wealth; and rarely
will he be unable to relieve the cries of misery. He will have no
occasion to offer the excuse, "I have no change." He will have dollars
in store. The history of benevolence proves this. I have know a
sabbath-school class, by each member's giving 10, 15, or 25 cents a
month, contribute an amount during the year, which previously they would
have thought impossible to raise. This is only one instance among a
thousand. Let the principle be acted upon; a trial is easy. Scriptures
and reason cannot both be wrong.

But how shall these frequent contributions be made by those whose
capital yields returns only at long intervals? According to the
proverb, "Where there's a will, there's a way"--it can be either
actually or virtually done.

1st. By saving expenses. Water, running into a vessel no faster at a
given orifice than it flows out at another, will retain a constant
level; and if with the same influx we would have it issue at a higher
orifice, we have only to stop or lessen the lower one. Thus, if we
would have our possessions rise to the _giving point_, we have only to
stop the leakage--check expenses. This hint may be of service to the
poor, and not inappropriate to the rich. Many expend their ready money
as rapidly as they receive it; making their calculations to do so; and
thus, during the interval between one return of capital and another,
plead their inability to meet the frequent calls of benevolence. But is
this a valid excuse? Could they not be met by sacrificing some social
pleasure, some luxury in drink, in food, in dress, in furniture, in
display? or by foregoing some convenience, the expense of which is
equivalent to the pledged sum? Vast multitudes are deprived of these
luxuries, and even of what we deem necessaries, during their whole
lives; and cannot we forego the gratification of them occasionally,
that we may thereby relieve the suffering, or save the deathless soul?
True, this will require self-denial; but has not God demanded of us
self-denial? Dare any one offer this as an excuse?

2. Every on engaged in regular business knows, or ought to know, what,
taking one year with another, have been the annual proceeds of his labor
or investment. Now, on the supposition that the Lord will prosper him
as heretofore, he can form some reasonable estimate of the amount,
(extraordinaries excepted) which he ought to contribute to charitable
purposes weekly or monthly during t