THE BORDERERS. 267 tenderness certain vices, not thought disreputable by the world, and who even put a favourable construction on things very unjustifiable in the sight of God, lose all their kindness, put no favourable interpretation, when sound religion iS in question. They are, indeed, too discreet to reprobate it under its own proper name, but the .ready appellation of enthusiasm presents itself-is always at hand to vindicate the hastiest judg- ment, and the most contemptuous con- struction. But though we think far better things of you, whom we are addressing, yet may you not, in this society, be tempted to disavow, or, at least, to conceal, even the measure of piety you actually have, for fear of exciting that dreaded sus- picion, of " being righteous over-much ?" May not this fear, strengthened by this society, keep you back till your pious tendencies, by being suppressed, may gradually come to be extinguished? We are ready to acknowledge, and N 2
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