In _particular_, local claims demand to be first satisfied. The man has a duty which he owes to himself—and it is not demanded that he should lose sight of this, in pursuit of the interest of others. How delicately the Apostle states this: “And herein I give my advice”—no authoritative command—no usurpation over the right of private judgment—and with what consideration! “For I mean not that other men be eased and you burdened: but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want—that there may be an equality. As it is written, he that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little, had no lack.”—What an argument!—The giver may hereafter stand in need of the gift—and he shall meet with reciprocal liberality.—The divine Providence furnishes all the supply; and sheds a correspondent blessing upon enlargement of heart—It equalizes human affairs now, above our present perception—and strikes the eternal balance at last. The man has a duty which he owes to his neighbourhood. On the plea of sending the gospel abroad, he has no right to neglect it at home—and to see British heathens perishing at his feet, unmoved. On pretence of spreading it over the dark villages of his country, he has no authority for abandoning his own church, and his own minister. He who is “higher than the highest”—the Judge of hearts—and the Lord of property—will another day say to the man who has speculated upon general interests and overlooked such as are personal—“These things ye ought to have done—and not to have left the other undone.” The bounds of our habitation are assigned by the divine Providence; and they clearly mark out the first and most pressing sphere of operation; while they are sufficiently wide to afford ample scope for beneficence, without restraining a benevolent regard to objects more remote, but not less interesting. It is evident that the man must decide for himself, amidst this variety of claims—that he is bound to decide promptly, for immortal spirits are perishing while he is hesitating—equitably, for the tribunal stands at the end of his course—and that only general rules can be laid down for his guidance. To these we now proceed—What is our duty in respect of these different claims individually? in other words: