of the New Testament we recognize a most solemn obligation to minister unto the necessities of indigence; we may surely hope, that, when our mode of doing this tends to eradicate the very source and origin of those necessities; and when, by making the poor man's duty identical with his interest, we place him in the way of becoming independent and happy; we are fulfilling the intentions of our beloved Master. How much more, then, shall we demonstrate ourselves to be friends of the poor, and zealous labourers in the Christian vineyard, if we convince whomsoever we desire to benefit, that our assistance is not the act of caprice, but of judgement; and thus excite them to do those things that are most acceptable in the sight of God and man.

That such are the ends which the Society I have just named to you is eminently calculated to accomplish, I now hasten to shew.

I will therefore, in the first place, remark on its tendency to imbue the poor with habits of frugality and good management.

And, secondly, on the influence it enables us to exert over the objects of our charitable love, and on the means of advancing the cause of religion, of which we thus become possessed.

Let us then first regard this Society with reference to its instrumentality in introducing economical habits among the poor.

There are many individuals in every parish, whose avocations, or whose benevolence, by bringing them into constant intercourse with the poor, have rendered them familiar with the details of their humble arrangements. I am sure that such persons cannot have had all their experience to so little purpose as now to require information concerning the cause of most of the misery which they behold. Indeed, they only can tell, because they have witnessed it, how terribly the absence of economy aggravates the privations of indigence. It may sound paradoxical, but it is not the less certain, that prodigality of expenditure prevails to a greater extent in the cottage of the labourer, than in the mansion of his employer, although the sums lavished are necessarily of an inferior amount. It may safely be asserted, that the good qualities most rarely found among the poor, are those of economy and forethought; while habits of expenditure, always inconsiderate, and often criminal, together with a recklessness of debt and pauperism, paralyse our most active efforts for their benefit.

The source of all this evil may, perhaps, not lie deep; but this is neither the time or place to investigate it. Enough has been said to shew, that if we are able to encourage our indigent brethren in the acquirement of frugal

habits, by making them feel how considerably a little present sacrifice contributes to their future comfort; we are conferring an immensé benefit, not only on the immediate objects of our kindness, but on those likewise, who observe in the case of their neighbours, how useful a sum, small and constant savings may produce.

Now that such is in fact the tendency of this Institution, I am able from personal observation most explicitly to declare. It has introduced habits of order and management into families hitherto inured to practices of ruinous wastefulness. It has at length been the means of convincing the labouring orders of this great truth. That there is scarcely any man, whatever his employment be, and however numerous his family, but may out of his weekly earnings, lay by something without either distressing himself or them. Besides, in the very poorest classes this Society has produced results, similar to those which have proceeded from the operation of Savings' Banks on the ranks immediately above them. For it is a matter of no uncommon occurrence to find the Pensioners of this Institution paying something more than their weekly quota, in order to increase the fund which is to supply them with clothing at that season of the year when it is most acceptable. Indeed, to put the strongest case of all, there

are not wanting instances of individuals, who, though not fortunate enough to procure the assistance of a Subscriber's contribution, have yet requested permission to deposit small sums in the Treasurer's hands, to be kept and advantageously expended for them. Surely, brethren, all must admit that these are indications of a spirit most calculated to increase the respectability and the happiness of the poor. Let it not then be our fault if the virtues with which we have inspired them perish for want of due encouragement.

But, my brethren, if the provident habits, awakened and promoted by this Institution, ought of themselves to plead most powerfully in its behalf with all who befriend the poor, how much stronger will its claims appear, when we consider how greatly it may enable us to promote the heavenly cause of religion and morality! To provide at once for the temporal and spiritual wants of men, is surely the highest office of Christian benevolence.

This reflexion leads me to the second division of my subject. I therefore would now examine the influence this Society empowers us to exert over the objects of our charitable love, and the means of advancing the cause of religion, of which we thus become possessed.

With this view I would remark, that a

judicious man may sometimes as effectually promote the interest of true religion by withholding, as by granting his assistance, as the characters of those who solicit it may appear worthy or unworthy of his aid; because benevolence, like every other generous feeling, can only be effectual for good when it is under the direction of sound principle. Of course this, in common with every other general rule, has its limitations and exceptions. We would not suffer a bad man to perish by hunger or any other violent death before our eyes, without doing our utmost to save him. But such an extreme case as this falls quite beyond the scope of my present argument. No citizen of this country can ever die of starvation; but yet, without approaching such a horrible extremity, every poor man has many privations and hardships to encounter. Now it is not only reasonable, but quite in accordance with the precept in the text, that we should do most to alleviate the distresses of those, who conduct themselves under affliction as members of the household of faith-who submit to the evils of poverty with that patience exhibit that integrity and piety in their lives, and strive to gain their own living with that honest industry which our Lord enjoined, and his Apostles enforced both by precept and example.