agreeable; and to procure that raiment, which is decent. To eat and drink of the bounties of Proyi dence, those things that are palatable, is no sin; for they are the gifts of God to be used with delight, and to be received as mercies and favours, bestowed by an invisible hand. To be clothed in a manner suitable to the age and society in which we live, is becoming; and they who are prosperous, certainly may dress genteely without being censured. A small, tight hut might shelter from the inclemencies of the weather; but money gives an ability to erect a building more for taste, elegance, convenience, and enjoyment. Many men are able to perform journeys on foot; and others are obliged to prosecute them with an inferiour beast, and an inconvenient carriage. But who would not wish to travel, whether for business or pleasure, with excellent equipage, that he may journey with ease and appear with respectability? Money furnishes the most ready and desirable means of conveyance, whether by water or land; gives a person the power of visiting cities and countries, museums and monuments, and other interesting works both of nature and art. It was money which enabled Solomon to make great works, to build houses, to plant vineyards, to make gardens and orchards, to plant trees in them of all kinds of fruits, and to have many other of the conveniences and delights of life. It is true, the poor have no right to complain, or to murmur against the Providence of God; but to be grateful for the favours they enjoy, and thus be content with their situation. For them to be uneasy, dissatisfied, and restless, is a sin. Notwithstanding the wealthy have superiour advantages; and, as they are bound to be more thankful, this shows that their situation is more eligible. And although none may envy those whose circumstances in life are far more agreeable and honourable than theirs, still they are encouraged to use all prudent and lawful means, that they may possess and enjoy

the varied earthly comforts, even in abundance. The conveniences, privileges, and enjoyments in our present state are innumerable; hence we may see, how valuable and useful is money; for it brings them all within our reach, and exalts our station in life.

3d. Money enables those who have it, to buy and sell to advantage, and to increase their property by improving times and opportunities. The trite expression, that money begets money, has much truth in it; and it might be illustrated and proved in various ways. The interest which the principal commands, to those who have considerable sums of money, yields them a comfortable support. Almost every thing in the commercial or bartering world, may be obtained for it at a lower rate than can be done for other commodities. A man may be a speculator, and yet be an honest man; or be free from the charge of grinding the face of the poor. He may purchase the property of his neighbour at a fair price, when it is low, and do him a kindness. If it afterwards rise in value, he may dispose of it at an advanced price, without injuring any one, although his money has given him an important advantage. How often, and how many men feel themselves straightened in their circumstances, and unable to prosecute their busi ness advantageously for the want of the valuable, convenient, circulating medium. How desirable then to have some in possession, or at command.

4th. Money gives an ability to prosecute studies, in order to acquire a liberal education. To a person having a taste for improvement, it would be very gratifying to have the ability to purchase a variety of interesting books in order to have an extensive library. To be able to obtain a good education, or to be well versed in the several branches of useful literature, is an object of importance to every one. But many, in many parts of our highly favoured land, are denied this for the want of money. How must the heart of every parent who is interested in the pros✩

pect, respectability, and welfare of his children, glow with a laudable desire to see them well instructed in the necessary and polite arts and sciences. But money can send youth to a good school, an excellent academy, or to a celebrated college, if expedient. To be well educated and informed, is not a mere ornamental accomplishment; but it is to have the mind enlarged, and to be prepared for more extensive usefulness. It is education that improves superiour talents; that brightens, polishes, and enlarges moderate ones. How useful then is money to furnish all aids, means, and opportunities of improvement!

5th. Money is sometimes the means of lengthening out the lives of mankind. Not that all the gold and silver in the world can purchase a release one hour from death, or that they can procure the gift of miraculous healings. The contrary of this, is taught in the answer of Peter, to Simon the sorceror, when he said, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Not only do some sinful courses cause some of the wicked not to live out half their days; but poverty and the want of means, do shorten the lives of some. Let two examples be mentioned. Thousands who have been verging to a fatal disease, have had the ability to journey, to experience a favourable climate, and to bring to their aid every possible remedy; and these have been the means of restoring their health, and adding years to their days. But thousands of others in the same circumstances of declining health, have been unable to enjoy similar means and advantages; and they soon are brought to a sick and dying bed. Again, thousands have been attacked with some threatening, fatal, local complaint; but their ability procured speedy and most skilful medical aid, and their lives have been prolonged. Thousands of others alike afflicted, have been unable to obtain the most eminent and skilful physicians, and have fallen a ready prey to their ra

ging disease. How valuable and useful,then,is money! And the scriptures do not teach that money, but that the love of money is the root of all evil. A covetous desire of getting, and an avaricious disposition of hoarding up earthly treasures, are the sole ground of any inconvenience or injury. Moreover, we are taught, They that will be rich, fall into temptation and a snare, and into many and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. But this expression teaches the wrong pursuit and abuse of the manifold blessings of life. An anxiety merely to be rich, manifests a sordid disposition, and discovers a wicked heart. To be influenced by such a spirit or motive, in accumulating property, is base and criminal. Certainly every one would wish to be in comfortable circumstances; and to be rich, is no sin. Riches may be abused or they may be sought unlawfully. But as money answers all things, as it respects the purposes of commerce and the conveniences of life, so in some instances it is the means or occasion of lengthening out life.

6th. Money enables mankind to assist the poor, and relieve the distressed. And certainly this is not a trifling consideration to a person of a generous and humane disposition. The mind that is possessed of only the common feelings of humanity, must experience agreeable sensations in relieving the distresses of mankind; and to be unable to do this for the want of money, would be painful to the same mind. Is it desirable and gratifying, now and then to give aid to our needy fellow mortals? How pleasing, and what abundant joy, then, would arise to a liberal soul, to have the power to be able always to give some assistance or relief to a fellow sufferer, even as often as the expediency of giving might be known. The scriptures declare, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Then not to be able to give to proper objects of charity, must be considered as an affliction, and should be numbered as one of the calamities of

human life. How much a man can promote human happiness, who is both able and willing to be charitable, according to the dictates of wisdom and conscience. And how have the breasts of many been pained, because their circumstances were such that they had not money to assist the poor, nor relieve the distressed.

7th. Money is necessary for the support of society, and for effecting important enterprises. Civil institutions, that are of much importance, are attended with considerable expense. As the framing and supporting of wise and wholesome laws, deeply interest any community, so money may be said to be a spring to its exertion and prosperity. The branches of social society are various, and no one of them can flourish without the means of support from persons of property. The stated preaching of the gospel is one of the greatest blessings with which any people was ever yet favoured. But, for a divine to be skilful or eminent in his profession, he should not be perplexed with secular concerns. Then, if a people would support a minister of the gospel comfortably, they will be under the necessity of contributing liberally according to their ability. Any great undertaking of publick utility, demands large sums of money. How important are good roads, bridges, and canals! How useful and valuable, then, the means by which they are made! How have the most useful inventions and machines had their origin from money! How important is an able attorney in a weighty and critical cause! But his best fee is money. How valuable then, how desirable!

8th. It is by money, that the gospel and its attendant blessings are sent from Christian lands, to those that are Heathen or Pagan. Is our own land highly favoured of heaven, as it respects the means and glorious privileges of the gospel? To our forefathers, and even to other nations we are indebted for these; as they flow to us in consequence of their exertions and