To Mr. J——

A stumbling block. — “One hundred dollars instead of six” — The wealthy father and his two sons — Jacob’s vow — Large income for the Lord’s treasury — A broken vow — Obstacle to religious prosperity — Tests of fidelity — David’s view of liberality — Systematic mode of giving — The tenth devoted — “Giveth and yet increascth” — Missionaries.

Dear Brother J. It is because some seem

to practice on the principle that they may be wholly the Lord’s, and yet not exhibit the fruits of holiness in relation to giving, that the good way has

Worth $ 100,000. Gives $100. Two Sons spoiled.

often been evil spoken of. The eye of my mind is now resting on one who is said to be worth about $100,000. The amount he expends in benevolent operations does not probably exceed $100 per ami.; whereas, if he should but give the tenth, as was required under the Jewish dispensation, he would put at least $600 into the Lord’s treasury yearly. But why should 2i follower of Christ, ‘^ who, though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich” — why should such a one wish to hold so large an amount of his Lord’s goods in his hands, while souls, for whom his Saviour died, are perishing in ignorance

and want? I can assure you, brother J, I

would not be willing that my Lord should come and find me with so much of his goods hoarded up. I was acquainted with two individuals, professors, of very dissimilar character, who have both gone to their account. The first died probably worth about 80 or $100,000, leaving his property to two unconverted sons, one of whom soon disposed of his portion by careless expenditures, making it of little account either to himself or others. His brother concluded that it were better not to risk his share in the chances of business, and consequently hoards it up, and is leading a life of idleness. Thus, what might have been expended by the father in laying up treasure in heaven, by spreading the light of the glorious gospel, is being

Who would die rich? The Vow. $60 for $1.

spent by these sons, (who were spoiled by youthful mdulgences,) in that which has been telling only to their hurt. In view of the reckonings of eternity, when such fathers shall be called to render an account of their stewardship, does it look desirable to die rich?

The case of the other friend differs widely. He commenced his business career with a solemn resolve to acknowledge God in all his ways. With the patriarch Jacob, he took upon himself a solemn vow,” Of all that thou shall give me, I will surely give the tenth tinio thee.’’ He also resolved, that he would never be what the world might term a rich man. Though at first he was often in straits, yet he had much to assure him that his vow was not unrecognized by God. He once related to me the following: —

“Calling one morning, as he went to his office, on a poor member of Christ’s family, he found her unexpectedly destitute. He had but one dollar in his pocket, and he hesitated whether he could with propriety give it, but believing that she needed it more than himself, he gave it. During that day he made sixty dollars, and so sure vras he that God had rendered him sixtyfold, that the enemy urged upon him afterward the singular temptation, that it would seem like bribing God to restore unto him sixtyfold, should he still persist in calling on the poor before engaging in the business of the

Thousands a Year for God. A Broken Vow.

day. During some portions of his life lie was so greatly prospered of God, that, in fulfillment of his vow, he was enabled to put into the Lord’s treasury several thousands yearly. He on one occasion related to me the case of a yOung friend, a member of his Bible class, who, by his advice, was induced to take upon himself the same sacred vow. This friend, at the time of his engagement, had a mother and sister under his care, and was receiving a salary of about $300. He devoted the tenth, and was enabled to live comfortably. The next year his salary was raised to $500. He still adhered to his vow, and abounded, of course, in yet greater comforts at home. His employers continued to increase his salary, until it amounted to $1200* per annum. He had for some time been uneasy from the idea that he was giving too much — more than persons, in his circumstances, generally gave, &c. Mentioning this to his friend and adviser, he observed, that he thought he ought to lay up more, as his mother was getting old. At last he yielded to the tempter, and actually ceased to perform his vow. He soon made” shipwreck of

faith and a good conscience.” Mr. continued

faithfully to render unto the Lord according to his ability, until called to give an account of his stewardship.

I am sure that the day of eternity will reveal much sin lying fit the door of the church on ac-Leanness, How God could feed the Poor. David’s Tvemark.

count of her deficiencies in giving. If men could behold the causes of spiritual leanness as God sees them, they would doubtless discover in this sin of covetousness the chief obstacle to the religious prosperity of thousands. “He that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly.” “God loveth the cheerful givGr;” The Dispenser of all good could say, Be ye warmed and be ye clothed, to every destitute beinq; throuorhout the world, or could feed them by the hand of angels, as Elijah was fed, if it were not to test the fidelity of those to whom he has intrusted a sufficiency to meet this object. In like manner might every benevolent operation of the day, for the diffusion of light and truth, be sustained by means and influences wholly supernatural, if it were not that our gracious Lord has desiofned that we be workers too-ether with him. But surely the ability to give ought to make us humble. With David we might say, “Who am I, and what is my people, that Ave should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.”” David apprehends a principle of giving which is not enough thought of, in the words, Shall I sacrifice that which” doth cost me nothing V

I knew a husband and wife who commenced life with good ordinary prospects. They had not fixed their calculations on being rich. When objects of benevolence presented, they generally gave

A Husband and Wife. The Tenth. A Full Treasury.

in about an equal measm-e with the ciixle in ’ “which they moved, which was often composed of persons of much larger means than themselves. They, perhaps, never really thought that they gave too much. Still, when in the act of giving, the luxury of doing good might at times have been a little lessened by the thought, “Can I do this, and yet be just toward all men?”

One day the wife said, “Husband, let us have some systematic mode of gi^ng. Suppose we fix on the tenth.” “I think we give more than that now,” he replied. “But everything,” said the wife,” with which our heavenly Father has to do, is systematical; such beautiful order and symmetry pervade all his works, that we may well believe

‘Order is heaven’s first law.’

and we can easily give more afterward if needful;” and a conclusion was made that the tenth should be sacredly devoted. The result was, that they immediately found that the Lord’s treasury was more fully replenished. Not a reasonable demand, when, as faithful stewards, they had a right to believe they ought to give, but could be in a moment met: not from their oion treasuiy — no, it was only for them to dart a prayer to heaven, and say, “My heavenly Father, does this object meet thme approval?” and all was at once settled. A fact in connection wdth this mode of giving should be stated. Though they gave more than formerly.

“Scattereth, yet increascth.” “Why not give all T” The Missionary.

yet their means increased, so that they soon became possessed of a competency sufficient to meet ordinary emergencies. But they still maintained their former views relative to laying up treasures on earth. I have heard them say,” We never intend to be rlch’^ If so, should they continue to prosper, I think it may not be long before they will be able to devote a fifth, and so on, until the whole be offered up to God. And why should not tradesmen, merchants, or professional men, as assiduously endeavor to prosecute a business with an intention of devoting its proceeds wholly toward promoting the interests of the Redeemer? I wonder why the Christian world does not furnish more examples of this kind. I have heard that such may be found who are thus manifesting their devotedness to Christ. Yet, do even such exhibit as much devotedness as the missionary, who not only sacrifices all his time, but often also health, friends, and all the dear delights of ripe society?

In love, &c.

The Great Theme. Something Wonderful.