relief of their necessities, and support them during the decline of life, that their gray, hairs may descend to the grave in peace. As men living in society often receive benefits from one another, hence arises the duty of gratitude to benefactors. If we have been favoured with the kind offices and gifts of a generous friend, justice requires us to acknowledge the obligation; and manifest our sense of it, by the esteem in which we hold the person to whom we are indebted, and endeavouring to make him the best return in our power. As we have social feelings, we generally attach ourselves to some particular persons whose sentiments and dispositions are congenial to onr own, Hence arises the relation of friendship, which, when engaged in with ardour, should be maintained with sincerity. Our friend to whom we unbosom our whole soul, often proves the most cheerful comforter amidst all the sorows and afflictions of life. If therefore we fly to him for succour, in every perplexity which befals us, let us not refuse the same consolation to him when the evils of life have overtaken him; let us impart the healing balm of tender sympathy, and the more efficacious remedy of wholesome counsel. Let us also extend our benevolent affections as widely as the sphere of our acquaintance, and bestow on all within our reach a share of that kindness which justice requires us to manifest to those with whom we should dwell together like brethren in unity. As men also are connected by their mutual transactions, there are certain duties incumbent on every one who would enter into any compact with another. Herein indeed most people seem to think that the whole of justice consists. If they be honest in their dealings, and take no undue advantage of others, they deem themselves just men, whom no man can reproach for deceit and villainy. It is well that such regard to integrity is maintained in the dealings of mankind; for if every one were ready to defraud and over-reach, mutual confidence would be at an end; and no intercourse could be maintained among persons, if each were jealous that his neighbour was lying in wait to deceive. As society is constituted however, care is taken to secure the fair and equitable performance of all our compacts, as far as human laws can regulate the affairs of mankind.-But we should not only be just and honest in our dealings, because injustice is forbidden and would subject us to punishment; we should do justly from right principles, because it is agreeable to equity, that every one should do that to another, which he would expect to be done to himself; because it is right in our traf fic to charge nothing more than the value of that commodity which another wishes to purchase, since it is injustice to take advantage of the ignorance or necessities of those on whom we may impose; because such conduct is highly displeasing in the sight of God and man, and must expose us, if detected, to infamy and ruin in the present world, and even though undiscovered, to the divine indignation in the world to come. Let us therefore practise justice, not because we are compelled by human laws, but because it is equitable to do so, because it is expedient to secure our own peace of mind, the rights of others, and the approbation of God. Thus in these various respects, may we comply with the first requisition in the text; what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly? In addition to this, we are enjoined also to love mercy. This virtue may be defined, relieving the wants of the distressed. These are either such as pertain to the soul or the body. We may indeed suppose that we can do nothing to alleviate the miseries of the soul, as these arise entirely from the state of a man's own mind. But there are many cases in which we may contribute to the happiness and comfort of our fellow-creatures, by ameliorating their spiritual condition. If we are acquainted with any who are ignorant of those great truths which concern the well-being of their souls, might we not impart to them instruction suited to their necessities, in such a prudent manner as might enlighten their minds, without offending their feelings? This is the greatest act of mercy which we can bestow, inasmuch as the edification of the soul is the most important concern of every human being. If, moreover, any within our reach are known to be of profligate principles, and vicious conduct, might we not endea vour to convert them from the error of their ways, and exhort them to turn to the obedience of the just? Might we not expostulate with them on the great enormity of immoral conduct, and shew them the excellence and the beauty of holiness? Could we not repeat our solicitations and entreaties to forsake vice, and become virtuous, till we have prevailed with them to change their conduct? We may indeed say, it is no business of ours to reform our neighbours, neither will delicacy nor good breeding allow us to mention their faults in order to reclaim them. But though indeed prudence is required in our attempts to improve the character of others, it is still a duty which mercy to their souls requires at our hands. Let us then take every opportunity of warning the careless against the danger of continuing without God in the world; remonstrate with the vicious on the folly and wickedness of transgression; and build up those who are desirous of being good, in the love and practice of universal holiness. If others are suffering mental anguish, from sorrow and dejection, occasioned by losses either in their families or fortunes; mercy requires us to soothe and comfort them in their distress. Many are the calamities which embitter human life, and render our condition in this world a weary pilgrimage. Sometimes the death of friends occasions a load of anguish, by which our spirits are oppressed and broken. At such seasons the mind of the surviving sufferer requires the sympathy and comfort which others can bestow; and callous indeed would be our hearts, if we refused to minister to their relief. Then might we represent the alleviating circumstances, which should render the death of our nearest friends at least tolerable: that we must all die sooner or later by the law of mortality; that God calls his people hence at the most proper seasons, and that those who die in the Lord have entered into bliss. Wherefore we should comfort the disconsolate with these words. Also, when others suffer worldly losses and embarrassments, let us remind them that this world is not intended as an unmixed scene of happiness; that pains as well as pleasures are our portion, to teach us that this is not our rest; and that we should not set our affections on - things on earth, but transfer them to things in heaven. By exhibiting such subjects of consolation as these, we might perform an important act of mercy to their souls, by soothing their sorrows and relieving their anguish. But, as men have bodies, as well as souls; mercy requires us to contribute to their outward wants which are often many and distressing. There are several objects of pity, to whom our mercy and compassion may be extended in various ways. Often the widow and the orphan are left on the world friendless and unprovided; these have a powerful claim on our sympathetic affections. To them we should open our hands liberally, either by charitable contributions to relieve their necessities; or by be stowing such things as are needful for the body. We should enquire into the circumstances of such individuals as are thus destitute of any regular provision for the sup ply of their daily wants; and devise such generous plans for their relief as may be effectual to promote their comfort. We shall soon discover, what species of charity will be most beneficial for the person who is the object of our bounty. If he be young, let us along with others endeavour to provide for his education; if advancing towards manhood, let us procure for him employment by which he may earn his subsistence: and if old, let us minister to his wants by a regular supply of pecuniary allowance, or of such food and raiment as may be requisite for necessary purposes. We may indeed allege that we cannot spare much from the exigencies of our own families, to bestow in acts of beneficence and charity. But surely it is possible to save a small pittance from our superfluities, which might contribute somewhat to relieve the needy. If every one around us would do the same, the condition of many helpless individuals might be greatly ameliorated, so that want and wretchedness would be often unknown.Perhaps one of the most efficient methods which we could adopt, in administering our charity, would be to reserve a stated portion of our income, however small, for contributing to the support of the poor and indigent. Accordingly the apostle Paul seems to recommend this plan of being charitable, when he advises Christians to "lay by them in store as God had prospered them, that they might have to give to them that needed." Every man should consider how much he might spare from his expenditure for distributing to the necessities of his poorer brethren; and if he bestows a portion suited to his income, it will be acceptable in the sight of God," according to what he hath, and not according to what he hath not." When, therefore, we know any destitute family, who are left friendless and unprovided, let us afford them assistance according to our ability; when we know of any private individual, who, from the pressure of worldly calamities, or the want of employment, is reduced to extremity; let us supply them with temporary relief. When we behold the needy traveller wandering from place to place, without bread to eat or a home to shelter him; let us commiserate his distress, open our hands for his timely succour, and give him such things as may supply his wants. Little do we know of the Christian spirit, if we can be indifferent to the distresses which our fellow-creatures endure. If our hearts feel with the genuine sympathy of human nature, we will be alive to the miseries of others; we will be full of mercy and of good fruits; we will not shut up our bowels of compassion against any object of pity, whose wants we can supply. "True religion, before God," says an apostle, " is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction:" and says another; "though I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, yet if I have not charity I am nothing." High are the encomiums bestowed on this beneficent virtue throughout the whole page of scripture; and every saint whose name has been transmitted to posterity, has abounded in charity and alms to the poor. Thus Job, who was righteous in his generation, obtained a good report, because he was bountiful as he had opportunity. "When the ear heard him, then it blessed him; and when the eye saw, it gave witness to him; because he delivered the poor that cried, the fatherless and him that had none to help him. The blessing of many that were ready to perish came upon him, and he caused the widow's heart to sing for joy." What an amiable character is this! how worthy to be imitated by |
