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THE RELATIVE DUTIES OF MANKIND. [Part III.

But it is proper, that we feel our responsibility, os well hi regardto the evils which may he incidental to it, as to the good whichmay be done by it. We must not, therefore, shrink from thefullest view which can be obtained of these evils. We know,that it has been abused by many to whom it has been extended ;and it is well if we can say, that it has never been abused byourselves, through the want of care and good judgment withwhich we have exercised it. In speaking of its abuses, it is,therefore, to be remembered, that the whole blame of them doesnot fall upon the poor. I would not be unjust to any one, espe-cially to one who is poor. But I am convinced, that a clearknowledge and a faithful avoidance of the evils of an injudiciousbestowment of alms, is essential to Christian almsgiving. Right-ly to understand uses in any case, we must, also, understand whatare tendencies and liabilities to abuses in it. We are to do whatgood we may, in such a manner and under such precautions, as,if possible, to avoid any evils which may be incidental to it.

II. But guided by the facts, arguments, and illustrations justgiven, how are we to perform the important duty of almsgiving insuch a way as to attain the greatest possible good, and avoid theevils which are incidental to it ? This is a grave question, andan attempt will be made to answer it as fully as my limits willpermit.

1. Education of every kind, especially moral and religiouseducation, is the most beneficial of all the modes of almsgiving.This is too plain to require, or even to admit, much illustration.The tendency of knowledge, that is, its ultimate tendency, un-questionably is, to improve the habits of those who acquire it, toelevate and strengthen their principles, and to amend all that con-stitutes their character. Principles and feelings, combined, makeup what is called human character. And that the tendency ofeducation is to amend this character by the influence of knowl-edge, and in proportion to its diffusion, there can be no doubt.Its tendency is to increase habits of reflection, to enlarge themind, and render it more capable of receiving pleasurable impres-sions from, and taking an interest in, other things besides sensualgratification. This process operates likewise on the feelings, andnecessarily tends to improve the character and conduct of the