costly, and vie with each other in the splendor of appearance. And hence, whatever be their income, they have little to spare for benevolent purposes. Nor can it be supposed that their mode of life will allow them to be very familiar with scenes of indigence and distress. They will pass by on the other side, rather than approach the wounded traveller; the lamentable tale of woe must not mingle with their music; their feelings cannot bear to be shocked. 66 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave."

But others do good and communicate without affluence. By small contributions often repeated, by applications to those who are more ready to give than to do alms; by the force of example reproaching and stimulating others; by self-denial, by economy, by contrivance; by numberless and nameless personal attentions where nothing of a pecuniary nature is conferred; they are even rich in good works. It would be surprising to those whose "Strength is to sit still," could they see what may be done by a single individual zealously disposed,

and wisely employed. I fear we do not sufficiently make this business our object; for there is much truth in the remark of Richard Baxter, that our success commonly bears a much more exact proportion to our design, our desire, and our hope, than we are apt to imagine. Let this thought be enthroned in the mind. Let it influence ministers, parents, and individuals who are concerned to serve their generation according to the will of God. Let us lay it down as a principle that no good effort is entirely useless. Let us never be discouraged, because we do not command an amplitude of means, but instead of bewailing what is impossible, let us labor to effect what is practicable. Let us never excuse our negligence, by accusing our stations-but remember that the ways of doing good are infinitely various; that they are found in every period of life, in every relation, in every condition, in every circumstance: that the luxury of doing good is so great, that the Father of mercies has not confined it to a few; all may taste it; all cannot be liberal, but all may be kind; all cannot be generous, but all may be useful.

One is sometimes astonished to see the indifference, with which the rich and great are

carried to their long home. There rolls by the procession. It is splendid; but not interesting. It attracts numbers; but not mourners. It gratifies curiosity; but it repels sympathy. The reason is obvious. What has he done? For whose happiness has he lived but his own? Something of him will remain on the marble; but nothing written on the fleshly table of the heart." I have seen the wicked in "great power, and spreading himself like a green bay-tree. Yet he passed away, and lo, he was not; yea, I sought him, but he could not be found." But what a sensibility is produced by the loss of an individual who filled no public office, who possessed no large bags of gold and silver, who was hardly known twenty miles off He seemed insignificant. The ties that bound many to him were not known-but sickness awakened anxieties and inquiry, his death drew forth his dependents, and at the mouth of the grave was testified a little of the importance which had been concealed in life.

I remember some years ago to have buried a corpse. In the extremity of the audience that surrounded me-I discerned a female wrinkled with age, and bending with weakness-one hand held a motherless grand-child-the other

wiped away her tears, with the corner of a woollen apron. I pressed towards her when the service was closed." Have you lost a friend?"-She heaved a melancholy sigh"The Lord bless her memory."-I soon found the deceased had allowed her for several years six-pence per week! O my God! is it possible that the appropriation of a sum so inconsiderable, may cause a widow's heart to sing for joy, and save the child of the needy!-Who would waste a six-pence; who would indulge themselves in extravagance; who would not deny themselves to be able to secure the bles sing of them that are ready to perish!

What we said with regard to the cause of the poor will equally apply to the cause of God. And this as well as the former was exemplified in the character we are reviewing. There is one thing I would peculiarly recommend to notice. It is the service he has rendered to the church of Christ, by his training up young. men to labor in the gospel; with regard to several of whom he had no other support than casual assistance. "It has long been my opiniou" says he in one of his letters, "That if every minister would keep a young man under his care, and nurse him for God, it would

prove a blessing of no inconsiderable extent, supposing that while he is obliged to learn, he be also permitted to teach."

Let us not be slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Our opportunities of doing good will soon be over; and they are as uncertain as they are short.

Fourthly. What an impression is made by constant and consistent goodness. No character indeed, however holy and however amiable, will elude all opposition or reflection in passing through life. Even among his religious connexions he may suffer, and be wounded in the house of his friends. Some of those who profess godliness have not the spirit of Christ, and are none of his. Really good men have their imperfections and prejudices. Their minds are not always polished by education, or enlarged by knowledge. Their habits of thinking are often extremely limited. They view every subject through a key hole. They cannot take those enlarged views of things which are necessary to do justice to a superior character, and therefore may misconstrue his motives when they are most pure, and censure his plans when they are most wise. They may condemn his prudence as cowardice, and his candor as a want of zeal.