"I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." - Job 42:6.

It is difficult to conceive of higher testimony than that which was borne to the character of Job. To be distinguished among a few, is as much honor as men generally dare to aspire to. But the mere thought of being distinguished above all men dwelling on the face of the earth, is enough to intoxicate the soul of man. Now of Job, it was deliberately stated, that there was not his like upon the earth, a perfect and upright man, fearing God and eschewing evil. And by whom was this testimony borne? By God himself, by the Being that knew infallibly all men. And who can look upon the character of Job without admiration? His keen sensibility to reproach, the agony caused by his dim intelligence of what those providences signified, only served to bring out more conspicuously his noble trust in God, his inextinguishable hopefulness. In the presence of his calumniators he held first his integrity; without at all meaning to deny that he was a fallible being dependent for all on the mercy of God, he yet refused to admit their insinuations and allow that he had been living the life of a hypocrite. But when God was revealed in his glory, such a flood of light was poured upon his character, that the least sin seemed too odious to contemplate, a burden greater than his memory could bear.

As for thee, reader, tell me, hast thou ever been brought to abhor thyself? A flush of indignation is thy response. The very suggestion fills thee with disgust. O pardon me, dear reader! It is evident that thou art a much better man than Job. He was - above all men that lived in bis day - a man after God's own heart. But thou art greatly his superior. If God looked down from heaven with so much satisfaction, when Job inhabited this earth, if the divine words of commendation were passed from angel to angel through all the celestial ranks; how must heaven be affected as it looks down upon thee! If the miseries of Job were appointed to thee, thou wouldst endure them all with a patience and a piety surpassing those of Job! Else why dost thou declare that thou hast never known, will never know, self-abhorrence?