to you, and am,

With the greatest respect,

Your friend and servant,

JONA. M. WAINWRIGHT.

BOSTON, OCTOBER 6, 1835.

SERMON.

PROVERBS, XXII. 9.

"He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his
bread to the poor."

How merciful and gracious is our Heavenly Father in presenting to us his
commandments, united with the promise of ample rewards to those who will
obey them. As the author of our being, the creator and preserver of our
means of existence, and our sources of happiness, he has an unqualified
right to our constant obedience and our best services. Yet he treats us
as if we were in a measure independent of him, and as if our faculties
and possessions were an underived property, for he demands of us no duty
or sacrifice for which he does not offer an abundant remuneration. And
even to the performance of those duties which are in themselves a source
of gratification to the well regulated mind, the inducements are greatly
increased by appendant promises. We might not think it remarkable that
labor and sacrifices, and self-denial, should be encouraged by the hope
of reward; but even the delightful offices of mercy and charity will be
remunerated, and heavenly blessings will hereafter be showered upon the
heads of those who may now be enjoying the luxury of doing good. Surely
I address myself to those who know that there is a pleasure in deeds of
beneficence,--a pleasure the noblest and most delightful of which our
nature is susceptible. And you my brethren, must have had experience of
this sentiment, or vain will be my efforts to unfold to you the subject
that is before me. I appear in behalf of the destitute orphan, and if I
thought I had need to convince you that there is a sweet and abiding
satisfaction in relieving those who are truly objects of charity, I
should be utterly discouraged at the outset. But such is not to be my
ungrateful task; for I see around me those who I doubt not have often
realized the pleasures of beneficence, and have often bestowed their
charities upon the simple impulse of generous feeling. I would now,
however, present to you a more exalted motive to beneficence than its
secret pleasures. I would show you that it is not simply a gratification
you can enjoy, but a solemn duty which you must perform; and therefore
that your charities are not to be governed by momentary impu