continually affift them to grow in wisdom; and from the darkness of infancy, we should gradually lead them into the open day-light of confirmed manhood. In every season, in every ftage, we should feed their minds, as well as their bodies, with food convenient for them. As their reafon opens, and their capacities enlarge, we should diligently inculcate on them, precept upon precept, and line upon line, as the Prophet expreffes it; as by this means we may hope, by degrees, to bring them to think juftly, and to act rationally.

NOR fhould we confine our attention only to our own children, or to thofe more im mediately under our care and direction; but fhould benevolently extend it to all others, as far as we are able. For this purpose, we fhould do well to encourage and promote those public feminaries, which are often the only means, by which the poorer claffes of mankind can hope to receive any useful inftruction in their childhood. Thefe are charities, which cannot be too ftrongly recommended, as it is well known, that the brutality, corruption, and debauchery of the lower orders of fociety, is owing to nothing

more

more than to the shameful neglect of their education. How little foever it may be in our power to reclaim thofe, who are already hardened in wickedness, or are grown grey in fin; yet we may certainly contribute much, by early inftruction, to fecure fuch from ruin, as are hitherto uncorrupted. If therefore we find it so hard a task, to reform the prefent generation, let us be the more diligent to guard the next from following their example; and let us be as truly zealous to prevent the infection, as we experience it difficult to fubdue the disease.

BUT though it should be our first care, to benefit mankind in refpect to their fouls, we ought not to be lefs attentive to the welfare of their bodies. For if God hath so loved us, as to bestow on us the means of relieving the neceffities of our brethren, we ought certainly, in gratitude to the author of these bleffings, to apply them to the ufe for which he hath conferred them. It is not left to our choice, in what manner to difpofe of any of those talents, which we have received from Providence. Our extenfive wealth or large poffeffions, were not given us either to gratify our paffions, or footh our pride; but to enable

us to affift the diftreffed, and fuccour the in digent. If therefore a brother or fifter be naked, and deftitute of daily food, and it be in our power to fupply their wants, it is incumbent on us immediately to do it. Many, we know, there are, who are ready enough to practise the frugal duties of exhortation or reproof; but yet would not part with any thing in charity, however urgent the occafion, or worthy the object. They love themselves too well, to love any one else in a degree that would be, in the leaft, expenfive to them. And they have not generofity fufficient to do unto other people, as they would be done unto themfelves. If they have humanity or honesty enough, to wish their neighbour well, they dare not go one step further; they dare not actually to relieve him, or give him any affiftance. The mammon of unrighteousness is far too dear to them, to part with any portion of it on fuch terms. But the religion pure and undefiled before God, dictates a very different conduct. The royal law, as the Apostle calls it, commands us to love our neighbour as ourfelves, and to give him the most solid proofs of it, of which we are capable. It commands us liberally to give alms of fuch things as we have; to be always ready to do good, and to communicate

communicate; for with fuch facrifices, God is well pleased.

BUT thus to benefit our fellow-creatures, by giving them those things, which are needful to the body, feems chiefly to be the duty of those, to whom Providence hath been more particularly bountiful. It is, however, required of the poor no less than the rich, to put on bowels of mercies, and to demonftrate their gratitude to God, by every act of benevolence in their power. For though, as the Apostle faith, filver and gold they have none to give, or even perhaps to supply their own wants; yet it feldom happens, but they can by various other means, very effentially befriend their neighbours. It feldom happens but the poorest man living, may be rich in fome fpecies or other of good works. And I heartily wish that the want of abilities more effectually to serve mankind, were all we had to lament, and not, as is almost universally the cafe, the neglect of thofe we are poffeffed of.

BUT however vigorous we may be in our endeavours to promote each other's welfare, to benefit fociety, or reform the world; we fhould

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should always remember that the discharge of this branch of our duty, does neither fuperfede nor diminish our obligation to an uniform discharge of every other part of it. For, as the Apostle faith, whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, is guilty of all. While therefore we assist man, let us honour GOD, and devoutly offer unto him the facrifice of thanksgiving, both for the mercies which terminate more immediately in ourselves, and for those which we are enabled to extend to others.

SERMON