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SERM. assist in the education of the poor, but it is

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also your interest, and that in a very high degree. The tranquility and the happiness

much upon

those

of private life depend very
around us; it is in the power of the low-
est of our neighbours to take very much
from our comfort. To live amongst a
set of people sunk in profaneness and de-
bauchery would alone be a great diminu-
tion of the happiness of a feeling man;
but, besides that, he could not but be always
in danger, and frequently subject to their
insults their extortions—their frauds-
their violence. Now, I know nothing
which is so likely to free us from these
dangers, as the assisting in the education of
the children of those parents, who are
themselves destitute of the means. We
must teach the poor that there is a life
after this, where they will be everlastingly
happy, if they behave themselves soberly,
justly, and religiously, while they are on

earth;

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earth; or where they will be everlastingly SERM. miserable, if they are profane, debauched, and dishonest; we must teach them that it is their interest to live quietly and honestly, that such a life is the most likely means of procuring a livelihood, and of getting themselves forward; but that if it were not so, even though they should gain the whole world by a contrary behaviour, the whole world would be worth nothing to them, when they must lose their own souls.

We must teach them these things early, for if, as I observed before, we suffer the bias of human nature towards evil to gain strength by habit, but small are the pros pects that we shall ever be able to subdue it.

I confess that the chief success which I can expect to meet with in my ministry, is among the young; it is here then that I wish chiefly to exert myself, and it is here that I would prevail on you to concur with me.

As

SERM.
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As then ye would have faithful servants and dependants, industrious labourers and mechanics, quiet and inoffensive neighbours, as ye would travel with safety on the roads, or lie down to rest securely in your beds, as ye would preserve your persons and properties free from violence and rapine of every kind, and as ye would avoid the reverse of all these requisites to tranquility and comfort, ye are bound to favour and to promote the cause of education. I call upon you then, as men of religion and morality, and by consequence interested in their advancement and diffusion; I call upon you, as ye wish well to good government, and are friends to the prosperity of your country; I call upon you, as ye would contribute to the turning of many unto righteousness, and above all, as ye value your own interest and happiness both here and hereafter, to assist to the utmost of your abilities, not only now, but at all other

A

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other times, in the training of the children S ERM. of poverty to habits of virtue, industry and religion!

Let it not be imagined that this summons is addressed only to the most wealthy; none, who are in any degree able to assist me, are unconcerned in it. Remember the widow's two mites, and the praises which her generosity won of our Saviour. Ye read, that from him only to whom much is given, much will be required; but can ye suppose, that from him to whom little is given, there will be required nothing? Far from it! Expectations are formed of us in proportion to our respective abilities; and he may obtain God's favour in as high a degree, who gives a little out of his want, as he who gives much out of his abundance; but let it be remembered that he will be equally exposed to God's anger, if he refuses what his circumstances will admit. I hope that none

of

SERM. of you will be prevented from encouraging

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the institution, for which I am pleading. from an idea, that it will be of disservice, rather than of advantage, to the community. This idea, I am told, has been entertained by some, though I can scarcely think it more than a pretext to save their money. Their argument, such as it is, is this; that instruction will make the poor discon tented with their situations; they will think themselves qualified for higher things, and will either work unwillingly, or will al together forsake the laborious employments for which they were designed. What! is it possible that the little learning it falls within our plan to give, can be attended with this effect? We only propose to teach our scholars to read and to spell, and to instruct them in the rudiments of the Chris tian religion, by which they may be enabled hereafter to peruse any good books which they may procure, and, when they come

to

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