saith the Lord Almighty7." Nor is the law respecting sym- pathy at all less forcibly enjoined : " Bear ye one another's burthens, and so fullil the law of Christ2."
In a word, I call upon you all to obey these great commands. Remember, it is not to any peculiarities of a sect that we are urging you, but to that which God himself dignifies with the name of " pure and undefiled religion."
Say not, "This is not my office: I cannot thus come out from the world, nor can I thus devote myself to deeds of charity." I readily grant that all cannot consecrate an equal measure of their time or property to these offices : but no man in the universe has any dispensation from devoting such a measure of his time and property to these things as his situation and circumstances will admit of. The command is equally obli- gatory on all : and a disposition to obey it ought to be equally strong in all. The various modes of our obedience will be judged of by God himself, who alone knows what our respective states and circumstances require. But this I say, " He that soweth liberally shall reap liberally ; and he that soweth spa- ringly, shall reap also sparingly." Respecting the excellence of such religion I dare appeal to your own consciences. See a person, whether of higher or lower rank, laying aside the cares and pleasures of the world, and visiting the abodes of misery : see the disconsolate " widow, and the helpless chil- dren," bemoaning their bereavement, whilst to the anguish occasioned by so severe a loss, the pressure of poverty is added ; and, to the want of immediate sustenance, the prospect of per- manent and irremediable distress : see the compassionate visitor opening the sources of consolation which the Gospel affords, till the unhappy sufferers are brought to kiss the rod that smites them : see him administering present relief, and devising means for the future support of the family : how is he received as an angel from heaven! And how does " the widow's heart even sing with joy," whilst she acknowledges the hand of God in these succours, and, with feelings too big for utterance, adores her Heavenly Benefactor ! Go ye, beloved, to such scenes as these, and ye will soon begin to see the beauty of religion, and to understand that paradox, " It is more blessed to give than to receive." Yea, realize one such scene as this, and ye will need no further persuasion to assist the charity before us, or to emulate the zeal of those who are most active in ita.]
y 2 Cor. vi. 17, 18. z Gal. vi. 2.
a The particular Institution may here be more fully opened, and ho further recommended by either local, or general, considerations.
2363.1 god's regard for the poor. 55