Again; a fever-hospital is laid out, from its very foundation, with a view to the accommodation of fever patients: hence, it possesses advantages, which few persons visited with fever, could, in private houses, be able to procure. And thus, the labouring classes, who, in their own apartments must have struggled against a dangerous disease, aggravated by the most unfavourable circumstances, are, on their removal to this institution, surrounded with conveniences and comforts, beyond the reach of their superiors. These are but a few of the particulars, which combine to check the progress of contagion; the rest, I must leave it to your own experience to supply.

One other consideration yet remains. I will briefly state it, and have done. A fever, then, is peculiarly dreadful, when regarded, as Christians cannot but regard it, in the light of eternity. The incapacity for serious recollection, which it brings; the rapidity, with which it advances into delirium, and, from delirium to insensibility, are terrible considerations when the whole lights upon one, who has

lived without God in the world. A slow disease almost forces a man to think; and, if he has not incurably hardened his heart, he turns to religion: a fever leaves neither time nor ability for thought; as the man has lived, so he must die. Is not this,

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also, a Christian motive for zealously supporting a charity, fitted, above all other charities, to avert this last and greatest evil? The life which is thus prolonged, may be, for ever after, improved by contemplation of the crisis, through which it has passed. We know, that dangerous illness has been, to many a man, the date of a happier course. The voice of Providence makes itself be heard, in terms the same with those of our blessed Lord, 66 'Sin no more, lest a thing come upon thee." Who, that has Christian sentiments, would not rejoice to co-operate, in this undeniable provision of the great beneficent scheme? Co-operate then, this day, with all your hearts, and with a liberal portion of your substance, for so shall you "lay up in store for yourselves, a good foundation, against the day of necessity."

worse

Yet,

And who, of all those that are now called to contribute, can question the expediency, of making the case of disease, and of mortality his own? Death, in this peculiarly terrific form, knocks alike at the palace and the cottage. can we say alike? For, is it not universally found, that fever, amidst ease and affluence, is far more generally fatal, than in the lowest ranks? The deeper contrast, and the keener reflections, operating unspeakably against the more opulent

patient. It is, therefore, an awfully impressive work, in which we are, at this moment, engaged: and not to be made by it, more thoughtful, more conscientious, more disposed to obtain that "peace of God, which passeth all understanding," would bespeak an insensibility, not rashly to be imputed. Let us, then, remember death: and let us well weigh that solemn admonition of the prophet,"Break off thy sins, by righteousness; and thine iniquity, by showing mercy to the poor." Such acts, may tend to avert the calamity which they relieve they are appointed by our Lord, as the means of averting malediction from what we possess, "Give alms of thy goods, and behold all things are clean unto you.' Finally, my brethren, such acts will not indeed, take us to heaven, because they do not fit for it: but they may, and they do, tend to bring down that grace of God, which does fit for heaven. For the inference is undeniably plain, from the words of our divine Redeemer, that, "if we are faithful in the unrighteous mammon, we shall be intrusted with the true riches" if we are faithful in the distribution of that wealth, which is only committed to our keeping as a trust, we shall, in the end, be gifted with those holy and happy dispositions, which, to all eternity, shall be immutably

our own.

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DISCOURSE XI. *

PSALM lxxviii. 58.

HE MADE A COVENANT WITH JACOB, AND GAVE ISRAEL A LAW WHICH HE COMMANDED OUR FOREFATHERS TO TEACH THEIR CHILDREN: THAT THEIR POSTERITY MIGHT KNOW IT, AND THE CHILDREN THAT WERE YET UNBORN: TO THE INTENT, THAT, WHEN THEY CAME UP, THEY MIGHT SHOW THEIR CHILDREN THE SAME THAT THEY MIGHT PUT THEIR TRUST IN GOD; AND NOT TO FORGET THE WORKS OF GOD; BUT TO KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS.

FROM the very beginning, it hath pleased Almighty God, to give his creatures full proof and assurance of a revealed religion. This proof and assurance having been afforded, let us suppose, that man had been left to discover, for himself, the best manner of communicating this religion to posterity; and, under these circumstances, we may

* Preached for the Philanthropic Society, London, 1824.

imagine, that he would anxiously revolve in his mind, questions such as these: The will of God has been made known to me; it is intrusted with me as a deposit, for the benefit of others: how shall I impart it to them, not as matter of mere speculative belief, but as the great principle of life and action? How shall I communicate this knowledge, in such a manner, that it shall be instilled, most deeply, into the hearts of individuals, and diffused, most widely, through society at large? How shall I convey to generations yet unborn, all that respects the being, the nature, the providence, the grace of God, with any thing approaching to assurance, that these great truths shall be established, enduringly and for ever, among all the kindreds of the earth?'

To such inquiries, human sagacity, it must be apprehended, could return no very satisfactory reply, But God himself has cleared up all doubts of this kind; and has communicated his own gracious plan, for the accomplishment of these great designs. Religion, in order that it may become lasting and effectual, is ordained, by the Divine appointment, to be hereditary and transmissive. And if parents, from the beginning, had contributed their part, the world would, at this time, present a very different religious aspect, from that which unhappily prevails. That pa