A LOOKING-GLASS FOR THE HEART,
OR SOME OF THE WAYS IN WHICH PRIDE AND SELFISHNESS APPEAR.
1. In setting a high value on our kindness or labors for the good of others; or by excessive impatience or mortification at ingratitude, or want of success. 2. In being over tenacious of our own property, and ready to resent encroachments upon it. 3. In strictly assuming the dignity, rights, or privileges that we think our due, and being mortified with disrespect or neglect. 4. In the risings of anger or revenge at any contempt or ill usage. 5. By impatience at contradiction, and irritation if our self-will be at all thwarted. 6. In a reluctance to give up our own will to obey the will of another;—this is so strong in some characters, that when a desire is expressed to lead them, it is sufficient to excite resistance. 7. By dislike to be dictated to, or found fault with. 8. By a high esteem of our own opinion, and unwillingness to yield it to another; and a desire to rule and have everything our own way. 9. In vexation at being blamed when we deserve it, offense at being suspected if we do not, and a spirit of self-justification and retort. 10. By a reluctance to condemn ourselves, or confess ourselves in the wrong even in trifles; and a tenacious adherence to what we have once advanced in argument. 11. In prejudice against those who dislike us, or have told us of our fault, crossed our self-will, or interfered with our interest, pleasure or comfort. 12. By a desire for the praise of men, for honors or distinctions. 13. By preferring the favor of the great only on account of their rank, fortune or influence. 14. In showing kindness to others from motives of self-interest, or self-gratification. 15. By accepting and being pleased with praise that we are not wholly worthy of; or allowing ourselves to be elated with that commendation which is our due from others, and not simply and truly desiring to give all the glory to God. 16. By jealousy of the love or preference shown to others. 17. By indulging the pride of appearance in dress, house, furniture, table, equipage, or any outward thing. 18. In a feeling of self-importance, and using the gifts of nature or Providence to feed our vanity or pride. 19. In the unrestrained indulgence in anything, however lawful, merely for our sensual gratification. 20. By feeling a cold interest in the concerns of others, listening to them merely from civility, whilst talking much of our own. 21. By relating with a secret complacency the faults or injudiciousness of others, compared with our own better judgment or conduct in the same particulars, or the good effect of our own advice. 22. By making representations to others that have a tendency to display advantages that we possess in riches, connections, reputation, &c., or good actions we have performed. 23. By imposing any little trouble or difficulty on a company, instead of willingly taking it upon ourselves. 9524. In considering our own ease or pleasure in our domestic habits or arrangements rather than making any sacrifice to those we live with. 25. In making trifling annoyances or inconveniences of importance, and suffering them to irritate our temper. 26. By withholding money, or giving sparingly, or spending any in self-indulgence which might be better applied for the relief of the poor, or to the cause of religion. 27. By spending money in some instances extravagantly, to be esteemed liberal. 28. By feeling exalted with riches, or ashamed of poverty. 29. By aiming at an appearance beyond our property and income. 30. In feeling pain and impatience at being under an obligation to any one. 31. In expecting much personal attention from others. 32. By resisting whatever is humbling to us. May every professor of Christianity seriously seek that Spirit of Christ by which he may truly mortify and subdue the carnal mind; the grace he needs is the purchase of the Saviour's sufferings, and can only be rendered effectual by a submission to the power of his cross, who emphatically declared, "Every plant that my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up." —Advocate and Guardian.