ject, Dr. Chalmers' reasonings and counsels have left scarcely a point untouched: earnestly do we hope that his labours will have the reward of large success.*

Buthath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?" Yes:but such poverty is far above the reckless, and often, indeed, dishonest degradation of which we have spoken. Such poverty will, in this country at least, be met with many mitigations, the ready exercises of Christian sympathy and brotherly beneficence. Such poverty is not squalid, greedy, and fraudulent. It is the dispensation of wise and holy Providence towards the upright and honourable poor, who "in quietness work and eat their own bread," or gladly would do so, if their own will only were concerned. They have, so far as they were able, exercised a prudent foresight; and, if their little power permitted, they have made some provision for casualties, illness, and age. Upon such, the genuine disciple of Him who "became poor for our sakes," will always look with an affectionate eye, and help with a ready hand and, in their lowly cottage or scanty lodging, is verified the Scripture axioms:-" A good "A man will guide his affairs with discretion;" and, "Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich."

Thus the rich and the poor meet together;"

See Dr. Chalmers' "Christian and Civic Economy of Large Towns," Vol. ii. his "Speech before the General Assembly in 1822," and the "Statement of his eight years' experience of Pauperism in Glasgow."

and the beneficent disposals of Providence are illustrated in the varieties of human condition, the effects of reciprocal obligations, and the exercise of holy duties. "Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted," by the alleviations of his condition, which Christian love attracts from those whom God has made stewards of somewhat larger talents; "and the rich, in that he is made low," by the kind condescension of which Jesus has given the loveliest examples.

Another portentous moral evil must also be rejected with abhorrence, by those who hope to participate in the revived purity and power of godlinessthe affectation of being thought rich, the rash eagerness to become so, the fictions of property created with the deliberate and long-maintained purpose to deceive "through covetousness, with feigned words making merchandise of" the unwary or the necessitous. O, can the thought be admitted, that such schemes have ever been associated with a profession of serious piety? That the repute of that profession has even been a wheel in the machinery? Mournful and bitter thought! A pious highway robber, a midnight burglar, who goes out with prayer and the fear of God, would be more consistent characters.* But if we are to enjoy a genuine revival of religion, these abominations must be cast away. Every approximation to them must be, from the heart, de

On this extensive and most momentous subject, so intimately concerning our manufacturing and mercantile country, I cannot but express the earnest desire, that a universal attention were paid to Dr. Chalmers' " Discourses on the Application of Christianity to the Commercial and Ordinary Affairs of Life.”

tested.

66

We e must, in every sense, and in all the actions and reactions of life, renounce the hidden things of dishonesty ;" and "our rejoicing must be this, that, in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have our conversation in the world." May all who conduct trade and merchandise lay these sincerely kind suggestions to their hearts, lest they add to the melancholy verifications, in our time and country, of the divine proverb, "The getting of treasures by a lying tongue;" and surely, then, by a lying pen, "is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death."

Those, too, who have a full right to all that they assume to be, in the scale of society, have their part to sustain in the universal effort. Their rank, their opulence, their command of time and means, their example, their moral influence, so easily exerted and so promptly obeyed, must be humbly consecrated to Him who has made them what they are. Let them not think, let them, in no respect, seem as if they thought that they are conferring a favour upon the religion of Jesus, in giving to it their countenance and support. Religion can do without them: but not they without it. How highly are they honoured

in that the Redeemer admits them to do him service! They will find the purest pleasures in cherishing the feelings of those "who rejoiced, for that they offered willingly; because with perfect heart they offered willingly unto the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine

hand it is to make great! But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For ALL THINGS COME OF THEE, and of THINE OWN have we given thee."

These more elevated classes in society, when brought under the ennobling influences of divine grace, have yet peculiar temptations, and immense difficulties and disadvantages to contend against. Too generally, with excellent intentions and much self-denying exertion, their labours are misdirected, and a large portion of their valuable talents runs to waste. From the defects of their education, though they may have been carefully taught every elegant acquirement, their minds have never been imbued with correct, systematical, harmonious knowledge of religion. Having entered, often at mature age, into religious connexions, without previous knowledge or experience, they are exposed to the misguidance of ignorant, injudicious, and interested persons. They have, therefore, two great duties to perform for their own protection, and for the insurance of their most effective usefulness. They must closely study human nature, and apply to the professions and projects of religious people their own native good sense, their acquired prudence, and the discretion which the Bible teaches. Unspeakable advantage will accrue to them from an intimate acquaintance with the Book of Proverbs, joining to its maxims the spirit and precepts of the New Testament. And let them not be displeased with the homely remark, that, by their own efforts, they must give to themselves a solid religious education, late as it may be in life. This is by no means an impracticable thing. Let them

learn the comprehension and harmony of divine truth, by applying the same principles of investigation and method which guided their early acquisitions of liberal knowledge. Let them study well the nature of moral evidence, the history of the successive dispensations of Jehovah's will, the sound principles of Bible interpretation, the holiness, goodness, and immutable authority of the divine law, the homage paid to that law by the system of mediation, the reigning of grace through righteousness, the obligations of men to comply cordially with the promulgated will of God, the necessity of the Holy Spirit's influences, with the grounds of that necessity; the rule, and model, and motives of the Christian's obedience, the instituted modes of honouring the Redeemer, and being the most effectively beneficial to men ;-in a word, "the work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ;" all the methods within their wide and powerful grasp, by which they may "ADORN the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things;" and "show forth the praises of HIM who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light."

"Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us: God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear him."

HOMERTON, April, 1829.

J. P. S.