2. _Prosperity_—ought to determine the measure of benevolence. So said the Apostle when he wrote to the Corinthians—“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, _as God hath prospered him_, that there be no gathering when I come. And when I come, whomsoever you shall approve by your letters, him will I send to bring your _liberality_ into Jerusalem.” The personal question is—Has this plain and imperative rule been observed by you individually? Have you rendered unto the Lord, according to the benefits received? Changes have occurred in your circumstances. Some can say, like Jacob, “With my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now I am become two bands.”—The table is spread for them—their “head is anointed with oil”—their “cup runneth over”—Have their grants to the cause of religion corresponded with the bounties of Providence? Oh, if this were the case, it would not be necessary to press the subject of Christian benevolence and of humane consideration so far and so earnestly as we are now compelled to do! There would be a spontaneity of heart springing up with the claim—and the inquiry would be, “What can I do for him, who has done so much for me?”—Let every one within this sanctuary examine his personal deportment, and answer it to his conscience—whether his liberality has kept pace with his prosperity. 3. _Adversity is no absolute bar to generosity_—When that all-seeing eye, to which motives are as discernible as actions, was fixed upon those who brought their gifts to the treasury—a poor widow approached, and cast in two mites, the value of which amounted to one farthing—and the offering received the commendation of Him who is the Lord of property—to whom the silver and the gold belong of right—and when they are consecrated to his service, it is of his own that we take to present to him. “And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: for all those have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.” “Many that were rich, cast in much:” but she _indeed did_ “_what she could_.” What high and deserved praise was that which the Apostle Paul pronounced upon “the churches of Macedonia”!—“that, in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.” “For,” said he, “to their power (I bear record) yea, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves: praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their ownselves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.” When penury and poverty lend their aid to the cause of humanity and religion,