; because your relative duties would
interfere with your duty to God.[M] Remember, it is in the domestic
circle where your character is to be formed. It is here that your
disposition is to be tried, and your piety cultivated. Endeavor, then,
to maintain, in your family intercourse, the same dignity and propriety
of deportment which you wish to sustain in society. Never descend to
anything at the fireside which you would despise in a more extended
circle. Bring the most minute actions of your daily life to the test of
Christian principle. Remember that, in the sight of God, there are no
_little sins_. The least transgression is sufficient to condemn the soul
forever. "He that offendeth in one point is guilty of all." Especially
avoid the indulgence of a selfish disposition. It is both unamiable and
unchristian. Be always ready to sacrifice your own feelings, when by so
doing you can give pleasure to others. Study the wishes and feelings of
others, and prefer them to your own. Manifest a disinterestedness of
feeling. Strive to be helpful to others, even at the expense of personal
feeling and interest. "Look not every man on his own things, but every
man on the things of others." "Charity seeketh not her own." Be kind to
all; respectful towards superiors, courteous to equals, and
condescending to inferiors. Be particularly careful not to trample upon
the feelings of servants. Nothing can be more unamiable. If you
cultivate these dispositions and principles of action habitually, in the
domestic circle, they will become so natural and easy as to flow out
spontaneously in every circle in which you move. And this will call
forth the love and esteem of all your acquaintance. It will bring honor
upon your profession, increase your influence, and thereby enable you to
do more for the glory of God.

[Footnote M: This direction would not be proper for a minor, in
her father's house, or in the place provided by a guardian. In
such cases, it would be duty to remain, and submit to the penalty
of disobedience; remembering that it is a blessing to be
persecuted for righteousness' sake.]

2. _There are special duties growing out of your relation to the
church._ Some of these I have considered in former letters. But I have
particular reference now to _social_ duties. You are to regard all the
members of the church as brothers and sisters. You are to love them just
in proportion as they are like Christ. It is the appearance of t