olence.

Then comes the crowning grace of CHARITY, "which is the bond of
perfectness," comprehending the whole circle of the social virtues.

Where all these qualities exist, in due proportion, they will form a
lovely character, harmonious and beautiful as the seven colors of the
rainbow; yea, with the addition of an eighth, of crowning lustre. But,
if any one suffers his religious feelings to concentrate on one point,
as though the whole of religion consisted in zeal, or devotional
feeling, or sympathy, or the promotion of some favorite scheme of
benevolence, you will find an exhibition of character as unlovely and
repulsive as though the seven colors of the rainbow should concentrate
in one, of livid hue, or pale blue, or sombre gray; as disagreeable as
though the sweet melody of a harmonious choir were changed into a dull,
monotonous bass; and as unsavory as a dish of meats seasoned only with
bitter herbs.

This disproportionate development of Christian character is more
frequently seen in young converts: especially such as have not received
a thorough Christian education, and are, consequently, deficient in
religious knowledge. They find themselves in a new world, and become so
much absorbed in the contemplation of the new objects that present
themselves to their admiring gaze, that they seem almost to forget that
they have any other duties to perform than those which consist in
devotional exercises. If these are interrupted, they will fret and worry
their minds, and wish for some employment entirely of a religious
nature. They wonder how it is possible for Christians to be _so cold_,
as to pursue their worldly employments as diligently as they do who take
this world for their portion; and often you will hear them breaking out
in expressions of great severity against older Christians, because they
do not sympathize with them in these feelings. Their daily employments
become irksome; and they are tempted even to neglect the interests of
their employers, with the plea, that the service of God has the first
claim upon them. But they forget that the service of God consists in the
faithful performance of every social and relative duty, "_as unto the
Lord, and not to men_," as well as the more direct devotional exercises;
and that the one is as essential to the Christian character as the
other. The Bible requires us to be "diligent in business," as well as
"fervent in spirit;" and the religion of the Bible makes us bett