It is thus, that we discover a beauty and a propriety in what at a first glance may have appeared a blemish and an imperfection in the providential government. God's dealings with us have their chiefest reference to the purification of our hearts and minds, and the development of our faculties and affections. As far as these ends are produced, the purposes of his providence are answered. As far as they are not produced, we frustrate his gracious intentions, and our own blindness and obstinacy are in fault. But his object vindicates his goodness. His means approve his wisdom. And any failure on our part to reach the prize of our high calling, towards the attainment of which there is every thing to stimulate and to encourage us that should influence moral and reasonable creatures, only proves that fatal predominance of the animal over the spiritual part of our nature, which brought condemnation on the first man, and, as its consequences, entailed a curse and a punishment upon his posterity. We see then, my friends, that important as is the duty of relieving the distressed, it is subordinate to the still more important one of purifying our own hearts and minds, and renewing a right spirit within us. Indeed, it is only as the former is subservient to the latter of these duties, that it can be religiously commended. For it is then only, that it truly partakes of the nature of charity; and the holy Apostle tell us, that "though we give all our goods to feed the poor, and have not charity, we are as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.” We must consider the poor and the afflicted, then, as sent into this world for our discipline and improvement. It was with this view that the Lord of Hosts declared to the Jewish nation, that the poor should never depart out of the land. And if we consider those who are weighed down by poverty or wasted by disease, as in some measure exposed to these evils for our sakes, with what kindly and generous alacrity should we not interpose to afford relief or administer consolation? If our good form any part of the cause why they suffer, are we not bound to sympathise with, and to lighten their sufferings? But if there be any truth in the conclusions to be derived from a careful study of God's word, and an attentive observation of his providence, this is actually the case. It is not more certain that the sun has been placed in the firmament for the purpose of giving light and heat, than that evil and misery are permitted in the world for the purpose of eliciting philanthropy and benevolence. The objects then, for whose It is thus, that we discover a beauty and propriety in what at a first glance may have appeared a blemish and an imperfection in the providential government. God's dealings reference to the with us have their chiefest We see then, my friends, that important as is the duty of relieving the distressed, it is subordinate to the still more important one of purifying our own hearts and minds, and renewing a right spirit within us. Indeed, it is only as the former is subservient to the latter C relief we are solicited, must be admitted to have a double claim upon us. The sufferings to which they are subjected, for their own and our improvement, give them a title to be considered in the light of benefactors; and they demand our gratitude even while they supplicate our commiseration. Our Yes, my friends, demand our gratitude. For if we are grateful to God for the blessings which he has bestowed upon us, he himself requires that we should prove our gratitude by shewing mercy upon those from whom similar blessings have been withheld. expressions of thankfulness for the good things which have been given us are mere words, if our hearts do not overflow with kindness upon those who are desolate and in misery. These are they whom God has appointed to receive our free-will offerings for all the mercies which we have received at his hands. Hear his own gracious words-" For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave `me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and visited me; ye I was in prison, and ye came unto me." And when the righteous shall answer him saying, "Lord, when saw we thee an hungered and fed thee; or thirsty and gave thee drink; or when saw we thee a |