onsistent character, must be a branch of activity, harmonizing with
other shoots from the common stock. Else, it will be like a verdant
twig on a rotten trunk, growing up amid broken and withered limbs, the
sighing monitors of its own decay.

Some, I know, would advocate a system of beneficent actions without the
heart; others would direct it merely to one or a few favorite objects.
But these are views neither broad nor deep enough. It is grafting
consistency on inconsistency. True benevolence is a spirit of
universality, and hence, of harmony, gushing forth in streams numerous
as our relations. No reason can be assigned why one should contribute
of his property to save the souls of others, while he neglects his own;
or spend his substance for the spiritual benefit of those at a distance,
while he neither puts forth personal efforts, nor manifests a holy
example, to rescue perishing immortals immediately around him. A system
thus partial has a worm at the root; its protecting shadow will be as
transient as Jonah's gourd.

I. _There must be a system of intellectual views, and a harmonizing
train of desires and affections flowing naturally from them_.

I will, therefore, present a series of principles, sentiments, and
obligations, which, by being lodged in the intellect, and quickened by
the Spirit, warm the heart, and awaken appropriate feelings; thus
forming not only the basis, but a constituent part, of an efficient
system of benevolence.

I would premise, however, that these intellectual views may also be
regarded as _inducements to munificence_, and thus to the adoption of an
individual system, fitted to each one's peculiar relations; for they
will thus operate from the nature of the case; the very object of
fastening them systematically in the understanding being, that
penetrating to the heart, and binding themselves on the conscience, they
may lead on to rational activity.

1. We should bear in mind that we were not made for ourselves, but for
the service of God. Let the truth, "Thou art God's," be written with
fire on the heart, as well as its legitimate consequence, that all that
appertains to our being is his;--our strength, our health, our powers of
reason and love, our capacities of acquisition, our property, our time,
our all, so that its thrilling accents, "All that thou hast is God's,"
will ring in our ears at every turn. As Jehovah created us for himself,
has preserved us for himself, and red