THE editor has thought it neceffary to remark, that a few verbal alterations have been made in fome of the extracts, the better to adapt them to the use of the prefent defign; but as the sentiments and tenor of the original pieces are not thereby materially changed, it is hoped this freedom will be excused by their respective authors, to whom not the leaft injury or offence has been intended. ONE of the most approved judges of books amongst us, after perufing fome parts of the manufcript, has expreffed his approbation thereof as follows: "I HAVE read, with much pleasure, the manuscript "fpecimen communicated to me of the Mifcellanies in "Profe and Verfe I am glad to hear they are now or"dered for the prefs. "A BOOK, Containing fo many well chofen fenti"ments, and excellent inftructions, put into the hands "of our children, cannot but be highly useful to the rifing generation. B. FRANKLIN. A MORNING A MORNING HYMN. To thee, let my firft offʼrings rise, Whofe fun creates the day, What numbers with heart-piercing fighs Thus from my fix'd or varying fate, That Heaven, nor high, nor low estate, Be this, and ev'ry future day Still wiser than the past, That life's improvement to furvey A 3 THE THE duties of religion, fincerely and regularly performed, will always be fufficient to exalt the meaneft, and to exercife the highest understanding. That mind will never be vacant, which is frequently recalled by ftated duties or meditations on eternal interefts; nor can any hour be long, which is spent in obtaining fome new qualification for celeftial happiness. TO love an enemy, is the diftinguishing characteristic of a religion, which is not of man, but of God. It could be delivered as a precept, only by him who lived and died to establish it by his example. IF thou doft good to man, as an evidence of thy love to God, thy virtue will be exalted from moral to divine; and that happinefs, which is the foretafte of paradife, will be thy reward upon earth. RECREATION after bufinefs is allowable; but he that follows his pleasure instead of his business, shall in a little time have no bufinefs to follow. RESIGNATIO N. THOU Pow'r Supreme, by whose command I live, And all the joys which from that being flow. The ftraggling parts in beauteous order joined ; Whose frame, nor force, nor time, can e'er destroy,, The To realms of blifs, with active freedom foar, And teach my ways, foul t' avoid the tempter's fnare. And blefs the bounteous hand from whence they flow: Let not its terrors tempt me to despair, A A Thus Thus on life's ftage may I my part maintain, "BLESSED are the poor in fpirit, for their's is "the kingdom of Heaven."-Thus our bleffed Saviour opened his fermon on the mount; and from his example we may be affured that humility is the richest garb that the foul can wear. By this word is to be understood, not an abject poornefs of fpirit, that would ftoop to do a mean thing; but fuch an humble sense of human nature, as fets the heart and affections right towards God, and gives us every temper that is tender and affectionate towards our fellow-creatures. This is the foil of all vir tues, where every thing that is good and lovely grows. DESPISE not labour; if you do not want it for food, you may for phyfic: It ftrengthens the body, invigorates the mind, and prevents the ill confequences of idleness. OBSERVE the ant, for fhe inftructs the man, AN EVENING REFLECTION. WHILE night, in folemn fhade, invefts the pole, And calm reflection fooths the penfive foul; While reason, undisturb'd, afferts her sway, And life's deceitful colours fade away To thee, all-confcious Prefence! I devote This peaceful interval of fober thought. Here |