"The Character of Eugenius," An Essay on Anger ch. VII (1809)
As soon as Eugenius had a house and a family, he selected a chamber in it; there the word of God was read, and prayers were constantly offered. These were not omitted on account of any guest whom providence might conduct within those happy walls: for Eugenius esteemed it a part of due respect to those who were brought under his roof, to take it for granted they would look upon it as a very bad compliment, to imagine they would have been obliged by neglecting the duties of religion on their account.
His character was uniformly regular and amiable but he particularly excelled in that self-government which this essay is designed to promote. His meekness of temper was not a mere natural disposition: it was a Christian grace; a fruit of the Divinity. It arose from religious principles; a regard to God’s authority as enjoining it, and a sense of the evil and sinfulness of the contrary. He knew that to bear a hostile and revengeful disposition towards our neighbor, is highly offensive to God: on this ground, he constantly embraced all becoming methods for the cultivation and promotion of meekness and gentleness in himself and others. He followed peace with all men, and avoided every thing which might have a tendency to break it. |
