al thing to labor."

"It has been the error of sensible men of the world to erect talents and
learning into idols, which they would have universally and exclusively
worshiped. This has, perhaps, driven some religious men into such a fear
of over-cultivating learning, that they do not cultivate it at all.
Hence the intervals between their religious employments, and intervals
there must be while we are invested with these frail bodies, are languid
and insipid, wasted in trifling and sauntering. Nay, it is well if this
disoccupation of the intellect do not lead from sloth to improper
indulgences."

"You are perfectly right," said Sir John; "our worthy friend Thompson is
a living illustration of your remark. He was at college with us; he
brought from thence a competent share of knowledge; has a fair
understanding, and the manners of a gentleman. For several years past he
has not only adopted a religious character, but is truly pious. As he is
much in earnest, he very properly assigns a considerable portion of his
time to religious reading. But as he is of no profession, the
intermediate hours often hang heavy on his hands. He continues to live
in some measure in the world, without the inconsistency of entering into
its pursuits; but having renounced the study of human learning, and yet
accustoming himself to mix occasionally with general society, he has few
subjects in common with his company, but is dull and silent in all
rational conversation, of which religion is not the professed object. He
takes so little interest in any literary or political discussion,
however useful, that it is evident nothing but his good breeding
prevents his falling asleep. At the same time, he scruples not to
violate consistency in another respect, for his table is so elaborately
luxurious, that it seems as if he were willing to add to the pleasures
of sense what he deducts from those of intellect."

"I have often thought," said Mr. Stanley, "of sending him Dr. Barlow's
_three sermons on industry in our calling as Christians, industry as
gentlemen, and industry as scholars_; which sermons, by the way, I
intended to have made my son read at least once a year, had he lived,
that he might see the consistency, the compatibility, nay, the analogy
of the two latter with the former. I wish the spirit of these three
discourses was infused into every gentleman, every scholar, and every
Christian through the land. For my own part, I should have sedulous