to himself; and is thereby borne
away on the maddening torrent of self-gratification. There must be a
counter-current; billow must battle with billow. The antagonist
principle demanded is benevolence; and antagonist principles, coming in
collision, must press with equal force, or one gradually gaining upon
the other, will eventually secure the victory. The combatant, who is
for a moment off his guard, or ceases to struggle, falls. As
selfishness is always awake, benevolence must never slumber. The latter
must be as spirited and persevering as the former. Hence, benevolence
must be systematic in its operations, or it will be overborne by the
ever-stirring energies of its opponent. Its series of acts must be as
continuous and energetic as that of selfishness, in order simply to
arrest the course of the latter; and to make advances against its
headlong current, a strong additional force is requisite. A system,
therefore, one founded in the depths of the soul, and bringing to its
aid all the resources of reason and conscience, is indispensable to
efficiency in the angelic work of doing good. System must be emblazoned
on the banner of every benevolent society; and inscribed on the brow of
every man by nature selfish, would he bless the world by his
munificence.

Especially is system necessary to encounter emergencies. Men of
business not unfrequently meet with crises when their affairs are in a
critical state. Numerous calls for money may come thronging in upon
them almost simultaneously. Their nerves may become depressed, and
things may appear darker than they really are. Besides, Christians even
may become worldly-minded, and their religious affections low. At such
times benevolence will almost surely be submerged by the whelming tide
of selfishness, unless buoyed up by well-established system.

V. _From experience, which shows the inefficiency of impulsive
benevolence_. That liberality is sometimes the offspring of the kindly
tendencies of our natures, is readily admitted. God, in making us
social beings and helpers of each other's joy, gave us susceptibilities
to sympathetic emotions. When objects of suffering are presented before
us, our sensibilities are moved, tears flow, and the hand is extended in
relief. But these emotions are short-lived. The exciting object being
removed, they soon expire. And though thousands have flowed into the
treasuries of charity from this source, when an accomplished