poverty for old age; the want of power, of whatever description, is so far weakness, and whether it proceed from poverty, or weakness infantine, or from dotage and declining strength, we thus become entitled to a place among the least of our Christian brethren, and under these various circumstances what is done to his brethren, Christ is willing to accept, as done to himself.

The case then, of the infant children of indigent parents is one of the strongest, if not the strongest of all; it involves at least the double claim, for both parent and child may be numbered among these least of the brethren of Christ. Not one word can be said against such a petition; for if the parent be a reprobate, if he deserves our scorn or detestation by the irregularity of his conduct, the child is one of those of whom is composed the celestial choir, for " of such is the kingdom of God.”

On the former claim I shall not dwell, though it may be added to enforce the latter. For poverty and riches are not always tests of merit and de-merit. And we are instructed not to "break the bruised reed." Compassion to the infirmities of his nature is more commensurate with the actual position of any man, even the best, than a presumptuous condemnation, pronounced, by his fellow, upon the very worst. The case this day to be brought before you is that of the infant, and certainly not the less deplorable, whatever may be the cause that has left infancy, as it were, exposed, not less deplorable, as it regards the destitute case of the child, though much more deplorable in one case than another, when the parent is considered. But of those in whose favour I now plead before you, as a Petitioner, in one sense, the pretensions of all are alike; they are all helpless, your alms must ascend as incense to

heaven :—in the other, the merit of the parent, or his de-merit cannot easily in most cases be ascertained in public contributions; and should the children of the undeserving thus be preferred to those of the deserving, it cannot well be avoided; nor is it for man to punish thus the sins of the father upon the children. In private charity he may do it, or think so, but in a scale, ever so little extended, man is at a loss how he ought to act. The truth is, private charity, judiciously applied, is the best; but as charity does not in this way sufficiently abound, the want of it, amid general distress, must in some other way be supplied. Hence have arisen applications like the present; the nature of which has been laid before you in the state letters already read to you; and none can doubt that the contribution is good, nor fail to pray that it may be successful in its appropriation. Should any one say that the branches of the Central School have not yet reached us, what have we to do with it? To this, I can only reply, that its branches may become more umbrageous and afford shelter in time to the whole kingdom.

But, if good be done in a moral sense, in any quarter, that good will result to the whole.

Thus, without "the branch" reaching us in one sense, it may reach us in another.

Add to this, that the Metropolis of this Kingdom is the vortex of our population; who is there that has not thus a kindred with it? Let us all then take care of this centre, this heart, from which issue the vice and debauchery of the kingdom, and this is one feeble, though laudable, attempt to do it. Thus much in explanation of the present national demand upon your charitable feelings and contributions.

F

But leaving everything else out of our view, let us temperately consider the case of little children; to the infant, found in a wood, or ditch, or upon the steps ascending to your door, what would private charity do? in the country perhaps it would be taken in, and certainly would be, were it not for that jealousy, which now exists between Townships, as much as individuals. In the Town, it has a more ready and regular distinction, but is there anywhere an asylum yet for infancy, where pollution may not be apprehended? The objects of the present petition are, we have reason to hope, to be placed in this very situation, where everything good will be taught, and care taken to keep their paths from evil. May their efforts be crowned with success, and your charity contribute to render them effectual !

The great Founder of our religion has been the preacher of general benevolence, but He ever delighted most to testify his love to the age of innocence and He embraced the infant in his arms. Attentive to the nature of his commission, to bless, redeem, and save, he neglected none, but paid his chief regard to those who most required it. He was ever tenderly alive to the infirmities of man, ever assiduous in availing himself of opportunities to enforce his sublime and divine doctrines. To those who most required, and most deserved, his protection and care, they were most willingly vouchsafed. His disciples might disapprove, but He regarded them not. He took the little children in his arms and embraced them, telling the reproving disciples that "of such is the Kingdom of Heaven." "Suffer them to come unto me and forbid them not."

The great design of the Christian Religion was to inform mankind of those awful truths, which unassisted human reason

had been unable to discover, the doctrines of Repentance, Redemption, and Resurrection to Eternal Life. But when thus enlightened and enabled to peep into futurity, when raised to the exalted hope of a state of glory and happiness everlasting, in the heavens, Man still was a helpless being, and an object of further care to his kind considerate Saviour. Heaven was attainable, but the ascent to it was narrow, difficult, and dangerous, not to slip or stumble was impossible, and the fall precipitate, recovery almost helpless. Along the path were thorns and briars concealing the pit-fall, over which were suspended luscious tempting fruits. But cautions have been given to the heirs of immortality by the Author of it, nor have the needful provisions during the weary pilgrimage been neglected. All the social, beneficent virtues, all the sweet charities of life, all that can embellish or enrich it with heavenly charms, have been delineated in the gospel; and the practice of them pressed the children of Christ as the condition of their final acceptance by their indulgent Father. This is one of the striking proofs of the wisdom, superiority, and divine original of our holy religion; and the true disciple of the blessed Jesus will be loath to suffer any opportunity to escape of enjoying the exercise, and earning the rewards, of obedience. Duty thus sanctioned and encouraged must greatly promote the peace and comforts of mankind, for strong is its tendency to create within them a gentle charitable temper, that right spirit, which gladdens the world, "like the dew of Hermon, like the dew, which descended on the mountains of Zion, where the Lord has promised his blessings for evermore." The wisdom and benignity of the christian religion are alike apparent; its perpetual injunctions of brotherly love, tending to alleviate the

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sufferings of the poor and the sorrows of the distressed, have not been delivered without reason. Great need was there to exhort mankind to "love one another"; to inform him that

none of us liveth to himself"; to warn us, to put on, as the elect of God, bowels of mercy; "to charge them who are rich in this world, that they be ready to give, glad to distribute; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may attain eternal life."

The recommendation of this benevolent spirit is not founded simply on its own intrinsic excellence, but in the necessity of the case, and the condition of man. Our present existence, which is merely the dawn of our being, is intended as a scene of probation and preparation for a better world; and man is placed in a variety of relative situations, each requiring the performance of certain appropriate duties. A pure unmixed lot of unalloyed bliss can be expected by none: yet some approach nearer to happiness than others; all are not equally flourishing and prosperous, nor are the shafts of adversity felt by all alike. Such an equality in a world, so imperfect as the present, would destroy all the nice dependencies by which the chain of society is maintained unbroken. Some we see placed on the very pinnacle of worldly grandeur; others, without such splendid distinctions, enjoying nevertheless all the advantages and comforts of abundant wealth.

From thence there is a regular gradation and descent through the middle stages, through the various lucrative engagements, professions, and mechanical occupations, down to the dark haunts of poverty and wretchedness. There are presented to our view those of the labouring poor, who struggle for a scanty maintenance through incessant toil and penuary: here are