acceptable at such a season, what must the poor man feel at the unexpected and unsolicited attentions of a perfect stranger !
But conceive the poor man now for the first time led to call upon his God ; now instructed in the knowledge of a Saviour; now blessed with the first dawn of spiritual light, and begotten to a hope full of immortality : conceive him now saying with David, " It is good for me that I have been afflicted :" " Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now have I learned thy law :" How altered is his state ! How peaceful is his mind ! How exceeding joyful is he in all his tribulation !
Know ye then that such effects have frequently arisen from the exertions of those who are engaged in this good work ; and it is the manifest tendency of the institution to produce them. This therefore may well recommend the institution itself to your support.]
2. The welfare of all engaged in it —
[To enter cordially into a work of this kind is no small exercise of grace : it truly displays " the exceeding grace of God in us :" and where grace is so exercised, it will assuredly be strengthened and confirmed. God has said, that " he who watereth, shall be watered also himself." And we will appeal to all who have ever visited the chambers of the sick, and laboured for the spiritual welfare of their fellow-creatures, whether they have not been richly repaid by the blessing of God poured out upon their own souls? We know assuredly, that in proportion as anj^ have offered unto God these sacri- fices of love, they have been made by him to feast upon their own sacrifice.
But further, we are told in our text, that the persons re- lieved will offer up " their prayers" to God in behalf of those who relieve them: and is this a small benefit? Possibly the prayers may be only devout aspirations to God, such as " God bless you ! " but shall such prayers go forth in vain ? If God hears the cries of the injured, and punishes their oppressors", will he not hear and answer the prayers of men when offered for their benefactors ? No doubt he will ; and will recompense into the bosoms of the benevolent every benefit they have conferred.
Nor is it a small benefit to such benevolent persons that their names are respected, and their company desired. True indeed, we are not to engage in such services with a view to the applause of man : but we are not to despise the appro- bation and love of our fellow-creatures, but rather to accept it as an expression of God's kindness to our souls. See how Job's exertions in this way were recompensed"^ : and was this
c Jam. V. 4. d Job xxix. 11 — 13.