Page:Moral Pieces in Prose and Verse.pdf/102

 With such views accustom yourselves to reason and to deliberate, until you have established, upon a solid basis, the peace and serenity of a well regulated mind. Let the influence of living and recorded examples lead you to reflection, resolution, and correspondent exertions. Your own observation has doubtless selected many examples from the pages of history, and I will notice merely the distinguished Mrs. Rowe, who throughout her whole life was supposed never to have uttered an illnatured expression; and the accomplished Miss Elizabeth Smith, who moved under the pressure of adversity with invariable calmness, sweetness, and humility. It is scarcely necessary to remind you, that in the scriptures many of the "prophets and apostles were examples of suffering affliction and of patience." But I particularly recommend to your study that most perfect model, the life of Him who suffered more deeply than any man, yet "spake as never man spake;" who, when he was reviled, reviled not again, and when he suffered, threatened not." Yet because the most powerful examples sometimes fail to influence the conduct, because the strongest habits of reflection and self control have been known to yield to the momentary impulse of passion, let us follow, as the safest guide, that religion which regulates, purifies, and renovates the evil principles of our natures, and in as much as it "is pure, peaceable, gentle, easy