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Notwithstanding the general terms in which we have aboveexpressed ourselves, we are not ignorant that there are innu-merable exceptions to be discovered to those general rules,which are found constantly to pervade humanity, amongpeople of all nations, tenets, and persuasions. The motiveswhich influence a want of benevolence in our species, arealmost as various as they are innumerable.
But we now leave general principles for the recitation offacts, after one more observation. Being among the fore-most to admit every benefit to the divine nature of thereligion we profess, which can be claimed by the Christiansystem; we, nevertheless, contend, that the principle ofbenevolence, or the participation of fellow sutlering, is to bediscovered in human and rational creatures previous to thetenets of Christianity being implanted in our nature. Alas !were not nature, in her dispensations, thus general, in how de-plorable a state must nine tenths of the population of the earthbe situated ! When the immensely extensive districts are con-sidered, where population is as numerous as insects in the sun,and also where the superior light of lucid Christianity has never'appeared, or if it has faintly irradiated some, no generalillumination remains visible: those universal principles willbe seen, presently, to be of utility. It has been generallyremarked by some, and it is believed by more, that therewas never any moral excellence observed in the world pre-vious to the appearance of the Gospel of Christ. That thisblessed book most effectually reminds us of those duties weowe to our Creator, and our fellow creatures ; that its pre-cepts were proved and its validity established by the mostpotent and perfect of all evidence, being sealed with the bloodof its great promulgators, and sanctioned by other unques-tionable evidences of its truth;—none can be more thoroughlyconscious than ourselves. Also, that the impressions it has
Kais awoke, ami was informed of what his servant had done, he gave him hisfreedom, and asked him why he did not call him, * For,’ says he, ‘ l would havagiven him more.’ The third person went to Arabab, who being dim-sighted,was leaning on two slaves, and just coming out of his house in order to attendthe house of prayer. As soon as his case was made known, Arabah clapped hishands together, lamented his misfortune, as lie had no money, but desired himto take his two slaves. When they were refused, Arabah protested that if theywere not taken, they should be enfranchised ; and leaving the slaves groped alongby the wall. Arabah was pronounced the most hospitable of the three.”
The character of Hatein is the most perfect model of Arabian virtue. He isrepresented by D'Herbclot, (Bibl. Orient, p. 406.) as brave and liberal, an eloquentpoet, and a successful robber. Forty camels were roasted at his hospitable feasts ;and at the prayer of a suppliant enemy, he restored both the captives and thespoil.