Page:Moral Pieces in Prose and Verse.pdf/180

 thrill and vibrate to the rude touch, unless they become gradually hardened by the rough intercourse of the world.

In all that overtakes us, whether joyful or afflictive, we should recognize the hand of Providence. Not a sparrow falleth without it; how much less shall the children of men pass unnoticed, unregarded, and unprovided for!

Disagreeable circumstances will meet us in the passage of human life, and we must be prepared to sacrifice to them neither our self possession, nor our inward repose.

How can any say that we may merit an everlasting reward by the imperfect obedience of this fleeting life? If our humble faith and patience are at length clothed with a spotless robe of righteousness, who wrought out this robe for us? Can impurity merit perfection? Can poverty pay an infinite ransom? "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one." There must be some righteousness which we have not