No reflecting person, however, can view without sorrow the abuses which rose out of thus formalising sublime instincts and disinterested movements of passion, and perverting them into means of gratifying the ambition and rapacity of the priesthood.

But, while we deplore and are indignant at these abuses, it would be a great mistake if we imputed the origin of the offices to prospective selfishness on the part of the monks and clergy; _they_ were at first sincere in their sympathy, and in their degree dupes rather of their own creed than artful and designing men.

Charity is, upon the whole, the safest guide that we can take in judging our fellow-men, whether of past ages or of the present time.
397.

_Sir William Hillary_.
'And they are led by noble Hillary' (XV.l.

14).
The TOWER OF REFUGE, an ornament to Douglas Bay, was erected chiefly through the humanity and zeal of Sir William Hillary; and he also was the founder of the lifeboat establishment at that place; by which, under his superintendence, and often by his exertions at the imminent hazard of his own life, many seamen and passengers have been saved.
398.