ing, and disposed by inclination, to "teach and com"mand their children, and their houshold after them "to keep the way of the Lord, and to do justice and "judgment"-verifying in their literal sense the words of the text, that "this shall be written for those that "come after, and that the people that shall be born "shall praise the Lord."

Again, I beseech you, be not discouraged. Continue your exertions. The malignant blasts of infidelity may assail, the pernicious blights of enthusiasm may deaden "the branches of this vine which GOD hath "planted." But let us pray God that "the wild boar "out of the wood be restrained from rooting it up,

and the wild beasts of the field from devouring it:” -if it decay through neglect, if it droop through inattention," return, we beseech thee, O God of Hosts, "look down from Heaven, behold and visit this "vine!"

You will allow me, if you are, indeed, solicitous to reform the lives, and improve the principles, of the lower classes of the community by this most benevolent Institution, to suggest to you, that, when you receive the children, who have been the objects of it, into your families, unless you preserve alive in them the spirit of piety, which the practice of the school infused, you yourselves will UNDO by your negligence, what you are endeavoring to effect by your bounty. It is most devoutly to be wished that, as soon as they leave the school, the same regular attendance on divine worship may be, INDISPENSABLY, required-that a part of the Sunday may be INVARIABLY devoted to the reading of such books as will instruct them in Religion, and confirm them in piety-that when they

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are arrived at a proper age, they may be brought to the Holy Sacrament, and habituated to the observance of all the duties of a christian life. There is one thing more which I would most earnestly recommend; without which your bounty will be ineffectual, and their improvement incomplete-assemble your family every evening to worship God; you will then become to these children instructors, guardians, parents; you will then, in a qualified sense, become "preachers of 66 righteousness, a nation of priests."

I will trespass a little longer on your patience whilst I exhort you to contribute to the support of the Sunday-Schools, not merely by acts of charity, but by the exertion of your authority, and the influence of your superintendence.

It may not be improper to observe to you, that this excellent Institution is supported by soliciting, in this place, your charity once in two years. You are here exhorted to contribute, "each according to your

power:" if you have much, it is not doubted, but 66 you will give plenteously; if you have little," it is hoped, that " you will give cheerfully of that little." In this mode of applying for your bounty, the opportunity of being ostentatious is refused. Yet the Institution, surely, will not suffer, because you are not urged by importunity, or impelled by emulation. How much a public charity is benefited by raising the consequence, by flattering the vanity, by alarming the pride of the people solicited, is clear and obvious. Your support is requested from no such motives. What you will give can only be known with certainty to God, and to yourselves. The voice of fame will not proclaim your liberality. I wish you to exercise your VOL. III. Ff charity

charity from a higher principle. I request you to consider that "what you have, you have received," and that you are accountable for the distribution of it. I request you to consider, that your reward in heaven will be in proportion to your charity this day on earth. I beseech you to bear in mind, that seldom has your bounty been supplicated upon an occasion so highly laudable, and so extensively useful, as that which now calls for your attention and your support. It is to contribute your assistance towards the rendering upwards of two hundred children serviceable to the community, happy in themselves, and "heirs of the king"dom of heaven." Such being the cause you ate required to promote, ye will all, I pray God, this day contribute in such a manner, that ye will not be ashamed, when your bounty shall be made manifest, at the day of Judgment.

But it is not only by your liberality that this moSÈ christian institution will flourish. In order to diffuse its influence, and promote its success, permit me to exhort those of you who are in a higher station of life, to give the schools sometimes, if not the sanction of your presence, at least the advantage of your enquiries, Nothing will so effectually maintain order, and enforce regularity. And let no man think so highly of himself as to be above this office of kindness, this instance of condescension. Can he be better employed, more satisfactorily to himself, more acceptably to Iм from whom both riches and distinctions are derived, than in suggesting amendments, in rebuking negligence, in countenancing industry?

To conclude. You are now called upon by your liberality, to impress the rising generation, and its re

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motest posterity, with just principles, sound morals, and true religion. Cast your eyes for a moment on a neighboring nation, and you will be then convinced that I am exhorting you to consult your interest, as much as to discharge your duty. Hear the clamorous voice of the populace demanding slaughter!see their hands stained with blood! A Revolution, even of the gentlest kind, in this kingdom, is, we hope, remote; it is, however, an act of wisdom to restrainthe turbulent passions of the multitude, which can be no way more effectually done, than by the support of this most benevolent Institution, And whilst, at the same time, you are making them peaceable citizens, and honest neighbors, you are preparing them for an admission into a better life, which will continue when "time shall be no "more." Look then upon these children with eyes of compassion; and, as God hath blessed you, impart your blessings unto them. Look upon these children with eyes of compassion; and as it is your privilege to be educated in the profession of Christianity, shew yourselves to be so actuated by its principles, as, by the application of a small part of your incomes, to encourage, and as it were, to beguile them into a concern for their everlasting interest, and to make them "wise "unto Salvation." And remember that you are again to behold them at the judgment seat of Christ. At that tremendous period, when you are each about to enter upon an unalterable state, when others are beset with the helpless whom they have oppressed, and the orphans they have injured, may you be encompassed with these children proclaiming your goodness, and pleading for your acceptance! Amidst their praises of your bounty, and their prayers for your Salvation, may you Ffa

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be welcomed by the Judge of the World with this transporting invitation" enter together with them "into the joy of your Lord!"

That every person here, according as his circumstances enable him to contribute, may, this day by his beneficence, entitle himself to such high approbation of his conduct, and reward of his merit, God of his infinite mercy grant for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

SERMON