hat he
quickly discerns the least evidence of Christian character in others;
and he sees so much to be overlooked in himself, that he is rather
inclined to the extreme of credulity, in judging the characters of
others. He is ready, with Paul, to esteem himself "less than the least
of all saints;" and where he sees any evidence of piety in others, he
can overlook many deficiencies.

I am persuaded, that in few things we are more deficient than in the
exercise of joy and gratitude for the grace of God manifested in his
children. There are few of the epistles of Paul which do not commence
with an expression of joy and thanksgiving for the piety of those to
whom he was writing. I have been surprised, on looking over them, to
find these expressions so full and so frequent. They are too numerous to
be quoted in this place; but I entreat you to examine them for yourself.
Even in regard to the Corinthians, among whom so many evils existed, he
says, "I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which
is given you by Jesus Christ." But who among us is ever heard thanking
God for the piety of his brethren? On the contrary, how many of the
prayers that are offered up in our social meetings resemble the errands
of a churlish man, who never visits his neighbor's house without
entering some complaint against his children! Yet, we are under greater
obligations for the least exhibition of gracious fruits in the lives of
his people, than for the daily bounties of his providence, inasmuch as
the gift of the Holy Ghost is greater than food and raiment.

X. Thus far, with the exception of the first two heads, and a part of
the last, we have had the _negative_ character of Charity. We now come
to its _positive_ manifestations, which have, however, to a
considerable extent, been anticipated in the previous consideration of
the subject.

1. Charity _beareth all things_; or, as it may be rendered, _covereth
all things_. This seems to be more agreeable to the context; for
otherwise it would mean the same as _endureth all things_, in the latter
clause of the verse, and thus make a tautology; while it leaves a
deficiency in the description, indicated by the passage in Peter,
"Charity shall cover the multitude of sins." "Charity will draw a vail
over the faults of others, so far as is consistent with duty." What
trait of character can be more amiable and lovely? It is the genuine
spirit of the gospel, which requires us to "do unto