to them. Let them become acquainted with the wants, the infirmities, the
troubles, the sorrows of these the poorer members of their families,
united to them by the bonds of christian relationship. The intercourse
will be mutually salutary. It will produce a fuller and healthier
developement of the christian character than can be brought out where
the ranks in life are kept in a state of separation by the stern
despotism of artificial distinctions, where there are no opportunities
of passing from one to the other the softening influence of sympathizing
feelings, and where on the one side pride, luxury and selfishness are
nurtured, and on the other, envy, hatred and discontent. Were the custom
I recommend universally adopted amongst a christian people, would not
extreme distress from poverty be almost banished from amongst us? Should
we ever be called to endure the pain of beholding destitute and
miserable persons, except where incurable vice had made them such?

3. Would not this custom also bring into more general practice the other
characteristic I mentioned of him who hath _a bountiful eye_,--giving
his charities with benevolent feelings and kind looks? We should ever
remember, my brethren, that poverty, though it may clothe a person with
rags, does not always kill the sensibilities of the heart. The poor are
of like passions with ourselves, they like ourselves, can feel the sting
of unkind words, and the cruel piercings of an evil eye. If we are
satisfied upon any occasion that duty to the general interests of
society requires of us to reject their petitions, let it never be with a
scornful countenance or angry words. Let our rebukes, if they are
needed, be tempered with mild expressions--they will be felt with
tenfold power. And when we feel called upon to relieve one who asks for
charity, let us not do it as though our alms were extorted. There are
those who in performing an act of kindness, yet do it so ungraciously,
that it is felt to be no kindness. And there are on the other hand
those, who in giving a refusal, yet give it without causing
pain--sometimes even they communicate pleasure by showing sympathy where
they cannot administer relief. The phrase in my text expresses admirably
the influence of such amiable conduct. It is the eye that speaks cruel
sentiments more powerfully than the tongue, and it is the eye also that
reveals the movements of a noble and generous sympathy. The _bountiful
eye_ then, is the e