SERMON XX.

LITTLE THINGS MAKE UP THE CHARACTER OF A MAN.

He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also

in much.

THE holy scriptures are a peculiar fund of instruc

tion in concerns both of the smallest and of the greatest moment. They teach the truth in reality, and according to the mind of God; not in appearance, and according to the views of men. And they decide the characters of mankind not merely from their external conduct, but from the motives of their hearts; not from a few splendid or glaring acts, but from the general deportment of life. Hence those exploits which are frequently the astonishment of the world, are of little esteem in the view of God; and on the other hand, a life of piety, of self denial, and devotedness in the ways of godliness, is of much value in his sight, although it obtain not the applauses of men. No doubt there are some, who by their fellow-men are honoured as good and great; but whom, at the same time, the Lord holdeth in abomination. And doubtless some who are thought not worthy to live, and who are accounted as the offscouring of the earth, will at last shine as stars in the kingdom of God for ever and ever. The words of the text are the inference and declaration of the Saviour concerning the steward, who, for his own worldly interest, had induced his lord's debtors to act dishonestly. And although he is commended as

it respects worldly wisdom or selfish interest; yet, for his dishonest measures, he is condemned as an unfaithful steward. There was a certain rich man which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him, that he had wasted his goods. And he called him and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. Then the steward said unto himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do; that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? and he said, An hundred measures of oil: and he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he unto another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much.

These words teach us, that little things make up the character of a man, and are a proper criterion, by which mankind are denominated either good or bad, faithful or unfaithful.

This truth might be extensively illustrated from natural objects, or the works of nature. The immensity of the divine works is composed of parts; or in other words, innumerable worlds constitute the universe. This material world is composed of elements; and even particles of matter comprise the

whole. The face of nature, when exhibiting its most beautiful scenery, is unbounded and infinitely diversified; yet spires of grass, plants, and leaves of trees are the component parts. We sometimes behold the heavens overspread with clouds; but their substance is mists, or vapours of the air. Rivers, rills, and even springs may be considered as the fountains of the mighty deep; for the whole ocean is formed by drops of water. Storms of snow and hail, and the falling showers give demonstration to our senses, that all things in nature are made up of little things. The subject might be pursued in this manner, to great extent; but calculated to please, rather than to benefit mankind, as their own experience would not be brought immediately to the test. This discourse

should be of such a nature as to make the hearers feel themselves deeply interested, and should serve as a glass into which they may look, and discern their true characters whether good or bad. And for this purpose let us bear in mind, that a few acts, although they be laudable, conspicuous, and brilliant, are not sufficient to establish an upright and excellent character; neither are a few misdeeds, although known to the world, sufficient to destroy an established Christian character. For example, a life prostituted to vicious courses, cannot be denominated a virtuous one, merely from a few acts of humanity, generosity, or patriotism. On the other hand, some of the worthies, recorded in scripture, who fell into temptation and grievous sins, did not destroy their religious character, although they brought a stain on their good profession. Suppose a person of sober habits fall into the sin of intoxication but once or twice during his life; this will not fix on him the character of a drunkard. Neither will he, on the other hand, who is addicted to lying, if he occasionally speak the truth, be denominated a person of veracity. Greatly to extol any person, because a few things are eminently in his favour, and to pro

nounce such an one upright on the account of these, when other circumstances are not correspondent, discovers weakness of mind, and a want of a knowledge of the world, and of the word of God. Neither

should we be hasty to condemn any one as possessing a bad character, because some faults appear; but should learn his varied deportment, especially his daily walk, would we form an opinion concerning his true worth.

1st. Little things make up the character of a man, as it respects the common conduct and affairs of life. Some persons with great activity, occasionally exert themselves and effect much in the course of a day; but this does not entitle them to the character of industry, although they be applauded, for performing unparalleled labours, or effecting wondrous exploits. But, if a person be daily and perseveringly engaged in some useful occupation; although he be able to accomplish but little, he is justly called an industrious man. Sometimes acts of enterprise make a man wealthy; and at once, secure a fortune. But generally to accumulate property little by little, is the manner by which we are to obtain the character of faithful stewards in the good things of this life, and to have economy and frugality witness our daily conduct. Again: little things will render a man a prodigal and spendthrift. Prodigality, which like a food, desolates the best of farms, and buries in sad ruins large estates, is frequently made up of little things, perhaps not larger than half gills. Negligence and wastefulness in matters of small moment, will soon arise to a great and sad amount. Very few, at one hazardous blow, lavish an estate; but thousands squander away their substance insensibly and their little excesses, like a moth, consume all they possess. It is a common proverb, Take care of the pence, and the pounds will take care of themselves. So the wasting of cents, is the consumption of thousands of dollars. Thus the present prospects of a man,

whether goodly or sad, depend generally on little things, which serve to form his character.

2d. Little things make up the character of mankind as honest or dishonest. For illustration let a few examples be taken. Suppose a merchant set an unreasonable price on some articles, with which the buyer is not acquainted. He is a cheat; for his store is opened with an implicit promise of dealing fairly and honourably. He might as well, by slight of hand, take money from a person's pocket without his knowledge. Let him so adjust his weights, that he will fraudulently save but half a penny weight on each pound he weighs, he is a dishonest man. He needs not be chargeable with open injustice, or cheating by the gross, in order to establish his true character; for he makes this up by little things. But this same person would defraud others of large sums, could he over-reach them and not be detected, And if he be not dishonest in concerns of large amount, the true reason is, not that he is not a dishonest character, but because he believes such a course of dishonest dealing, would not in the end, so well answer his unlawful gain. This is the true import of the expression, He that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much. Take by contrast, one who is conscientiously honest in all the smaller concerns and pursuits of life, and the same principle will lead him to uprightness when matters of much importance are presented before him. For it is equally true, he that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much. Let a silversmith knowingly defraud those of whom he buys or to whom he sells, of only one cent on a dollar, or an ounce of old silver, he stamps his own character with dishonesty. But let him fear dishonest gain in trivial concerns; and he will not dare attempt it in those which are weighty. Suppose that a farmer, in every half bushel of grain or other things, that he buys or sells, wrongs another of only one gill. This may be called a trifling dis