more exalted benevolence, under the experienced influence of the divine Saviour's grace and benig nity. In one affectionate embrace the Christian clasps the whole world. Even to enemies and strangers he wishes to stretch his relieving beneficent hand. Though no returns in kind should be made, nay, though acts of generosity or friendship should meet with insensibility and ingratitude, the ardour of his liberal charity cannot be damped, or diverted from the honourable pur suits of goodness and mercy.

Lastly, That may well be called liberal charity, which is designed to promote the greatest possible good. If it be charity to grant a temporary relief to individuals, a permanent provision made or supported upon principles of public utility, and put under proper management, must be the expression of a richer liberality. If the occasional aids of sympathy affording a seasonable service to men racked with pain, or pining under infirmity and want, be charity, how is the charity increased, when the means of preserving and promoting health are plentifully furnished? If, besides comforting and helping afflicted old age, we also take the helpless young under our care, and form them

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to habits of sobriety and industry; if we do every thing in our power to render them virtuous, happy, and valuable members of society,-still more if we extend our concern for their welfare to their spiritual and eternal interests, such benevolent designs and pursuits must be prompted and animated by the liberal mind that deviseth liberal things. Every instance of effectual relief to the afflicted, the needy, or the oppressed, is in itself an act of generosity; but the greater the evil and danger from which we are delivered, and the greater the safety and good to which we are raised, the more highly we admire the means of our distinguished escape and advantage. When we consider sin in its own nature, and certain eternal consequences, the greatest possible evil is then before our eyes. But for it no other evil could have existed: By it the name of God hath been dis honoured, human nature degraded, the world subjected to every calamity, and all mankind to eternal punishment. Here is the dreadful source of all human woe, and this moral evil is universal. "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" and we know that “the the wages of "sin is death," eternal death. "What then shall 66 we do to be saved," and to save our brethren?

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Does the heart heave, and the tear drop, in the presence of the afflicted and the dying? What rivers of tears should run down our eyes, when we see the wicked forget God, forsake his laws, and destroy themselves? To convert a sinner, is to save a soul from death. "What shall it profit “a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and "lose his own soul? Or what can a man give in "exchange for the soul?" Is there then no charity in the world to exert itself in this most important sphere? Or is the redemption of the soul so precious, that it must cease for ever, be, cause no man, however opulent and well disposed, can offer a sufficient ransom for himself, or for his brother? How must we extol the charity which brings relief in a crisis so awful and important? We are this day happy witnesses that it hath appeared, and still exists upon earth. It hath been seen in the form of man, and clothed with all the energies of God. "God is love, and God was "manifested in the flesh."-See yonder heavens open, and the Son of the highest descendingyea, flying on the wings of unequalled love, to save a guilty perishing world.-Behold, admire, and imitate. "He is the brightness of his Fa"ther's glory, and the express image of his per

" son." "Lo! I come," said he, "rejoicing in "the habitable parts of the earth, and my delights "were with the sons of men." Were ever the ears of sinful mortals saluted with so joyful a sound? "The voice of rejoicing and salvation is " in the tabernacles of the righteous; for the Lord "is their strength and song, he also is become "their salvation." "Let every heart now say, "Amen, hosannah to the Son of David, hosannah "in the highest, blessed is he that cometh in the "name of the Lord to save." 66 Righteousness "having thus looked down from heaven, mercy "and truth meet together on earth." " Now "abideth faith, hope, and charity; and the great"est of these is charity:"-And the greatest charity is to love as Christ has loved. This is at once the origin and pattern of Christian benevolence. Without it, humanity would have had but a limit. ed sphere, and a feeble operation. Without it, mutual regard of man to man would have been altogether insufficient for the deliverance of a single soul: Now we are placed in a situation in which we may be the honoured instruments of removing the greatest evil from the world, and of promoting the best, even the eternal interests of mankind. The man, whose mind is animated with truly

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Christian benevolence, gladly avails himself of that advantageous situation. While he is not indifferent to any of the interests of his fellow-creatures, but cheerfully lends his friendly charitable aid to all who need it, and for every useful purpose, yet his more ardent and generous ambition is to do the greatest good to precious immortal souls. He is ready to sacrifice every worldly pleasure, honour, and advantage to the propagation of the gospel. Seeking the profit of many that they may be saved, he eagerly seizes every opportunity of sending to others the word of salvation. This he considers as the best and most pre. cious seed which can be sown in the field of the world. He thinks himself happy if he can furnish the scriptures, and the means of religious instruction and eternal salvation, to those who are ready to perish for lack of knowledge. To be the instrument of bringing glory to God, and supreme happiness to men, chiefly commands his attention, and excites and regulates every benevolent scheme and exertion. Such, my brethren, is the amiable and great and useful character represented in our text, under the figure of sowing bountifully.

Let us now attend, as was proposed, in the se