.\b 
 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 12.8 
 
 ^Vik 
 
 1&^ 
 
 Z MS. 12.0 
 
 Mil 
 
 
 ■•25 III 1.4 III 1.6 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 6" 
 
 ► 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 
 Corporation 
 
 » WKT MAM STHIT 
 
 WIUTH,N.Y. I4SI0 
 (716) $73.4503 
 
 v 
 
 ;V 
 
 ^ 
 
 <> 
 
 
 ;\ 
 

 4&S 
 
 %o 
 
 CIHM/ICMH 
 
 Microfiche 
 
 Series. 
 
 CIHM/ICMH 
 Collection de 
 microfiches. 
 
 Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 
 
Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques 
 
 The Institute has attempted to obtain the best 
 original copy available for filming. Features of this 
 copy which may t>e bibliographically unique, 
 which may alter any of the images in the 
 reproduction, or which may significantly change 
 the usual method of filming, are checited below. 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 Coloured covers/ 
 Couverture de couleur 
 
 I I Covers damaged/ 
 
 Couverture endommag^e 
 
 Covers restored and/or laminated/ 
 Couverture restaur^e et/ou pelliculAe 
 
 I I Cover title missing/ 
 
 Le titre de couverture manque 
 
 I I Coloured maps/ 
 
 Cartes giographiques en couleur 
 
 Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or biaclt)/ 
 Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) 
 
 I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ 
 
 Planches et/ou illustration* en couleur 
 
 Bound with other material/ 
 Reiid avtc d'autres documents 
 
 Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion 
 along interior margin/ 
 
 La re liure serr6e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la 
 distortion le long de la marge int6rieure 
 
 Blank leaves added during restoration may 
 appear within the text. Whenever possible, these 
 have been omitted from filming/ 
 II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouties 
 lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, 
 mais, lorsque cela Atait possible, ces pages n'ont 
 pas 6t6 fiimies. 
 
 Additional comments:/ 
 Commentaires suppiAmentaires: 
 
 L'Institut a microfilm^ !e meilleur exemplaire 
 qu'il lui a iti possible de se procurer. Les details 
 de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du 
 point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier 
 une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une 
 modification dans la methods normale de filmage 
 sont indiqu6s ci-dessous. 
 
 □ Coloured pages/ 
 Pages de couleur 
 
 □ Pages damaged/ 
 Pages endommag^es 
 
 I I Pages restored and/or laminated/ 
 
 D 
 
 Pages restaur6es et/ou peilicuiies 
 
 Pages discoloured, stained or foxet 
 Pages dAcolor^es, tachet^es ou piquies 
 
 Pages detached/ 
 Pages ditachdes 
 
 Showthrough/ 
 Transparence 
 
 Quality of prir 
 
 Quality in6gale de I'impression 
 
 Includes supplementary materif 
 Comprend du materiel suppl^mentaire 
 
 Only edition available/ 
 Seuie Edition disponible 
 
 r~^ Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ 
 
 I I Pages detached/ 
 
 I I Showthrough/ 
 
 I I Quality of print varies/ 
 
 □ Includes supplementary material/ 
 Coi 
 
 I I Only edition available/ 
 
 Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata 
 slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to 
 ensure the best possible image/ 
 Les pages totalement ou partiellement 
 obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, 
 etc., ont M film6es A nouveau de fa^on A 
 obtenir la meilleure image possible. 
 
 This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ 
 
 Ce document est filmA au taux de reduction indiquA ci-dessous. 
 
 
 10X 
 
 
 
 
 14X 
 
 
 
 
 18X 
 
 
 
 
 22X 
 
 
 
 
 26X 
 
 
 
 
 30X 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 12X 
 
 
 
 
 16X 
 
 
 
 
 20X 
 
 
 MX ax 32X 
 
 
ira 
 
 details 
 las du 
 modifiar 
 
 lar una 
 fiimaga 
 
 Tha copy fllmad hara has baan raproducad thanks 
 to tha ganarosity of: 
 
 National Library of Canada 
 
 Tha imagas appaaring hara ara tha bast quality 
 possibia considaring tha condition and lagibility 
 of tha original copy and in kaaping with tha 
 filming contract spacif ications. 
 
 L'axampiaira filmi fut raproduit grAca d la 
 gAnArositA da: 
 
 Bibliothdqua nationala du Canada 
 
 Las imagas suivantas ont 6t4 raproduitas avac la 
 plus grand soin. compta tanu da la condition at 
 da la nattat* da l'axampiaira film*, at an 
 conformity avac las conditions du contrat da 
 fiimaga. 
 
 Original copias in printad papar covars ara filmad 
 baginning with tha front covar and anding on 
 tha last paga with a printad or illustratad impras- 
 sion, or tha back covar whan appropriata. All 
 other original copias ara filmad baginning on tha 
 first paga with a printad or illustratad impras- 
 sion, and anding on tha last paga with a printad 
 or illustratad imprassion. 
 
 6es 
 
 Las axamplairas originaux dont la couvartura an 
 papiar ast imprimte sont fiim^s an commanpant 
 par la pramiar plat at an tarminant soit par la 
 darnlAra paga qui comporta una amprainta 
 d'imprassion ou d'illustration. soit par la sacond 
 plat, salon la cas. Tous las autres axamplairas 
 originaux sont filmAs an commandant par la 
 pramiAra paga qui comporta una amprainta 
 d'imprassion ou d'illustration at an tarminant par 
 la darniira paga qui comporta una talla 
 amprainta. 
 
 Tha last racordad frama on aach microficha 
 shall contain tha symbol ^^> (moaning "CON- 
 TINUED' ), or tha symbol V (moaning "END"), 
 whichavar applias. 
 
 Un das symbolas suivants apparattra sur la 
 darnlAra imaga da chaqua microficha, salon la 
 cas: la symbols -*> signifia "A SUIVRE", la 
 symbols V signifia "FIN". 
 
 ira 
 
 Maps, platas, charts, ate, may ba filmad at 
 diffarant reduction ratios. Thosa too larga to be 
 entirely included in one exposure ara filmed 
 beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to 
 right and top to bottom, as many frames as 
 required. The following diagrams illustrate the 
 method: 
 
 Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent 6tre 
 filmAs A des taux da reduction diffirants. 
 Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atra 
 raproduit en un seul clichA, il est filmA A partir 
 da Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite. 
 et de haut en bas. en prenant la nombra 
 d'images nAcessaira. Las diagrammes suivants 
 illustrent la mAthoda. 
 
 ly errata 
 Bd to 
 
 nt 
 
 na pelure. 
 
 iffon A 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 32X 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
1 
 
;* 
 
 THE ADVANTAGES 
 
 OF 
 
 LIFE ASSURANCE 
 
 TO THiS 
 
 WORKING CLASSES, 
 
 Bf;iNG A LECTURE DELIVERED TO THE 
 
 sa:^©i>a^i;3']©Q* auaQiFairiDirs 
 
 «v 
 
 -^r 
 
 AND 
 
 LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OF QIJEBKC, 
 
 BY THE 
 
 REV DR* cook. 
 
 MONTREAL: 
 
 PRIHfED BY ARMOUR AND RAMSAY. 
 
 lvt8. 
 
' ' ' .^ ' ' ' / . . » I J r 
 
 A, , 
 
 
 « .« 
 
 • i i i 
 
 
 ri,-l / 1. I > '. 1 ,, 1 ,J 
 
 ?**■ 
 
 1 I * 
 
 ' 7 ': J ;i 
 
 '-'1- f :. ' ' -, . "f '.*;? • , 
 
 •r ■! 
 
 
THE ADVANTAGES 
 
 LIFE ASSURANCE 
 
 j.»l »-■ r ».»/ Jt 
 
 ■)■ •.!,; ( i "(1 i >.£!llt , .'■!. 
 
 TO TH£ 
 
 — 1* . r!' 
 
 t r ,'( 
 
 i m'"./ ' WORKING CliASSS^S. :: 
 
 i • ■ ■ 
 
 ' BEING A LECTUUE DELIVERED TO TH C MECHANICS' 
 INSTITUTE AND LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OF QUEBEC, 
 KV THE UEV. DR. COOK. ^t.tJ.'J j^;li;aili v-IUM =;'i liji Vi 
 ,•■ •■.',; ■ml «;' :- I i;^ v;';,t ■i>ii;-V ri-;l''Kv:< '^riT . iMiJ/ic . r/Ulii 
 
 ' ,' f. ;•.'•.'*••> <i"-V -.w'i »^f-' — ' ■-"" •"-,•"" — T~!'! -irbf; t". ,"- ' >'-',J<''"!t; 
 
 The subject of Life Assurance, •which I have chorcii to 
 bring under your conelderalion this evening, admits of being 
 treated Avith advantage in various ;vays. It uu<i;ht be treated 
 historically — statistically — Ecientifically. And in each of 
 these ways there would come out many intcrcrting facts, anii 
 many important principles. My present object, howcvcrj 
 does not require me, except incidentally and to a limited extent, 
 to treat the subject in any of these ways- That object is of 
 tho simplest and most practical kind, and way be ^tattd in a 
 word. It is to induce as many people as possible to insure 
 th*- ir lives, — or, in other words, by means of the facilities 
 atiorded by Life Assurance Companies^ to ensure for tljcir 
 families, a pecuniary provision, in the event of their own 
 death. It appears to mc that tlieir doing so is a ^vay — and 
 tlie only Avay — and a laudable, honorable and tafc way, of 
 preventing a very large amount of human wretcliedness, and 
 
of moral evil connecled with it and growing; otit of it^ And so 
 it falls to me — as is most suitable to my profcssioDal habits 
 and ways of thinking, to treat the subject morally, and with 
 tlie view of bringing you to a correct and immediate decision 
 and action, in the matter to be submitted to you. 
 
 On the most cursory view of society, we see it divided into 
 two great classes ; — the few, either by inheritance, or by their 
 own exertions, in possession of property which exempts them 
 from tlie necessity of labour : and the many, compelled in 
 some way or other, witli the mind, or with the body, to labour 
 for their own support, and for the support of their families. 
 This is a division which the constitution of society, and indeed, 
 the unalterable arrangements of the Divine Providence render 
 unavoidable. The security which Law gives to the holders of 
 property, is essential to a great extent to the very creation of 
 that which is held as property. Who would clear the waste 
 land, or till or sow it, unless he had some security for reaping 
 it, and enjoying the produce 1 Or who would employ his time 
 or talent in mechanical labour, if the products of his skill and 
 industry might at any moment be appropriated by others 1 
 And as the conviction of security in the possession of property, 
 fairly acquired, has been necessary to the existence of such 
 property, so any division of it, as it now exists, that could pos- 
 sibly be made, on the principle of an equal share to each, 
 could not last a week, unless at the same time there could an 
 equality be established, in the bodily strength, in the intellec- 
 tual faculties and moral qualities of men, i. e. unless the 
 whole plan of Providence in regard of our race could be entire- 
 ly altered. ■ ,.,->• • , 
 
 The division, therefore, as we have now stated it, of the 
 few and the many, must continue to stand. Nor have the 
 many, whose lot it is to labour, so much '*ause to complain of 
 
 & 
 
 
 that 
 the 
 
 COM 
 
 sess 
 
 nev< 
 
 ofh 
 
 hap 
 
 con 
 
 — p; 
 
 ere in 
 
 oft 
 
 soci 
 
I 
 
 1 
 
 And so 
 
 i 
 
 1 habits i 
 lui with 
 dccishni ; 
 
 that lot, as they nrv sometimes disposed to think. Thrre is 
 the highest of all authority for holding that ** a man's life 
 consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he pos- 
 sesseih." And certainly the amount of happiness enjoyed is 
 never to be measun^d by mere exemption from the necessity 
 of labour. It is gnally more on other circumstances that the 
 happiness of life depends, — a vigorous state of health, — a 
 contented temper, — habits of temperance, sobriety and order, 
 — ])assions under th(i controul of reason and religion — the ex- 
 ercise of the benevolent affections, — the endearing relations 
 of domestic life, — tastes for the acquisition of knowledge, — 
 social convertie and communion, — the testimony of an approv- 
 ing consci<!nce, — and the hopes which religion gives of another 
 and bolter life. And these are as free to the many, whose 
 lot it is to labour, as to the few, who ai*e exempted from it. 
 Nay, it may u-ell be doubted, whether they are not enjoyed 
 by the former in a larger measure. Certainly, there is 
 nothing in the honest and industrious exertions of a man for 
 his own support, and the support of his family, to deprive him 
 of any of them. Nay, in a well constituted mind, there is 
 superadded a feeling of satisfaction in the consciousness of 
 power to secure an independent support, and to provide the 
 necessaries and the comforts of life for a dependent, but happy, 
 though humble household. In almost every society, and un- 
 doubtedly in this, in which we are placed, it is not difficult 
 to point out individuals, gaining their subsistence by labour, 
 and that of the humblest kind, whose condition it would l)e 
 wrong to represent as other than independent, honourable, 
 useful and happy. 
 
 It is not labour which degrades the state of man, or makes 
 it wretched. It is only certain accessories too frequently to 
 be found in connection with the state of labour, but which 
 
 i 
 
I 
 
 
 
 nre by no mrnns iirros«ary or ossrnlial to that stalf^, by uhirh 
 it is de2;ra(!c(l ami leiulorod wretched. And he doc.3 ^ond 
 WTviec to the cau3o of our common humanity, who points 
 out clearly to those concerned, that these are (jnly accf-ssories 
 of the stale in which th.cy are placed, an.d out of which it h 
 perhaps imposfiible that they should ever ri.'e ; — who shews 
 that these acccssorierj can be removed — and Avho suggcstri 
 motives, and provides facilities for removin;^ thrni. Ignorance 
 dec^rudes the stat<; of labour. Intemperance degrades it. 
 VVastefulnoH-) atid want of cleanliness df^griide it. The whole 
 of tliem together, in close and not unnatural union, render it 
 squalid, wretelv^d and repulsive enough. But need any of 
 them be found, or tire they found where right principle pre- 
 vails 1 The truth if;, that each and all of theKe may be 
 iletaehed from the state of labour ; and every man who exem- 
 plifies this truth in his own case, docs not only elevate and im- 
 prove his own condition, but he shows how the general condi- 
 tion of his clasa might be elevated and improved, — and how, 
 without attempting anything so hopeless, as altering the con- 
 stitution of society, a most beneficial change might be effected 
 on tlie eondilion of the great majority of the members of 
 society. 
 
 It is indeed a great and good work, in which no tntc lover 
 of his race should be slow to engage, thus to detach from the 
 state of labour, in idea, and in actual fact, the miserable and 
 di^grading accessories with which it is too commonly connect- 
 ed, an(} to make it be, and appear to be, only what God hath 
 made and intended it to be. In this worlc, the services of no 
 really cHicii'ut auMiliary J^hould be refused. It is a mistake 
 to snppo?(; that it can be accomplished by any one principle 
 or class of influences. Undoubtcly religious influences are 
 the most elKcient and imnoriant of all — because of the high 
 
, by which 
 doo3 good 
 iho points 
 accf.'ssorics 
 which it 13 
 ivho shew;) 
 D suggests 
 Ignorance 
 i^crratlos it. 
 The uholo 
 1, render it 
 !cd any of 
 iciplo prc- 
 f! mny ba 
 uho cxcm- 
 ito andim- 
 cral condi- 
 -and how, 
 ig the con- 
 be efTccted 
 embers of 
 
 true lover 
 h from the 
 erablc and 
 y eonncct- 
 
 God halh 
 
 ices of no 
 a mistakfi 
 principb 
 
 enccs are 
 the iiigh 
 
 panctior. rthich religion pos?e»acs — because of the authority 
 which it riglitfully assumes over the whole oonduct-becau.^e of 
 the power and stimuhis which it communicates to every good, 
 and because of (ho restraint which it lays on every evil princi- 
 ple. But tliere arc other influences, w hich can also be brought 
 to bear usefully and etVieiently ; — usefully and elHciently above 
 all in removing obstacles to ihe very presence and power of 
 religious principle itself. And whoever can furnish inducc- 
 menta to temperance, or introduce economy and cleanliness, 
 and order into a family, or excite higher than mere sensual 
 tastes, and create a desire for intellectual progress and im- 
 proveuieut, should be hailed as an auxiliary to the cause of 
 religion, as well as of the temporal happiness of mankind. 
 There is a closer and more intimate connection between a 
 right economic, and a right moral and religious state, than is 
 usually supposed or taken into account. 
 
 Them can be no manner of doubt that if such influences 
 were brought rightly \ bear upon the state of labour, — and 
 in using this expression, I have special reference to the hum- 
 bler class of labourers,-thcrc would be eflfected by them a great 
 and beneficial eliange. And it would appear far more than 
 it has ever yet done, that Providence in placing the great 
 majority of mankind in the condition of labourers, has not 
 been witholding from them their fair share of enjoyment, or 
 depriving them of the means and opportunities of intellectual 
 and moral improvement. When such evil results take place, 
 it is los3 to be ascribed to the condition itself than to the 
 accessories, which men have foolishly joined, or permitted to 
 be joined witii it, and w hich, by the exercise of reason and 
 right principle, they m.ight readily dismiss and do away. 
 
 It is not to be denied, however, that there are evils in this 
 state, which are not incidental, and that maybe removed, but 
 
a 
 
 ihn\ arc es»ential tu it, uiid that must be mvX, Uicrc^jre, ivith 
 IIm; best remedies that cun be fcniiid. — One of those evil.i, 
 thus esseiitini to the state of la)>our, in the danger on the one 
 bund, that there might cease to be a demand for the labour 
 which the individual has to offer,— or on the other hand, that 
 (he individual be unable, front sickness, or the infirmity of ap;e, 
 to render Uiat labour, even ivlten tiiore is a d(;mai)d for it. It 
 is plain that in either case, unless some previous provisirui has 
 been made, a man must be reduced with his family to uttiT 
 want, or else become dependent eittirely on the charitabU; as- 
 sistance which otluTS may be inclined to render him. And no 
 nuin should contemplate either of these, (norwilHie, if he has 
 any right spirit or principIe,)without dismay. Charity wioy be- 
 come a legitimate resource. And nature and religion call for 
 the ready exercise, of it, hi such circumstances. But to be a 
 legitimate resource, it should l>e the last resource. A nd they 
 who c«.n render, or who could by the use of means within 
 their power, have rendered application to it unnecessary, are 
 not only wanting in independent spirit, but are really guilty 
 of intrenching on the funds that belong, by the law of love, 
 to other objects — and more proper objects of compassion. 
 In every instance, therefore, in which it is possible, it is a 
 moral duty to make provision for such contingencies, and to 
 make such provision at the cost n£ immediate self-denial. 
 Here comes in the duty of Saving, and t!ie use of Savings 
 Banks. In a favourable season of the year, when trade is 
 flourisliing, when the demand for labour is great, and the 
 price of labour is high, a man can make more than is neces- 
 sary for tlie support of his family. >\ hat is he to do in these 
 circumstances 1 Whatever he should df), there is unhappily 
 but little diHicuUy in saying what is very often done. It is 
 this. The workman making high wages either raises his ex- 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 n 
 
 I . 
 
ore, with 
 K'sc evils, 
 II the one 
 lie labour 
 land, that 
 tyofagft, 
 or it. It 
 vision ha« 
 
 r to UtUif 
 
 liable as- 
 > And no 
 if he has 
 may he- 
 rn call for 
 it to be a 
 A nd they 
 la within 
 jsary, are 
 Ily guilty 
 ' of love, 
 inpassion. 
 it is a 
 », and to 
 If-deniul. 
 Savings 
 trade is 
 and the 
 is neces- 
 |in these 
 ihappily 
 It is 
 his ex- 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 penditure to the full amount of them, or he diminishes the 
 amount of his labour to the average amount of his ordinary 
 wantd. And the result is, when any change comes, he is at 
 his employer's absolute mercy as to the wages he shall re- 
 ceive ; and if any prolonged sickness comes, he is a beggar. 
 It is as easy to state what he should do, — that he should gain 
 )i4 much as possible, and lay it aside to meet the contingen- 
 cies, which he most ordinary prudence must teach liim, can- 
 not but be in store for him. And for this, the Savings Bank 
 furnishes the most ample facility and encoinagement. It is 
 gratifying to find that advantage is taken to so considerable 
 ati extent among ourselves, of such facility and encourage- 
 ment. But it is to be lamented, that such advantage does 
 not extend over a larger number o[ persons, and of persons 
 whose savings are smaller. The weekly investment in the 
 Savings Bank, during the summer months, of what could 
 then be well spared by the wc^rking classes, would both be 
 providing comfort for themselves and tlieir families in the 
 winter, and be setting free a large amount of the funds of the 
 well disposed, for the more legitimate objecta of charitable 
 assistance. 
 
 I have spoken in relation to these iivils essential to the state 
 of labour, of what it is competent for a man to do himself — 
 and without any reference to the principle of combination by 
 which such important results can be accomplished, at com- 
 paratively little cost to each individual. Combination in re- 
 gard of such evils as those of which we have been speaking, 
 has either not been attempted, or attempted on principles 
 which have proved unsound and impracticable. It is very 
 probable, however, that this will not continue to be the case. 
 The statistics of all subjects are being now taken with a de- 
 gree of minuteness, and over such extensive fields, that results 
 
 A 2 
 
Ill 
 
 1* 
 
 of thn ^eatest interest and ilnportance, and which can be 
 entirely depended on, may safely be expected from them. 
 One result of these statistical inquiries ivhich are now so com- 
 mon, is very remarkable indeed, — that there is, in regard of 
 almost all things which have been made the subject of such in- 
 quiries, an ascertainable average, which may be safi'.ly assum- 
 ed, in any calculations wh:eh it may be necessary to make in 
 relation to Ihcm : and thij;, even when those things are most 
 removed Oom the operation of w hat v/e call the ordinary laws 
 of na'ure, and depend, for any thing that we can see, on the 
 caprico of individuals, or on ten thousand circumstances which 
 have no necessary connection with one another, and the con- 
 nection of which v/OTild in common language, be termed pure- 
 ly accidental. Thus, the number of fires in London one year 
 with another, ia i»iuch the fame ; and the number of suicides 
 in Paris, one year with nnolhor, is much the same. And so 
 it {:• with other matters, the lea;?! likely, as one might have 
 supposed, to bo capable of being subjected to any rule or 
 average of tolerable accuracy. It is posrible, that by a wide, 
 and at the same time minute and careful enough induction, 
 the health statistics of a community might form as safe 
 a basis for combination, or for a company proceeding on the 
 principle of comblnacion, as the statistics in regard of the 
 average duration of life, are, and have proved themselves to 
 be, for Life j\ssurance Companies. Yea, and the very fluc- 
 tuations of trade may yet be reduced to some such average 
 of sufficient accuracy, to admit of the principle of combina- 
 tion coming into play, to meet the difficulties which are caus- 
 ed by them. The constitution of things, which the statistical 
 inquiries to which I have alluded, indicate, and wiiich seems 
 to prevail generally, might, if this were the proper time or 
 place for it, give rise to much interesting speculation, aa to 
 
h can be 
 ►m them. 
 V so com- 
 regard of 
 f such in- 
 ly assum- 
 ) make in 
 are most 
 nary laws 
 B, on the 
 CCS which 
 I the con- 
 aed pure- 
 one year 
 f suicides 
 And £0 
 ight have 
 y rule or 
 y a wide, 
 nduction, 
 1 as .sa(6 
 g on the 
 d of the 
 selves to 
 ery flue- 
 average 
 ombina- 
 ire caus- 
 atistical 
 1 seems 
 time or 
 )n, a3 to 
 
 n 
 
 the method and extent and ends of the Divine Government. 
 Wc shall only remark now, that it is a constitution, which 
 appears peculiarly fitted by that which may be ascertained, to 
 call for the exercise of fore-thought and prudence, and by 
 that which is left uncertain, to prompt to immediate and per- 
 sonal exertion. .^ •» .. .• ^. -ui^ - >...,vi ...,..,«..,. 
 We proceed, however, — drawing nearer to the more imme- 
 diate subject for our consideration, — to another evil essential 
 to the state of labour — the state of those, who maintaining 
 themselves and their families, by their own exertions of one 
 kind or another, are without other means, when these exer- 
 tions fail ; — the state, therefore,, of the great majority of man- 
 kind. That is, there being no provision for a family, that 
 these exertions may be suddenly and prematurely terminated 
 by death. This is a calamity — I speak not now in regard of 
 individuals called uv.ay ;— to them it may be no calamity, — it 
 may be anything rather than u calamity ; but in regard of 
 their families, left destitute by loss of them ; — this is a calami- 
 ty, which may come to any one, and which, in the very cir- 
 cumstances I have meutiioned, must happen to many. We 
 may bring tlie great fact on which Life Assurance depends, 
 and w hich statistical tables have demonstrated, to bear on 
 this subject : i. e. " that life uncertain in the invividual is 
 determined witli respect to a multitude, being governed, like 
 every thing else in nature, by fixed laws. It is found that, 
 out of any large number of persons, at a particular age, the 
 deaths during the ensuing year, will be a certain number. 
 Suppose we take ten thousand Englishmen of the age of 52, 
 we are as sure as we are of the times of eclipses, and the 
 rising of the sun and moon, that the deaths among thorn 
 next year, will bo just about 150. This is learned from ex ■ 
 perier.ce j tliat is, by keeping tables of mortality. The num 
 
12 
 
 ber is liable to be different in different countries^ and in dif- 
 ferent ages. Of course, among ten thousand younger per- 
 sons, the deaths are fewer; and of older persons, more. 
 Every age has its proportion."* At any age, then, there 
 must, according to fixed laws, be a certain number of deaths 
 in a given time. And no one can have any security, individ- 
 ually, that he shall not be among the number of those who 
 die during such given time. There is the most positive cer- 
 tainty to every one, that death will come to so many of the 
 very age he is himself. There is the most perfect uncertainty 
 as to whom it shall come. The duty of contemplating it, 
 and making provisions for it, lies therefore on all. I speak, 
 of course, now, of contemplating it, and making provision 
 for it, in a worldly point of view,and with a view to the support 
 and comfort of those who are to be deprived of their natural 
 guardians and providers. ""-' ' • ^ • 5 J •. v r : . 
 
 It is hardly possible to over-estimate the extent of the cala- 
 mity, Avhen the head of a family is struck down, and the 
 members of it are left in helplessness and poverty. It is not 
 enough, in such a case, that the affections are crushed and 
 wounded, by the loss of a beloved husband or parent. The 
 miseries of destitution are forthwith felt also : — there is a de- 
 pendence on the too often capricious and stinted assistance 
 of others : — there is an end of the independence and the com- 
 fort of the whole household. Take such a case in the higher 
 ranks, where a certain style and superior maimer of living had 
 been maintained — where certain luxuries had become, by 
 long use, almost necessaries, — where a higher education was 
 being imparted to the children ; and where the well directed 
 efforts of the parent who has been taken away, provided the 
 
 I.. * Chambers' Miacelluiiy, 
 
 4 
 
 ..jf 
 
 I 
 
nd in dif- 
 ger per- 
 s, more, 
 eii, there 
 of deaths 
 , individ- 
 hose who 
 itive cer- 
 ly of the 
 certainty 
 ilating it, 
 I 8peak, 
 provision 
 e support 
 r natural 
 
 the cala- 
 
 and the 
 
 It is not 
 
 shed and 
 
 it. The 
 
 is a de- 
 
 ssistance 
 
 the com- 
 
 le higher 
 
 iving had 
 
 ome, by 
 
 ion was 
 
 directed 
 
 ided the 
 
 means of elegance and comfort for all. In a moment, — and 
 by an event, in itself, and independent of circumstances, the 
 most afflicting, the source of all this comfort and happiness is 
 dried up. And the helpless mourners are made at the same 
 time dependents, — perhaps almost or altogether beggars. In 
 the breaking up of the household, — in the division of the 
 members of it, — in the parting with every superfluous article 
 of furnituie, however valued for the associations connected 
 with it ; — in the feeble attempt to keep up something like 
 former respectability, — and the gradual descent to the loweyt 
 stage of poverty, there is perhaps as much of misery experi- 
 enced, as under more substantial privations. The heart in 
 such circumstances, — the heart of the widow or the orphan, 
 knoweth its own bitterness — and none else. Surely it be- 
 comes him, to whom the affections of that heart have been 
 most devoted, to anticipate the possibility of such a season of 
 trial and privation, and as far as possible, to provide the means 
 of alleviating it, and soothing its sorrows : — if he cannot ward 
 off the stroke of death, yet by wise precaution, to ward off at 
 least the evils of destitution, and the miseries of dependence. 
 I have spoken now of those,in what are called the higher classes 
 of society.-The calamity is not less grievous,in what are called 
 the lower. Usually the privation and the absolute want come 
 close upon the very affliction itself, which has wounded and 
 bereaved the loving hearts of a united and affectionate family. 
 There is more direct and immediate suffering with them, than 
 with those who had been in better circumstances ; and the loss 
 of a father, is almost immediately the loss of bread to eat, — 
 the loss of a husband, is the surrounding a sorrowing widow 
 with children, crying for food which she has not to give, or 
 which she must deal out with stinted hand. I declare U) you, 
 nothing, to any thinking mind, can be more dreadful or de- 
 
Ill 
 
 14 
 
 plorable; than the state of wretchedness to which whole 
 families are often thus reduced, both as respects their physical 
 and moral nature. Any one can bear witness to this, who has 
 had occasion to observe from day to day, and from year to 
 year, the privations of the wretched poor in this city, buch a 
 one can tell of whole families crowded into one mom : — of 
 tlie gradual dcjgradation of intellect and feeling which the 
 {■grinding poverty under which they suffer, produces, with only 
 too infallible a certainty. — He can tell, how the appetites and 
 instincts of nature are at m ar, with tlie state of misery in 
 which they are placed, and plead that the nearest way should 
 be chosen for their indulgence. Amidst the cravhigs of hun- 
 ger ; — amidst the cries of famished children ; Mhile com ering 
 over tlie half-consumed fuel, which they have no means of 
 replacing ; — while unable to go out even to beg, without 
 borrowing the garment that is necessary to cover and to thel- 
 tcr them, from others, that are a degree less wretched than 
 thcmEelves — roh, should it not occur to us to think, how diffi- 
 cult it II ust be to keep fast hold either of moral principle, or 
 of religious truth : — how strong the temptation, to the easy 
 falsehood, which a careless world almost requires, in order to 
 make it part with some of that superfluous abundance which 
 the miLcnible petitioner does so much need j — how strong the 
 temptation to put forth an unobserved hand, to the unlawful 
 attainment of that, which is so little to its possessor, but 
 would be so much to him, who is in want j how strong the 
 temptation, to obtain tlirough into:d cation, a temporary for- 
 gclfulness of the ever-pressing evils to wliich the poor suflcrer 
 is subject ; — how difficult it must be to engage in the exer- 
 cises and contemplations which are essential to the vigour of 
 moral and religious principle in the heart; how the very care 
 of the body drives out all care of the immortal nature, with 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
i^hich whole 
 leir pliysical 
 lis, nho has 
 om year to 
 '^y- i*uch a 
 room :-~of 
 
 whicli the 
 >, with only 
 ipctitcs and 
 
 niiicry in 
 ivay should 
 igs ofhun- 
 u cowering 
 
 • means of 
 g, without 
 rid to ihel- 
 dicd than 
 how difl5- 
 inciplo, or 
 
 • the easy 
 1 order to 
 xc which 
 trong the 
 unlawful 
 'sor, but 
 rong the 
 rary for- 
 
 suflcrcr 
 lie exer- 
 igour of 
 cry ciire 
 re, with 
 
 15 
 
 which it is connected, — and a ready access is opened to the 
 mind, for the most hard and unworthy thoughts of God him- 
 self and his Eternal Providence. I know not a fiercer or 
 more formidable trial of principle, than to be reduced to this 
 state. And is tiiis the state, to which any m''n would desire, 
 or could bear to think, that those he loves and cherishes 
 should be reduced ? Can anything be more atrocious, than 
 to neglect carelessly, or still more, to neglect selfishly, the 
 means in his power, of rescuing them — at least, humanly 
 speaking, and if nothing occurs out of the ordinary course of 
 things, from the chance of such a state. I look to the moral 
 danger and degradation, as much as to the physical wretched- 
 ness, when I say, it ia the lesson of natural aflfection,— of 
 moral principle, — and of religious duty, to take every com- 
 petent means to prevent such a consummation. 
 
 Btit hov7 to prrvrnt it 1 It h plain that the resource of sar- 
 
 ^^Zr 
 
 -hnwever strict an economy be practii-cd, ctinnot be 
 eflectual here. That, to be effectual, must be a work of time. 
 — And our very supposition i?, that time is denied, — that ade- 
 quate time cannot be counted on. Here, then, comes in the 
 principle of Life Assurance, — and the facilities afforded by 
 Life Assurance Companies. What cannot bo effected by the 
 individuals, can be effected by the combination of indiv- 
 iduals. The principle on which this may be done is 
 illustrated very .'-imply and intelligibly, in the little work 
 from which I have already qnoted. " Suppose ten thourand 
 persons at the age of 52, were disposed to associate, for the 
 purpose of making sure that the heirs of all those w ho died 
 within a year, sthould have each a thousand pounds. It 
 would only be necessary in that case, for each person to con- 
 tribute as much to a common fund as would make up the 
 sum of £ 1 50,000 — or a thousand times 1 50 — (the number of 
 
i 
 
 i I 
 
 16 
 
 persons that may be expected todie)-that is to say, each of the 
 ten thousand person would require to pay in £15. With a 
 small additional allowance for the expense of transacting the 
 business, the resulting sum of JCi50,000,nett, gives the repre- 
 sentatives of each deceased party the desired JCIOOO. This is 
 still so far an ideal case. But it is easy to suppose a large 
 number of persons at all ages, or at least at certain ages, de- 
 termined on, say, between 15 and 60, paying into a common 
 fund, each according to his age and the sum he wished secur- 
 ed ; and then we should have a mutual assurance society at 
 once ; there being only this additional feature, that generally 
 men do not insure for one year only, (though this is possible,) 
 but for the whole remainder of their lives j for wluch reason 
 an average is struck, and they beging paying at a rate which 
 will continue the same to the endj the excess of payment in 
 the early years, making up for its smallness in those at the 
 close of life. Such being the common practice, Life Assurance 
 Societies necessarily accumulate large funds, which they re- 
 quire to improve at interest in safe investments, in order that 
 the most postponed engagements may be made good in time." 
 I do not at all enter on the calculations, often exceedingly 
 abstruse and diflicult, and in which the highest powers of 
 science are required, to ascertain the average mortality at dif- 
 ferent ages, and the rates of payment by individuals, in order 
 to render safe the obligations under which I-ife Assurance 
 Companies come. Even Avere I fully versed in these, which 
 I do not at all profess to be, it would be quite impossible, to 
 make them either interesting or intelligible in a lecture like 
 this. It is sufficient for our purpose, — which as 1 said at 
 first, is not scientitic, but practical, to assume the correctness 
 of the results w hich have been attained by these calculations. 
 That indeed is admitted, by all who arc competent, scientifi- 
 
ch of the 
 
 With a 
 cting the 
 he rep re - 
 
 This is 
 s a large 
 ages, de- 
 , commun 
 led secur- 
 50ciety at 
 generally 
 possible,) 
 ich reason 
 ate which 
 lyment in 
 ise at the 
 Assurance 
 \\ they re- 
 order that 
 in time." 
 iceedingly 
 powers of 
 lity atdif- 
 , in order 
 Assurance 
 Bse, which 
 ossible, to 
 cture like 
 
 1 said at 
 orrectness 
 culations. 
 
 scientifi- 
 
 17 
 
 cally, to form an opinion ; — and what is still better, a suffi- 
 ciently extensive experience, which is the great and infallible 
 test, has put its stamp upon them as trustworthy. Changes 
 may take place, — as for example, the rate of mortality may 
 fall, — the average duration of life be prolonged, — in which 
 case, the rate of payment should proportionally fall ; — or the 
 general rate of interest to be obtained for money might fall, 
 in which case, the rate of payment should rise. But these 
 are matters, when the great general principles are correctly 
 establislied, of the easiest possible calculation. And it is to 
 be observed that any changes which have hitherto taken 
 place, and which have been very cautiously introduced, have 
 been in favour of the insurer — assuring, that is, the same 
 benefit, at a less cost. 
 
 The simplest view of Life Assurance, is that of combina- 
 tion, in which, for certain specified ends, we have to make an 
 annual payment. Considejed simply as a pecuniary invest- 
 ment, this may turn out favorably, or unfavorably. Should a 
 man's life be prolonged, it is possible he may pay in more 
 than his representatives will receive after his death. Should 
 he die soon, the pecuniary gain to his representatives, would 
 be large. This is the only point to which any uncertainity 
 attaches — and the result alone can determine which shall be 
 the case. But to reconcile us to this uncertainty, we have 
 only to consider what is certainly gained — and what b effect- 
 ed, by that property, which it may turn out in the end, we 
 have lost for our representatives. We gain, from the moment 
 the assurance is effected, the satisfaction of thinking that a 
 provision has been, at least to some extent, made for those 
 dear to us, should they be prematurely deprived of our protec- 
 tion. We are freed from a load of anxiety, which cannot but 
 be depressing. We are induced by the very circumstance, 
 
 
i 
 I 
 
 V 
 
 ! 
 
 18 
 
 that we should otherwise lose the benefit of all we have clone, 
 to persevere in the means necessary for making such provision 
 — and so are, to a considerable extent, assured even against 
 our own carelessness and cajirice. Having made the neces- 
 sary sacrifice for this future provision, we feel less also the 
 necessity of a sordid and grinding parsimony, and can, with a 
 more free and disengaged spirit, enjoy ourselves, or give to 
 good and charitable purposes, out of what remains. VVc have 
 the satisfaction that always accompanies the voluntary exer- 
 cise of self-denial for the sake of what we account right, and 
 of those in wiiom we are interested. And the loss, if loss 
 there should be, there is a satlffaction in thinking, turns to 
 the benefit of others, whose families iiave been earlier bereav- 
 ed of their heads and guardians, than it has pleased Providence 
 to bereave ours. 
 
 I sec that, with the Tiew of inducing people to effect insur- 
 ances upon their lives, stories are often told— and of course 
 perfectly true — for such cases must occur, of the great imme- 
 diate benefits, which arc in some instances reaped by the 
 families of those who do so. Thus, it is stated, in the little 
 work to niiich I have already referred, that an instance of 
 death during the week following the payment of the first 
 premium, once occurred in Edinburgh ; that in the records of 
 one office, £500 was realized, after the policy had run 262 
 days—jeSOO after 330 days; £G00 after 2()6 days; £500 
 after 74 days ; £1000 after four months z and a case is men- 
 tioned, of an industrious man, engaged in flax-spinning, who 
 had sunk most of what he possessed in a concern of that 
 nature, and who having insured £500 in the month of Febru- 
 ary, for which the usual comparatively small sum was paid 
 by way of premium, in the ensuing April insured £500 more. 
 Noxt montii, after the second policy had run only twenty-two 
 
 L 
 
 "ii'i 
 
 df 
 
 m 
 
have done, 
 1 provision 
 en against 
 the ncces- 
 s also tlie 
 an, ^vith a 
 or give to 
 We have 
 itary exer- 
 rigiit, and 
 OSS, if loss 
 g, turns to 
 itr bereav- 
 ?rovidcncG 
 
 Feet insiir- 
 
 of course 
 
 eat imme- 
 
 od by the 
 
 n the little 
 
 nstance of 
 
 f the first 
 
 records of 
 
 run 262 
 
 ys; £500 
 
 se is men- 
 
 i<^, who 
 
 rn of that 
 
 of Febru- 
 
 vvas paid 
 
 00 more. 
 
 venty-two 
 
 f 
 
 n 
 
 days, he died, in consequence of a severe injury from his own 
 machineiy, and his family thus obtained the welcome sum of 
 £1000, to hf Ip them on in the world, — a sum which they 
 could not have had, if their parent's death had taken place a 
 few months sooner. I have no doubt these anecdotes arc 
 often very effective; and I hhould be sorry in any decree to 
 injure the effect of them. But I think the duty of Life As- 
 surance cnn he. performed under the impulse of better and 
 higher principles than the sort of lottery fcelinp; which such 
 anecdotes arc apt to produce : ])rudence — taking proper ad- I 
 vanlaoe of the means, which Providence points out to us, in i 
 the combination ■.' individuals, for making a provision for i 
 those dear to us, and setting us at rest from the reasonable 
 an::let!e?? we entertain in regard of them ; pelf-denial, — prompt- 
 ing us to sacrifice a portion of our present means of enjoyment, 
 to secure such ultimate provisions for our families ; and be- 
 nevolence and christain charity, — that in doing so, we are 
 ujiholding a system, which benefits moft those on whom 
 calamities fall most heavily. 
 
 There is something, I confess, in the principle and working 
 of the Life Assurance system, which falls in better with my 
 notion, of the moral improvement of mankind, than in the 
 principle and working of Savings Banks. In tin former, 
 felf-denial is in exercise, — in the latter, the principle of ac- 
 quisitiveness, to speak phrenologically. Now, self-denial is 
 ever noble and elevating to the character. And there is little 
 rbk of its going too far. But acquistiveness groivs, — grows 
 by imperceptible degrees,- -grows to a very commanding in- 
 fluence, — grows often beyond any reasonable necessity for it, 
 — grows till it overmasters other principles, that are higher 
 and better, — and till it can spare nothing to be devoted to the 
 purposes of a generous and christian benevolence. Man be- 
 
 '^! 
 
 i 
 
I 
 
 
 % 
 
 I 1 
 
 \ 
 I 
 i 
 
 .! 
 .? 
 
 20 
 
 comes of tlie earth, earthy — a very poor, selfish, unreauoiiinj^ 
 and unreasonable creature indeed, when he becomes the slave 
 of this principle. Vet it is a most important principle, not- 
 withstanding, and to be cherished, if not over-cherished. I 
 think it is one great benefit of the Life Assurance system, 
 that it does awcy the ' ation, in a great measure, for so 
 over-eherishing it, a b^y'^^S *t ^"ch a habitual hold and 
 mastery, as is really degrading to the character, and injurious 
 to the usefulness of the individual who is so enslaved. The 
 two, however, are both necessary and useful. I mean the 
 Life Assurance system and the Savings Bank system ; and 
 they do mutually assist each otlier, and correct each other, 
 and make up for what is deficient in each other. The Sav- 
 ings Bunk provides for contingencies, for which the Life 
 Assurance does not provide, and it provides the security for 
 continuing, even in unfavorable seasons, the payment of the 
 rates of the Life Assurance. And the Life Assurance pro-- 
 vides, mid provides at once, for what the Savings Bank could 
 only do, in a long period of time — a period of time, on ^vhich 
 it is unsafe to calculate, while it also relieves and disengages 
 the raindj and sets it free from the danger of acquiring such 
 a habit of sordid parsimony, as cannot be resisted effectually, 
 or rooted out. 
 
 If I were to treat fully of tlie tenefits of Life Assurance, it 
 might be proper to state the advantage to be derived in busi- 
 ness transactions, from the possession of a Policy of Assur- 
 rancc; — the facility which it affords for raising money, and the 
 security which it gives for the ultimate payment of debts that 
 have been incurred. It might be proper also, to dwell on the 
 \ arious branches of Life Assurance business— in particular the 
 granting of annuities. This is done on the same principles as 
 to the a/erage probability of life. And it is desirable in the 
 
 * 
 '■i 
 
 % 
 
 I 
 
 tl 
 
I 
 
 [nrcasoiiiii); 
 ?s the slave 
 iciplc, not- 
 erished. I 
 ce system, 
 sure, for so 
 il hold and 
 d injurious 
 Lved. The 
 
 mean the 
 stem ; and 
 3ach other, 
 
 The Sav- 
 :h the Life 
 security for 
 nent of the 
 irance pro^ 
 Bank could 
 ;, on nhich 
 disengages 
 iring such 
 f'ffectually, 
 
 isurance, it 
 in husi- 
 
 of Assur- 
 ly, and the 
 
 debts that 
 veil on the 
 licular the 
 
 inciples as 
 blilc in the 
 
 1 
 
 21 
 
 case of those, who have a large sum which they can sink at 
 once, in exchange for a certain sum annually, this latter sum 
 being larger than could be raised from ordinary interest. 
 There can be no doubt that this can be ofU;ii properly and 
 advantageously done. Where the parties purchasing the 
 annuities have none nearly connected with theu» or depending 
 on Uiem, they obtain during their life-time, a larger amount 
 of comfort than they could otherwise have enjoyed. It is 
 manifest, however, that this use of Life Assurance, however, 
 oOcn perfectly justifiable, does, on the whole, minister to 
 sellishncss — to immediate personal gratification, in disregard 
 of others. While that other, on which I have chiefly dwelt, 
 calls for self-denial— ^postpones self to the claims of others, — 
 and only ministers to self, to the extent that its happiness is 
 bound up in the happiness of others. The prevalence of this 
 latter kind of assurance is symptomatic of higher principle, 
 and a better state of the domestic att'ections. It is said to 
 prevail very much more in Britain and in Holland. The 
 other in France. •- . ' ^ -•• :u,jt. ?; v .> ..nj 
 
 On these, however, I do not dwell — nor on the peculiar ad- 
 vantages of one class of offices over another ; the Mutual or 
 the Mixed over the Proprietary— ^nor on the rates of individual 
 offlccs-ror the steps to be taken in obtaining policies. These 
 things can all be easily learned, at the different offices ih this 
 city. My object is to make people visit these offices — and 
 es|>eeially to turn the attention of mechanics and labourers to 
 tlie subject — for the purpose of their securing for their families 
 the benefits which Life Assurance puts within their reach. 
 This, indeed, is the only object which would have induced 
 me,having such limited information on the subject, and having 
 so litUe time at my disposal for increasing that information, 
 to take up the subject at all. I have no idea that I can give 
 
 # 
 
I \ 
 
 22 
 
 to those viho are in the habit of rcudlni?, even tlightly and 
 ciireorily on the subject, any clearer views than they puasess ; 
 thougrh ( vcn tlicy may by stirred up by the very mention of 
 the wubjcct, to exercise u degree of prudence Aviiich liilherto 
 they have not manifested, or to feci arhamcd of u want of im- 
 nifidiatc sclf-dtnial and self-sacrifice, neceseaiy to tecure the 
 future comfort of tiioae that are dearest to them. But I do hope 
 tliat, either directly or indirectly, the subject will tl:us be sug- 
 gealedto many who njight not otherwise have thouSjht of it, 
 ond that it will be explained to tlitm that the beneiiuj of the 
 I.ife AssuiuncG system belong not to the higher tlaascs of 
 Foeiety only, but arc within the reach of ahnoat all. Moat of 
 ihii lujuraiicc Companies give policies for i.50. 'i he aimual 
 payment (;i' about tix dollars, by a person beginning at tliirty 
 years of age, would secure that tuui tu his family at Ids 
 death. iJut there id not a mechanic^ and hardly a sober and 
 industrious labourer, who could not eet apart double the turn* 
 if he were only duly impressed with a sense of the utility, the 
 advantage, end the duty of doing it. t upposc the money 
 v/asted, and worse than wasted, on tobacco and ardent spirits, 
 were set upart for the purpose, in alo;ott every instance, the 
 object would be gained, and multitudca of familes would be 
 preserved in comfort, and in favorable circinnstances for their 
 nioral well-being and improvement, which upon the death 
 of the husband and father would otherwise be plunged into 
 destitution and wretchedness. It would bo a good object to 
 attain tlus, by any retrenchment or self-denial. How much 
 better by that to which 1 have alluded 1 That would involve 
 no sacrifice of present comfort in a family, in lieu of future 
 advantage. It would be" a great and immediate advantage in 
 itself, to all concerned. It is surely a miserable proof of mean 
 Ktlfjshness and unreasoning folly— if a man, for the sake of 
 
28 
 
 i[;htly and 
 iy puascBS ; 
 ncntion of 
 ch hilhcrto 
 rant of im- 
 
 I tecurc the 
 
 I I do hope 
 •lis be sug- 
 U5<,ht of it, 
 ciila of the 
 
 clutiscs of 
 . Most of 
 1 he annual 
 iig at tliirty 
 n')ly at Ills 
 L sober and 
 le the tuxiii 
 utility, the 
 the money 
 lent spirits, 
 istance, the 
 IS would be 
 es for their 
 the death 
 igcd into 
 d object to 
 How much 
 )uld involve 
 of future 
 Ivantage in 
 )of of mean 
 the sake of 
 
 his own fumlly, will not only not Baerifice some real present 
 pjood, — but will not c\c:\ renounce a suprrfluity, freipH-ntly 
 thn causL' of so much evil and misery, to himsflf and ail be- 
 longing to him. 
 
 TiuM-(; {<*, I um told, from week to wf ck, a stnidy increase in 
 th(! investments in the SavingH' IJanks in this city, and in the 
 number of thoac who open iwcouiits with them. For the good 
 of fociely, it h to be hoped that there will continue to be an 
 increase in botli. But I would hold it a vast additional securi- 
 ty for the future iniprovemeni and well-being of society, if 
 the Bystem of Lif«5 Assurance did equally progress ; and if 
 every mechanic and labotirer, who is able to make an invest- 
 ment in the Savings' Bank, had along witli the book that 
 records it, his Life Policy for £50, or £100, or £150. — and 
 tT) pay the rate of v, hlch regularly, is the first purpose to which 
 his savings are applied. ' -" ■ 
 
 Let not those who neglect this precaution, which prudence 
 and affection, care for the bodily comforts, ar?d even for the 
 moral good of th;)ir families, should alike prompt them to 
 take, — say they Cfinno/. They am, if they in'//. Tlicy can, 
 if they will exercise the requisite celf-denial. '1 hey can, often, 
 simply by renouncing the use of v. hat is superfluous or mis- 
 chievous. Let them rather say at once, — *•' Yes, we could, 
 by this means, there is no doubt, make provision against the 
 future destitution of our families_, and their dependence on the 
 charity of others ; — we could leave enough to do all this, and 
 to put them in a way of providing honorably for themselves, 
 — but the small annual sum that would be required to do this, 
 ive will not save from our own enjoyments ; we will ratiicr 
 spend it in superfluities, or in inlemperuncc." In so sayln", 
 they would only appear the selfish beings, wlilch they really 
 are. 
 
 „i 
 
 
i '' 'l 
 
 • 
 
 ) ' 
 
 \ 
 
 I: 
 
 24 
 
 At all events, let them not have the follyj or the hypocrisy, 
 to say, as is sometimes said by those who neglect this precau^ 
 tion, that they trust to Providence. What right has any man 
 to trust to Providence to do for him, directly, or through the 
 mediation of others, what it has enabled him to do for him- 
 self 1 The wisdom and goodness of Providence appear, in 
 giving him this power, and placing him in circumstances in 
 which he can exercise it. Not trust in Providence, but dis- 
 regard of Providence, and of its plain and manifest design, is 
 shown by neglecting to use that power. Would a man show 
 his trust ill Providence by entertaining the expectation, that 
 though he neither ploughed nor sowed, somehow a crop might 
 spring up, which he should be permitted to reap 1 Is not the 
 right trust shewn, by ploughing and sowing, planting and 
 watering, and then alter all, looking to Providence for the 
 increase 7 All that our limited power and wisdom can ac- 
 complish, it behoves us to do, — and after it is done, to what- 
 ever length it goes, there will still remain abundant scope for 
 the exercise of trust in the goodness of Providence, The 
 second causes which we can discern, and over which alone 
 we have any sort of influence, are connected with a long 
 chain of others which are hidden in obscurity from us, and 
 which are in the hand of God alone. The ultimate arrange- 
 ment of these causes, and so the ultimate disposal of us, and 
 of all that concerns us, must belong ever to Him. Ahd the 
 humble, and trustful, and thankful recognition of this, is surer 
 ly consistent with the most energetic doing of all that He has 
 . put within the power of our hands to accomplish. 5:tr 5od— 
 
 ii 
 
the hypocrisy, 
 ct this precau^ 
 it has any man 
 )r through the 
 
 to do for him- 
 nce appear, in 
 •cumstances in 
 dence, but dis- 
 lifest design, is 
 lid a man show 
 cpectation, that 
 iw a crop might 
 ip 1 Is not the 
 , planting and 
 vidence for the 
 (visdom can ac- 
 
 done, to what- 
 ndant scope for 
 OTidence. The 
 er which alone 
 d with a long 
 f from us, anid 
 timate arranger 
 )0sal of us, and 
 Him. And the 
 I of this, is surer 
 ' all that He has 
 
 flm aw 
 
 %mU