nation is often but giving heed to her treacherous voice, and
ere we are aware, she carries us captive. As we receive our increase
from the hand of God, like faithful stewards, we should set apart the
portion belonging to others without delay. To indulge ourselves by
holding them up before us, and doating upon them as our own, will but
inflame our covetousness; and we shall be tempted to rob the needy of
their portion. This is not hypothesis; facts prove that money is
contributed far more cheerfully when in a loose state than after it
becomes fixed property. This rule, directing frequency of
consecrations, conforming itself to individual circumstances, is
oppressive to none.

But the capital of some makes returns only once a year; of others, only
once in a series of years. To such this rule can be by no means
applicable; for the wants and sufferings of those whom God has made it
our duty to relieve, often demand far more frequent distributions;
while, in a variety of instances, it calls into exercise our benevolence
too rarely to suppress the selfish tendencies of the heart,--a point,
which, in rearing a system of beneficence, may never be overlooked.
Other principles must therefore be noticed.

2d. _Our contributions should be so frequent as will tend to repress
the selfish, and keep alive the benevolent affections_. We should give
so frequently as to impress and nurture the conviction that we were made
not only for ourselves, but for others; and that the noblest use of
property is its distribution to the needy. This conviction it is
difficult to engender, and harder to keep alive, but it is best produced
and quickened to energy by frequently engaging in the duties of charity.
Benevolence, to become strong, must be cultivated; and it is so much of
an exotic in the human breast, that it needs the most earnest and
assiduous care; while selfishness, such is its strength and tenacity of
life, can be deadened and kept in abeyance only by repeated and vigorous
assaults. As a general rule, that system, as to frequency, should be
chosen, which comes most strongly in collision, and wrestles most
powerfully with the selfishness of the heart. Some, I know, would deal
gently with this obnoxious principle; rather humor than goad it; and on
this ground urge the importance of frequent, and, of course, small
contributions, which will scarcely be felt; maintaining that on the
whole a larger amount will be collected. But I w