ways hide the real character.

RULE 4. The nominative case independent, and nouns in apposition when
accompanied with adjuncts, must be distinguished by commas; as, "My
_son_, give me thy heart;" "Dear _Sir_, I write to express my gratitude
for your many kindnesses;" "I am obliged to you, my _friends_, for your
many favors;" "_Paul_, the _apostle_, of the Gentiles, was eminent for
his zeal and knowledge;" "The _butterfly_, _child_ of the summer,
flutters in the sun."

But if _two_ nouns in apposition are unattended with adjuncts, or if
they form only a proper name, they should not be separated; as, _"Paul_
the _apostle_, suffered martyrdom;" "The _statesman Jefferson_, wrote
the declaration of Independence."

_Exercises_.--Lord thou hast been our dwelling place in all
generations. Continue my dear child to make virtue thy chief study.
Canst thou expect thou betrayer of innocence to escape the hand of
vengeance? Death the king of terrors chose a prime minister. Hope the
balm of life sooths us under every misfortune. Confucius the great
Chinese philosopher was eminently good as well as wise. The patriarch
Joseph is an illustrious example of true piety.

RULE 5. The nominative case absolute and the infinitive mood absolute
with their adjuncts, a participle with words depending on it, and,
generally, any imperfect phrase which may be resolved into a simple
sentence, must be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas; as,
"_His father dying_, he succeeded to the estate;" "_To confess the
truth_, I was in fault;" "The king, _approving the plan_, put it in
execution;" "He, _having finished his academical course_, has returned
home, _to prosecute his professional studies_."

_Exercises_.--Peace of mind being secured we may smile at misfortune. To
enjoy present pleasure he sacrificed his future ease and reputation. His
talents formed for great enterprises could not fail of rendering him
conspicuous. The path of piety and virtue pursued with a firm and
constant spirit will assuredly lead to happiness. All mankind compose
one family assembled under the eye of one common Father.

RULE 6. A compound sentence must be resolved into simple ones by placing
commas between its members; as, "The decay, the waste, and the
dissolution of a plant, may affect our spirits, and suggest a train of
serious reflections."

Three or more nouns, verbs, adjectives, participles, or adverbs,
connected by conjunctions, expressed or understo