most ancient holy writ, that God had appointed seven years of great plenty in the land of Egypt, to be succeeded by seven years of grievous famine; and that his favoured servant Joseph, under the direction of his Spirit, counselled Pharaoh to take up the fifth part of the corn of the seven plenteous years, and to lay it up in store against the seven seven years of famine, that the land perish not through the famine. With the beneficial result of this, we are all well acquainted. Now what are the rich, if they allow themselves to be under the control of the Almighty, and responsible to him hereafter for their conduct, but storehouses, in which he lays up the superfluous accumulations of his bounty, to be distributed to the necessitous in times of pressure or scarcity? I do not mean to urge this argument too far. I do not contend for the literal sense of the Gospel upon this point. I make the fullest allowance, for whatever reasonable personal indulgence they may claim, as the fruit of their good fortune, or the reward of their abilities or their industry, for provisions for families, connections, and friends. I look to society as it is at this moment, and in this country; and not to what it was under our

Saviour's immediate ministry, or may become hereafter, when the full operation of the Gospel shall have entirely changed its aspect.— But keeping all these considerations in view, I still contend, that the sufferings of the labouring classes have not yet made that impression upon the hearts of their wealthy brethren, which even as fellow-men, and much more as fellow-christians, they ought to have done. Relief has indeed been poured forth, but in streams that bear no proportion to the mighty sources from whence it might have flowed. So at least, I firmly believe, upon such means of judging as I have in common with all who hear me. It is a fearful reflection for those whom it may concern, that the period of the greatest distress, which the poor of England probably ever knew, is also that, in which the opulent abound beyond all former example. How speedily would that distress disappear, could the rich be persuaded to imitate the conduct of those early Christians, mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, who in a season of great dearth, determined to send relief to their brethren, every man according to his ability.

Powerfully as charity is required by our re

ligion, it is of a sober and judicious kind, and holds out no encouragement to idleness, extravagance, or imposture. What was the language of St. Paul to the Thessalonians? even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work neither should he eat. Thus Christian charity is not at all at variance with sound policy. They concur in providing for those, and for those only, who from infancy, or age, or other infirmity, are unable to work; and for those who being both able and willing to be industrious, cannot from circumstances, over which they have no control, find any, or, at least, sufficient employment. These are the descriptions of persons, on whose behalf a call has gone forth from our gracious Sovereign, which I hope will be cheerfully and liberally answered, by the affluent classes of his subjects. The call is general, and the mode judicious. Because if it be adequately met by those, who are well able to meet it, its object will be fully accomplished; without pressing upon those, who with the best disposition to be charitable, have little means of gratifying it. They who have nothing to give to the poor, but their prayers or their mite, may still do them service, which

may avail them much; and bring down the blessing of their Saviour upon their own heads. But they who have been favoured by Providence with abundance, have a correspondent duty to perform, of distributing abundantly to those who need it; and they will be no less weak, than wicked, if they refuse to perform it. For if they trust in their riches to procure them happiness in this world, either by gratifying their pride, or indulging their appetites, or above all, by making senseless, and useless accumulations, they will in all probability be miserably disappointed. But if they venture to look beyond this world, and raise their hopes to the enjoyment of the kingdom of heaven, and still notwithstanding, pursue such courses, the text alone may assure them, upon what a wretched foundation their hopes are built. There is but one way, in which they may trust in their riches, with confidence for their present happiness, and through the merits of their Redeemer, for their future salvation. And that is, by making a wise, a generous, and a charitable use of them. An opportunity for that purpose, will probably before long be afforded you at own houses, on the urgency of which, it is

your

needless for me to insist. It is unhappily but too well known to all of us.

That such an

appeal may not be made in vain, either to your hearts or your understandings; but that every man may be disposed to do his utmost, to remove the present distress, and to avert the fatal consequences which may ensue from it, may God of his infinite mercy grant,-to whom, with the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be ascribed all praise, and glory, might, majesty and dominion, now, henceforth, and for

ever.