the next visit you may enquire, What they have read ;what they remember;-and what they understand. And then will be the time to enforce what they understand, and if possible, impress it on their hearts. Be sure to conclude every meeting with prayer. If you cannot yet pray without a form, you may use some of those composed by Mr. Spinkes, or any other pious writer. But the sooner you break through this backwardness, the better. Ask of God, and he will open your mouth. 6. Together with the more important lessons, which you endeavour to teach all the poor whom you visit, it would be a deed of charity to teach them two things more, which they are generally little acquainted with industry and cleanliness. It was said by a pious man, Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Indeed the want of it is a scandal to all religion; causing the way of truth to be evil spoken of. And without industry we are neither fit for this world, nor for the world to come. With regard to both, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." III. 1. The third point to be considered is, By whom is this duty to be performed? The answer is ready, By all that desire to inherit the kingdom of their Father, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world. For thus saith the Lord, Come, ye blessed :-inherit the kingdom: for I was sick, and ye visited me. And to those on the left hand, Depart, ye cursed; for I was sick, and ye visited me not. Does not this plainly imply, that as all who do this, are "blessed,” and shall "inherit the kingdom :" so all who do it not, are "cursed," and shall" depart into everlasting fire." 2. All, therefore, who desire to escape everlasting fire, and to inherit the everlasting kingdom, are equally concerned, according to their power, to practise this important duty. It is equally incumbent on young and old, rich and poor, men and women, according to their ability. None are so young, if they desire to save their own souls, as to be excused from assisting their neighbours. None are so poor, (unless they want the necessaries of life,) but they + are called to do something more or less, at whatever time they can spare, for the relief and comfort of their afflicted fellow-sufferers. 3. But those "who are rich in this world," who have more than the conveniences of life, are peculiarly called of God to this blessed work, and pointed out to it by his gracious Providence. As you are not under a necessity of working for your bread, you have your time at your own disposal. You may, therefore, allot some part of it every day for this labour of love. If it be practicable, it is far best to have a fixed hour, (for any time, we say, is no time,) and not to employ that time in any other business, without urgent necessity. You have likewise a peculiar advantage over many, by your station in life. Being superior in rank to them, you have the more influence on that very account. Your inferiors, of course, look up to you with a kind of reverence. And the condescension which you shew in visiting them, gives them a prejudice in your favour, which inclines them to hear you with attention, and willingly receive what you say. Improve this prejudice to the uttermost for the benefit of their souls, as well as their bodies. While you are eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame, a husband to the widow, and a father to the fatherless, see that you still keep a higher end in view, even the saving of souls from death, and that you labour to make all you say and do, subservient to that great end. 4. "But have the Poor themselves any part or lot in this matter? Are they any way concerned in visiting the sick? What can they give to others, who have hardly the conveniences, or perhaps necessaries of life for themselves?" If they have not, yet they need not be wholly excluded from the blessing which attends the practice of this duty. Even those may remember that excellent rule, "Let our conveniences give way to our neighbour's necessities; and our necessities give way to our neighbour's extremities." And few are so poor, as not to be able sometimes to give two mites: but if they are not, if they have no money to give, may they not give what is of more value? Yea, of more value than thousands of gold and silver? If you speak " in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth," may not the words you speak, be health to the soul, and marrow to the bones? Can you give them nothing? Nay, in administering to them the grace of God, you give them more than all this world is worth! Go on, go on, thou poor disciple of a poor Master! Do as he did in the days of his flesh, Whenever thou hast an opportunity, go about doing good, and healing all that are oppressed of the devil: encouraging them to shake off his chains, and flee immediately to him, "Who sets the prisoners free, and breaks Above all, give them your prayers. Pray with them: pray for them. And who knows but you may save their souls alive? 5. You that are old, whose feet are ready to stumble upon the dark mountains, may not you do a little more good, before you go hence and are no more seen? O remember, ""Tis time to live, if you grow old: Of little life the best to make, And manage wisely the last stake!" As you have lived many years, it may be hoped you have attained such knowledge as may be of use to others. You have certainly more knowledge of men, which is commonly learned by dear-bought experience. With what strength you have left, employ the few moments you have to spare, in ministering to those who are weaker than yourselves. Your grey hairs will not fail to give you authority, and add weight to what you speak. You may frequently urge, to increase their attention, "Believe me, youth; for I am read in cares, And groan beneath the weight of more than threescore years." You have frequently been a sufferer yourself; perhaps are so still. So much the more give them all the assistance you can, both with regard to their souls and bodies, before they and you go to the place whence you will not return. 6. On the other hand, you that are young have several advantages that are almost peculiar to yourselves. You have generally a flow of spirits, and a liveliness of temper, which, by the grace of God, make you willing to undertake, and capable of performing many good works, at which others would be discouraged. And you have your health and strength of body, whereby you are eminently qualified, to assist the sick and those that have no strength. You are able to take up and carry the crosses, which may be expected to lie in the way. Employ then your whole vigour of body and mind, in ministering to your afflicted brethren. And bless God that you have them to employ in so honourable a service: like those heavenly servants of his that do his pleasure, by continually ministering to the heirs of salvation. 66 But may not women as well as men, bear a part in this honourable service?" Undoubtedly they may nay, they ought: it is their meet, right, and their bounden duty. Herein there is no difference: "there is neither male nor female in Christ Jesus." Indeed it has long passed for a maxim with many, that "women are only to be seen; not heard." And accordingly many of them are brought up in such a manner, as if they were only designed for agreeable play-things! But is this doing honour to the sex? Or is it a real kindness to them? No; it is the deepest unkindness: it is horrid cruelty: it is mere Turkish barbarity. And I know not how any woman of sense and spirit can submit to it. Let all you that have it in your power assert the right, which the God of nature has given you. Yield not to that vile bondage any longer. You, as well as men, are rational creatures. You, like them, were made in the image of God: you are equally candidates for immortality. You too are called of God, as you have time, to "do good unto all men." Be "not disobedient to the heavenly calling." Whenever you have opportunity, do all the good you can, particularly to your poor sick neigh bours. And every one of you likewise, "shall receive your own reward according to your own labour." 8. It is well known, that in the Primitive Church, there were women particularly appointed for this work. Indeed there was one or more such in every Christian congregation under heaven. They were then termed Deaconesses, that is, Servants: servants of the Church and of its great Master. Such was Phebe, (mentioned by St. Paul, Rom. xvi. 1,) "a Deaconess of the Church of Cenchrea." It is true, most of these were women in years, and well experienced in the work of God. But were the young wholly excluded from that service? No: neither need they be, provided they know in whom they have believed, and show that they are holy of heart, by being holy in all manner of conversation. Such a Deaconess, if she answered her picture, was Mr. Law's Miranda. Would any one object to her visiting and relieving the sick and poor, because she was a woman? Nay, and a young one too? you that are young desire to tread in her steps? a pleasing form? An agreeable address? So better, if you are wholly devoted to God. these, if your eye be single, to make your words strike the deeper. And while you minister to others, how many blessings may redound into your own bosom! Hereby your natural levity may be destroyed, your fondness for trifles cured, your wrong tempers corrected, your evil habits weakened, until they are rooted out. And you will be prepared to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, in every future scene of life; only be very wary, if you visit or converse with those of the other sex, lest your affections be entangled, on one side or the other, and so you find a curse instead of a blessing. Do any of Have you much the He will use 9. Seeing then this is a duty to which we are called, rich and poor, young and old, male and female; (and it would be well if parents would train up their children herein, as well as in saying their prayers and going to Church:) let the time past suffice that almost all of us have neglected it, as by general consent. O what need has every one of us to |