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ON THE MUTUAL OBLIGATIONS OF MEN TO EACH OTHER. THE whole collection of mankind forms but one mass of homogeneous beings. "Of one blood has the great Creator made all nations upon the earth:" and although reason speak more intelligibly to some than to others, according to their different organizations and opportunities of acquiring knowledge, yet the idea that an obligation exists of a reciprocity of services, can never be obliterated. Judging of the wants and obligations of others, by those which he himself experiences, every human being feels himself at times impelled to benevolence. How lamentable then is the consideration, that the passions should continually darken these fair traces of humanity, and that vengeance and jealousy should so often supplant the feelings of commiseration and gentleness.

When men abandon themselves to the dominion of passion, the very mute animals upbraid them with their folly. On these occasions they would prove able instructors, would we condescend to regard them as such the irascible man would read his condemnation in the habits of the dove, the sluggard in those of

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