of Liberality, and to Projects of Public Utility.

you are grateful to accept the generous and voluntary, not supplicated and reluctant, contributions of those, whose ampler circumstances enable them to aid the laudable purposes for which you have associated. These are your means of accumulation; and such are your regulations that your funds cannot be drawn upon unnecessarily, nor can the idle, the intemperate, the profane, the disorderly, retain fellowship with you. So long as these regulations are enforced, your society must contribute to the order and prosperity of the community.

But while, as a society, you are directed by these principles; allow me to express a hope, a persuasion, that, as individuals, you will not forsake them. May every one of you in all your views of the future, and enjoyments of the present, keep in mind that it is more honourable to shift with a little, that is the produce of ones own honest industry, than to enjoy profusion (if that be ever practicable) from the charities of others. Can any man in health think that he is not degraded to depend for a subsistence either upon individual or legal

bounty?

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The doing of Righteousness in reference to the Practice

bounty? Can any man, although in years and infirmity, who in the days of health and vigour, by frugality and temperance might have saved, not feel himself humbled when he applies for relief either to private or public charity? The relief to be derived from your society cannot extend to every contingency of adversity; so as to preclude to any individual the utility of further savings. Therefore, none of you, I should think, will be the less frugal and industrious; because you have this aid in reserve; or tempt the infringement of your rules by improper applications, or by misconduct which they discountenance and forbid. If any should be so foolish and daring; the managers, I doubt not, will do their duty, enforcing upon the offender the penalty, or disadvantages, which your laws prescribe.

If every person would resolve, under the blessings of a benign providence, to depend upon his own exertions, for a supply to the wants and necessities of life; if he would resolve to expend upon himself and his family no more than is necessary to a well regulated and christian mind, for health, strength, and

contentment;

of Liberality, and to Projects of Public Utility.

contentment; if he would be diligent, working with his hands the thing that is good, impairing neither his substance nor his strength by any excess; if he would imitate those industrious insects the ant and the bee, in the spring of youth, and the summer of manhood, improving every hour to lay by for the winter of age; how incalculable would be the access of prosperity and peace to the community, and of happiness to individuals! and how much more should we exhibit of the genuine characteristerics of a Christian people!

Before I conclude, I must call your attention to the words, with which I introduced my discourse. Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he, who loveth not his brother. As Christians let me admonish you of this truth; that while you laudably and honestly provide things necessary for this life short and uncertain, you may not forget that you are destined to another that will last forever. Many of you, perhaps most of you, have been induced to join this society with thoughts and views of temporal advantages only, and with little, or no regard, to the ob

ligation

The doing of Righteousness in reference to the Practice

ligation you are under to serve and please God in every thing that you do. But it is good to act upon the apostle's rule, let all things be done to edification. Think it not sufficient that your proceedings are not contrary to God's law. By the inward disposition of your hearts, let them work with it; and let the good which you may do to society and to each other, be as much your motive, as your own single advantage. This is brotherly love; which regulated in reference and obedience to the will of God, in confidence of his promises and hope of his blessing, is righteousness. If you do not act in this spirit of obedience, with a desire above all things to please and obey Him, who gave you being, and gives you every comfort of being; and to imitate Him who died to save you eternally; your care to provide against casualty or want, will be a mere exemplification of morality and prudence; an instance of ordinary virtue, unsanctified by religion, deserving, indeed, on account of its utility, the favour and countenance of man, but not entitled to the particular blessing of God, nor even obtaining his protection, except as, in

of Liberality, and Projects of Public Utility.

his general plan of providence, it may, unknown to you, work together for the good of those, in that case, more faithful and obedient than yourselves, To make provision against want and necessity, or to secure alleviation of pain and trouble; is what any person of common understanding would do, being rightly informed as to the means. In itself it is an act of mere selfishness confined to the present existence. It is no part of the righteousness named in my text; nor will it recommend you to God; nor promote your everlasting interests, except as it may preserve you from some temptations. Nothing is pleasing to the Almighty; nothing even under the covenant of mercy, will He accept as righteousness, which (according to the light which a man has) does. not proceed from a sincere desire to do his will; and to practise beneficence, because that is his command, and everlastingly his delight. Keeping this, my brethren, in your remembrance, to your anxiety for your own welfare, and the intention to benefit one another, add, above all, your desire and design to please Him, who is ever careful for you, ever engaged