ANALYSIS OF THE CONTENTS.

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The cases in which promises are not binding, reviewed,.205

The nature and obligation of vows, considered,.. 213

CHAPTER VI. Observance of Contracts.

The rule which in conscience governs the construction of all contracts

stated,.214

There is a gratifying and instructive coincidence between the rules ofChristian morals, and the rules and doctrines of the law, in regard to con-tracts, .214

The principles of Christian morals are recognised as the standard of therules of law, and every contract, inconsistent with good morals, is against

law and void,.220

This position illustrated by materials drawn from Story’s “ Equity Jurispru-dence ” and u Conflict of Laws,”.220

CHAPTER VII. The Duty of Mutual Assistance.

Christian benevolence much more expansive than the limits of good-will,quoted from Plato and commended by Cicero,.226

Section I. Assistance given in the Way of Advice.

It is only necessary to look into the records of biography, to be convincedhow much good may be done, in this way, to the young, the modest, and

the inexperienced,.227

A striking instance illustrative of this observation, cited,.228

Section II. Assistance given in the Way of our Employments and Professions .

This way of doing good is particularly in the power of legislators, officersin the civil, military, and naval service, lawyers, physicians, clergymen,

&c.,.229

Section III. Assistance given in the Way of Judicious Patronage and Encour -agement.

Many persons, eminently useful and successful in life, have testified, thatthey owed all their success and usefulness to a little timely assistance andencouragement,.231

Several examples given by way of illustration ; among the rest, the case ofDr. Franklin, and a still more remarkable instance related by the AssistantBishop of Virginia,.231

Section IV. Assistance in the Way of Almsgiving.

No duty more frequently or more earnestly insisted on in the New Testa-ment than almsgiving,.233

With two directions given us by our Saviour, we are left to consult ourown reason and experience in regard to the limits of the duty, the propersubjects ofit, the most suitable occasions of its exercise, &c., .... 234

Almsgiving is a practical problem, to wit, to relieve the suffering poor ef-fectually, and, at the same time, not to minister to vice and the increaseof pauperism,.234

Christian almsgiving is among the great topics which have of late years en-gaged the attention of some of the best minds in Europe and in this coun-try, .234