KINDNESS. 195

LD

But why did the apostle couple these two dispositions
together? ‘* Charity suffereth long, AND 1S KIND od
Evidently, because lon g-suffering without kindness
would be unavailing. If you bear with the injuries or
supposed offences of another, and yet suffer your mind
to be soured, and your kind offices remitted, the
wound will corrode and inflame, till it breaks out with
tenfold violence. But benignity of temper, and the
constant practice of friendly offices and benevolent
actions, will disarm ill-nature, and bring the offender
to see the folly of his conduct. “* A soft answer
turneth away wrath; and the kind treatment of an
enemy will pour coals of fire on his head.’”? What
can be more lovely than a kind and obliging disposi-
tion, which delights in occasions and opportunities of
contributing to the comfort and happiness of others!
This disposition adorns with peculiar grace the female
character. Solomon, describing a virtuous woman,
says, ‘In her tongue is the law of kindness.”” If
you cultivate this disposition at all times, and in all
places, your presence will add a charm to every cir-
cle ; you will honor your Master ; and your ability to
advance his cause will be greatly enhanced. In your
efforts to do good, with the law of kindness in your
lips, you can penetrate where, without it, you could
gain no admittance; and in your expostulations with
the impenitent, you can reach the heart, by the exhi-
bition of a kind and tender spirit, where otherwise you
would be repulsed like the seven sons of Sceva, who
presumptuously attempted, in imitation of Paul, to
cast out devils in the name of Jesus. Especially is
this disposition requisite in a Sabbath-school teacher.
Without it, he can accomplish very little. Children
cannot be won without kindness. If, then, you would
be successful in this enterprise of love, cultivate a
tender regard for the ‘little lambs,”’ and be kind to
them whenever you meet them. Never see a child in
trouble without relieving him; or, if you can do no
more, show your sympathy for his sufferings by such
kind offices as are within your power.