If we look at the effects which have followed from their exertions, these are " unspeakable " indeed : for, in addition to the temporal comfort administered to Christ himself in many of his poor members'^, I doubt not but that there are at this very hour before the throne of God several, whose first thoughts about religion originated altogether in the instructions received from this society. Had there been but one soul brought out of darkness into the marvellous light of the Gospel by means of this institution, the labours of all connected with it would have been richly recompensed : but we say again, that several, we doubt not, will have to bless God for it to all eternity.
Let all then give thanks to God that such an institution
exists ; and let all contribute liberally to its support
We beg to remind you all, that the contributors, no less than the visitors, are accessary to all the good that is done by it ; and may expect a blessing on their own souls : and we close cur subject with that admonition of the Apostle, " He who soweth sparingly, shall reap spai'ingly ; and he who soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully'."]
•^ Matt. XXV. 40. ' ver. 6.
2 Cor. X. 3 — 5. Though tve walk in the flesh, we do not ivar after the flesh : (for the loeapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling doum of strong holds,- J casting doivn imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
EVERY thing, however good, may be made to appear in a disadvantageous light, if we choose to put a perverse construction upon it : and the more diligent any person is in approving himself to God, the more must he expect to suffer from misrepresen- tation and calumny. His humility will be called superstition ; his zeal, ostentation ; his devotion, en- thusiasm ; and his whole deportment, hypocrisy. No man ever laboured to do what was right more than the Apostle Paul ; yet no man was ever more calum- niated. There was no self-denial which he did not exercise, no suffering which he did not cheerfully