health! Be not deceived then; for “evil communications corrupt good manners." The jewel may, in some solitary instance, be found in the mire; but would you recommend the lady of taste and refinement to go and search for it in a lake of pollution? Assuredly not.

CHAPTER VI.

BENEVOLENCE.

BUT while you are conscientiously diligent in business, and sedulously alive to the improvement of your minds, so that you feel unhappy when any moment which is not demanded by business is suffered to pass unimproved, I trust you have so deeply imbibed the genuine spirit of christian benevolence, that you will never forget that man lives not for himself only; not merely for his own happiness, much less for his own gratification, but for the glory of God, and the interests of his fellow-men. Hence you have good reason to congratulate yourselves, that your lot has been cast in a land so eminently distinguished for every species of benevolence; and in an age which so far transcends

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every preceding one, that were our ancestors, or even our fathers, to rise from their graves, they would blush to see how little had been done in their days for the counteraction of human misery, and the illumination of the world. And if you should unfeelingly or scornfully exclaim, "Am I my brother's keeper?"—must I leave my own comforts, and go in search of the abodes of misery?your privileges would only increase your responsibility, and heighten your condemnation. Could you, then, with stoical apathy, witness the noble efforts of others, and make none yourselves? Shall happiness be promoted, and the world evangelized, and thousands share in the triumphs of that glorious day, and you be indifferent spectators of its preparation, its approach, or its felicity? It has been found by experience, that individuals are not always the best almoners of their own bounty; and that there are innumerable instances in which charity cannot be so effectually bestowed, as by the agency of public societies. By means of these, multitudes who are personally incapacitated for visiting the abodes of wretchedness and want, may yet assist in alleviating their distresses, and in conferring on their deplorable subjects the richest blessings. What they could never accomplish with their own hands, they may speedily

accomplish with those of others. Should any of you, then, in future life, be so unfortunately situated as that you can dispense but few of the bounties of your benevolence under your own immediate eye, you will not therefore be denied the pleasure of doing as much good, by the instrumentality of others. But I hope there are many among you who will be both able and willing to use every effort, and to make every sacrifice, for the support and prosperity of some of those noble institutions, of which our country can boast. As their patrons and benefactors are the true sons of philanthropy, and the almoners of the world, you will esteem it your highest honour to be ranked among the friends of the Bible and Missionary Societies. To assist, in the humblest manner, the operations of such institutions, will, in your estimation, be an honour as great and distinguished as to be admitted to the councils of princes, or to sit in judgment on the fate of empires. The happiness of the world and the glory of heaven, are alike intimately connected with their successful operations and their final results; for, "as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord," is the solemn declaration of Him who cannot lie. Sooner let your "right hand forget its cunning," and your "tongue cleave to the

roof of your mouth," than you should become the slaves of selfishness, and the enemies of the happiness of your species, and the glory of God.

But while these sacred institutions claim your pre-eminent regard, your exertions in the cause of benevolence will not be confined to these. A variety of other objects, confessedly of minor importance, but still deserving your attention, will solicit your kind aid and constant support. While you discriminate their claims, and are just in your benevolence, you will never turn a deaf ear to the voice of misery, from whatever quarter it may issue; but, if you cannot relieve to the utmost of your wishes, you will to that of your ability. Where you cannot bestow money, you will assist in procuring it; and, where that is impossible, you will administer the oil of consolation, and brighten the vista of hope. "Whatsoever," therefore, "thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest." Then imitate Him whose name you bear, and "who went about doing good;" that you may manifest to the world that the religion which you profess cherishes the most tender sensibilities, and promotes the most unwearied exertions of the purest charity. And while you renounce every dependence on any

work of righteousness or benevolence that you can perform, let the world see that you are supremely concerned to "abound in all the fruits of righteousness;" and thus to "cause your light so to shine before men, that they, seeing your good works, may glorify your Father which is in heaven." For "6 pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world”—a clause which is sometimes unhappily separated from the preceding, but which I trust you will ever practically remember; for, "What God hath joined together let not man put asunder."

In this age of christian enterprise, you will not, you cannot, be the last to come forward "to the help of the Lord against the mighty." The standard of the cross is unfurled, the army of the living God is rallying around it. The great Captain of salvation is even now bending from his celestial throne to suspend over your heads the laurels of victory, and the crown of glory; and will you not, when you hear the appalling question proposed to the hesitating multitude, "Who is on the Lord's side-who?" be the first to exclaim with holy enthusiasm, "Thine are we, David, and on thy side thou