o be
used as he should direct.

Indeed, the process necessarily gone through in determining, from
general principles, the particular amount it becomes our duty
individually to bestow in charity, Christ evidently intended should be a
means of _moral discipline_, which we cannot safely dispense with. Its
influence, though not generally realized, is far-reaching, almost
magical. It strengthens the intellect, elevates to a noble independence
and disinterestedness of feeling, gives stability to character and
energy to purpose, leading on to thoroughness of self-inspection,
earnestness of investigation as to the personal claims of God, and
childlike simplicity in submitting to their authority. Just glance at
its workings in the present instance. As Christ has told us, in order
to know his doctrine we must do his will, so in order to ascertain the
exact sum we are to contribute in benevolence, we must cherish a heart
in sympathy with his own. Holy love must perpetually glow in our
bosoms; otherwise, we shall sometimes fail in the correctness of our
conclusions. Thus the first impulse of benevolent feelings puts us in
the way to increase them; for every desire to give must be attended with
a scrutinizing estimate of our motives, and a constant struggle with
selfishness, lest the latter gain the ascendency, and mar the beauty of
the deed. The legitimate result of the process, therefore, is a deep
and watchful piety; while the works of beneficence, thus determined,
never degenerate into superstition or self-righteousness; and its
obligations will seize at once and unrelaxingly the conscience of all.

The conclusion, therefore, at which we arrive touching the amount of our
charities is this: it should be such as our means, a distinct knowledge
of the wants of others, and a heart of overflowing love, shall
prescribe; leaving each one to his own solemn convictions of duty,
amenable to the bar of God.

But it may be objected, if beneficence is thus left without the
specification of some stated amount, selfish, or but partially
sanctified men, will not give as liberally as they ought. Perhaps they
will not. But all we can so is to press on their attention the commands
of Jehovah, and the claims of a dying world--claims, as strong and
affecting as those which brought the Saviour from the throne to the
cross; and telling them what the Apostle, enforcing also sparingly; "and
he who soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifu