or for other objects, that which is necessary for the support of our families. When circumstances, over which we have no control, make us poor, and leave us and our families dependent, we must accept, with thankfulness, the provision made for us. But it is not our duty to place ourselves or our families in such a state, or to put it out of our power to prevent our relatives from being similarly situated. This is the general principle. There may be exceptions to it.

It is evident, from the foregoing remarks, that the gospel does not justify voluntary poverty, either from idleness, a morbid sensibility, or a mistaken generosity. There is a beautiful harmony in all the christian duties. And when we learn and practise them, not in the indulgence of highly excited feelings, or of favorite objects, but in the light of soberness and of truth, they are most lovely and delightful. There

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is reason to fear that injury has been done to the flow of religious and of generous feelings by the partial views which some have given on this subject. Men have been urged to give more than their duty required. When the excitement has subsided, anything but pleasure attends their efforts to redeem their pledge. A re-action takes place, and they lose all confidence in the belief that charity confers happiness. The truth never would do this. But, be this as it may, we cannot enjoy the approbation of our own consciences or of God, unless we obey him in every duty. And when, from any cause which we could prevent, we are unable to do our duty, we sin.

The general rule by which our charity is to be regulated is this: "Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God, which he hath given thee." Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by in store, as God hath

prospered him." There is no doubt but that intelligent obedience to this rule would furnish all that is required for charity, and still leave enough in our hands to perform every other duty, and to enjoy every lawful pleasure.

But the amount that a man has to give, and the objects to which he gives, the amount he withholds and the objects he refuses to aid, are questions which he must settle with his conscience and with his Judge. God will determine on the demerit of his giving or withholding. He has said, "He that soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man, according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver."

LUCK AND CHANCE.

OUR present design is to show that Fate, Luck, Chance, Happy Stars, Genius, and the rest of these creatures of pagan mythology, take no part in the administration of God's providence. The developement of the tiniest blade of grass is not left to their agency, nor to any felicitous accident, nor any accidental influence. I wish this truth to lie at the foundation of all your actions and form the basis of your education; so that, in setting out in life, you shall not feel as if sitting down to a game of desperate hazards, where all is to depend upon the caprice of a heathenish fortune, or fate. Let me conjure you to avoid the old hereditary sin of the professedly christian world, and offer no incense to these false deities. Banish the whole brood of these idolatrous con

ceits from your mind, and believe that the God of the Bible is at the helm of all human affairs; a God of order, system, and philosophy. And while you believe this, never, no, never ascribe any success to luck; predicate no expectation upon the blind decisions of chance. I am the more earnest that you should start with right impressions in this matter, as I have witnessed so many cases where this solitary error has drowned young men in sleepy indolence. I have known scores of young men lounging about the streets with their hands in their pockets, waiting for a chance, or an opening, as they generally call it; as if expecting Providence to make an opening through the windows of heaven, to rain down upon them a shower of good luck, as a reward of their listless inactivity.

Will there be an opening for me? is a question which every young man may naturally be inclined to ask. And if it is addressed to the providence of God,