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return which every ingenuous mind will be prompted to make , for innumerable proofs of kindness and affection . And here should we slightly review the scenes of parental care and tenderness , how powerful are the obligations to filial respect and esteem ! From the first entrance of children into the world , ignorant of the
circ umstances of their being , weak and helpless , the protection of a father screened them from danger , the fondness of a mother supplied every want . They listened to your infant cries , and sympathized with all your sorrows . They turned pale at
ihe apprehension of your danger , and scrupled no labour or expence to promote your comfort . When infancy was followed fry childhood , their care and affection still continued . They set a guard upon your steps , and centred in your happiness their treasure and their joy . Nor did they
attend merely to your present exigency 5 they provided for your future welfare . They were anxious to bestow upon you a competent share of worldly blessings , and to introduce you with advantage upon the theatre of life . And their best expressions of kindness appeared in restraining those
propensities that lead to disgrace and misery ; and in forming * those virtues which are the foundation of present and of everlasting happiness . What then are the returns due to parental Jo ? e ? What is the recompence that belongs
to benefactors like these ? Will you not with alacrity give honour to a father , and rejoice the heart of a mother ? Will you not studiously avoid whatever may offend or displease , and by every token of respect and affection , pay a small share of that debt which can never be wholly discharged ?" Pp . 82 , 83 .
The conclusion of Sermon x . on u Compassion , " has ; besides other excellencies , a more evangelical complexion than distinguishes some of the discourses : . ' Compassion shines with peculiai * nistre a mongst the social virtues . We deservedly esteem the generous and the A ^^ ^ " ^ * V ^^ ^ " ^ " ^ B |^^ b ~ i ji - « v ^^ ^^^ r m ^ ^^ r- ^ ^ h r ^ tf ^• ' ^ P' ^ H ^ B ^ f ^^ H i — <^ v ^^_^
bountiful ; but stilL more , the merciful Nan , whose kindness is directed to the '"endless and forlorn , the poor and the af-^ cted . Is it thought that the exercise of co mpassion will subject us to uneasiness , andadd the misfortunes of others to our ° * n share of ' calamity ? It is true , that it ^ cessarjj y SUpposes a sensibility of mind , andthat ne participate in the distresses of Hhers . But the satisfaction that results om it will amply compensate for the ^ easiness it creates . The sorrows of the j ^ pass nate lleai' * are infinitely overfed , by the inward approbation and ^ com ^ euce , with which it is acnTrr * ' And eVery aCt ° f hlimanity > u y yields a present p leasure , far more
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exquisite than the joys of luxury , or the pursuit of ambition , but becomes , by reflection , a perpetual source of enjoyment and happiness . Nor is it a slight consideration , that the compassionate man , by securing 1 the love and esteem of his fellowcreatures , provides for himself a refuge in the day of adversity . Such is the
uncertainty of human affairs , that we know not what time may bring forth . Providence may sink our condition , to that of the man who now implores our bounty . It may visit us with calamities , similar to those which we overlook or despise ; and render us the objects of compassion and comfort . Yet how can we expect to receive that kindness from others , which we have failed
to exercise ourselves \ or , if in the time of prosperity we have been hard-hearted and unkind , what return can we expect in the day of adversity ? It is , therefore , a maxim of prudence , ' cast thy bread upon the waters , for thou shalt / fttrd it after many days . Give a portion to sexejj , and also unto eight , fr thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth . '
To these arguments , which reason suggests , we may add the powerful manner in which this virtue is enforced by the Christian dispensation . In almost every page of the New Testament it is enjoined or exemplified . We are exhorted to 6 be pitiful and courteous , havirig compassion one of
another . ' The man that wants this principle , is represented as destitute of religion and incapable of g * oodness . Our Saviour has taught us not to confine our bounty to our wealthy friends and neighbours , but to regard the poor , the maimed , the lame and the blind ' He has instructed us not to
limit our kindness to the narrow circle of our countrymen , but to pity and relieve the distressed , of whatever nation or religion , sect or party . He has pronounced blessed are the merciful , for they shall obtain mercy $ ' and has declared , that compassion to our fellow-creatures is a necessary
condition of our acceptance with God . He has taught us , that we cannot be the children of the Most High , unless we resemble him in goodness , and are 4 kind even to the unthankful and unjust . And , by his own example , he has * particularly illustrated and enforced this amiable
virtue . His compassion prompted him to unparalleled labours and sufferings for oiir sakes . He sympathized with the children of sorrow and want . ' He went about , doing good' to the souls and bodies ot men . His divine office was * to seek an 4
to save those that were lost '; and , prompted by . the most generous love , he gave himself up to death for our sakes , the just for the unjust , that he might bring us unto God *
Let , ' then , * the same mind be m us , which was also in Christ Jesus , ' ' As the elect f > f God , holy , and beloved , let us put
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Review . — -Harrison * * Sermons on important Subjects . 167
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1815, page 167, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1758/page/39/
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