382 DUTIES PECULIARLY CHRISTIAN. [Part VI.

divisions. I. The chief particulars in which this duty consists.II. The chief cases in which it is violated. III. The limita-tions and qualifications applicable to the subject, and useful toguard against misunderstanding.

I. Christian charity consists of several particulars.

1. It requires a conscientious regard to the temporal wantsand interests of mankind. That branch of Christian charity,however, which consists in pecuniary relief administered to thepoor, and which is appropriately called almsgiving, has been sofully discussed, that it will not be enlarged upon in this connex-ion.* The temporal welfare and interests of mankind consistnot merely, nor principally, in the pecuniary acquisitions withwhich their industry and skill may be rewarded, but much more,and in a much higher sense, in their intellectual and moral cul-ture, in the enlargement of their knowledge, the preservation oftheir health, in the habits which they acquire, and in personalcomfort and improvement of every kind. Charity requires usto wish well to others, in all these respects, and to contribute totheir attainment, as occasion and opportunity are presented. Inthese ways, and in reference to these objects, we may often beof the most essential service to others, without any disservice oreven inconvenience to ourselves.

A single suggestion or remark thrown out, in the course ofconversation, by a person thoroughly intent on being useful toothers, in regard to health, moral habits, education, or the cul-ture of the understanding, has sometimes proved to be ultimatelyof more value, than the bestowing of thousands of gold and silver.How much do they contribute to the temporal welfare, and in-terests of mankind, who are instrumental in establishing institu-tions to promote education and good moral habits in the commu-nity to which they belong ? It is not extravagant to say, thatthose who originated, and have urged onward, the temperancereformation in this country, influenced by that charity, whichdoes not selfishly seek her own, have contributed to the highesttemporal welfare (to omit all mention of their eternal interests)of hundreds of thousands of their countrymen thus far ; and, if they

* See above, pp. 233 - 255.