, the influence will be disastrous; we shall rather
strengthen, than weaken, the covetous tendencies of the heart.

It has appeared to some of vast importance to fix upon a definite amount
of income as each one's yearly contribution. A tenth has been named as
the proportion divinely approved, in imitation of Jacob's vow to give a
tenth to God of all that he should receive at his hand; and because the
Jews were required to pay a tithe of their yearly increase for the
support of the Levites. Arguments have been adduced to show that this
ratio in charity is obligatory on all; at the same time, it has been
acknowledged not to be enjoined in the New Testament. We think,
however, the ground untenable; and all efforts to designate this or any
other fixed proportion as universally binding, both inexpedient and
unscriptural.

In the first place, it would not be equal. An alleged requisition, not
pressing equally upon all in its ordinary operations, cannot rise out of
the necessary relations of the spiritual universe, and therefore is not
essential to a moral government. It can be made obligatory on the
conscience only by a positive precept from the Great Lawgiver himself.
But no ratio of income, universally applicable can be assigned, pressing
equally upon all. While one's income may be large, his debts may
likewise be large. Another's health may be feeble, his family numerous,
and his expenses great; while his neighbor's constitution may be
vigorous, his family small, and his necessary expenditures few. Thus
circumstances may render it a greater sacrifice for some to give a
twentieth, a fiftieth, or even an hundredth of their income, than for
others to bestow one half, or indeed, the whole of it, and thousands
besides.

One's entire possessions must be taken into the calculation. Take a
simple case. Two men start in business together; both plan and toil for
ten years. One has an expensive family, parents to maintain, children
to support and educate; he has been withal unfortunate, and has laid up
scarcely a thousand dollars. The other has no family, has prospered and
accumulated ten thousand. The eleventh year Providence smiles upon both
alike; the income of each is a thousand dollars. Now, would it be equal
to require of both respectively a hundred in charity?

Nor can any ratio of standing property and income combined be
designated, ensuring equality. Though this might approximate towards
equalizing the bur