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the small dust of the balance will give it a preponderance to one side or the other. It is so in judging the motives of men. We often violate that rule of charity that "thinketh no evil," and decide a case before we have heard all that can be said in reference to it, and form our opinion with but a partial knowledge of all the facts. It is in this way men of the world make up their minds in reference to the importance and truth of evangelical religion. They listen eagerly to all that may be said by the enemies of religion, but shut their ears to what may be said in its favor, and close their eyes to the light of truth, though it shine with all the brightness of a sunbeam from every page of the word of God. The carnal heart is opposed to the doctrines and precepts of revealed truth, and hence to such no good thing can come from Nazareth. But what do such know of the spirit of evangelical piety? What do they know of the power of that religion which they so arrogantly arraign and condemn? They have never experienced its energizing power or its peace giving influence; they have never carefully and impartially examined the claims of religion to their respect and belief. They have made up their verdict as to the truth and importance of religion upon what has been urged by its avowed enemies and as oft refuted by its friends. To all such, no good thing can come from Nazareth. If they can point to one who professes to have experienced the love of God shed abroad in his heart, whose conduct does not correspond with his high pretensions, they not only pronounce him a hypocrite, but they include all others who profess to fear God, in the same category. Happy would it be for such if they would suspend their uncharitable judgment, and come and see-put themselves right-in a proper condition to judge correctly and impartially before they condemn all.

But this is stating the case in terms too general to be of any practical benefit to us directly. We are all, more or less, exposed to the malign influence of prejudice in the every-day affairs of life. We allow it to affect our social intercourse and even our conduct toward each other as members of the family of Christ. This evil is not confined to those without the Church. It serves to weaken the bonds that should bind the members of the household of faith in the closest relationship as members of one great family, having a common Father and common interests. But alas! too often the spirit of jealousy or envy begets a prejudice in the mind of one member toward another, and then no good thing can come out of Nazareth. Under the influence of prejudice, it is no unusual thing to set down as wrong in one against whom such feelings are entertained, what would not be noticed in another where no such feelings exist. We may be biased in favor of an - individual so as not to discover his faults, and be unwilling to admit that he can do wrong; while, in reference to the same persons, there are those who find nothing right; but all is wrong; no mat.

ter how pure their motives, or correct their deportment, no good can come out of Nazareth. It is not necessary that we openly condemn or proclaim from the house-tops what we discover in a friend to be wrong, in order to clear ourselves of an improper bias in his favor; neither is it required that we think or speak equally well of all to avoid the charge of being prejudiced; for then we must either be insensible to the proper distinction between right and wrong, or be indifferent to such distinction, when we do perceive it. It is our duty not only to abhor evil in all, but to shun even the appearance of evil, while we are to cultivate that charity that "thinketh no evil." The true spirit of the Gospel demands an honest, open-handed, pure-minded course, which is in wide contrast with the low, cunning, secret, intriguing spirit that characterizes men of low, sordid selfishness. That Christian frankness and candor which are the opposite of low, base prejudice, consist not in fairness of speech; for smiling may be the aspect, and smooth the words of those whose prejudiced minds may be the most ready to think evil of us. An honest, open-hearted frankness may lack the smoothness of external polish; but there is that which is of more value-a kind and ingenuous heart-a disposition to put the fairest construction upon what may seem to be improper or inconsistent. He who is free from the corroding influence of a prejudiced mind, will be without affectation in his manners, and most cordial and sincere in his professions of friendship. He will readily make allowance for the foibles and infirmities of mankind, the blending of evil with good, which is found in every human character. He is not looking to find one faultless; and yet he is unwilling to believe that there are any in the ordinary walks of life who are wholly destitute of every commendable quality. In the midst of many defects the unprejudiced mind will discover some amiable traits of character. Hence, he is not ready to lend a listening ear to evil reports and dark surmises and insinuations, that among the censorious circulate with such currency. He will not judge hastily, nor condemn, until he has full proof of guilt. Neither will he sacrifice a friend for a fault; for with the purest gold there is yet some alloy. Where there is just ground for doubts, he remains undecided, and leans to the most charitable construction which the act will bear. But a mind, swayed by prejudice, will accept of no apology which an accused person may offer, or admit of any extenuating circumstances that equity or charity may suggest. Such can see distinctly the mote in a brother's eye, but seem unconscious of the beam in their own; they judge others, not according to the principles by which they would wish others to judge them, but according to the suggestions of their own prejudiced minds. Such an influence as controls a prejudiced mind checks every kindly impulse, hardens the heart, and estranges man from his fellow-man, while its tendency is to sever the bonds of social

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endearment, and to make each individual an isolated being. It is thus that mutual confidence is destroyed, and moral influence impaired. By giving place to prejudice, we diminish our social enjoyments, by suffering our minds to be affected by the evil surmises and tales of scandal against a neighbor or a brother in the church, while we intensify that evil influence by neglecting or refusing to give a reason for such conduct. Often has the peace of the church been disturbed, the pastor's relation periled, plans of usefulness defeated by some trivial misunderstanding, that at first arose from suspicion, and ripened into a settled prejudice without cause. Bad as the world is, some good can yet come from Nazareth.

The indulgence of such an unhallowed spirit by a Christian, is the canker that will soon eat out what little of real piety there may have been in the heart. It is one of the works of the flesh, that is constantly warring against that charity" that suffereth long, and is kind; that envieth not; that vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." Prejudice will eventually ripen into hatred; that stands in opposition to love, which is one of the first and highest manifestations of the fruits of a renewed heart. Through the influence of prejudice, the judgment is perverted, the determination of the will mistaken for the approbation of conscience, while the light within is turned to darkness, and then surmises of wrong ripen into certainty, and he comes to regard the objects of his ill-will as positively bad men. Under the influence of such a spirit, he is greatly deceived as to his own character and motives, and flatters himself that in publishing the failings of others, and undermining their Christian influence, he is doing God's service. While he becomes a slave to his evil passions, they become sources of constant annoyance, of misery, to him. Believing others to be his enemies, he adopts a course of conduct that is sure to make them such.

I may be pardoned, if, in this connection, I refer to the influence of prejudice on the piety of Christians. It is almost impossible for such imperfect creatures to travel together far on the journey of life without having occasion for the exercise of the largest charity toward each other, especially as brethren in the Church. We soon find that, though born of the same Spirit, and servants of the same Master, and engaged in the same blessed cause, nevertheless, we are far from being perfect; we are by no means fitted for the perfect harmony of heaven. There is much. about us that is earthy; there is a diversity of tastes and habits, occasioned not altogether by difference in temperament, but difference in our education and conduct in early life. Hence, as fellowtravelers, we are to watch over each other, and in so doing we shall find occasion for great forbearance and kindness, cherishing whatever is good and overlooking what may be wrong. If one

feels it his duty to admonish another, the brother admonished has no occasion to harbor ill-will toward the faithful brother, o to count him as an enemy. With the spirit of prejudice rankling in his bosom, he can not have the spirit of Christ - he can not pray acceptably for himself or others. Such feelings are not unfrequently indulged toward a pastor, whose special duty it is to watch over the individuals of his flock, and who, in the dis charge of that duty, may have had occasion to reprove for some wrong act; or it may be but a suspicion that the pastor does not think so highly of him as of another. Now, with such a state of mind, no good thing, in his view, can come from Nazareth. Under such a bias, preaching will do him no good; the truth becomes personal, and he regards it as directed at him, and resolves that he will not submit to the reproof, nor be profited by the truth. Very different was the spirit of the Psalmist, who said: "Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent oil which shall not break my head." The best remedy for a prejudiced mind is the cultivation of that grace which "thinketh no evil," that inclines its possessor to put the most favorable construction upon the motives and conduct of others. We need more of that spirit that rejoices in the triumphs of truth, that rejoices in good done, by whomsoever it may be.

Those who allow their minds to be biased by prejudice are themselves the greatest sufferers, and most deserving of pity. If this hindrance to growth in grace, so destructive to a spirit of prayer, of communion with God and peace of mind, would but give place to that spirit of charity which is the brightest ornament to the Christian character, what a wonderful change would it produce in the conduct of many professing godliness, and how greatly would the moral influence of the Church be increased! how much ill-natured joy at the faults and mishaps of others would it repress; how much would be done toward removing the obsta cles that now hinder the influence of truth, and lead Christians to mourn in secret rather than rejoice over the faults of others. This would be a very different world, if there were none to rejoice in iniquity; and the Church would be much more efficient for good, if there were none in its bosom but those who rejoice in the truth. We had better expose ourselves to an occasional disadvantage by judging too favorably of our fellow-men, than to make ourselves unhappy by always suspecting them or judging unjustly, for some good can come from Nazareth. It is bettter to be sometimes imposed upon, than never to trust. He who is free from prejudice will view the character of others in the most favorable light. He is like one dwelling amidst those beautiful scenes of nature on which the eye rests with pleasure; while he who allows himself to be swayed by prejudice, can never tell how far his bias may lead him, nor what injustice he may be left to do to others. The

cloud that rises from the sea no bigger than the hand, may expand till it covers the whole field of vision, and pour its storm of retributive justice upon his defenseless head. It is exceedingly hazardous to suffer prejudice to influence our conduct toward others, because we can never fix any limit to the indulgence of unholy passions. Like noxious weeds, if not eradicated, it will spread and overcome all the finer feelings and generous impulses of our natures. The Jews were so prejudiced against the Saviour, that at last it culminated in murderous hatred. At first it was on account of his humble parentage; and then because he associated with what they considered the lower classes in society, and sat at meat with them, and relieved the needy; until at last they openly preferred a murderer should be set at liberty instead of Him whom they confessed had "done all things well," and, to compass their murderous purpose, said: "His blood be on us and on our children."

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In conclusion, let me say, that since we are exposed to the influence of prejudice, how important that we know ourselves before we presume to sit in judgment on others! We should be slow to condemn when we do not fully understand all the circumstances or the motives that influence those we judge. indulgence of prejudice is a most efficient cause of departure from God. It is in itself an evidence of a backslidden state. It opens wide the gate and invites the foul demon, the enemy of peace, to enter in and take possession of the citadel. It will prove the worm that gnaws at the root of the tree whose withered foliage will soon give signs of premature decay.

To be free from all unhallowed prejudice, we must cultivate the graces of the spirit, a feeling of tenderness toward all who need the exercise of our charity. When our eye is single, when the heart beats in sympathy with Christ, then may we hope to judge impartially, yet kindly and in love. A beart under the influence of prejudice, will, from the necessity of the case, be an unforgiving heart, because in the view of such no good can be found in Nazareth; and to commend or approve, in such circumstances, would be an indorsement or approval of sin. It is strange, that where all need so much forbearance from others, they are so reluctant to award that to their fellow men of which they are in the greatest need themselves. Whenever we are tempted to be severe in our judgment, let us not forget that the hour is nigh when we shall be seen and known as we are, when all deception will vanish; and then how differently our characters will appear from what we now suppose them to be. If ever we arrive at heaven, we shall doubtless find many there whom our prejudice had excluded from all participation in that glorious inheritance; while others, whom in our blindness and partiality we exalted to heaven, have failed altogether of the grace of life. But the greatest won.

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