though he sees no encouragement to appear against it as one who dares draw his sword against the giant of Gath. But let it be remembered, that men have been able to encroach upon the ocean, and to wrest from it a portion of its wonted bed. They have forced its waters to retreat and give them place. And if, in pursuit of worldly wealth and accommodations, men have gained such a conquest, how much might they accomplish by an active, enterprising spirit of benevolence, in causing that deluge of wickedness to subside which is overflowing the world! Every individual has it in his power to recommend virtue and to discourage vice, by the influence of his own example at least; and this will be found by no means inconsiderable. But when a multitude arm themselves in this cause by joint resolutions, and by combining their wisdom, prudence, and firmness for devising and executing measures to counteract prevalent wickedness, and to look vice out of countenance, it certainly accords with experience to predict, that the effect will be great and good. There is but one obstacle of any great magnitude in the way of enlisting men in this cause, so important to the general welfare; and that is the revenue which some n en draw from the vices of others. When it becomes the interest of individuals to encourage, or not to suppress dissipation, it will be difficult indeed to persuade them into any measures tending to produce reformation. how melancholy is the thought, that any should be found in this sad, and, I may say, disgraceful predicament ! Though the fact may unhappily be such, yet this should not deter others, who may feel themselves more at liberty to act rationally and benevolently, from throwing the whole of their influence into the scale of public virtue and happiness, and against that corruption of morals which so extensively prevails. We doubt not, that all who make it their first attention and chief care to do good, as they

And

have opportunity, will see that a man's real interest can never stand in the way of his seeking the welfare of others; and that whatever operates as a hindrance or discouragement to benevolent conduct, though it wear the semblance of interest, ought to be rejected as unworthy of regard. What a man gains by aiding to corrupt his fellow men and to spoil their morals, will, on the whole, be as a poison lurking in his own veins. That which seems a profit in one point of view, is a vastly greater loss in another. Let selfishness relinquish all its claims, and give up the reins to benevolence, and the individual will be an immense gainer.

Do good to all men, When benevolence avoid all partialities.

Secondly, Let us consider the universality of the obligations which benevolence imposes. is the requirement of the gospel. takes its proper direction, it will Nothing will be reckoned good for one, which is not good for the whole: And if the interest of the whole taken collectively, is subserved, each individual will share in the common good. Men, in their wisdom and zeal to do evil, have introduced discord, and set one at variance with another, so that one is put down, that another may be exalted; and the happiness of some is made to depend on the wretchedness of others; benevolence mourns over this adverse state of things, and as far as she has power, sets herself against the evil. This desire of doing good does not conform itself to the various opinions of interest, which persons may invent for themselves. Its object is not so much to humour prejudice and gratify feeling, as to communicate some real and substantial benefit. Benevolence will not make a sacrifice of one man's rights and privileges out of respect to those of another. It rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. It holds the scales with an even hand between friends and enemies, between the rich and the poor, the strong and the weak,

the honourable and the despised. Its inviolable law and uniform custom, is to render unto every one his due; tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.

Thirdly, Let us now inquire for some powerful stimulus to this work of doing good. A man would rarely be dull and heartless in sowing his field, if he were sure that when the season came about, he should have a crop that would bountifully reward his labour; and with all the uncertainty there is in the case, it is not common for husbandmen to let their fields lie untilled. Though they have no certainty that they shall reap, they will not neglect the proper business of seed time, but go forth bearing seed, in the hope that he who ministereth seed to the sower, and bread to the eater, will smile on their labour, and cause the earth to yield her increase. The encouragement to good works to such benevolent offices, as the present subject inculcates, is greater than the agriculturist enjoys. There is an express and full promise, that they who perform works of faith and labours of love, shall not spend their strength for nought, and in vain; that he that ploweth, should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope, should be partaker of his hope. The promise, however, is to those only who apply themselves resolutely and perseveringly to the work of the Lord, who are not faint-hearted in a good cause, and are not weary in well doing. The assurance given, I apprehend, respects two things :

1. The success that shall crown the benevolent exertions that are put forth in attaining the objects immedi ately aimed at And,

2. The reward which awaits the faithful doers of God's will in the life to come.

In respect to the first, if persons are workers together with God, have heartily espoused the cause of true vir

tue, and are animated with zeal to do their utmost in advancing the best interests of the world, there is a sufficient pledge on God's part, whose it is to give success to all enterprises, that their exertions shall lead to a favourable issue. It is not in man to make any thing sure; but God can make all the benevolent counsels and works. of his creatures to prosper; and nothing can defeat works of this character, but a faint and dilatory spirit in those,. by whom they are undertaken. It is always the part of human nature to be timid and doubtful, where any thing good as well as great is to be attempted. That timewhich should be spent in vigorous efforts to surmount obstacles, and take possession of the good sought, is apt to be worn away in pusillanimous doubting and hesitating about the attainableness of the object proposed. It is not so, when men's worldly interest or ambition, calls for some signal exertion of their faculties. Difficulty then serves only to render them bold and daring, and to raise the flame of emulation to a higher pitch. And must the calls of benevolence be disregarded, because they summon us into scenes of trial, and assign us a post that is not to be maintained without watchfulness, energy, and perseverance.

sources.

If the help of man were all upon which we had to calculate, we should indeed have reason to proceed with the greatest diffidence and despondency. We might justly complain of the end, as being too great for our means; and that the warfare was beyond our strength and reBut in doing good, we have the mighty God for our pattern and our helper; because he is at our right hand, we shall not be moved. He will approve our benevolent intentions, and give efficacy to our well meant endeavours. Though an host encamp against us, we need not fear. In seeking the truest interest and welfare of our fellow men, we ought not to promise ourselves their

approbation and concurrence in all cases. They may requite our friendship with derision and scorn; but God will not suffer our benevolent exertion to be as water spilt upon the ground. It shall turn to some good account, and produce some good fruit in the thing desired: And in addition to this,

2. It shall procure us final entrance into the joy of our Lord. Independently of what is actually wrought by our hands to the advantage of those whose welfare we seek, a portion of bliss is laid up for us in heaven, as the reward of well doing, if we are faithful in imitating Him who overcame, and enjoys the eternal honours of victory in the bosom of his Father. Whatever be the profits arising to our fellow creatures from our labours of love towards them, whether few or many, ours shall be the glorious reward of having done what we could. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not. Though Israel be not gathered, says the Prophet, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength. This blessedness in God's heavenly kingdom, shall we reap in due time, if we faint not.

Let such as feel oppression's load,
Thy tender pity share;

And let the helpless, homeless poor
Be thy peculiar care.

Go, bid the hungry orphan be
With thy abundance blest;
Invite the wand'rer to thy gate,
And spread the couch of rest.

Let him who pines with piercing cold,
By thee be warm'd and clad;

Be thine the blissful task to make

The downcast mourner glad.

Then, bright as morning, shall come forth,

In peace and joy, thy days;

And glory from the Lord above

Shall shine on all thy ways.