You cannot personally perform all the offices that are executed by those who have undertaken to dispense your charity*'
Nor will it be necessary for you to *' pray others
with much entreaty " to be your agents ; since a number of suitable persons have voluntarily devoted themselves to this good work.
Let me then call upon you all to "manifest" by your liberality " the sincerity of your love to Christ." I will not except any from this labour of love. Are any of you " in a great trial of affliction," and at the same time " in deep po- verty ? " I would not on that account dispense with your exer- tions ; nor would you vs'ish me so to do, if you have received the grace of God in truth. I will not indeed be importunate with you, as with others : but I will remind you of what was done by the Christians of former days in circumstances more afflictive than your own ; and I will add, that their conduct is set forth by the Apostle as worthy to be followed by Chris- tians in every age : I say, I will not urge you to liberality on this occasion ; but I well know what you ivill do, if " God has bestowed his grace upon you:" I know, that "to your power, and even beyond your power, you will be willing of yourselves." But to those who are in circumstances of ease and affluence I would say. Look at the example set before you; and think what exertions your circumstances require. O, give not in a grudging or sparing manner ; but let it be seen by your donations what you understand by " abounding unto the riches of liberality :" and, as God in his providence has enabled you to stretch forth Corinthian hands, shew that he has also in his mercy given you Macedonian hearts ]
•^ Here again, the statement must be varied according to circum- stances : if the charity be a hospital, or school, or any other, a suit- able statement will be necessary.