in store as God has prospered him." This
suggestion of the Apostle may probably be adopted a general rule by a
majority of Christians at the present day; and every one should make it
a matter of solemn consideration and earnest prayer whether it is not
his individual duty; for all must conform to it in spirit. But without
maintaining that every one, under whatever circumstances, is required to
lay by something weekly for charitable purposes, the principle here
taught us most unequivocally binds us to great frequency of stated
contributions. From this decision of the Holy Spirit, according, as it
does, with the teachings of reason, there can be no appeal.

5th. _The experience of practical men, as to the best means of acquiring
property, evinces the same principle_. The experience of the world on
this point has been embodied in maxims such as these: "Take care of
your cents, and dollars will take care of themselves;" "Save your
ninepences," &c. Men of wealth have often remarked that they acquired
their property by frequently storing away small sums as they could spare
them. I knew a man lay up several dollars by making it a rule to put
into a bag kept for the purpose, every fifty cent piece that came into
his possession. We have here the development of a principle in
accumulating a fund to meet the contingencies of life. We may apply it
to benevolence, and take men of business and opulence on their own
ground. If this principle will fill one's own treasuries, it will fill
the treasuries of the Lord. Let it then be regarded. I would sound it
in the ears of the million who are delving the earth for gold, and
startle them from their delusive dreams. I would that it might echo and
re-echo till its solemn utterances should make every votary of Mammon
tremble. Hear, ye rich men; give ear, ye who are pursuing the bubbles
of wealth! is it christian, is it right, to adopt principles of prudence
and self-denial in filling your own coffers, while you refuse to act
upon the same principles in replenishing the streams of mercy? No.
Conscience and God answer, No. The perishing heathen, the dying pillow,
the judgment-seat, the wailings of hell, all answer, No.

Then let every one, whether indigent or affluent, frequently lay by in
store sums for charity as God shall prosper him, though they are but
small; and let him do it with the same whole-heartedness, earnestness,
and perseverance, as he would to increase his own