Is it possible that a rational man, professor or profane, can insult reason and common sense so far as to hope that the sovereign Judge will, in the presence of assembled worlds, angels, men, and devils, convened at his tremendous tribunal, declare a palpable falsehood? Can the person who lives in the habitual neglect of the good works enjoined in this striking passage, expect his approbation? It is impossible. What is the object of our society ?-to what are all our solicitations ultimately directed? To a literal fulfilment of this interesting passage in the relief of the numerous children of misfortune. Cannot the poor cast in his mite? Can he not, with tears of sympathetic pity, and words of consolation, at least endeavour to chase away the cause of human wo? Without any manner of doubt; and consequently the poor as well as the rich must secure the approbation of Heaven, or force the unwilling sentence, "Depart," &c, from the lips of the dreadful Judge.

Let us then do all the good we can to others, by administering to their wants and necessities, and thereby lay up a treasure in heaven, before our treasure on earth fails. This is to honour God with our substance, and to make friends of the unrighteous mammon; for " he that giveth to the poor, lendeth to the Lord."

The distressed situation of some of the poor, few persons are acquainted with; nor are they likely to be, while the suburbs, alleys, lanes, and even some of the streets in which they are found are sufficient, by their appearance, to deter many from passing through them; and such is the ignorance and wickedness of its inhabitants, that the visiters meet with frequent insults and abuse, though they come with relief to their fellow-creatures in these wretched abodes! None but those who have been accustomed to visit them can any wise conceive the complicated misery, pover. ty, and affliction with which those within are surrounded, in rooms with shattered furniture, in tenements almost in ruins, and sometimes they are found lying on straw with a few rags to cover them. Oftentimes the visiters have found more than one family living together, if we may so call it, in a cold, damp abode, with no other furniture than two or three uncomfortable beds, which also served them for chairs and tables; the fireplace being common to all, though often

among the whole, they are not able to purchase a little fuel to keep themselves warm; much less could spare any thing towards the relief of others, who perhaps lie on the next bed, almost expiring in extreme want, destitute of help; and though it may be they sometimes thought of God, yet seldom heard his name spoken by those around them, but in cursing and swearing.

Thus situated, let us not shut up our bowels of compassion from them, nor harden our hearts against them, though they may have despised the word of God, hated instruction, been given to idleness, or squandered their small earnings in drunkenness, lived a wicked and debauched life, and by these means brought the present distress upon themselves, yet we must not say they deserve no pity; but rather, like the good Samaritan, have compassion upon them, and pour oil and • wine into their wounds; the Son of man himself came to seek and to save that which was lost. "They that are whole," saith he, "have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.' And it is certain there is no time more fit to bring the sinner to a sincere repentance or reformation of his past life, than when the Lord has broken his stubborn spirit, and softened his hard heart by severe afflictions. Man's extremity is God's opportunity; this is the time to cast our bread upon the waters-this is the time to sow the good seed; and we have in many instances seen objects who, by the visitation of this benevolent institution, have been restored to health, plucked as brands from the burning, and are now, through mercy, enabled to praise God for those who, by his grace assisting, have been the instruments of their present happiness.

Another class of poor claim our attention as much as those we have just mentioned. Their habitations may not present to our sight that scene of wretchedness, yet is their case truly distressing; we mean those who, by honest industry, support a numerous family by their daily labour, but being overtaken by sickness, means are stopped, trouble and difficulties have multiplied upon them, destitute of needful support themselves, their children crying for that bread they can no longer procure them, and they not knowing how, where, or to whom to apply for relief.

It may be said they should go to the bettering-house, or the alms-house. Some have done so, but as to others, their settlements have been at too great a distance; and if they had been nearer, the weak and low condition to which they have been reduced by sickness, would probably have occasioned their death by a removal; and the small pittance allowed by the overseers of the poor is found barely sufficient to purchase bread for a large family, much less to procure that nourishment a sick person requires. And there are others, who, having neither wife, children, relations, nor friends, being strangers in the town, are frequently seized with the small-pox, or, it may be, a dangerous fever; in this dismal situation, we find but few that are willing to approach them, or administer to their necessities.

These are cases which really do exist, and of which we have been eye-witnesses. Many people who have this world's goods in abundance, and have also benevolent dispositions, would subscribe largely to this labour of love, were they but acquainted with these distressed ones, or could they conceive in a small degree the good which, through Divine assistance, has been done and is daily doing; we should then be enabled to extend our relief to a far greater number of objects, which, through our want of means, we are unable to assist. Some, we are persuaded, would even undertake the laborious task of visiters, were they once to feel that abundant peace and joy which God sheds abroad in the heart, upon finding themselves instruments in his hands of restoring a beloved husband, wife, parent, or child to their afflicted relatives, by the timely assistance unexpectedly brought them.

In this Hospitable Society, the greatest care is taken that the contributions shall not be improperly applied; the visiters are appointed by the president, and are judged to be men every way qualified to visit and instruct, those to whom they are sent; they receive no emolument or salary from the society; on the contrary, they not only employ every opportunity they can in visiting the sick, but likewise subscribe as others, according to their ability; and, moreover, they have frequently added to the relief sent, where the cases have been particularly distressing, without charging it to the society.

The accounts are settled every Sunday morning, and the

committee meet to receive recommendations and subscriptions, at which time every one is free to come and examine the books and inspect their accounts; even those who are not subscribers have had admittance, and have been so well satisfied with their conduct, that they have contributed very liberally to its support.

Thus have we endeavoured to lay before the humane and merciful the true plan upon which this society proceeds, both with respect to the instruction and relief of the ignorant and sick poor, and the care that is taken in the appointment of proper persons to distribute that relief in such a manner that the wished-for end may be fully attained.

We cannot act consistently with our belief in God and his attributes, or agreeably to the principles of religion, or even moral rectitude, unless we look upon each one of these ob jects, not only as our fellow-creature, but as a child also of the same common Parent. Be kind, merciful, and tender. hearted towards them, knowing them to be possessed of the same feelings with ourselves, and created for the same gracious purposes; for we imitate God most by making perpetual advances in mercy, fidelity, truth, and beneficence; for so far as any reasonable creature acts upon a motive or principle of willing or promoting the happiness of others, so far does he, in a strict and proper sense, resemble God; and to do this must be the duty of every person who loves and adores him as the true standard of all that is truly good and perfect.

Rules of the Hospitable Society.

I. There are to be four general meetings of the society annually, one of which is to be considered as the anniversary-time and place to be determined by the visiting committee, of which previous notice is to be publicly given. At each general meeting an apposite discourse is to be delivered, exhibiting the utility and laudableness of this institution. On these occasions collections are to be made, and the most interesting transactions of the preceding year are to be recited, for the information of the subscribers in particular, and the public in general. At each general meeting officers are to be elected.

II. The society is to consist of a committee of visiters or

almoners, and all other subscribers. Out of the visiting committee the president, secretary, and treasurer are to be chosen. If the president, secretary, or treasurer should wish to resign, the president is, by public notice, to call a meeting of the society, for the purpose of receiving their resignations. The secretary is to deliver in all books and papers belonging to the society. The treasurer is to settle his accounts with two members, appointed by the committee. When their resignations are accepted, their places are to be filled by the visiting committee out of their own body by ballot. It is also to be in the power of the committee to fill up any deficiencies in their own body which may be occasioned by death, resignation, or otherwise, and to increase or diminish their own number, as they may see cause; as also to make all rules and regulations for receiving and distributing the funds of the society, or otherwise necessary for the government of it.

III. The president is, ex officio, to preside in all meetings of the society, or, in his absence, a chairman is to be appointed pro tempore, to preserve order, state questions for discussion, declare the decision by vote, and, in case of an equal division of the members, to give the casting vote.

IV. The secretary is to attend all meetings of the society, or, in his absence, the members present are to choose a secretary pro tempore. He is to keep a book, in which the names of the members and benefactors of the society, with the sums subscribed, are to be entered. He is to keep fair records of all transactions of the society, and notify all their general meetings, specifying time and place. He is, in another book, to keep minutes, make reports, and prepare statements of the funds of the society, and the manner in which they have been expended, to be laid before the general meetings.

V. The treasurer is not only to keep a fair and regular account of all moneys belonging to the society, subscriptions, donations, and disbursements, but once every year to settle his accounts with a sub-committee, appointed by the visiting committee for that purpose; his book at all times to be open for the inspection of the members.

VI. The visiting committee is to consist of religious or moral characters, that they may be qualified to instruct the ignorant, comfort the afflicted, and inculcate the necessity of