that they are associated with men of the first respectability in civil life, to whom the suffrages of the people have confided the most important political interests, and who have been ready to every good word and work. If these men are qualified to manage the complicated machinery of civil government, perhaps it is not claiming too much for them to say, that they are capable of managing the charitable funds committed to their care; and if they have not yet turned traitors to the state, is it charitable, or even reasonable to suspect that they stand ready to betray the interests of the church."

Three remarks will close this Dissertation.

1. In charitable contributions, the Church, in ages past was lamentably deficient.

During the lapse of eighteen centuries, with the excep tion of the days of the primitive Christians, the Church prayed for the conversion of the world, but in devising ways and means to accomplish it, was altogether deficient, and, in giving to promote it, did comparatively nothing. Christians never sufficiently felt that they were stewards of God, and accountable to him for all the property they possessed, and the improvement they made of it. They heeded not as they ought the caution of the apostle, "Beware of covetousness." Instead of contributing their hundreds and thousands, a mite is all they were induced to give. It would seem that they never thought that giving in charity was a privilege, and no less a duty than is prayer ; -that would they have their prayers and alms an acceptable memorial before God, they must ascend together.

2. The Church has begun to feel, and to perform her duty, in respect to alms-giving.

While Christians pray, they contribute. The habit of not giving, is exchanged for the spirit and practice of liberality; at least this is the case to a considerable degree, in comparison with what it once was. When the Ameri

can Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was formed, Dr. Worcester the Secretary of that Institution, said, “I think we shall be able to sustain this year four missionaries." The American churches sustain four missionaries! The funds of this same Society the last year, amounted to 236,000 dollars! The American Education Society aided seven young men the first year of its existence, the last year, 1838, it aided eleven hundred and forty-one. To a great extent, the funds of the other benevolent societies have been increased. The astonishment is not that Christians of the present day do so little; but that, considering their former feelings and conduct, they do so much. They have begun to learn whose “are the silver and the gold, and the cattle upon a thousand hills," and accordingly to bring their tithes into the storehouse of the Lord. As God hath prospered them, they, in some laudable measure, lay by in store, ready to meet the drafts, which the Lord shall make upon his churches; considering themselves as a permanent fund, bearing interest according to the exigency of the times. All hearts and treasures are in the Lord's hands, and he can and will employ them to the promotion of his cause.

3. The Church must rise to a far higher standard in consecrating her substance to the Lord.

He must

The rich believer must become bountiful. view it as his duty and privilege to give, and to give in princely donations. As women helped to build the tabernacle in the wilderness, so now they must help to build the spiritual temple of the Lord. They must consecrate to this blessed service their "ornaments of fine gold,” and seek to be adorned with more beautiful apparel, even the robe of charity. The rising generation, from their childhood, must be taught to cast their little offerings into the treasury of the Lord. Even the poor widow must not forget the example of her, whose memorial is registered in

the book of God, and who, "of her want did cast in all she had, even all her living." In bestowing charity, the question should not be, What ought I give to the Lord? for all is the Lord's now, (the earth is his and the fulness thereof,) but, What may I take of that which he hath intrusted to my hands and use for myself?-the rest I should consider as devoted to his cause and I am to deliver it out in the discharge of my stewardship, according to the indications of Him whose steward I am. Said the late Dr. Worcester, whose views were bold and elevated, and whose faith was strong, "An exigency is worth a thousand dollars,—it is at least a draft upon the churches to that amount, which will be paid." No man was ever impoverished by contributing, who gave from right principle of heart. This is a broad assertion, but it is, I think, capable of proof. We have the Lord's testimony to this effect. Do you believe that the world was once drowned by a flood of waters, and that it will ultimately be burned up by fire? Yes; because the Lord hath said it. "Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom." Do you believe this? Why hesitate ? God hath spoken it. O, ye of little faith, blush and be ashamed! Every Christian should consider the cause of Christ as one of the heirs to his estate, whether large or small. When he makes his will, let him make it with the kingdom of Christ in view. But let him remember it is better to be his own executor, than to wait for years to elapse, and death to overtake him, before a part of his property shall be scattered to enrich Zion. Let him remember, too, that his property, though his own as it respects other men, is yet not his own as it respects God. Giving by Will is not properly giving. It is only saying when the property cannot be held longer by the testator, that he had rather the Lord and his cause should have

it, than that it should fall into other hands. Besides, testamentary charities, though useful, are often suspicious as to the motive accompanying them. Then let not the man who intends to give any thing to the Lord, defer the execution of his benevolent design. Does any one ask himself how much shall I give ?-How much can I give?How much ought I to give? Tó such I would reply, look at heaven and see its blessedness; look at hell and view its wretchedness; and then look at Christ and see what he has done to rescue man from eternal perdition, and say what you ought to contribute. It may be added, that "he which soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly, and he which soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully." What you do you must do quickly. While you delay multitudes are hastening to eternal death. These alms are asked in the name of God, in the name of Christ, in the name of the Holy Ghost, in the name of angels, in the name of the church militant and triumphant, in the name of a perishing world.

Appendix M.

DISSERTATION XIV.

BENEVOLENT AGENCIES.

THE kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ ever has been, and ever will be, sustained and carried forward by the instrumentality of means. It was thus ordained in the counsels of eternity, and the purposes of God are every day fulfilling in the benevolent efforts of Christians for the salvation of men. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." In order then to the prevelance of faith, the Sacred Scriptures must be disseminated among all people. Here is the warrant for the Bible Societies. "How then shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard; and how shall they hear without a preacher." Preachers of righteousness and salvation for the whole world should be raised up. Here is the warrant for the Education Societies. "And how shall they preach, except they be sent." Ministers must be sent forth to preach the gospel to every creature under heaven. Here is the warrant for Missionary Societies. Such is the system of means to be adopted for the salvation of men, as authorized by the Apostle.

I. It is most evident that the present system of benevolent enterprizes among Christians, is absolutely necessary