other, such as feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, clothing the naked, defending or delivering the oppressed, it is self-evident that the receiver can enjoy only a temporary benefit or blessing, which of necessity must terminate with this present life; whereas the giver, in reward of his goodness and humanity, will reap the blessing of life eternal. Again, it is no less evident, that in receiving favours which we know and feel ourselves in need of, there cannot be imaginéd even the lowest virtue; but in freely bestowing such favours, there is virtue in the highest degree. Nature, self-love, self-preservation, urge, and almost compel us to accept kindnesses, whilst religion, charity, and the love of God, are the motives that induce us to confer them.* The peculiar circumstances of the present period,* call aloud for every assistance which the afflu

* Pyle.

+ It was a time of great scarcity.

ent

ent can afford, with a voice not to be silenced. The imperious cry of necessity must thrill through every ear, and vibrate on every heart; it shall not, and it has not been unheard. That benevolence, which has ever done an honour to our country, shall, I trust, continue to flow with increasing strength and rapidity: our face shall never be turned away from any poor man, nor our compassion be shut up from providing for the sick and needy.

Lastly, let me submit to your judgment and your feelings, the propriety of supporting the excellent institution now before us. Founded by some of the most benevolent men that ever existed, not on the narrow principles of provincial, or local utility, but on the broad basis of extensive and universal charity, how has it answered its design? In forty-seven years, it has restored to health and to their friends, nearly forty-seven hundred

R

dred persons, completely cured, besides upwards of eight thousand considerably benefitted; need any thing more be said in its recommendation? As this charity is particularly intended to relieve the poor stranger, let the rich stranger, when he feels in his veins the current of returning health, reflect at how small a price he may extend the same blessing to his poorer brother; give the lame a crutch, tinge the palid cheek with the glow of convalesence, relume the fading lamp of life that trembles in its socket; to the child return its parent, to the parent restore his child. Surely such noble purposes as these may not only claim a trifle from the pursuits of pleasure, or the heap of accumulation, but even wring a pittance from the hard hand of labour, a mite from the savings of industry. But it is not merely to awaken a momentary benevolence, that I say thus much; for the blaze of munificence, I would substitute

stitute the steady light of continued bounty; I would contract the rich flood of present generosity, into the lasting stream of future support. But whilst we thus solicit the feeble aid of man, to the relief of his drooping brother, let us not forget our humble and grateful adorations of that Almighty Being, whose gracious Providence confers upon us this salutary spring. When we bow to taste it, let us implore his mercy, and acknowledge the benefits he has conferred upon us; when we are anxious to wash away the impurities of our bodies, let us wash our hearts with pure water, and sprinkle our minds from an evil conscience. Finally, let us entreat of the Saviour of the world, to give us evermore that living water of his blessed word, of which if a man drink, he shall thirst no more. Upon this, as upon all other occasions, however, let us remember, that it

is the motive which ever constitutes the merit

of

of the action; let us be ready at all times to do good from a good principle. As our Saviour recommends, "Call together the poor, "the disabled, the lame, and the blind, and "thou shalt be blest, for they cannot recom"pense thee, but thou shalt be recompensed "at the resurrection of the Just."

FINIS

WATKINS, Printer, Cirencester

HM