5. _Justice must be always observed_.—“Defraud not,” “owe no man any thing,” are imperative rules. The last rule cannot, from the nature of our general pursuits, and the constitution of society, be always rigidly interpreted; but it should be as closely observed as circumstances will permit; and invariably associated with the former,—to the utter exclusion of every species of fraud. He who risks the property of others in speculation, except with their full concurrence, and perfect understanding of the contingent character of the scheme, can scarcely be called honest; and he who expends on any pretence what is not his own, is guilty of injustice. But we must be just, before we are generous—we cannot be generous, except we are just—for no service can be good, which is not strictly righteous. Reverse the proposition, and it holds equally true—when the claims of justice are met, it becomes instantly an act of justice that we should be liberal. No man, for the sake of appearance, has a right to give beyond his means—and no man can be justified, on the contrary, in withholding so much of assistance from the cause of religion and humanity, as his circumstances will really allow. Justice in principle will decide the duty—and justice in operation will regulate the distribution. As all means are limited, it is alike prudent rightly to measure them, and equitable to select such causes as are most extensively useful in their nature and operations—and such characters as are most deserving of assistance, as the first, although not exclusive, objects of our attention—“For we are to do good unto all men, as we have opportunity—but especially to them who are of the household of faith.”