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yourself, especially in the house of a friend, do it with gentleness and neatness, without wetting the carpet or floor, without bespattering the wall or furniture in the immediate vicinity of the basin-that you may as much as possible, diminish the labour of servants. A conscientious man, in these circumstances, ought ever to act on the principle of giving as little trouble as may be to those around him; and, for this purpose, in all cases whatsoever, whether at home or abroad, to leave as little to clean after him as possible.

On the subject of slovenly habits, and several other points noticed in this letter, I would recommend to your perusal the Rev. Dr. Adam Clarke's "Letter to a Methodist Preacher." You will perceive that the learned and venerable Author, though belonging to an ecclesiastical Body, rather distinguished for the simplicity and plainness of its members, and certainly by no means excessive in its attention to external polish, considers a negligence of cleanliness in a minister of the gospel, as not only disgusting, but as very closely allied to moral delin

quency.

LETTER IV.

A word spoken in due season, how good is it!

PROV. XV. 28.

CONVERSATION.

MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND,

THOSE qualities which enable any man to appear well in conversation, are among the most precious that can be possessed. To every publick man these qualities are peculiarly important. But to a minister of the gospel, they are above measure valuable. The business of his life is to benefit his fellow men. A large portion of his time must be passed, and ought to be passed, in society; and he who is best qualified to make all his social intercourse at once pleasing and useful, is, of course best qualified to promote the great ends for which the ministry was instituted.

But while this accomplishment is certainly valuable beyond all price, it evidently engages much less of the attention of candidates for the

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holy ministry than its importance demands. Instead of "coveting earnestly this gift;" instead of studying daily to attain it, and to make progress in it, as is done with regard to some other things of less value; this great concern is left, pretty much, to take care of itself, or, at best, to depend on the exigency of the moment, both for exercise and improvement.

Every man, indeed, is not qualified to excel in conversation; but every man may be inof fensive, if not agreeable: and, as Dean Swift has somewhere remarked, there are hundreds of men who might not only be agreeable, but really shine, who, on account of a few gross faults, which they might easily correct in half an hour, are, at present, not even tolerable. They pass through life not only without usefulness, but are considered as a nuisance wherever they appear.

As I propose to make Religious Conversation the subject of a separate Letter, I shall con fine myself, at present, to some general principles, which, it appears to me, ought to regulate all our social intercourse. Most of these principles, indeed, apply equally to all classes of persons. Some of them, however, are more especially worthy of the attention of those who seek or sustain the sacred office.

This subject is recommended to our attention, not only by common sense, and experience;

but also by the Word of God. Holy Job exelaimed-How forcible are right words! A word spoken in due season, says the wise man, how good is it! Prov. xv. 23. And again, A word fitly spoken, is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Prov. xxv. 11. Again, the inspired Apostle exhorts-Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephes. iv. 29. And again, Let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every Coloss. iv. 6.

man.

Allow me, then, to put you on your guard against some of the most common faults in conversation, and to recommend some of those excellencies, which appear to me particularly worthy of your attention.

1. In the first place, be upon your guard against TALKING TOO MUCH in company. He who is very talkative incurs disadvantages of the most serious kind. He cheapens himself; tires his hearers; and, of course, renders what he has to say, however rich it may be in wisdom, much less likely to prove either acceptable or useful, than if he talked less. Speak seasonably, nay frequently, if you have opportunity, but never long. Contribute your equitable share to the conversation; but do not al

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low yourself to go beyond these limits. "Pay your own reckoning," as one has expressed it; "but do not undertake, at your own expense, to treat the whole company. This being one of the few cases in which people do not wish to be treated; every one being fully convinced that he has wherewithal to pay his own bill." This fault is particularly noticed and reproved in Scripture. A fool's voice, says the wise man, is known by the multitude of words. In the multitude of words, says the same inspired teacher, there wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips is wise. And again, He that hath knowledge, spareth his words.*

I have never known a great talker, however enlightened and instructive, who did not, at length, become wearisome to his company.. Nor did I ever know one of this character, who, in the multitude of the remarks and opinions which he threw out, did not sometimes utter that which he had better have kept to himself; and which, in some instances, became the source of great subsequent trouble. It is very unwise in a man who bears such a relation to society as a clergyman does; who is set for the instruction and guidance of the people; who comes in contact with so many individuals in all classes of society; whose remarks and opinions are im

Eccles. iii. 3. Prov. x. 19. Prev. xvii. 27.

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