both bodily and mental, which poor and corrupted humanity is heir to, we often feel our best resolutions breaking up and giving way, and we should wholly fall into despair did we not draw encouragement and support from the faith and fortitude of those who have been in similar situations. Discouraged and fainting, we rest our weary heads on the bosoms of those who have gone before us, and find ourselves refreshed. The Scriptures themselves fully recognise the propriety of this resource, and furnish us with some striking examples of an appeal to it. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, in particu

lar, seems to have availed himself of this principle of our nature. After mentioning Abel, and Enoch, and Abraham, and Moses, and a multitude of others, that great host of olden time, who subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, had trials of mockings, scourgings, and imprisonment, and of whom, in a word, the world was not worthy, he adds, as if he would instigate those whom he addressed to follow an example so glorious, "Wherefore, seeing we also are encompassed about by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." The sacred writers everywhere encourage and exhort us to follow in the path of our blessed Redeemer; "who suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps." And how many, in all ages of the world, have turned their weeping eyes to the Captain of their salvation; and beholding him firm and unmoved in temptation, constant and persevering in his labours, patient in suffering, benevolent and forgiving to his enemies, having but the one great object of doing his Father's will, have been transformed into the likeness of his glorious image, and, like him, have been made perfect through tribulation?

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§ 204. Of aiding the will by placing ourselves in circumstances which do not admit of a retreat.

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We may sometimes aid the action of the will by placing ourselves in a position from which there is no retreat. We sometimes express it by saying that we have taken, or are about to take, a decisive step; meaning a step which is more or less an irretrievable one; a step which fully and completely pledges us to a certain course. We may suppose, with some reason, that Julius Cæsar, when he approached the banks of the Rubicon, felt some hesitation and vacillancy of purpose; he scarcely knew himself what he was going to do; his will stood balancing on a pivot; and it was

uncertain in which direction it would throw itself but when he had once passed the small stream that constituted the boundary of his province; when, by a single movement onward, he had changed his position in relation to the government of his country, then all was done; there was no possibility of retreat; his purpose at once became fixed, irrevocable, unchangeable.

In many cases in common life, when the will is vacillating between various objects, we may establish it firmly and for ever by a step onward, by placing ourselves in a new position, by appealing to a Higher. Power for the uprightness of our intentions, and making an irretrievable movement. And we have here an effective principle of action; one, upon the application of which the most important issues have sometimes depended. The true course of action, in all cases where the path of duty is unquestionably plain, and when, at the same time, the world and its allurements interpose to hinder us from entering into that path, is, not to sit down sluggishly and hold an inglorious parley with the suggestions of indolence and vice, but to move forward, to commit ourselves at once, to take a decided step, to throw ourselves into the breach, and let the consequences take care of themselves.

§ 205. The effects of habit in giving strength to the will.

In illustrating that course which is to be taken in order to give strength to the will, it is proper and important to bring into account the great principle or law of habit. Of the nature and tendencies of this law, it is enough to say in this connexion, that no other law of our mental constitution is capable of so entirely modifying the mental action as this. We often see its results in the case of the vicious man, whose unholy propensities go on strengthening and strengthening under its influence, till they assume the stubbornness and inflexibility of iron. But the principle in question is as powerful for good as for evil; and we do not fully understand the secret of our own strength

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