The works of the Rev. William Thom, late minister ... - waughfamily.ca

SERMONS. 23Had men of feemingly different opinions alwaysUS.met and explained themfelves, their differences^ at leaflin material points, would very often have appeared tobe much about words, and many idle wranglings anddifputes which have made fo much noife in the world,and fwelled the heavy volumes of ancient and moderntimes, would, to the unfpeakable advantage and honourof Chriflianity, never have been heard of.To " fpeak often one to another" doth alfo procuremutual peace, as it removes fecret grudges, and thefufpicions we are apt to entertain about the moral chara6lerof one another.A man's fmcerity, or the purityof his morals, are often fufpe£led when there islittle or no ground for any fuch fufpicion ; we havebeen misinformed, and have taken up an ill report a-gainft him •, our not having acquaintance with him isthe caufe why we think ill of him ; when we cometo know a little above the fprings of his a£lions, andthe tenour of his conduft, we often difcover our miftake,and begin to think better of him. We are fearedat a man's fuppofed temper and vices ; we converfewith him, and our fear abates.Oftentim.es thevices and defeats which thofe we are ftrangers to arecharged with, are like thofe objecSls which appear deformedand terrible at a dillance, but, when we haveapproached them, their deformity and terriblenefs difappear.How common a thing is it to entertain abad opinion of men, which, upon a little acquaintance,we fee was groundlefs ! This happens everyday, and it fliould make us cautious and How to thinkill of any perfon with whom we are but little acquainted; and if we have ill thoughts of him, weihould try if they may not be removed, by ftriking upan acquaintance, and converfmg with him. I proceed,4th, Another great advantage which the fearers ofI God derive from conference, is, growth and improve-:ment in the fpiritual life. To this end it muft indeed!bc wifely conducted :The words we hear in conyer*