"for that which is not bread, and their labour "for that which satisfieth not;" while many are hiding their talents in the earth through covetousness or sloth, or squandering them in excess of riot or dissipation, this Society exhibits to the world, as it hath long done, men zealous and active in the service of God and their country. The reverend and honourable members who at present compose it, like those who went before them, continue to hold up to our view an object worthy of our most serious attention, and generous support. They grudge not the laborious part of this benevolent service. With unremitting ardour and assiduity, they employ their time and attention and influence in carrying into effect the important and extensively beneficial designs of their institution. They rejoice that the extent of their funds enables them to do so much good; and it is their constant care and highest ambition to apply them to the most useful purposes. Thousands have experienced the benefit of their united wisdom, zeal, and exertions. In the name of these thousands, they are ever ready to pay the due tribute of respect and gratitude to a generous public, and to benevolent individuals, who have contributed to their support and assist

ance.

With these pleasing sentiments, however, there is necessarily mingled the painful thought that they cannot extend their influence farther. Many need and cry to them for help to whom they cannot send it, not for want of inclination or exertion, but of ability. They rely on the generosity of those who wish well to the interests of religion and virtue, who are able and willing to assist them to be more extensively useful.

While I cannot but make this honourable mention of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, I know that, independent of my praise, they seek not glory of men-Suffer me then, to turn to you, my much respected friends, in the direction of it, and to say, Let it be your increasing ambition "to shine as lights in the world, "that others seeing your good works, may glo.

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rify your Father in heaven.” I hope you will ever bear in mind that the work in which you are engaged does not so much derive honour from you as you from it. Let the character which has been imperfectly given of the truly benevolent man, be better illustrated by your exemplary conduct. Let not difficulties, nor neglect, nor opposition, discourage your zeal in the service of God, and the Redeemer, and the souls

of men. Yielding to the full influence of divine love, "let it be your meat and drink to do the "will of your heavenly Father. Be not weary in "well-doing; for in due season ye shall reap, if 66 ye faint not."

And do you, my hearers who are not of the Society, go and do likewise; strengthen their hands, and encourage their hearts, by your cheerful and liberal assistance. Many schemes, formed upon benevolent principles, are limited in their designs and operations. They may be confined to a party, to one kind of distress, or to some narrow description of men. So far as the utility of the scheme, and our connexion with it, are apparent, we ought to give it our cordial support; but such schemes seldom afford scope to the full exercise of benevolent affections. This charitable institution embraces greater designs: A well-principled mind here meets with its favourite objects. Need I reason with persons of this character? Indulge yourselves, my friends, and you cannot but contribute to the vast objects of this generous body of men. The cheerful of fering to this treasury indicates the collected influence of most diffusive goodness. If you wish to see a rude people civilised; a servile race rais

ed to a just sense of liberty; minds enslaved and corrupted by fascinating arts, emancipated from this spiritual bondage; men, though living under the same government, divided from us by a difference of language, and local situation and prejudices, restored to union in language, sentiment, and loyal attachment; their indolence roused to action and turned to habits of industry, and, of course, their wild uncultivated country, improv ed, enriched, and beautified; their mutual animosities converted into unanimous zeal in the defence of these united kingdoms against their common enemies; a multitude sunk in ignorance, irreligion, and vice, led into the bright path of illuminating, sanctifying, and saving truth; the scriptures, and various means of spiritual instruc tion, as well as of useful labour, and of personal and relative happiness, plentifully provided to men enveloped in the thickest darkness of ignorance and error, poverty and wretchedness;-If these are objects of magnitude and importance in your eye, these are the objects to which the benevolent zeal of this Society is uniformly and vigourously directed.-The history of their management and success, repeatedly given to the public, fully shows what they have done, and

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what they hope and wish to do. The noblest channels then, in which you can desire charity to flow, here open to your view: Follow their spreading course with your generous contributions and your fervent prayers. The gospel of our Lord was intended to be an universal blessing to the human race; and the liberal charity which it commands and inspires, is one great mean of its propagation. It is not to be supposed that the great numbers who received its beneficial influ ence, will always remain in one place: Many who were indebted to this Society for their education, are now in the most distant lands, and many hereafter "will go to and fro, and knowledge "shall be increased. They shall speak of the

glory of the Mediator's kingdom, and talk of "his power; to make known to the sons of men "his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his "kingdom. Thus one generation shall praise his "works to another, and shall declare his mighty "actstill the Lord has brought his sons from "far, and his daughters from the ends of the "earth." What mind, warmed with the love of our Lord, and of his interests in the world, does not burn with zeal to join in such an honourable employment? "Whatever then your hands find