whether goodly or sad, depend generally on little things, which serve to form his character.

2d. Little things make up the character of mankind as honest or dishonest. For illustration let a few examples be taken. Suppose a merchant set an unreasonable price on some articles, with which the buyer is not acquainted. He is a cheat; for his store is opened with an implicit promise of dealing fairly and honourably. He might as well, by slight of hand, take money from a person's pocket without his knowledge. Let him so adjust bis weights, that he will fraudulently save but half a penny weight on each pound he weighs, he is a dishonest man. He needs not be chargeable with open injustice, or cheating by the gross, in order to establish his true character; for he makes this up by little things. But this same person would defraud others of large sums, could he over-reach them and not be detected. And if he be not dishonest in concerns of large amount, the true reason is, not that he is not a dishonest character, but because he believes such a course of dishonest dealing, would not in the end, so well answer his unlawful gain. This is the true import of the expression, He that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much. Take by contrast, one who is conscientiously honest in all the smaller concerns and pursuits of life, and the same principle will lead him to uprightness when matters of much importance are presented before him. For it is equally true, he that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much. Let a silversmith knowingly defraud those of whom he buys or to whom he sells, of only one cent on a dollar, or an ounce of old silver, he stamps his own character with dishonesty. But let him fear dishonest gain in trivial concerns; and he will not dare attempt it in those which are weighty. Suppose that a farmer, in every half bushel of grain or other things, that he buys or sells, wrongs another of only one gill. This may be called a trifling dis

honesty; but as little as it is, the words of the text announce it to be the true standard of his character. Not only are false weights, false measures, and a false balance, an abomination to the Lord; but also trifling and designed errours, when we have those which are true. Suppose a minister of the gospel preach the truth clearly and forcibly, with wisdom and faithfulness; but that he lead not a life of piety, nor seeks to follow the directions which he gives to others. He is not only inconsistent, but doubly dishonest. A striking discourse, or a splendid appearance on the Sabbath, will not avail as a substitute for the smaller or more private duties of the week. Let these few examples serve as glasses for persons of every trade, pursuit, and profession, into which they may look, and discern their true character. The application is easy; and that we examine and judge ourselves by little things, is of vast importance. We need not be deceived, nor seek for great things, in order to tell what manner of spirit we possess; for little things are the criterion, which decide the character of a man.

3d. Little things may make up the character of a defamer or slanderer. The tongue is a little member and it needs not utter great words, nor very bitter sayings, in order to do much injury. Persons may be free from open railing slander, and by discourses of surmises and curious inquiries, most effectually defame their neighbours. There are some who profess a tenderness for the character of others, and who, by their insinuations, aim to cast a reproach upon their good name. They would not be seen railing against them on publick occasions; but in the presence of a few, they are ever ready to express their doubts and fears concerning them. They give caution not to have their remarks spread, under pretence that they would not wish to injure them; but in reality, that they may sheath a dagger in their hearts. In many instances, the secret whispers and slanders of

an envious tongue, are more pernicious than open and rank defamation. They are like a poisonous and deadly serpent, which is more to be dreaded, when concealed under the grass, than in an open field. Persons of uprightness and integrity, stand secure from open and virulent attacks; but what can secure from secret aspersions, uttered with the spirit of satan, and clothed with the appearance of an angel? Who does not know that hints, surmises, and doubtful inquiries, though little things, are most fatal weapons? Let whisperers and backbiters, talebearers and busy bodies, yea and all of us, remember that flagrant expressions are not necessary and essential to slander; but that little things, may most effectually make up the character of a defamer.

4th. A moral and amiable character is made up of little things; which consists simply in rendering to all, their dues. It is but a little thing that some be acknowledged as superiours, and honoured according to the dignity of their station, and the excellence of their character. The same courteous and friendly treatment, which we may reasonably expect from our equals, is an easy rule to regulate our conduct towards them; and we need not call it too small a thing, or esteem it beneath us, to pay proper attention to those whom we consider our inferiours. The parental character is made up of a train of little things, of varied and repeated acts, which are the natural result of parental affection. It is certainly a great work to train up a child in the way he should go; and it is equally true, that little things, in due season, are sufficient to effect this. The duty of a child towards his parents, does not consist in great, but in little things. All the social duties may be comprised in seasonable attention and suitable conversation, and demand not brilliant talents nor extraordinary exertions. The character of the charitable man, is not formed from bestowing large sums; but from his rea

diness to relieve and assist, little by little, according as situations and circumstances require. A little seasonable aid and a few salutary directions, may be of much avail to the poor, and to those who stand in need of counsel. A friend in need, is a friend in deed; and a word fitly spoken, is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As it respects the various offices, relations, and duties of this present life, we may do much good, if we seasonably attend to what may be called little things.

5th. The character of a patriot or hero of a nation, is most thoroughly established by little things. When we hear of the wondrous exploits and successes of any man, what a jewel is set in his character, if his private life and secret walk correspond to the dignity of his elevated station! Is Washington the glory of our nation, as he is the father of our country? How is his character exalted and dignified from the account of his servant, respecting his daily deportment, especially that of stated secret prayer, when he would withdraw to kneel before his Maker in his closet, to implore his guidance and blessing. General La Fayette is extolled as an American hero. But the generality do not consider that he embarked not to regain his own liberty, but ours; and that in our infant state, he sacrificed his property, though little did he expect a rich reward at this day. On the other hand, the character of Alexander the Great, appears small when we turn to the effeminacy and latter end of his life. The brilliant and successful exploits of any man are most glorious, as it respects his good name, when they are supported by the little things pertaining to his life, which add excellence to fame. How desirable that they who would render their names immortal amongst men, be found faithful in that which is least, that their memory be perpetuated in realms above. A few memorable events in any person's life, will not prove an equivalent or com

pensation for the defects of the many little things which are the true standard and criterion, of which the characters even of great men are made up.

6th. Little things must make up the character of most men, as few have capacity or opportunity for great and noble enterprises. Comparatively few of the human race, are gifted with extraordinary natural powers of mind; and fewer still, have all the advantages which are necessary to cultivate them to their greatest extent. Of the few able and eminent men which at any time live, how small is the number of those, who in the whole course of their lives, have opportunity of doing what the world would call great things. A mere trifling number can be the monuments of history, and the astonishment of ages; for the principal part live and die in obscurity. They have not the power of being distinguished in their whole lives by any great and glorious work, or noble enterprise, consequently their memory is lost in oblivion at death. Ten thousand times ten thousand human beings are never known beyond the neighbourhood in which they are born. Many are brought up in the most lamentable ignorance, and scarcely ever hear of doings beyond their own town or vicinity. Concerning such it is emphatically true, that little things make up their character; for their means of knowledge, ideas, and opportunities of doing good, are greatly limited. But whether they improve the talents they have, whether they are faithful or unfaithful according to their means and opportunities, is their important concern. Such persons do form characters either good or bad, and they are interested in this subject as well as others; for it teaches simple truth: He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much.

7th. Little things make up the character of a man as a. Christian, and will be the criterion by which, at the last great day, sentence will be pronounced for eternity. The