Page:The religious instruction of the colored population.djvu/16

 Do it because this city is arousing to so many other public improvements. Do it for the glory of it, and with an eye to the recompense of the reward. It is for Christ; for the least, indeed, of His brethren—but it will be noticed at the last day. The money will not be lost to you, but transmuted into the gold of Heaven. Do it because it will be worthy of the Christian dispensation—a carrying out into it glorious completion of that which Christ died to begin. Do it because it will be a fruit of faith and love acceptable to God—a thank-offering for the great mercies of your last revival. You are hard pressed, at present. Yes! but think of the Free Church, how she did most when hardest pressed. Who shall put limits to the power of Christian benevolence in one single church? You are hard pressed! Yes—but think of the Church of Macedonia, how, in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality, and so, to their power, yea, the Apostle bears record, and beyond their power they were willing—nay, even pressing, with their gifts. Ask Flinn and Henry and Ashmead to say what ye shall do! Take counsel of your buried children—your buried parents. Ask the Master how he would have you meet this call, and may He give you grace to give, and may He accept and reward your gifts!