where we may well be absolved from either giving or lending, unless indeed just to supply the necessities of the moment; I mean, where a person's circumstances are so involved, that all we can do for him would be only as a drop in the ocean. There, if by public contributions we can aid him, well: but, if not, to impoverish ourselves without benefiting him, would be, not piety, but folly.]
It will not be unprofitable to subjoin a few hints for the use of,
1. Those who want relief —
[Many will ask a gift or loan without any real necessity. But such persons should reflect, that whilst they trespass thus on the liberality of the rich, they arc themselves oppressors of the poor. It is in no person's power to give to every one that asketh, or to lend to every one that would borrow (for though St. Luke so expresses it, the direction must be limited in the nature of things'^) ; and consequently, they who by unne- cessary applications exhaust the funds of a liberal man, deprive him of the power of doing good to others who need it more. None therefore should take undue advantage of the piety of others, or seek from others what by increased activity they might furnish from their own resources.
Another point of great importance is, that they who borrow, should adhere strictly to their word, as to the season of repay- ing the loan. It is incredible, how much they who violate their engagements in this respect, discourage, and (I had almost said) harden the hearts of those who delight in doing good, I know it is said, " Do good and lend, hoping for nothing again ' :" and, if we be told, that the prospect of repayment is distant and uncertain, the duty is comparatively easy : but, when we are told that at such a season the loan shall be repaid, and find that the borrower thinks no more of his promises, or (as is frequently the case) asks a little forbearance in the first instance, and then, on finding it kindly exercised, construes that kindness into a forgiveness of the debt, that conduct has a sad tendency to wound the feelings of the liberal, and to make them averse from lending. In this vieiv, therefore, the injury which such wicked people do, is exceeding great. I call them " wicked ;" for so the Psalmist designates them ; " The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again™." Nor is it their benefac- tors only whom they injure, but society at large ; inasmuch as they prevent the exercise of benevolence towards many people far worthier than themselves. To all therefore who have con- tracted such obligations, I would recommend tenfold diligence
^ Luke vi. 30. ' Luke vi. 35. " Ps. xxxvii. 21,