Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Sermon,
ofmutual dependency , God hath plainly constituted them the guardians and protectors of each other ' s welfare , and made their own sympathetic feelings , and conscious expectations , the rule and measure of their mutual dealings . Of Sympathy , indeed , all men are not equally susceptible . They who have a lively imagination and keen feelings are most apt to confess its . But it isin a degreeto be attained bthose of a
energy , , y different description . Habits of attention ; the study of the works of nature ; experience or the contemplation of adversity , and the love of virtue and of mankind , tend greatly to cherish it . Or , should these means fail ; should the view of the miseries of others not be able to excite sympathetic compassion ; yet , the apprehension of our own must infuse into the most obdurate breast a quick sense of the
condition of human nature , and dispose it to the exercise of compassionate and diffusive charity . When miserable objects of any kind present themseh'es to us , or are recommended to our notice or commiseration , methinks it Avould be hardly possible for us to be unaffected by their distresses , did Ave properly reflect on the Avretched and helpless state in Avhich we were
introduced into the world , or consider IIOAV soon we mig ht be reduted to it again . The due consideration of the level to which high and low , rich and poor , one with another , shall be reduced in a future state , is enough to annihilate all adventitious distinctions of rank and fortune . It is , at least , more than sufficient to check the insolence of human vanityand possess the mind with benevolent and tender sensations ;
, since the proudest son of prosperity , who to-day , regardless of the wretchedness of his indigent neighbours , plumes himself on the splendor ofhis condition , and the apparent stability of his eminence , may the next , by the inexplicable vicissitudes of all human affairs , find himself an object of that charitable attention , which , alas ! heso recently denied to others .
Would we but contemplate and reflect on the daily providence of the all-wise and good Creator towards us , we cannot but be sensible of the obligations we are under to assist mankind in general , but particularly that part of them Avhose distressed situation more immediately claims our attention . The benevolent man , Avho derives his chief
pleasure from affording relief to the distresses of his rellow-creatures , enjoys more real satisfaction in one charitable deed , than the luxuriant sensualist finds in all his pride , pomp , and extravagance . And the wretched ( yet fortunate ) object of his charity , while he experiences eveiy mark of kindness from , and is snatched out of ruin and disgrace by those to whose liberality he thought he had no pretensions , is wrapt in ious astonishment at the goodness and providence of that God
p who has thus so miraculously raised for him friends in his distress . Bring before your imagination a hapless , helpless , distressed family , labouring under all the complicated miseries and destruction of poverty and woe . At this critical moment , when their distresses have reduced them to their last mite ; and when—hardly able to struggle longer under this dreadful conflict , Death-is rendered a welcome guest ;
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Sermon,
ofmutual dependency , God hath plainly constituted them the guardians and protectors of each other ' s welfare , and made their own sympathetic feelings , and conscious expectations , the rule and measure of their mutual dealings . Of Sympathy , indeed , all men are not equally susceptible . They who have a lively imagination and keen feelings are most apt to confess its . But it isin a degreeto be attained bthose of a
energy , , y different description . Habits of attention ; the study of the works of nature ; experience or the contemplation of adversity , and the love of virtue and of mankind , tend greatly to cherish it . Or , should these means fail ; should the view of the miseries of others not be able to excite sympathetic compassion ; yet , the apprehension of our own must infuse into the most obdurate breast a quick sense of the
condition of human nature , and dispose it to the exercise of compassionate and diffusive charity . When miserable objects of any kind present themseh'es to us , or are recommended to our notice or commiseration , methinks it Avould be hardly possible for us to be unaffected by their distresses , did Ave properly reflect on the Avretched and helpless state in Avhich we were
introduced into the world , or consider IIOAV soon we mig ht be reduted to it again . The due consideration of the level to which high and low , rich and poor , one with another , shall be reduced in a future state , is enough to annihilate all adventitious distinctions of rank and fortune . It is , at least , more than sufficient to check the insolence of human vanityand possess the mind with benevolent and tender sensations ;
, since the proudest son of prosperity , who to-day , regardless of the wretchedness of his indigent neighbours , plumes himself on the splendor ofhis condition , and the apparent stability of his eminence , may the next , by the inexplicable vicissitudes of all human affairs , find himself an object of that charitable attention , which , alas ! heso recently denied to others .
Would we but contemplate and reflect on the daily providence of the all-wise and good Creator towards us , we cannot but be sensible of the obligations we are under to assist mankind in general , but particularly that part of them Avhose distressed situation more immediately claims our attention . The benevolent man , Avho derives his chief
pleasure from affording relief to the distresses of his rellow-creatures , enjoys more real satisfaction in one charitable deed , than the luxuriant sensualist finds in all his pride , pomp , and extravagance . And the wretched ( yet fortunate ) object of his charity , while he experiences eveiy mark of kindness from , and is snatched out of ruin and disgrace by those to whose liberality he thought he had no pretensions , is wrapt in ious astonishment at the goodness and providence of that God
p who has thus so miraculously raised for him friends in his distress . Bring before your imagination a hapless , helpless , distressed family , labouring under all the complicated miseries and destruction of poverty and woe . At this critical moment , when their distresses have reduced them to their last mite ; and when—hardly able to struggle longer under this dreadful conflict , Death-is rendered a welcome guest ;