course of conduct, appears, at once, to transcend all other considerations:  A pure unsullied conscience before heaven is the most permanent bliss that a rational being can enjoy, and is of that enduring nature which no earthly power or misfortune can destroy.  It supports us in the hour of adversity and trial; it comforts us in the dark hour of sorrow; it remains unmoved amids the storms of life, and lights up the smile of satisfaction on the lips of the dying.

Nor is this all.  It affords us other unruffled streams of unmingled felicity in the common intercourse of life.  The approbation of the wise and the good, the confidence and esteem of our friends and associates, and the good opinion even of the vicious, are considerations of no ordinary moment.  They awaken emotions in the heart of the most pleasing gratification, and open in the soul all the avenues of heaven-born felicity, imparting that peace, which this world can neither give nor take away.  But as it respects wealth, we would remark, that though it may communicate happiness by enabling us to relieve the wants of our fellow creatures, and afford us many joys in the indulgence of our benevolence, yet it cannot of itself communicate happiness, but virtue can.  A wicked and unprincipled man is wretched, though he roll in all the wealth and splendors that earth can give.  He feels in his bosom a burning flame, that all the streams of wealth can never quench, and a craving desire, that nought on earth can gratify.  If his “great riches” afford him any enjoyments, yet these are by no means permanent and lasting.  The desolating flame may lay them in ruins—­the storms on the ocean may sink them in its waves—­the famine or blighting mildew may wither them forever, and leave him stript of all his fancied joys.  But nothing of this can happen to virtue.  That remains forever unharmed amidst the shocks of earth.  A good name is, therefore, of inconceivably more value than riches and rather to be chosen than silver and gold.

We are formed for society.  God in beginning said, “it is not good that man should be alone.”  This being a fact, which all past experience, and the history of our whole race demonstrate, it is, therefore, equally true, that our dearest enjoyments flow from the social affections and from a sincere cultivation of the social intercourse of life.  There is, perhaps, not a human being in existence, who would accept of all the wealth of the Indies on the condition that he should not be respected by a single individual on earth.  This circumstance shows us, in noonday light, the superior value of a good name above all the glittering appendages of wealth.  Every man is beloved and esteemed in proportion to his goodness and usefulness in the world, particularly by those with whom he associate in life.  If then to love and be beloved depend on our conduct in the world, and if at the same time, our happiness is derived from the exercise of reciprocal affection, we see the importance of pitching upon that course of life, which alone can secure those solid pleasures resulting from a well spent life.