that meets the eye, whether animate or inanimate, every beast that roams the wilderness, every fish that swims in the caves of ocean, every bird that flies through the arch of heaven, displays the benevolence of God in his handywork. If, from this general survey, we look at man, as a particular object of his workmanship, and examine the wonderful mechanism of his body, in every member, or- gan, limb, bone, and ligament-if we look at the head, hands, and feet—if we view the eye, the ear, or any other part of the frame, and see how exactly each is adapted to the use for which it was designed, and then contemplate the mysterious, complicated, and yet harmonious movements of this curious and nicely-adjusted piece of machinery, how strikingly is exhibited the goodness of the Divine Architect, in so forming and arranging the whole, that all its parts shall conspire to promote the happiness of man! Nor is the goodness of God less displayed in the constitution of the mind than of the body. Look at its powers, and faculties, and capacities, for knowledge and improvement-its understanding, judgment, memory, imagination - its intellectual and moral perceptions of truth and duty-its power to arrange its thoughts; to associate, compare, and combine its ideas; to reason and decide upon the great variety of subjects embraced within its range; to call up the past, to enjoy the present, and anticipate the future-its fears, to warn us of danger; its desires, to excite us to action; and its hopes, to cheer and support us under the various trials of life. Now do not these faculties of the mind, in their design, operation, and wonderful adaptation to the use and purpose intended, bear the bright impress of that divine goodness by which they were bestowed, and manifest the desire of their great Creator for the happiness of the whole rational family? In what way could his benevolence to our race have been exhibited in a more striking form? If we leave man, and turn our eyes to the place of his primeval abode, we shall see equal evidence of the divine goodness, and find equal cause of wonder, at the display of his benignity and kindness. Placed in the midst of Eden, robed in beauty and perfumed with flowers, free from toil and care, disease and death, he walked forth in the dignity of his nature, as the lord of the creation. No thorns sprung up in his path to annoy his footsteps; no clouds darkened his prospects; no disappointment agitated his mind. Under the culture of his hand, the vines flourished and the flowers bloomed. No worm corroded their root. The softest zephyrs played among their branches, and bore away upon their wings the sweetest fragrance. The At morn, the song of birds waked him from his slumbers; at eve, the murmur of brooks lulled him to repose. trees covered him with their shadow, and supplied him with their fruit; while the river, meandering at his feet, slaked his thirst. All without, and all within, was calm and unruffled as the peaceful pool reflecting the image of heaven. Divine Benevolence was written in capitals upon the door of his tent; and the goodness of his Lord was the theme of his morning and his evening hymn. Nor was this goodness confined alone to man. The beasts of the field, delighted with their state, went forth with joy to graze in their pastures, and the flocks rambled with pleasure upon a thousand hills. The irrational animals shared with their lord the bounty and beneficence of their Creator. In praise of his benevolence, the finny tribes leaped from their watery beds. On every side, the feathered songsters of the grove carolled forth anthems to the morning sun, while swarms of happy insects sported in his noontide beams, and gathered their food from the sweetness of every opening flower. The lamb and the lion lay down together under the shadow of the same rock; and the leopard and kid, in mutual embrace, reposed in the same bed. The banner of the Lord waved over a peaceful world, while his goodness shone forth emblazoned upon every fold. Every object in the bright assemblage around him conspired, as one great, harmonious whole, to increase the happiness of man, and proclaim the benevolence of the Creator, who reared up the world about him as the place of his habitation and enjoyment. How powerfully does this exhibition of the Divine benevolence urge us to the practice of that noble charity which delights in the supply of human wants and in the relief of human woes! To the goodness of God may be added the example of the Savior as another motive to the practice of charity. Christ was a true philanthropist. He spent his life in doing good. Wherever he went, this was its object and its end. Clad in' the vestments of celestial humanity, he entered upon his errand of mercy, and began his labors of love. He found himself in the midst of a sorrowing and a suffering world. A wide field for the toils of practical benevolence opened before him. Within its limits stood the poor, the disconsolate, and the wretched, of our race, without any to pity or to help. Here were the deaf and dumb, the sick, the lame, and the blind, with hands stretched out, supplicating in vain for assistance. The picture of grief sat upon their countenance, and the canker of despair corroded the heart. Pity filled his bosom; love melted his soul; the sight awakened all the tender sensibilities of his nature. With an eye beaming with kindness, and a heart overflowing with compassion, he beholds these sons and daughters of affliction, and enters their circle. Nor did he suffer their cries for relief to pass unheeded. His spirit of charity prompted him to action. To do them good-to dispense his kindness to the indigent, and his aid to the victims of suffering-he goes from village to village, and from city to city. Unallured by the splendors of wealth or the trappings of power, he visits the cottages of the poor and the cabins of the afflicted. To alleviate the miseries of the hapless children of misfortuneto bear the cup of consolation to the sons of want and wo -he declined no toils, shunned no hardships, shrunk from no difficulties. In well-doing he was never weary. Wherever he went, mercy attended his footsteps, and the light of benevolence shone about his path. The fame of his charities spread far and wide; thousands, struck with the wonders of his goodness, came to him, as their friend, for instruction and relief. Such was his course of active benevolence, that, wherever he travelled, multitudes gathered around him for the relief of their sorrows and the cure of their maladies. - In the company of his followers were seen, not the rich and the noble- -not the devotees of pleasure and the worshippers of mammon -not the shining courtier or the fawning parasite-but the poor and the sick, the halt and the blind, seeking the assistance of his kindness. Nor did he frown them from his presence; but, delighted to do them good-to cause the lame man to leap, and the heart and tongue of the dumb man to sing for joy—regardless of the opposition of an unfeeling world moved by the smile of contempt, the hiss of derision, or the finger of scorn-he persevered in his course of godlike benevolence. un Nor is this example of the Son of David beyond the reach of imitation. It may be followed by the humblest of our race. What though they can not accomplish all that he accomplished, or all they desire? What though they want power to heal disease, to give feet to the lame, or eyes to the blind? Can they therefore do nothing to |