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the free society of the world; how delightful must be the friendship of those who, accompanying us through all this long period, with a closer union than any casual friend, can go still farther back, from the school to the very nursery, which witnessed our common pastimes; who have had an interest in every event that has related to us, and in every person to whom we have been attached; who have honoured with us those to whom we have paid every filial honour in life, and wept with us over those whose death has been to us the most lasting sorrow of our heart! Such, in its wide unbroken sympathy, is the friendship of brothers, or of brothers and sisters-considered even as friendship only. But how many circumstances of additional interest does this union receive, from the common relationship to those who have original claims to our still higher regard, and to whom we offer such an acceptable service, in extending our affections to those whom they love?"

"In treating of the circumstances that tend peculiarly to strengthen this tie, an ancient classical writer extends his view even to the common sepulchre which is at last to enclose the entire family! It is indeed a powerful image-a symbol and almost a lesson of unanimity. Every dissension of man with man excites in us a feeling of painful incongruity; but we feel a peculiar incongruity in the discord of those whom one roof has continued to shelter during life, and whose dust is afterwards to be mingled under one common stone!"

The connexion, therefore, which we now consider, involves in it "the duties of a cordial intimacy, rendered more sacred by relationship to the parents from

whom we have sprung, and to whom we owe common duties, as we have been objects of common cares. By the peculiar attachment of brothers and sisters, and the mutual services thence arising, the world is at last enriched with the reciprocal enjoyments of a regard that has already formed friends, before it could have thought of seeking them. Surrounded by the aged only, or at least by those who are aged in comparison, the child would have learned only to respect and obey; but with the little society of his equals around him, he learns that independence and equality of friendship which train him to the affections that are worthy of a free and undaunted spirit, in the liberty and equal society of maturer years.'

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MASTER AND SERVANT.-Of all domestic connexions, this, perhaps, is least understood, or, at least, is most neglected. In the two preceding cases, Nature, imperfect and corrupt as she is, has come in with her aid; but this is a connexion, affecting at the same time the vital interest of a family, which is left by God to conscience and Scripture alone. Should these two be neglected, what wonder if the duty on either side is not fulfilled? Between master and servant, indeed, a civil connexion is at once admitted, and by the laws of various nations this is recognised; but though it is admitted to be of moral obligation, with many it extends in no degree to the care of the soul, nor is there imagined by many to be any thing of this nature involved in it. Let the servant only be obedient and courteous, faithful, and, in some degree, interested

*Brown's Lectures on Moral Philosophy.

about the welfare of the family; and let the master, in addition to the regular payment of the stipulated hire, only add a trifle, occasionally, by way of encouragement or reward, and then both parties conceive that they have well fulfilled their mutual obligations. Multitudes, however, of persons professing the Christian religion, go not even so far as this: the poor and miserable light in which they regard this connexion being nothing more than that of a covenant for labour, and wages in exchange.

Now, surely that fine and extensive power, which, by the constitution of a family, is deposited in the' master's hand, was never lodged there for such a trivial purpose as this. It is granted, that the connexion is far inferior to any one of the three already considered. It may also very soon be dissolved, and this very power of dismission, like the act of transportation or banishment in a state, being left in the master's option, is one striking proof of the divine regard for the best interests of his own institution, the domestic circle; but still the household servant cannot, must not, be regarded as an alien. Though not born in

been ingrafted, and is

the house, such a domestic has in fact a branch of the family. If proof were wanting, let any one look at the injury or the benefit which, through him or her, the master's interest, or property, or character, nay, or the beloved children, may sustain.

There is one expression in sacred writ, which, though only incidentally employed, is powerfully descriptive of the connexion which God has instituted between a master or mistress and the household servant.

"The heir," says Paul," as long as he is a

child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be Lord of all, but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the Father." But the connexion between parent and child, while he is a minor, or even an infant, involves all the responsibility which we have already considered. Surely, then, the converse of this expression must hold true, and illustrate the legitimate or divinely-revealed connexion between master and servant, as proceeding to a far greater extent than many imagine. Surely, if the child differeth nothing from a servant, the servant should differ nothing from a child in the substantial part of care,-the care of the soul. The care will differ in degree, but assuredly it must be the same in kind.

I have thought that any master or mistress may be convinced of the nature and extent of this connexion, by observing only the extent of duty which they expect from a servant. It is true, that your connexion began with little more than a covenant for labour, in return for wages; but if once your servants come under the roof, do you not expect them to be trust-worthy, and blame them if they are not? Do you not expect them, or say, only wish them, to act without hypocrisy and dissimulation? to avoid sowing discord, or fomenting jealousy? Do you not expect them to feel some interest in your welfare and reputation, as well as to care, in some degree, for your children ?

If you do not entertain any such expectations, then do not by any means blame them, if they should fail in all these, and some things else. But if you do express your dissatisfaction, then be assured you did expect all this; and if you do, is there nothing in cor

respondence to be expected by the servant from you? Certainly there must be, and the connexion between you and your household servant is not only mutual, but more serious and extensive than you have hitherto supposed.

Complaints from masters and mistresses, in regard to servants, I am well aware, have been heard in all ages. Some persons occasionally have said, that they were the plague of their lives, or at least the principal interruption of their domestic comfort. Far from exaggeration, this may be precisely true; but is there not a cause? Let us for a moment only observe the substance of these complaints. Do these persons engage our ear with complaint, respecting their profanity or lewdness, their indifference to divine truth, or their ignorance of God? or are they even concerned about these evils? No, but they dwell at large on their idleness or falsehood, their pilfering, or their want of interest in the family. Now these complaints, when thoroughly examined, will be found, in most cases, to be the most unjust and foolish in the world. Unjust, because a previous and higher obligation is neglected by them; and foolish, because they are vainly expecting obedience to their commands, without exacting any to those of God. They are actually expecting the effect without its cause, and that their servants should be dutiful to them, and attentive to their interests, though forgetful of God. Of Abraham it was said, in his praise, that he would command, not his children only, but his household after him, that they should keep the way of the Lord, and so he secured his own authority and interest: but not so the masters or mistresses to whom we have referred. See

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