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sorrow and distress. The many objects of poverty with which our world abounds, might lead us to doubt the Divine goodness in reference to His creatures; but that we consider, through sin, death and all our woe has entered our world, and thus we perceive sufficient cause for present misery, without calling in question the goodness of Him whose "mercy never faileth."

The Lord hath made it the happy province of some to alleviate the sufferings of others. Our privilege it is to participate in the luxury of doing good. It is ours to cheer the disconsolate widow, to wipe away the orphan's tears, to visit the afflicted, and, if not adequate fully to remove, yet are we able to comfort them in all their afflictions, and cheer them amid all their tribulations.

By practically carrying out the benevolent design which this Association contemplates, we shall be instrumental in removing the cup of misery from many a lip, and may likewise be influential in bringing some from the ways of sin and folly to those of virtue and wisdom, thus saving souls from death and hiding a multitude of sins.

III. We, in showing mercy to the poor, have the approbation of God.

Certainly it should be to us, who are accountable beings, a matter of paramount importance to

do that which will meet with Divine approval. And, if actuated by a proper spirit in communicating to the indigent, we cannot fail of having the Lord's approval.

Holy Writ testifies that "he that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given, will He pay him again." And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones, a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily, I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward." The truly benevolent have not only the Divine approbation while they minister to the needy here, but also shall have it in the day of final retribution. Then the Judge will say, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, and you gave Me meat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came unto Me. . Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me." IV. In relieving the needy we secure the testimony of a good conscience.

There are many things we cannot do without injury to our conscience; and many enterprises we

cannot engage in without contracting guilt and condemnation. Here is a cause in which we may heartily engage and have the testimony of a good conscience. Were we ever condemned for visiting the afflicted? Did we ever contract guilt by relieving their wants? When we saw the unfortunate, one upon whom the bleak winds of adversity had blown, and kindly felt for him in our hearts, and in our pockets, was conscience grieved? When we listened to the poor widow's tale of woe, who spake of by-gone days of prosperity and joy, and then of adversity and sorrow; and when our hearts were deeply interested in her case, and our hands prompt to execute the office of charity, did conscience disapprove? When have we beheld that hapless one, without paternal or maternal care, and have wiped away his falling tears by the kind hand of benevolence, and failed to be "blessed in our deed"? And if at any time we have given to such as have not properly used our bounty, still we were not condemned, our motive being good. "It is better," said the benevolent Wesley, "to give to ninety and nine unworthy persons than to send one worthy person empty away."

V. Finally, for our encouragement in this benevolent enterprise, I will say that in relieving the necessitous poor we enrich ourselves.

At first view, it may be thought that I now occupy untenable ground; for how can it be possible that by giving what we might retain, we will add to our treasure? I confess, were materialism true, I should doubt the correctness of the position which I have now undertaken; but, believing in a Supreme and superintending Being, who takes cognizance of all His creatures, and of all their actions, I then clearly perceive that I speak only the words of truth and soberness. "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof"; consequently, it is in His power to prosper the man who is a faithful steward of what has been committed to

his care. Holy Writ testifies that "There is that scattereth and yet increaseth, and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty"; and that "The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered himself."

By giving to the poor we only lend to the Lord; and, surely, in so doing we make a good, yea, a very profitable investment. And our prosperity will not only continue through time, but extend to a future state. Hence it is written, "Charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly

all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." And again, Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in the time of trouble, and he shall be blessed upon the earth.”

Thus we discover that this Association will furnish us with opportunities by which we may resemble our Heavenly Father, prevent much misery, meet with the Divine approval, have a good conscience, and secure our own interest.

As we have seen proper to associate the worthy name of Howard with the title which we have taken, I hope we will, at least in some degree, imitate this illustrious philanthropist, of whom the eloquent Burke observes: "He has visited all Europe; not to survey the sumptuousness of palaces, or the stateliness of temples; not to make accurate measurements of the remains of ancient grandeur, nor to form a scale of the curiosity of modern art; nor to collect medals and collate manuscripts: but to dive into the depths of dungeons; to plunge into the infections of hospitals; to survey the mansions of sorrow and pain; to take the gage and dimensions of misery, depres

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