at the present period, by
the payment of periodical contributions in the Romish church.

Besides, as a general rule must apply to all classes and conditions
indiscriminately, the bestowment of the designated sum would satisfy the
consciences, not only of the poor, but also of the rich, who ought,
unquestionably, to contribute oftentimes far more than one tenth of
their annual increase, or any other proportion which the most generous
philanthropy might appoint; thus both rendering them deaf to
extraordinary calls, and, when the truth, so agonizing to the carnal
heart, that our all belongs to God, is pressed with vital intensity on
the mind, affording a secure retreat to the tortured conscience.

Such an arrangement also would often fail to meet the yearnings of the
Christian heart. The sympathy of the true Christian is as deep and
far-reaching as human suffering. Neither one, nor two, nor three tenths,
would be regarded as sufficient on particular emergencies. Such was the
case with the Macedonians of whom Paul says, "That in a great trial of
affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty abounded
unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, yea, and
beyond their power, they were willing of themselves; praying us with
much entreaty, that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the
fellowship of the ministering to the saints." The Christian king of the
Friendly Islands felt the same burstings of a Christian heart. The
missionary says of him: "He had not often gold or silver to give. But
one time he had obtained ten pounds from the ship for food he had sold.
How much do you think he gave to the missionary society? One pound?
Five pounds? This would have been a great deal. But he did more; he
gave the whole!"

It would not meet the requisitions of the command, "Thou shalt love they
neighbor as thyself." Would an Irish lord, amidst the scenes recently
experienced in his unhappy country, surrounded by hundreds and thousands
of miserable beings, starving, sick, and dying, be justified in view of
this law, by contributing to their relief a bare tenth of his income?
Every noble heart will answer in the negative. These times of agony
demanded far greater sacrifices.

Thus all efforts to fix upon a definite ratio of income or property of
universal obligation, will give constant ground for questions of
casuistry inevitably tending rather to screen the conscience, than to
stimulate to