Afflictions tend to wean us from the world - and to fix our affections on things above.

The inquirer after holiness should associate with those whose intelligence will instruct him whose example will guide him whose conversation will inspire him whose cautions will warn him.

You cannot be too active as regards your own efforts you cannot be too dependent as regards Divine grace. Do every thing as if God did nothing depend upon God as if He did everything.

Too many have no idea of the subjection of their temper to the influence of religion, and yet what is changed, if the temper is not? If a man is as passionate, malicious, resentful, sullen, moody, or morose after his conversion as before it, what is he converted from or to?

Kindness is the visible expression of a feeling and merciful heart it is the going forth of a tender and susceptible mind it claims kindred with the human race it is all ear to listen-all heart to feel-all eye to examine and to weep-all hand and foot to relieve it invites the sufferer with kind words, and sends him not empty away.

Let us never forget that, to be profited, that is, to be spiritually improved in knowledge, faith, holiness, joy and love, is the end of hearing sermons, and not merely to have our taste gratified by genius, eloquence and oratory.

We are not saved by nations or by churches or by families, but as individuals, through a personal interest in a personal Saviour.

To bear adversity with meek submission to the will of God to endure chastisement with all long-suffering and joyfulness to appear cheerful amid surrounding gloom, hopeful amidst desponding circumstances, happy in God when there is nothing else to make us happy he who does this has indeed made great advances in the divine life.