Should the hand of Providence strike down your best earthly friend, you would feel that you were called upon to make the event contribute to moral culture. But do you feel that it is best to wait for such providences?—to tempt God thus to visit you with afflictions? Every event under his government is designed to do you good; and he who does not make it his daily business to cultivate his heart, will be in great danger of never doing it. You cannot do it at any time, and in a short period. A virtuous and holy character is not built up in a day: it is the work of a long life. Begin the work at once, and make it as really a part of your duties daily to cultivate the heart, as it is to take care of the body, or to cultivate the intellect.

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