of our petitions. God needs none of our offerings; "the cattle upon a thousand hills are his," and "if he were hungry he would not tell us." But, though needing nothing at our hands, he has condescended, for the purpose of uniting our hearts to him in profounder sympathy, to assume a position, in which he appeals to us as really and tenderly as if he needed all things. Though our alms and our righteousness extend not directly to him, yet the Saviour is comforted and refreshed with the humblest ministration to his saints upon the earth; it is he who receives the cup of cold water administered to his disciples. The believer, accordingly, who enters into the spirit of the christian doctrine, must feel it almost hardly less a grievance to be debarred from the throne of grace, than to be prevented from casting his mite into the treasury of the Lord; and would as soon think of turning Christ from his doors, or leaving him unvisited in sickness and in prison, as think of slighting the appeals of Christ's earthly kingdom to his contributions and his sympathies. It is Christ whom we honor in the interests of his kingdom, or rather it is Christ who honors us in thus permitting us to honor him, and as all christian duties are at the same time privileges, and every precept stands upon a promise, so the child of God habitually experiences that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." He is the beggar who solicits the favor of having his gifts accepted, and he feels it to be a distinction that he can glorify God with the fruits of his substance: having given himself to the Lord, all that he possesses is equally devoted, and what he uses for himself is rather by permission than by right of property. It is this principle which makes almsgiving a species of thanksgiving, and gifts a part of our spiritual worship that underlies the whole subject of systematic benevolence. The recognition of this principle in its fulness and energy is all that is wanted to infuse new life into the Church, and to make our offerings commensurate with our resources. To keep this principle steadily before the Church is one important end of the appointment of this Committee. Almsgiving being at once a duty and a privilege, an ordinance of God and a means of grace, it is manifestly incumbent upon the courts of the Church to impart this, as well as every other blessing of the gospel, to the christian people. Any believer has a right to complain that his soul is neglected, and the fulness of his christian inheritance impaired, if he has not the opportunity of presenting his gifts, as well as of hearing the word. The General Assembly, accordingly, has done no more than it was bound to do in enjoining upon the Presbyteries "to adopt some practicable method by which an opportunity shall be afforded, and an invitation given, to all the members of their congregations to contribute regularly to the objects of christian benevolence, recognized by the Assembly in the organization of the Boards of the Church, and to such other institutions as to them may seem right." But it is not enough that the Assembly should command in the name of Christ; it must also see that its injunctions are obeyed; and hence it has required an annual report from every Presbytery in its bounds, of the diligence of ministers and church sessions in complying with its requisitions. Your Committee has been specially appointed to receive and examine these reports. We are sorry to say that very few of our Presbyteries-only twenty-six-have made any report at all; but these give a gratifying proof that the blessing of God is not wanting to their efforts to comply with his commands. Your Committee cannot forbear to take particular notice of the Presbytery of Baltimore, which has co-operated most heartily with the ends and aims of the Assembly, by sending a pastora! letter to its churches, in which the doctrine of Scripture is ably and affectionately enforced. That letter deserves the commendation of the Assembly, and a much wider circulation, and gives a favorable omen of the prospects of religion in that city. The doctrine of Systematic benevolence, however, must be more fully understood, before a general attention to the duty can be expected. Your Committee do not think it wise, in the meagre state of the reports from the Presbyteries, to suggest the details of any plan; this matter had better be left to the Presbyteries, sessions, and ministers. The Committee, however, cannot forbear to add, that an important feature in any and every plan should be the training of the young in habits of liberality. Let us not overlook the lambs of the flock. We unanimously recommend that the Assembly reaffirm the resolutions of last year upon the subject, and that they be presented as a part of this Report. |