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SUPPORT OF THE MINISTEES m THE GOSPEL. BY A COMMITTEE OF SYNOD. CAYUGA : THOMAS MESSENGER, PRINTER, "SACHEM" OFFICE. lUWIUI \ 1:. ..iijfiklHiiMitaii r ^a'i ^'^ \ JUn 7 1935 I "^ f^m 'm^ ADDRESS TO THE SESSIONS ANl) CONGMO ATKINS, Xc. Christian Brethrkn, — The United Ptesl)ytenan Synod in Canada, aL its meeting in Hamilton , in the month of June, 1854, entrusted a Committee of their mimber with the drawing up of an Address to you oji the subject of ministerial support ; and it is in obedience to their inslriiotions, and with a view to present their sentiments, that we now oireva few remarks on this important subject. In doing this we shall express ourselves with all plainness and seriousness ; and from the opinion we entertain of your candor and conscientiousness, of your respect to the divine authority, and to your own obligations us christians, we are persuaded that we will not make our appeal in vain. " We speak as unto wise raen^ jud.ge ye what we say." We t'Uii your altentiou to the subject under a very few paxti- culars. I. Let us, by way of putting you in remembrance, exhibit your duty in this matter. For although we might suppose this to be unnecessary, as it is so fully presented in scripture, and although with many of you it is practised conscientiously, yet there ar© not a few, we fear, who Ironi inadvexteucy or otherwise, are not doing what thcv ought. Over much of the Christian Church the duty of its members directly and libi-riilly to support the gospel has been for many ages superceded by the human invention of a civil establishment of religion : nor is chvistendom yet free from this deteriorating and degrading imposition, .out the eyes of the great proportion of honorably minded professing christians are now open to the iuiustice and inipoliey ol' such establishments, and their zeal is aroused fur their final extinction; and just in the same proportion is it to be expected that the church at large will return to Christ's own proscribed method for its support and extentiou by the abundant free-will ofieriugs of the christian j)coplc. Surely as a matter of equity those who devote themselves to the work of the ministry have a claim on their people for compe- tent and liberal support; and perhaps there is no denomination of christian ministers whose claim is stronger than your own, as they conscientiously refuse all compulsory provision. Those of you who are properly enligiitened on this subject will, we doubt not, discharge your obliga't ions by striving to place them iiir above the ieeling.or even the iear of vrant. M I T^esldes, in common with those of most othet churche«, your ministers have made inauy sacrifices in preparing themselves for their sacred work; andjiavin^j passed through a course of edu- cation, both expensive and lodious, a small part of which would have qualified thorn for hicnitive and honorable sitifations in the world, they are snrcly entitled to soinelhinj? like a libiral return for the invaluable services they arc called to discharije. Tl ihould also be remembered that tliey are obliged to mingle m iociety of every kind, and to keep up a style oHiving correspond- ing, in some degree, with the dignity of their callini;. 'i'huir office, too, is one of active labor, which none need ehuo.^e, cithur for securing bodily ease, or freedom from exhausting; exercise of the mind. Tftheyarenot properly sustained they arc in danger of losing their mental and bodily vigor, and thus becoming unfit for yrosecutinir their duties. What proportion of your means should be <!ovoted to God we •hall not pretend to determine. But the general rnle is plain from scripture that each shoidd give "as(!od hath pios])ered him.** Under the ancient dispensation the Levite,s,who ministered in hol| things, were to have" the tenth of all" from their brethren of the other tribes. Under the gospel this duty is enforced with obvious reference to ancient institutions. " If," says the apostle Tanl, *• we have sown unto you spiritual things is it a great thing if wo shall reap your carnal things I Do you not know that they who min- ister about holy things live of the things of the temple, and they who wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord Ordained that they who preach the gospel should live of the gospel." ,,.,.„ There isonepeculiariiy of the christian church which will ra- ther suggest the necessity and importance of even greater liberality in its maintenance and progress than was required of old. Un- der the Mosaic economy it was merely to the sn[)port of ordinances among themselves that the Israelites were called. They were not commanded to propagate their religion among other nations, ilut under our dispensation it is the duty of christians not only to !»ustain the gospel among themselves, but to extend it to others. Each individual should do his part, and a combined effort should be made to sustain and spread the gospel. Truly devoted and conscientious christians have been heard saying,— " Let us tally and spontaneously meet all the wantsof our ministers, let us give our first and our best to the Kedeemer's cause." From these and other considerations it must be admitted that the ministers of Christ are entitled to the support of the christian people, not as a matter of bounty, but as their just right,— as that which reason, and gratitude, as well as the word of God, all utiite to 1 nf*iilf*T.to n. Let us enquire how far this duty is observed. Notwnth- Btanding the dignity of their oflicc,— the great ends which it is ■i wm ■MPPP shea, your iiselves for ic of edu- ich would oils it) the ■ral return har'fe. It ;urrespon(U g. Their ose, either exercise of 11 danger of ig unfit {or to God we plain from ered him.*' •red in holy iren oftho ilh obvious ranl,«w« if wo shall ' who mia- , and they Even so >fel should cK will ra- ^r liberality fold. Uij- "ordinauces rhey were icr nations, not only to ; to others, ifort should evoted and iCt us tally , let us give nitted that le christian ht, — as that , all unite to Notwith- \\hich it 13 intended to serve, and the actuul good tosociery at hui;« ol whiclk the faithful ministers, both directly and indirectly, are the honored instruments, it rniist be acknowledgetl that in general, they meet with very didi^reut outward recompense from persons ot other learned [>rofossions. The skilful physician is well remunerated. The lawyer's profession has been said to be"a coininy;of money." But the minister is often doomed to live on the very scanty pro- vision which those for whose everlasting happiness he labors are contented to raise. And this is sometimes a mere pittance. In general, it may be faiily asked,- Are ministers supplied with money and means at all e<iuai to their necessities, not to say correspond- ing with the ability and obligati(ni oi their people ? The truth cannot be concealed. It is not ;so. 1 1 is liu otherwise. In many cases that (ilod who, carini; lor the interior creation, has said,— " Thou shalt not mnz/de the ox that ircadeth out the corn," sees that his far greater care for his ministering servants is not re- sponded to by those whose duty it is to sustain them,— so that their mouths are often muzzled,— their external reward is not given,— They plant a vineyard and eat not of the iiuit thereof, they feed a flock and eat not of the milk ot the flock. How many of the laborious and deserving servants of Christ have oc- casion to sav with the apnstio Paul,—" Even unto this present hour we both hanger and thirst, and are naked and are bufieted, and have no certain dwelling-place!" There have been Congregations so dishonorable ns to take advantage of their ministers, if they happened, as is rarely the case, to hare something ol their own, which is not only injustice to them, but a robbing of their families of their patrimonial rights. We have also heard of individuals, and these in circumstances of growing wealth, excusing themselves from contributing their propcrtion for religion because, as they alleged, they must be just before they are generous, and this because, though living at ease, they had some instalments to pay on their houses or lands. But these people mistake entirely the nature of their duty in suij- posing what is given for the gospel,~what is given to Christ, an act of 'generosity. There is no generosity at all in it. It is as inucli a matter of justice as the strongest of those claims against them which can be enlorctd by civil law,— nay it is the first and the highest claim, and their refusing to discharge it on grounds of th^s description, which are mere evasions, is a robbing of God. There is one serious fact, of which not all, but many of you require to be reminded, it is that money has materially depre- ciated in value during the few years that are past,— perhaps to the extent of one- halt, and probably during the past year to the extent of one-third ; or, in other words, the price of articles has increased in this proportion ;— so that what was fixed as the min- imum stipend should at least be increased one-third, if not doubled, to be considered a pioper minimum now. ISo otipend should r\ ht l«s,s thuu .£VMi, atiitnAlly»to be equal to what it was before, Hiui to enable n tiiiiii.ster tulivo at all with comturt,or in freedom, as linsliijiilil lit' nlilf til do. Irum Imrrnssing care. The church generally should aim ;it this as the ic;ir,t to offer. Men in jyenerul, — the tnerehants and traders of every kind, Are jiaid for their commodities by whut is reckoned aiie(inivale!it. In Commercial trausuctions the proiit.s are olten large, and yet where is the man who does not consider the returns he realizes a* due to his aeeiiracy. diligence, and enterprize, in conducting btisiness'? Hut how is it with tlie minister oi tlie gospel, who is » spiritual merchant selling goodly pearls? lie is the honored in«trur''enL in giving wliiit is" more precious than gold, yea than much hue gold :" and yet he receives in return, so liir as the things oC this life ure concerned, only the most paltry stiins,aud these are often given with irregularity and a grudge. III. Consider with what ease this duty might be performed. Many of the duties of the christian people are ditlicuit. It isdit- Hcnlttoremeniberall tlioinstruction.s of a minister, and to reduce them to practice. It is dillicidt to banish all worldly thoughts on the Lord s day, and to s[)end it wholly in the exercises of rehgion. Yet these -are incumbent duties, the neglect of which iv«t sinful, liut where is the dillicully in liberally supporting the ministers of Christ ! This part oi christian duty is perhaps tlieeasiest of all j and yet it is the most neglected. To discharge the former duties grace is necessary. But it requires no grace, one Would think, :fbr the latter. Even without the slightest inconvenience ti> your- selves you could furnish double or triple the amount to which some of you are accustomed, and thereby make your ministers, not affluent, but only coratbrtable. Grace, indeed, may be necessary to enable you to contribute in the christian spirit, — to do it freely, cheerfully, and in faith, and as a duty you owe to ( Jhrist. But so far as the amount of means or money is concerned, u sense of common justice should be suflicient. And yet this duty is performed, in many cases, tardily and inadequately. If professing christians, generally, were actuated by a right spirit in this matter there could be no difficulty whatever. All true christians in right exercise will be disposed to give a fair propor- tion of their annual income for religious purposes,~partly to sup- port their ministers, and partly for extending the means of grace by missionary efforts, and for other objects of christian benevo- lence. Were it not the worldly spirit that prevails among many professors, the want of faith in God's promises, and the want of love to Christ, it would not be difficult to fmd an agreement as to what this proportion ought to be. The most of our members are living at ease, and man^ of them in affluence, and all of theni are ready to welcome their minister to their houses as often as he IS able to go, and to lavish their hospitality in contributing to his comfort. Case.-j do exist where a lew wealthy individuals in the mm m^ CM before, in iireedom, he church very kind, equivtlent. e, and yet he realizes L'otuUictin!* [)ol, who is ic. hcjiiorcd d, yea thau Hit as the stiins,aud performed. :. It is dit- ] to reduce ;hoiights on ofrehgion. Ii is Kinf'ul. e ministers \siest of all j nner duties ould think, jce to your- t to which t ministers, d, may be i spirit, — to foii owe to i concerned, id yet this [uately. If right spirit . All true fair propor- irtly to snp- ns of grace ian benevo- niong many ;he want of anient as to members are ail of them 5 often as he iiting to his duals in the 1 •^k whilst the others did their |.art, mif?lit, without over.lmio. *^^h^meWro/?ven doin?< m.re thuu I h.y ....^1. Mor ;mly do much '^.'•^''l,^, J*^' t^^^^^^^^^^^^ tooNvhore xn hat .s the mere S;§'t h^ih wordcammuuicata tohuu that teacheth .« ail tiordtkhiMs. svslematicany, contributing by m no necessity i^ «' '» ^o^' J« J-^ "« \» "^^^^ Sabtotl. Bat, here w. miut a.lver. to a great «;''^;,^ ,,;;•=„ "tL mem- ,„p^ , ™ki»g their minister conjfo.table '" 5" ^^ff ^^^^ .Tmer'e imagination that suggests any : and 'f * ^^be. tf/'^gara='raSrtirs'l^r^e\rreali^ wotUd thus "t'tftte practicability, we shotJd rather say <^<^-^^ dotaj all that L, incumbent, both (or snpportmg and extendms yf J- '^^^■ th<» ^nip«4, little n«*e»l he f^id. Ih tlii« Coiintn* f!i<»r<» are frw Coil jrreunt ions which have not A hundred "Jrorsliipcn with com- lortiiblt' itioonios, — uic«>mt'« which, u]\ thintrn wnisidcrfti, far ex- e«ed tluLsool llicir riiiuisfcM, p^miixijie tlup(» y'rofessofs to give a» they otiirlU for their own concrfmitioDiil uljicrts, and fur do- mestic uikI iiireimi iiiissnins.and othor imrposps ot cli'lstian bene- ficence, the lesult would beat tuice elliTtjvc in inukiiifr every oifficultf vanish. Il'thii were done (nnJ where is tli(> diilicultf in doing it!) the strong IVjiijiregations, besides honorably defray- ing their own exiienses. would aid in ntip}K>rting the weak ; antf the destitute ]>laces of the hud, and of the whole earth, w >uld b.5 l^ocdily supplied with divinv? ordinances. Knt ulas! aUlii)ti:,di all this seems to he prneticahlo and et»sy, yetKuch is the seKisliiH-ssuf hunirui iiaturo, and such the want of love to Christ, and ;!^\k: tor his gJory, that wv ar»? apt to excuMi ourselves Irom it^i pruutic*?. Suiat- WiJI not be2;in till others ara ready, ^•ome wjll proim.-ie to net li' the rest will tbllow. Few ate ot* such imi?pend(Mii spirit (whirh uU shtmld be), %* to dif- eharge tlieir uw n duty thunirh aU others iieirlect their*, fn gcna- lu^ wo lind, though many honorable excpptioriR are seen, that con* tribiuioiis Ibr religion are xuor*! grudged than [or thing* of inera workllv interest or uiutisemout. Maa in theso daya fay doubla for their taxes, double fur ihtj wages oftheir servanTs, double for articles of food and rainjerit} but yet lor ihoir religion. Which Onght to be their dearest ,aa it i» their highest interest, they •eem disposed, in general* tt» make no additiojial exertion,— to give no double portiuu. In this l^ountry a man of activity and •nterprize will oileu gain by u single commercial transaction more than all a minister will receive for many years. Shoold not gratitude for sucli success suggest that a reasonable j)rojv(jr- tion of the returns of such a specufation be devoted to the (iiodof providence by whose blessing it has been realized ? IV. Let us mark the evident or threatened results of this neg- lect of duty in ministerial support. There arc results of ttiit lieglect which often come upoa the minister. It has been some^ times said, that if a minister be well paid he ia apt to get indolent. This, however, cannot be the effect on those who are conscien«» tious, as all should bo, in the discharge of duty. They will ra- ther be more stimulated, as they will be better qualified for their Work. But an unsupported minister must have such a continual anxiety about worldly matters as to depress his spirits, waste his energies, and disqualify him in a great measure for the prosecution of his labors. He will be dissatisfied with himself, and not ba able to rectify the evil which nothing but his people's neglect has occasioned. The work of the ministry, in which he expected to find delight, will thus become irksome, and although he drags on, through the help of the Lord, yet his mind is crowded with tAies, and he becomes incapable of vigorous activity for the 1 ■I <» ore frw with com- rii, farfX* its to give id fi>r do« stianbene* kinir every (' (lillicuhy hly (lefray- hveak } and , WOUlU IM and easy, he want of to r\e\W0 oiUen are ow. Few »s to die- f n gcne- I, that con* « of in*Te ^ay <!oub!e double for 9n, which ■rest, thoy ertion,— to tivity end itansactiOA , Should le ()ro{y>r* thet^odof f this Deb- its of ttiie )een somei* '.t indolent, conscien- ey will m- !d for their L contiaual , waste his prosecution and not be leglect hai X pec ted to 1 he drags wded with ty for the tpiiitual nitew«N 01 his flot»k. He niiy be ubhjjea. in «*)»«•»- lu^n his Umily. and than much f'-^^V*"':'/!^' ulh^wi^ havU.e» devoted to the prutitul h.« pouMle. ^ '' .^^tj^'T*; occtipitnl. N..W M youyotirsolve. would do|.roc*te the id.e oi h-i beit»R thu. dcptos«iHj, und brought tu such aa «xU«mity, y«» should do your pari tor his cousf^laiwn »nd reUel. Thrre atorcsiiUs of this n^s^ect on congregation^. ''"Th?«13l but l« coiiviocod th:.l the prosp.-rity of «very church must depend, Ta great mcn.ur«, en the rcspcctr.btlily of its m'^'slers. NoW X»t it i« evident that the mrsiinonV of the people must beer Iwn tWe who are oh the field of laU,r. it .s also true that U Im tend, at. it is actually doing, to pTCvent m^n o talout, lenrnn «^ and nl(,ty\fromdcvotu.g ihcmselvi'stothesarrodnthce. "Y ''• ?" loet the peopl. ar. ?hu« pr.ctic.tly. though unuUen.onaUy. rrmVtluNroinbon.fit.mul for anything that they can loll t «y dr*iK of tUcK m^^t rr^-cious .nUcr.tance. But not to Uu.k I.oa ond vou sclv i * .1 not cvid.nl that wbatem prevents nun. te» tZZ full and diiciont discharge of duty innst be »"J;'r'<^ « ^ ! Mtock » Wh.To miiusters arc not snst*.nod, the peop e ca n<^ liiXicd ThU 9P»rUual food cannot be of thnt quality winch ^i^:M^i^i^ und they »ry,*^^^"'^^:*:r,r;H%t:?, the blanic is theirown: and mst.a. <.t t,.oknv£r at t^e reaUau^, thcvoficn in.%-.^sc it by contumcd una ^^^'^'^'''^^ ''^^^l'^,,^ co»grrir«aon tlm. circumstanced can never grow m ^"telUgei ee. andSn christian worth and enterprise. The '^'^"^b^rs f sucl * con,rcgalion,iusteaaof resornbling Chr.sr w^^^^^^^^ ffood nresent a very opposite character. I ernaps men ai KrStiansnmolg^Lm, who are ctoin, their own pnn and Whom Ciod is prospering. But the community at large negecim^ t».^i. autv arc in cencral, serious losers. Spiritually they are w':?d\"frir From Sabbath to Sabbath the^ may sa under a preached gospel, but they denve no benefit. J^^ ^ wo f f^r they are not real christmns, although they ^^Xl^^^rZl or they would not knowingly neglect llunr duty "^ this unportani matter. They are « robbing (Jod m Uhes and ofter n^^^^^^ ^and thereby laying theau^elves open to the doom l^^^"";^;' ^^^^^^^ are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me, e^ en this nation.'* But especially do the loading nieu ul tiio ^g;;;^^^^';;;^' ;;,^ may be siu^poscd to occasion this state ot things bring ^jury ipou Sselv"fu.dividually. .Sueh persons luwe « ten be^^ repn^^^^^^^^ Josses in trade or property, perhaps to the «^t«^^^^^ °^^^^^^;""7,,. *old. tor all they have kept back from llie Lord's t^reasury Pe bans tliev did not trace their cala mities to this cause. But others IS^^d' tVatid w.re impressed thereby. God olten chastises m •::? ^ 4flB»TT wtm . .y ^ U gs-: ^ ,1 I \0 thif. mannrr ; and tl will be well if it be t<'iitii| !<, he m inp?cy, and thai it lead to Naliilary r ■loniialinn. And V^ .IjoI lis, in conclusion, notice the likely results of thf' I'onscipntious discharge of this cKity- In this case, \vc remark, the ministry is improved. We cannot slii't onr eyes to the lact that I here is a diitrcisiiig sciarcity of proaclicrs a>"l ministers among us. But the reason ol' this tact is not considered, it resolves Itself into the sim[)ie truth ot which we arc speakini;, that the prospects uf adcijuate support arc not ju'cocuted. JN'o youth de- siring to be a minister, will, with open eyes, go forward to th'S work, if he sees he will not be able to sustain himscU. Many, indeed, go forward, wiio, were they aware of the dilhculties belore, them, would shrinlc i'rom the undertaking. Many of the students and their iriends, i re '.iiadc(|uate i'.idges of what is necessary Jor the comforiable support ol'oiie in the station of a minister. It will be sail, perhaps, that such calculations, and such atten- tion to the means of outward sujjport, in one who is to hold a spiritual oiPice, would seem to indicate a mercenary disposition, and that those who contemplate the work of the ministry as the employment of their lives, should have higher motives. So they hnve, wo trust. Lut sti'i as niim.slors :ire lueu ol like passions with their people, as they must jay for food and raiment like other liicn, and must I-' cop up tlie resjiectability of their important stations, it is both prudent and necessary, that they should look at outward things as they are, and make a Jair comparison be- tween the ir.f'ans and the end. 7\.nd who can lilaiue the serious youth, whoso heart was set on b3iiig a minister, il he stops shoit at the threshold from the visible j^rospcot of inadecjuale support, and turns Ids acquiremi'nts into another channel ? But let the minisLry be well supiiortod, let the people unite in doing their duty, and the evil is removed at once. An ample supply of ministers will be obtained ; and these servants of Cod will not only be elevated in their outward condition, but improved in their fitness for auty, and in their eliicicucy in discharging it. They will now have the means of procuring such books as are necessary Icr storing their minds with useful knowledge : and, freed from those perplexing cares which now prevail, they will pursue their proper labours, not only without har, but with a' \c- rity and deliglit. They wid now be able freely to recomi: -nd and encourage jaous and talented young men to come forward to " the help of the Lord against the mighty." We remark, further, that where attention is paid to tins duty congiegations will llourisb. Jts performance is a piesumptive proof that other duties are fulfilled, and that the interests of the, cxjinrannity aro prospering. Let the people attend to tliis dutv, and whilst we take for granted they pray for their minister, r id 'vait regularly aed devoutly on his ministrations, and the"iield of the congregation becoiue.-s a li'tk "^-mbiern of the lulldmcnt of thi< V.^ : hr 111 inercy, ):illlts t>f' tlif' J reiiiuik, the tlie iact that, istcrs iiinoiig Jt resolves ng, that the ^'o youth (ie- •vvard to th'3 jc!l. Many, Millies belore, ' the students necessary ]i.ir ustcr. I such atteu- is to hold a f disposition, liistry as the es. So they like passions raiment like eir ir'ijiortiiut f should look niparisou be- e the serious le stops shoi I. uale support, oplc unitt: ill , All ample ;'ants of God nit improved ^charging it. hooks as are vledge : and, lil, they will ut with a' '.c- recouu: .nd ic forward to to tins duty presumptive .crests of the to thiS diitv, .Tunister, r id d theniield of Imcntof th.J< .Hblin.p proph-^rv -•'riH" w.l..h>nicss HU.l th.^ solitary place shall bft clad, and th.-'desert shall r.-joice and blossom as the rose. 'christian brethren, we .juote the IbUowim; appropriate renniT^^^ nf a similar committee lately appoinl:ed bya Synod m the llmted States as furmshmi;- useful hmls lor yourselves :~" 1 here aie trials incident to the pastoral ollice of which no luraan a-ency /•an relieve it, lUit tho-^c which spring Irom inadequate and un certain support are legionary in number, as they are most harrassiug a'nd pamiul. These the churches m« remove : and m removing them tlicy would contribute no less to the usefulness than the comfort of their pastors. What an amount of moral power would be liberated, ii the whole time of our entire ministry could 1,0 appropriated to their legitimate dnt^.s xNot only would they escape the adverse lulluciues omauatiug from their indispensable .secular avocations, and which are so prejudicial to their own snirituality,l)ut thcv would go about th-Mi work with an elasticity und an energv to which they are now strangers. .Lvery one can understand the dihereucc m the comparative efhciexicy ol two pastors, one of wi.om serves a people who liud a happmess in miti-ratino- his burdens.aud adding to his comlorts, while the otluu trails alter him, from day to day, the heavy drag-cham ot pecu- niary embarrassment and domestic depeudeucc. .< \nd this leads to the ob.servation, that even onthclow ground of self-mterest the churches should provide a more siutable support for tiie ministry, ff the congregations which liave tried the ex ,,eriment should be consulted (and we could name such congre^ l Lions in our Syucd) they would say with one accord that they found it good policy to take care of their pastors ; that all tlie kindness shown them has been returned mamibki hy the increased freedom •ind power of their ministrations, and their greater efti- ciencY crenerally. This is not to intimate that mere hnancial ar- jrumiits have a paramount weight with christian pastors, it is «imply acknowledging that they have " like passions with other men," and can do more work, and do it better, where they expe- r.ence syuDathv and alicctioii, than where they meet comparative coldiie.ss,and are left to struggle with want. .lt]Kjmtof fact, it may be doubted whether there is any class of persons who are so much alive to offices of kindness as pastors. The most t^nvial tokens of Hlli.-ction from thr-.r peoj-le have often sent a thri 1 ot joy through the entire tenantry of a par.sonage, and moistened everx' eye witli tears ot gratitude. And next to the supports and consolations drawn from aliove, th.n- liud encouragement and strength in the as,sured conlidence and attachment of then congregations. in line, tlu< tiuthful ub.erv.as of this duty will themselves be, v>etsonally rewarde.l. - lie thut recciveth a prophet, in the name of a prophet shall reeeu-c a proph«,t.\. rewarrl." 1 he very lea,it gift will berecompnised bv<:hu.t. " Wlmsoevri g.vetha cnpot cold watci toj.nv ol ''lui.ifV> d>.ciplc;. bhall mnooa^c lo.ohi:= reward. 12 Notluui'^ done tu any o\ UoJ's servautN will be ovej looked. '< (ICd IS not iinriit^hieou."'. to tbroet your work and labor ol love in that ye havp ministered to the saints and do niinistev.'" The small con- tributions of the poor are asvakmltle in God's estimation as th« larger contributions of the alTlnont. The poor widow, with her two mites, cast in more into the treasury tlian the rich with their abundance, for she cast in all her living. The poor are, in general, before the rich in the proportion of their offerings. Let all do as they are able, and (xod will abundantly bless -^.nd reward. You can never do too much in the cause of religion. Go, brehtren, and make the experiment : do it in the name of Christ, and imder the influence of faith and love ; and we can assure you, by the word of the Lord, that so far from suffering loss or inconvenience, by the sacrifice, rather we should say the service, you will find yourselves, both in a pecuniary view, and in a spiritual view, abundantly remunerated. The liord's treasury is the best bank, and gives the surest and the largest interest .How few comparative- ly have hitherto ventured to improve such a depository ! Were all to do their duty we are certain that instead of being losers, in a worldly view, they would be material gainers. It is the " blessing of the Lord that maketh rich." Yet, O how little is faith in ex- ercise in. giving unto the Lord ! How rarely is found the man who will devote an adequate proportion of his substance to Christ! Yet that man is the gainer, whilst others suffer loss. " There is that giveth, and yet increaseth : there is that withholdeth more than is meet, and it tendeth to poverty." All that is given for the glory of God, and the interests of true religion, if given in faith, will come back to the donors with an amply remunerating bless- ing. " Cast thy bread upon the waters, and thou shalt find it after many days." " Bring ye all the tithes into my store-house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord, if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing,, till tlier<- l..s not rCv.m to receive it." ceJ. '< CtCd e ill that yt" ■ small con- ilion as th« V, with her iwith their , in general, jet all do as vard. You o, brehtren, t, and under you, by the onvenience, Du will find ritual view, e best bank, omparativc" ! Were all ■r losers, in a iic"ble.ssin!5 faith in ex- md the man ice to Christ I « There is oldeth more is given lor iven in faith, rating bless- shalt find it ■store-honso, ill not oppii till t.hort- lid <.i