no expence of charity could by any other means procure them; and here procured at an expence, how little, comparatively, and how trifling? And it is worth obferving, as an argument for our perfeverance, as well as for a more general concurrence in this charity, that in proportion as it is more extended even this little becomes lefs. I mean that the greater the number is of thofe that are relieved together, the lefs, proportionably, will be the expence of relieving each. When an establishment of this fort is once formed, and the neceffary provifion is made for any certain number, this num ber may be greatly increafed with a small addition of expence to the charity. And as every little contributed here, will go much farther in removing mifery and diftrefs out of the world, than in any other conceivable way, fo is that little, fure to be rightly applied to this purpose. Here is no room to be impofed upon by fraud or fiction in the objects of our charity: and the distribution of it is under fuch regulations, and in such hands, as cannot poffibly deceive us. Befides this, which is the firft intention in thefe charities, other great and excellent ends are answered by them. As afflictions generally call our thoughts home to oùrfelves, W felves, and produce that confideration which always produces religion, hence these inftitutions are easily improved into the best schools of piety and virtue. And this advantage and ufe of them hath not been overlooked. The ignorant are here instructed, the bad admonished and reproved, and the penitent encouraged and affifted. Books of pious exhortation are put into their hands, and opportunities of joining daily in publick prayer, and frequently in the holy communion, are administered to them. And it cannot be that thefe pious endeavours here can be loft: rather we must suppose them more than ordinary fuccessful, where gratitude itself will open the mind to receive instruction, and affliction to receive it feriously. To this may be added, the improvements which the arts of healing themfelves receive from these charities. For are not thefe inftitutions become the beft fchools in phyfick and furgery? Is not attendance here confidered as the finishing part of education in these studies, and that which crowns the reft? If then thefe are defervedly esteemed among the most useful, and therefore the moft honourable profeffions in human life, all improvements made in them must be con confidered as a common benefit and advantage to mankind. There would be no end were I to fay half that might be faid in favour of thefe charities. More, I am perfuaded than is necessary hath been already said, to convince you that it is indifputably the most neceffary, the most fruitful of good, the leaft liable to exception and abuse, of all others. What then remains but that we heartily refolve to fupport this, which is fo happily begun among us; that we not only refolve, but be ftrenuous and active in fupporting it; and be not easily discoura ged, by any little difficulties or troubles that may arise, from perfevering in it's fupport. Let the indolent take his part in this pleafing task, and rejoice to be a fellow-worker in this labour that proceedeth of love. Let the avaricious exchange here his perishing wealth for the true riches, and lay up a treasure in the heavens which faileth not, Let the voluptuous tafte here a pleasure more exquisite than the joys of fense; and, from the generous pleafures of benevolence and compaffion, let him afpire to those that are yet more excellent, which arife from virtue and true charity. Laftly, Laftly, Let those who have already affisted in this good defign, rejoice in the work which they have fet their hands unto, and perfift with their best endeavours to give ftrength, ftability, and perpetuity to it. In earnest, little as it is that is here done, what have most of us done more useful in the world, or that we can take a truer fatisfaction from? At how small a price, compared with the many fuperfluous expences which most of us find room to indulge in, have we begun a work which, when it is but well begun, hath already saved the lives of many; redeemed the lives of more from pain and mifery; and which, there is at leaft a pleafing profpect of it, will continue a bleffing to many thousands in future generations. Let us at leaft endeavour to deliver it down to pofterity as whole and entire, as extended and improved, and as much recommended by our example as we can. And And may the bleffing of heaven attend your endeavours here, and be their reward hereafter. |