structions and labors, bear a similar complexion, and speak a similar language. It is said concerning him, that he went about doing good.

The darkness and distress which then prevailed on every side, courted his presence and demanded, in different directions, a portion of his time. Accordingly, when he had healed the sick, cast out devils, and preached the doctrine of his kingdom, in one city, he departed to another; where he repeated the same acts of benevolence, and published the same doctrines of life. And, though the principal cities afforded a larger theatre for his usefulness, and claimed a larger portion of his munificence, he did not overlook the little village, and condescended to honor and bless even the very cottage by his pres

ence.

Sometimes we behold him in the capital, sometimes in its suburbs, and sometimes travelling through the country round about. He refused no hardships; he shrunk from no fatigue which might promote the happiness or alleviate the miseries of the forlorn and wretched beings he came to save. His progress through life, was marked with expressions of mercy, and the very paths he trod, were thronged by hapless sufferers, asking instruction, or applying for healing from their maladies. In his retinue, you might behold, not the glittering cour tier, not the fawning sycophant, but the blind, the deaf and the diseased, soliciting mercy or returning thanks for mercy received. Yes; there you might see the lame man leap as the hart, and hear the tongue of the dumb man sing!

As this illustrious Personage approached that dreadful catastrophe which terminated his ministry, the visible splendor of his benevolence encreased.

On the last sad evening before he was offered up, more affected with the wants of his disciples than with the miseries which awaited himself, he spent his time in fortifying their minds, and in supplicating his Father in their behalf. Just parting from them, and moved with the tenderest affection towards them, he says, "Let not your hearts be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me." And having said this, look ing to heaven, he adds, "And now holy Father, I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, keep through thine own name those which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are."

Immediately after this he went forth to Gethsemine, and from thence to Calvary; where, fastened to a cross, contending with the terrors of avenging justice, and sinking under the agonies of dissolving nature, he remembers his friends not only, but casting an eye down on his malignant and relentless enemies also, pities them, and presenting in their behalf, before the throne of the Eternal, his blood, his wounds, and his cross, cries out, from the bottom of a heart overflowing with good will, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!.........And does this illustrious example furnish no motive to the practice of benevolence?

Though it would not be the duty of all to travel from place to place, as Jesus did; and though it

would be in the power of none to controul the dis eases which he controuled, or to distribute the bounties which he distributed; yet ought not you, and all men, to be followers of him as dear children?

Each of you is able to do something to glorify God, to alleviate the miseries, and promote the happiness of man. Let then, at all times, and on all occasions, your conversation be such as becometh godliness, and your example adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour.

Can any employment be so agreeable to a benevo lent mind, or so congenial to the spirit of Christianity, as that of doing good? Go then, sympathize with the mourner; open the hand of charity to the needy, and recommend to Jesus, those who, weary and heavy laden, wander in the deserts of Hermon, and pour out their complaints upon the hill of Mizar.

Thus Job spent the season of his prosperity. "I was eyes," says he "to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor, and the cause which I knew not, I searched out. The stranger did not lodge in the streets, but I opened my door unto the traveller.”

To the character of Deity, add

THE PRECEPTS OF HIS LAW.

"If thy brother be waxen poor, (these hearer, are the words of him who created both thee and thy brother) If thy brother be waxen poor, then shalt thou relieve him that he may live. Thou shalt not

harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand against thy poor brother: but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need in that which he wanteth. The poor shall never cease out of the land, therefore I COMMAND thee, saith the Lord Almighty.”

To the precepts of the law, add

THE PROMISES AND BENEDICTIONS OF THE
GOSPEL.

"He that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. He that hath a bountiful eye blessed is he. If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall thy light arise in obscurity. Whosoever shall give unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, he shall in no wise loose his reward. He that hath pity on the poor, lendeth to the Lord, and that which he hath given will HE pay him again." My GOD! what a powerful incentive to charity.

Jesus Christ becomes the representative of the poor; takes upon himself their infirmities, and pledges his veracity to repay all who minister to their wants. It is not the poor therefore, but Jesus Christ, whom we deny when we withhold our charities.

Were Jesus Christ to descend from the realms of the blessed, accompanied by cherubim -seraphim -angels, mighty in strength and terrible in majesty— by thrones, by dominions, by principalities and powers, solicting a moity of our possessions, and at the

same time pointing to the heavens and opening the treasures of immortality to our view-should he promise to repay there, with infinite increase, our kindness, who of us would shut his hand or harden his heart against his Saviour? No one : a universal. emulation would prevail among us; even avarice would unlock its horded treasures, and oppression. bring its illgotten gain, and lay it at the feet of Jesus.

But the Saviour chooses not this method.-Gifts thus extorted would be doubtful evidences of our love. The splendor of such an appearance might corrupt the motives of friends, and dazzle even eneene.t mies into momentary liberality. That he may prove your charity and test the sincerity of your love therefore, forlorn and wretched, emaciated with sickness palsied with age, and covered with rags....he comes forth from cottages and cabins, in the person of the poor, and stretching forth his trembling hand to you!TM his desciples, asks alms. Christians! deny him if yêtê You cannot deny him. But to those who can, I add, that the days of his humiliation, even in this sense, will not last for ever,

can.

Presently, he, who now friendless and wretched, to the eye of our mercy, u no lds his miseries, will appear in a different form-appear, having laid aside the rags! of beggary, and put on robes of royalty, in tres mendous majesty, and send forth judgment unto victory.

Then the poor in whose behalf he now asks charity, congregated before his throne, shall stand in judg