OR THE DESERT ISLAND. 171

revenge may be the recompense of his thoughtful affection.
But if aversion and anger enter the heart of his neighbour,
this is but another incentive to the charitable Christian to
exclude from his own heart any sentiments but those of
pure and disinterested benevolence.

So thought that illustrious man to whom an opportunity
offered of revenging himself on an enemy who, instigated
by hatred and envy, had annoyed and insulted him ina
thousand ways. “It is not his happiness,” he said, “it
is not his life or his honour, that I wish to take from him ;
but it is his ill-will.”

Let then all our efforts tend to extirpate from the hearts
of those that hate us the leaven of discord which ferments
there. A service performed by a person from whom only
ill deeds were expected, moderation after injury, an act of
benevolence after unworthy treatment, have more efficacy
than the most energetic exhortations or the most cutting
reproaches.

What a beautiful spectacle to heaven and earth is the
reconciliation of two enemies! How touching is it to be-
hold two beings abjuring their hatred, and substituting in
its place a sweet and amiable’ cordiality ! How noble is
it to see two youths trampling upon their sinful animosi-
ties, and uniting themselves by the sacred bonds of a dis-