to be necessary: the gospel discovers that the necessary atonement is made.' (v 2.) When several semicolons have preceded, and a still greater pause is necessary, in order to mark the connecting or concluding sentiment: as, "A divine legislator uttering his voice from heaven; an almighty governour, stretching forth his arm-to punish or reward; informing us of perpetual rest prepared hereafter for the righteous, and of indignation and wrath awaiting the wicked: these are the considerations which overawe the world, which sup port integrity, and check guilt." (v 3.) The Colon is commonly used when an example, a quotation, or a speech is introduced: as, The Scriptures give us an amiable representation of the Deity, in these words: "God is love.' He was often heard to say: I have done with the world, and I am willing to leave it.' (4.) The propriety of using a colon, or semicolon, is sometime. determined by a conjunction's being expressed, or not expressed. as, "Do not flatter yourselves with the hope of perfect happiness there is no such thing in the world.” "Do not flatter yourselves with the hope of perfect happiness; for there is no such thing in the world." The three great enemies to tranquillity are vice superstition and idleness vice which poisons and disturbs the mind with bad passions superstition which fills it with imaginary terrours idleness which loads it with tediousness and disgust. To sail on the tranquil surface of an unruffled lake and to steer a safe course through a troubled and stormy ocean require different talents and alas human life oftener resembles the stormy ocean than the unruffled lake. When we look forward to the year which is beginning what do we behold there All my brethren is a blank to our view a dark unknown presents itself. Happy would the poor man think himself if he could enter on all the treasures of the rich and happy for a short time he might be but before he had long contemplated and admired his state his possessions would seem to lessen and his cares would grow. By doing or at least endeavouring to do our duty to God and man by acquiring an humble trust in the mercy and favour of God through Jesus Christ by cultivating our minds and properly employing our time and thoughts by governing our passions and our temper by correcting all unreasonable expectations from the world and from men and in the midst of worldly business habituating ourselves to calm retreat and serious recollection by such means as these it may be hoped that through the Divine blessing our days shall flow in a stream as unruffled as the human state admits. A metaphor is a comparison expressed in an abridged form but without any of the words that denote comparison as "To the upright there ariseth light in darkness." All our conduct towards men should be influenced by this important precept "Do unto others as you would that others should do unto you." Philip III. king of Spain when he drew near the end of his days seriously reflecting on his past life and greatly affected with the remembrance of his mispent time expressed his deep regret in these terms "Ah! how happy would it have been for me had I spent in retirement these twenty-three years that I have possessed my kingdom." Often is the smile of gaiety assumed whilst the heart aches within though folly may laugh guilt will sting. There is no mortal truly wise and restless at once wisdom is the repose of minds. CHAP. IV. PERIOD. When a sentence is complete and independent, and not connected in construction with the following sentence, it is marked with a period. (w) Some sentences are independent of each other, both in their sense and construction; as, “Fear God. Honour the king. Have charity towards all men." Others are independent only in their grammatical construction; as, "The Supreme Being changes not, either in his desire to promote our happiness, or in the plan of his administration. One light always shines upon us from above. One clear and direct path is always pointed out to man." The period should be used after every abbreviated word: as, M. S. P. S. N. B. A. D. O. S. N. S." &c. Sentences which require the insertion of the Period, &.c.* The absence of Evil is a real Good Peace Quiet exemption from pain should be a continual feast Worldly happiness ever tends to destroy itself by corrupting the heart It fosters the loose and‹ the Violent passions It engenders noxious habits and taints the mind with false Delicacy which makes it feel a Thousand unreal Evils Feeding the hungry clothing the Naked comforting the afflicted yield more pleasure than we receive from those actions which respect only Our. selves Benevolence may in this view be termed the most refined self-love The Resources of Virtue, remain entire when the Days of trouble come They remain with us in Sickness as in Health in Poverty as in the midst of * As every learner is supposed to know, that the first word in a sentence must have a capital letter, there would be little exer. cise of his judgment, in applying the period, if no words were dis tinguished by capital letters, but such as propriety required. The compiler has, therefore, in this and the following chapters, affixed capitals to many words, which should properly begin with small letters. This method, besides the use chiefly intended, will also serve to exercise the student in the proper application of capital letters. Riches in our dark and solitary Hours no less than when surrounded with friends and cheerful Society The mind of a good man is a kingdom to him and he can always enjoy it We ruin the Happiness of life when we attempt to raise it too high A tolerable and comfortable State is all that we can propose to ourselves on Earth Peace and Contentment not Bliss nor Transport are the full Portion of Man Perfect joy is reserved for Heaven If we look around us we shall perceive that the Whole Universe is full of Active Powers Action is indeed the Genius of Nature by Motion and exertion the System of Being is preserved in vigour By its different parts always acting in Subordination one to another the Perfection of the Whole is carried on The Heavenly Bodies perpetually revolve Day and Night incessantly repeat their appointed course Continual operations are going on in the Earth and in the waters Nothing stands still Constantine the Great was advanced to the sole Dominion of the Roman World A D 325 and soon after openly confessed the Christian Faith The Letter concludes with this Remarkable Postscript "PS Though I am innocent of the Charge and have been bitterly persecuted yet I cordially forgive my Enemies and Persecutors" The last Edition of that valuable Work was carefully compared with the Original M S CHAP. V. Sentences requiring the application of the Dash, of the Notes of Interrogation and Exclamation; and of the Parenthetical characters. P (x) Denotes the Interrogative point? the Exclamation point! (x 2) " 66 66 a Quotation " 2) 66 a Dash or Break-making or lengthening a pause. Beauty and Strength combined with Virtue and Piety how lovely in the sight of men how pleasing to Heaven peculiarly pleasing because with every Temptation to deviate they voluntarily walk in the Path of Duty Something there is more needful than expense And something previous e'en to taste 'tis sense Gripus has long been ardently endeavouring t fill his Chest and lo it is now full is he happy and does he use it Does he gratefully think of the Giver of all good Things Does he distribute to the Poor Alas these Interests have no Place in his breast What is there in all the pomp of the world the Enjoyments of Luxury the Gratification of Passion comparable to the tranquil Delight of a good Conscience To lie down on the Pillow after a Day spent in Temperance in beneficence and in piety how sweet is it We wait till to-morrow to be Happy Alas Why not to-day Shall we be younger Are we sure we shall be healthier Will our passions become feebler and our love of the world less What shadow can be more vain than the life of a great Part of Mankind Of all that eager and bust ling Crowd Which we behold on Earth how few discover the path of true Happiness How few can we |
