Page:Moral Pieces in Prose and Verse.pdf/180

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thrill and vibrate to the rude touch, unless they become gradually hardened by the rough intercourse of the world.

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In all that overtakes us, whether joyful or afflictive, we should recognize the hand of Providence. Not a sparrow falleth without it; how much less shall the children of men pass unnoticed, unregarded, and unprovided for!

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Disagreeable circumstances will meet us in the passage of human life, and we must be prepared to sacrifice to them neither our self possession, nor our inward repose.

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How can any say that we may merit an everlasting reward by the imperfect obedience of this fleeting life? If our humble faith and patience are at length clothed with a spotless robe of righteousness, who wrought out this robe for us? Can impurity merit perfection? Can poverty pay an infinite ransom? "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one." There must be some righteousness which we have not