has spent the greater part of his life in advancing our fortune or our comfort, is justly considered as leaving his family upon our gratitude and care. Surely, then, the children of your pious pastors, of those who have devoted themselves, their time, their talents, their labours, and their lives, to the service of the public, and to your best interests, are warranted to expect that they shall share in your generous exertions.

From the infidel and the unrighteous, from men who hate or despise religion, ministers of the gospel expect no countenance to themselves, and no exertions for their families; but you who have tasted that the Lord is gracious, who have known the value of religious institutions, who have experienced the power of that gospel which we testify, you will feel the force of the Apostle's reasoning in the text, and will give this evidence, amongst others, of your profiting under the means of grace, that you wish to honour those whom God hath honoured, and to help their families in the time of need.

On this principle it was, that the Society for the Benefit of the Sons of the Clergy in Scotland was proposed, and planned, and matured.

VOL. II.

C

tured. This benevolent institution has now subsisted for ten years, with increasing estimation and extending usefulness. The countenance and munificence of Royalty, the warm approbation of the most respectable characters in the kingdom, the voluntary contributions from generous men of different denominations, the growing applause of the public, the praises of the widow and the fatherless, the prayers of the faithful, and the cordial disinterested impartiality exhibited in the whole management of the society itself, from its first erection to the present day, mark a concurrence of circumstances so favourable, as to leave no cause of doubt with its friends, that it shall long flourish and increase; that it shall prove a blessing to many individuals who might otherwise have wearied out their days in obscurity; and that it shall remain through future generations a memorial of the high respect entertained for the ministers of the gospel in the present age; a monument of the disinterested liberality of worthy men, surrounded with all the snares of opulence; and a permanent fund for relieving the anxious mind of affectionate but burdened ministers, by securing to their

families

families the advantages of education, of patronage, and of employment.

Much respected and much esteemed Members and Managers of this important institution, continue your cordial and impartial exertions for its benefit; and may the candle of the Lord shine upon your tabernacles, and the light of his countenance gladden your hearts.

Friends of humanity and religion through the land, aid them with your countenance and contributions. Though numerous and urgent have been of late the demands on your liberality, yet is there not in reserve one blessing for the sons of the men who have spoken to you in the name of the Lord? Children of Providence, whom the Lord is prospering, honour him with your substance; lend unto the Lord, and he will repay.

Sons of Levi, seek not great things for yourselves, but give glory to God. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord: he is your help and shield. The Lord will increase you more and more, you and your children. The Lord has been mindful of us: He will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless

C 2

bless them that fear him, both small and great. And we will bless the Lord from this

time forth, and for evermore. Lord. Amen and Amen.

Praise
Praise ye the

SERMON

SERMON II.

ON THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCe of vital
RELIGION.

JOHN iv. 14.

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but the water that I shall give him, shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

N

In the 4th verse of this chapter we are told, that Jesus must needs go through Samaria. -The expression is remarkable; wherefore must he alter his course to enter a city so much detested by the Jews? Because there was business of importance to transact there. He was to furnish his apostles with a pattern worthy of their imitation, fit to direct their

C 3