of trade; when we find that hardly so small a thing as a shoe can be made without a falsehood stitched into it; when, indeed, we hear the generous young man, who would fain live truly and nobly, exclaim, in the bitterness of a heart taught by sore experience, It is impossible in the existing state of society to get a living honestly; we may allow something to exaggeration, but we cannot help feeling that the business which fills up most of our days and years, the pursuit of gain, even if not corrupt in the core, is yet compassed round with temptations. and perils. Here, if anywhere,—in our daily vocation of labor or of traffic, if in any state whatever, we need a guidance and a strength, which neither the maxims of prudence nor the wit of the economist can impart.

The method of gain, that is the first thing for us to contemplate. As now managed, it goes altogether on the assumption that it is necessary to live. We may not say, what some have been represented as saying, Get property; if you can, honestly; but at all events, get it. We say virtually, however, Live we must; honestly, if possible; but we must at any rate live. Here is an error to be corrected. It is not necessary that we live. It may be quite necessary that we die. Nature forms us for the great transition. Nature forms us so that, without certain

means of support, we must inevitably yield to the stern destiny. Those means of support are the primary objects of work and of traffic. We ought distinctly to understand, that so soon as faithful work and honest traffic are insufficient to supply these means, and there is no human kindness to fill up the want, our hour has come. We have nothing left, but to hold fast our integrity and lay us calmly down and sleep. That is all.

Not that such an alternative is to be seriously looked for. The contrary we know full well. It hinders not that all business should be conducted on this principle. The man is himself the main thing; the gain is but secondary. And as in all things, so in labor and in traffic, we are to consider man advancing to the perfection of his nature as first, his employments and gains as instrumental and subservient. In higher and more sacred language, we are to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; that we shall so receive food and clothing and all necessary things, we may commit calmly to the Power which feeds the birds of the air, and shelters, nourishes, and makes beautiful the trees and grass and flowers. Let the young man, disappointed in his dearest hopes, look out from some hill-top as the summer sun is going down: rivers and bays spread their still

bosoms to the softening ray; forest and field reach out to the horizon, the deep green lighted by the golden splendor; the sun resting so full of majestic beauty amidst the white clouds which seem themselves to rejoice in the universal peace; perhaps he may take in new solace. Surely He who makes his earth overflow with all this wealth of joy, will also take care of me and mine! Only be virtuous, be true; work honestly; the issue comes of the Soul living through the universe.

But the gain coming in, how shall we use it? The noble and devout spirit in which it has been procured will give the answer. He who loves with all his heart the Great Father, and all whom he has made, will not leave his treasures to rust in rich poverty, nor squander them in proud luxury, nor yet scatter them in thoughtless charities. The methods of his conduct will be various as the circumstances; he will need no hard rules, no fixed prescripts, no resolutions, made out and established beforehand, admitting no deviation, demanding stern and inflexible uniformity. Nowhere is it more certain than he will find it, True knowledge proceeds rather from the heart than from the head; nor yet only as regards the general laws and order of things, but equally as regards the perpetually changing courses and relations of

life and action. If, in other phrase, our passions always instruct, teaching or deceiving, our reason, a simple and hearty love to God and to each other may be trusted to instruct, without danger of misleading, the daily thought and direction of our affairs.

If it is not so common for the prosperous as for the unfortunate to pray, yet there is surely quite as much need. The forms may likewise be wholly spontaneous in which either shall address the Supreme; not unlike in spirit to this is perhaps the aspiration of the devout man in prosperity:

O Thou whose is the earth, whose the fulness thereof! I thank thee for the portion which thy goodness hath given unto me. Thou hast fulfilled the desires which thou didst plant in my nature. Thou hast opened thine hand, strewing around me thy gifts, enriching me with thy benedictions.

I am all unworthy of the favors which I have received. Before thee, to whom the whole heart is uncovered, from whom neither deed nor word, neither thought nor secret desire, is hidden, and by whom, as nothing is unseen, so nothing can ever be forgotten, I confess - O grant it may be with true sorrow, and earnest purpose of seeking a higher life- my feebleness to good, my proneness to sin, and the many instances which I de

plore, wherein I feel myself to have done evil. O Lord, I remember with sadness the sins and errors of the past; I feel as a heavy burden the consciousness of my present imperfection; and I know that as thou, leading me to clearer vision and deeper purity, dost open more and more to my view the recesses and depths of concealed sin, so dost thou see them in their whole darkness and secrecy for ever. Father, leave me never to fear even amidst this solemn conviction. Show to me continually the love which surpasses and overcomes all sin.

If, in the acquisition of those gifts which thou hast granted, thou hast seen aught of sin in my heart or my deed, I beseech thee to reveal it unto me, that I may truly repent and avoid the like in my future action. If I have ever been avaricious, I pray thee to stay the low thirst. If I have been unkind, supplant the bitter spirit by love and gentleness. If I possess aught which rightfully belongs to another, enable me to discover the false gain, and cheerfully restore it to my brother. If in any way, through my whole intercourse with men and my labors on the earth, I have done wrong to any soul whom thou hast made, or withheld from any what is their due, Lord, discover to me the error, and dispose me humbly and with true love to repair, so far as I can, whatever of injury hath been suffered.