sparingly, shall reap also sparingly ; and he that soweth boun- tifully, shall reap also bountifully '"." Nor is it unwise for you to consider what changes may yet occur with respect to your own temporal condition : and how much you yourselves may hereafter need relief from the very persons you now relieve. In this view, I would say, for your encouragement, that " what you give to the poor, you lend to the Lord ;" and in the hour of necessity he will repay you. Arise, then, all of you, to this good work ; and " cast your bread upon the waters, that you may find it after many days." In heaven, at all events, you shall find it : for God has promised, that not so much as " a cup of cold water given for his sake shall lose its reward."]
k 2 Cor. ix. 6.
2 Cor. ix. 12 — 15. The administration of this service not only swppUeth the want of the saints, hut is abundant also hy many thanksgivings unto God; whiles hy the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the Gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men ; and by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks he unto God for his unspeakable gift.
IN this happy country, benevolent institutions of every kind abound, insomuch that there is scarcely any distress to which human nature can be subjected, for vv^hich some appropriate provision is not made. But of all charities, there are none that de- serve our support more, than those which have respect to the poor in an hour of sickness, and provide for their temporal and spiritual wants at the same time. Such is the institution to which we are to call your attention this day. We will briefly set before you,
I. The nature of the institution —
[It is called * A Visiting Society.' Its design is to find out the modest and industrious poor in a time of sickness, and to administer to them relief for their bodies, and, at the same time, instruction for their souls. For the better accom- plishment of this design, the town and neighbourhood are