t surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved
when thou givest unto him._[3] As the evil eye was descriptive of a
selfish, hard hearted, avaricious temper, so the bountiful eye was meant
to represent the virtues of a humane and generous man. A phrase more
expressive, could not be selected to describe an ardent and enlightened
beneficence. A liberal hand, signifies merely generosity in giving, but
_a bountiful eye_ implies not simply this, but also industry in looking
about for objects of distress, and discrimination in the mode of
relieving them, and tenderness and kind expressions accompanying our
charities. All these are essential features of true christian
beneficence.

1. To give of our money, is perhaps, the very least praise-worthy part,
and certainly the part of easiest performance in the way of charity.
Many there are who yield to the solicitation of an object of distress,
or to an application from the agent of some charitable society merely
that they may escape from painful importunity. Others again, who feel
and acknowledge the obligation of sharing a portion of their wealth with
the poor, are yet glad to appease the monitions of conscience at the
least expense of time and thought. They therefore give freely, but with
too little attention to securing a proper channel for their bounty. The
consequence is that it often runs in waste places, and feeds
intemperance and dishonesty when it might be made to revive and nourish
the hapless victims of an unmerited poverty. He then, who hath _a
bountiful eye_, will not only be _ready to distribute and willing to
communicate_,[4] but will also industriously look about for proper
objects. He will cheerfully yield a portion of his time as well as of
his wealth to the work of charity. Remembering who hath set him the
example of _going about doing good_, he will not remain inactive upon
his station, and _give_ only _to him that asketh_, he will in person
seek out the habitations of distress, or will at least aid with his
counsels and labors some of those benevolent societies, which are now
established in every christian land.[5] I know that the avocations of
business in a mercantile community are oftentimes urgent, and that time
is more valuable than the small contribution by which exemption from
actual labor in the cause of charity may be procured. Still however,
the truly benevolent man will not refuse his personal exertions when he
is convinced they can be servic