If this is ever effected, if it shall ever please God to show on a large scale what the world in be accomplished at an addition to what is now bestowed on them, amounting to about ten shillings per head on the population: i. e. that an additional expenditure of £500 upon every thousand of the whole population would provide for the various wants which need to be supplied. Therefore (excluding the poorrate) the voluntary amount of charity would require to be about doubled. It The only just way of estimating such a sum, is to compare it with what is spent on other purposes. is less than one third of what is annually spent on household furniture. Mr. M'Queen calculates (on just grounds) the value of household furniture in the country at five hundred millions. Supposing this on the average to be renewed every twenty years, the annual expenditure on household furniture is twenty-five millions. This is merely in the way of illustration. I am not recommending this particular method of supplying the want. Something, no doubt, should be taken from luxuries and superfluities of every kind. But the largest portion ought to come from that which is annually employed in adding to accumulated opulence: in adding field to field, and business to business, and factory to factory, and hoard to hoard. Indeed, if one fourth part of that capital which has been used of late years for the purpose of extending commercial and manufacturing concerns, had been devoted to pur which man is placed might become, if only it were directed in conformity to his revealed will; that result must be wrought by the RELIGION OF CHRIST actuating the hearts and regulating the practice of the community in general. And the intent of the present volume is to show that the RELIGION OF CHRIST, when it does actuate the heart, will direct the practice to this end; and that unless, in the main, the practice is thus directed, there is occasion for much doubt, and need for much self-inquiry, as to the reality of christian FAITH. poses more conducive to the glory of God and the real welfare of the community, the reward would have been immediate, and the other three fourths producing, at this moment, a far more valuable return. CONTENTS. BENEFICENCE THE DUTY OF THE RICH. 1 Tim. vi. 17—19. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in un- certain riches, but in the living God who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for 2 Cor. v. 14. For the love of Christ constraineth us : because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that With reference to religious instruction. Acts iii. 6. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none: but such as I have, give I unto thee: In the Ezek. xxxiv. 6. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill; yea, my With reference to the erection of churches. 1 Kings viii. 18. And the Lord said unto David, (my father,) Whereas it was in thine heart to |