divided into districts ; in each of which, two persons, one of each sex, are appointed to superintend their immediate vici- nity, to inquire into such cases of distress as may come within their knowledge, and to afford them such reUef as their imme- diate necessities may seem to require. As in such seasons the ears of men are more open to instruction, the visitors are to avail themselves of the opportunity thus afforded them, to direct the attention of the poor to the concerns of their souls, and to lead them to that adorable Saviour, who calls himself "The way, the truth, and the life." Of these visitors, there is a meeting once a month under the superintendence of their minister, to report what persons they have visited ; and to be advised, in case of any difficulty, what is most fitting to be done. At those meetings also the accounts of every district are settled ; and the book which contains them is kept open to the inspection of them all^"]
From this short view of the institution may be judged—
II. Its great utihty —
The words of our text refer to the contributions sent from Macedonia and Achaia to relieve the ne- cessities of the saints at Jerusalem : and they mark with great distinctness the chief excellencies of the institution before us. Its obvious tendency is to advance,
1 . The comfort of the poor — [The poor in a time of health are happy ; because their minds and habits are fitted to their state. But in a time of sickness their situation is truly pitiable ; because they are unable to procure those comforts which their necessities re- quire. Their very application for parochial relief sometimes subjects them to unkindness: and those, who have been fami- liar with them in a season of prosperity, too often neglect them in a time of need^ Conceive then at such a season a visitor coming to them, and not only tendering to them that relief which they could not have obtained from any other source, but expressing the tenderest sympathy with them under their affliction : What a balm must this be to the wounded feelings of the poor sufferer ! If the rich, who are accustomed to kindness from their friends, find it doubly
» This records what has been done for about fifty years under the Author's ministry at Cambridge. Of course, this head must vary, •according to the institution, in aid of wliich the Sermon is preached.
*> See Prov. xix. 7.