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 and active minister. It is that energy which delights in being useful, and becomes the love of usefulness itself. It is the spirit of freedom distinguished from riot; the spirit of independence distinguished from vain-glory; the spirit of order distinguished from tyranny; the spirit of rational enterprise distinguished from mad adventure; the spirit of improvement distinguished from innovation. It is that which forms the true dignity of the human character; that independence of mind, which is as far removed from pride and obstinacy on the one hand, as from puerility and obsequiousness on the other.

SSUREDLY there is much need to guard against self-deception in respect to this great virtue, usefulness, or this great vice, selfishness. As long as it remains the love of rule; as long as it delights in power, and is ambitious of distinction; as long as it is jealous of equality, and strives to command more than to obey; as long as it seeks to detect the faults of others rather than to amend its own;—it may indeed be overruled by a merciful Providence to administer to the good of society: but its root is evil, and however it may hide its features under false pretences and appearances, it is the child of the Wicked One, and burns with the infernal fire of self-love.

But when, by the transforming hand of Omnipotence,