of
course the most worthless. The one is to be fondly chosen and pursued
in proportion to its worth in administering to our enjoyments, and the
other is to be avoided in proportion to its unhappy effects in
multiplying our sorrows. This being an undeniable fact, the
superlative value of a good name, procured by a virtuous course of
conduct, appears, at once, to transcend all other considerations: A
pure unsullied conscience before heaven is the most permanent bliss
that a rational being can enjoy, and is of that enduring nature which
no earthly power or misfortune can destroy. It supports us in the hour
of adversity and trial; it comforts us in the dark hour of sorrow; it
remains unmoved amids the storms of life, and lights up the smile of
satisfaction on the lips of the dying.

Nor is this all. It affords us other unruffled streams of unmingled
felicity in the common intercourse of life. The approbation of the
wise and the good, the confidence and esteem of our friends and
associates, and the good opinion even of the vicious, are
considerations of no ordinary moment. They awaken emotions in the
heart of the most pleasing gratification, and open in the soul all the
avenues of heaven-born felicity, imparting that peace, which this
world can neither give nor take away. But as it respects _wealth_, we
would remark, that though it may communicate happiness by enabling us
to relieve the wants of our fellow creatures, and afford us many joys
in the indulgence of our benevolence, yet it cannot of itself
communicate happiness, but virtue can. A wicked and unprincipled man
is wretched, though he roll in all the wealth and splendors that earth
can give. He feels in his bosom a _burning flame_, that all the
streams of wealth can never quench, and a _craving desire_, that
nought on earth can gratify. If his "great riches" afford him any
enjoyments, yet these are by no means permanent and lasting. The
desolating flame may lay them in ruins--the storms on the ocean may
sink them in its waves--the famine or blighting mildew may wither them
forever, and leave him stript of all his fancied joys. But nothing of
this can happen to virtue. That remains forever unharmed amidst the
shocks of earth. A good name is, therefore, of inconceivably more
value than riches and rather to be chosen than silver and gold.

We are formed for society. God in beginning said, "it is not good that
man should be alone." This being a fact, which all past exp