Thewords wisdom, understanding, and knowledge partly translate the word “virtue.”
I. The wonderful effects virtue produces on the mind.
1. The effects bear no proportion to our immediate sentiments concerning it.
2. Observe the complete change which it produces upon the human character itself. It gives the human being all the value which he can possess.
3. Notice the power it possesses of communicating immediate happiness to the mind.
4. Virtue reaches beyond the agent himself, and affects all who stand in connection with him.
5. Observe theunexpected and amazing changes which it produces upon the great societies of the earth. It is, in fact, the great principle of national happiness and civilisation.
II. The argument suggested. Look beyond the appearances of the moment, and study and know your real interest, and your own natural and best connections. Placed among men, virtue operates incessantly for their benefit. She is incessantly employed in improving and comforting us. (John Mackenzie, D.D.)
The best of all blessings
1.We cannot get all that we desire, but we can get the grace of God.
2. If we could get all the things that we desire, they would not make us happy, but the grace of God will.
3. If we could get them, and they could make us happy, we cannot keep them; but we can keep the grace of God. The grace of God, or the religion of Jesus, is the most valuable thing in the world. Then how earnestly we should seek it. (R. Newton, D. D.)
The circumstances which enhance the value of virtue
Virtue is beautiful and lovely in itself. Her dictates are founded on the nature of things.
1. The more accurate and perspicuous our knowledge of the principle which gives birth to a virtuous act, or on which it is performed, the greater is the value of it.
2. The more generous and pure the motives to our good actions, the greater is the value of them.
3. The more the virtues that we practise are contrary to our natural dispositions, to our constitution, or to our darling propensities, the more resplendent and excellent are they.
4. The value of our virtue is greatly enhanced by the outward obstacles we have to contend with in the exercise of it, or in proportion to the little encouragement we meet with in it.
5. The more considerable the privation we undergo for the sake of virtue, the more various and inevitable the hazards that attend it, the greater is its value.
6. The satisfaction, or the willingness with which a virtue is practised, contributes in like manner very much to heighten its beauty or its worth.
7. Constancy in virtue is also a circumstance which enhances the value of it.
8. The more benign the influence of our virtue is upon the public interest, the greater is its value. (G. J. Zollikofer.)
