[Make the improvement of them which the Apostle did ; Bless God for them ; and improve them for the good of others. Have you by your own experience found God to be " a Father of mercies, and a God of all comfort?" acknowledge him under this blessed character, and commend him to all for the instruc- tion and comfort of their souls. Your consolations are not given you for yourselves merely, but for others also ; that you may be channels of communication between God and them. Many there are who need your friendly offices; many with weak " hands, and feeble knees, and fearful hearts," whom, with God's blessing, you may support and comfort. O remem- ber, that it is a god-like office to " comfort them that are cast down," " to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heavi- ness!" And in thus improving your diversified experiences, you will enrich both yourselves and others : I may add too, you will have the best evidence, that they are wrought in you by the Spirit of God : for it is in this improvement of them that " pure and undefiled religion" very principally consists i. You may be assured also, that, in thus drawing out your soul to the hungry, and satisfying the affiicted soul, " your own souls shall become like a watered garden, and like springs of water, whose waters fail nof."]
1 Jam. i. 27.
r Isai. Iviii, 10, 11. If this be addressed to a Visiting Society, this idea must be more fully insisted on.