Where all these qualities exist, in due proportion, they will form a lovely character, harmonious and beautiful as the seven colors of the rainbow; yea, with the addition of an eighth, of crowning lustre.  But, if any one suffers his religious feelings to concentrate on one point, as though the whole of religion consisted in zeal, or devotional feeling, or sympathy, or the promotion of some favorite scheme of benevolence, you will find an exhibition of character as unlovely and repulsive as though the seven colors of the rainbow should concentrate in one, of livid hue, or pale blue, or sombre gray; as disagreeable as though the sweet melody of a harmonious choir were changed into a dull, monotonous bass; and as unsavory as a dish of meats seasoned only with bitter herbs.

This disproportionate development of Christian character is more frequently seen in young converts:  especially such as have not received a thorough Christian education, and are, consequently, deficient in religious knowledge.  They find themselves in a new world, and become so much absorbed in the contemplation of the new objects that present themselves to their admiring gaze, that they seem almost to forget that they have any other duties to perform than those which consist in devotional exercises.  If these are interrupted, they will fret and worry their minds, and wish for some employment entirely of a religious nature.  They wonder how it is possible for Christians to be so cold, as to pursue their worldly employments as diligently as they do who take this world for their portion; and often you will hear them breaking out in expressions of great severity against older Christians, because they do not sympathize with them in these feelings.  Their daily employments become irksome; and they are tempted even to neglect the interests of their employers, with the plea, that the service of God has the first claim upon them.  But they forget that the service of God consists in the faithful performance of every social and relative duty, “as unto the Lord, and not to men,” as well as the more direct devotional exercises; and that the one is as essential to the Christian character as the other.  The Bible requires us to be “diligent in business,” as well as “fervent in spirit;” and the religion of the Bible makes us better in all the relations of this life, as well as in our relations with God.

Young Christians are also prone to undervalue little things.  The greater things of religion take such strong possession of their souls, that they overlook many minor things of essential importance.  In seasons of special religious awakening, this mistake is very common; in consequence of which, many important interests suffer, and the derangement which follows, makes an unfavorable impression as to the influence of revivals.  The spirit of the Christian religion requires that every duty should be discharged in its proper time.  The beauty of the Christian character