GAL. vi. 10.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, eſpecially unto them which are of the Houſhold of Faith.
TO do good, as we have opportunity, and according to our reſpective abilities, is a duty clearly pointed out by NATURE, and repeatedly commanded in the more expreſs language of REVELATION.
EVERY man's own particular frame— his innumerable wants of aſſiſtance from others—his ſituation as a member of ſociety—and the tendency of this practice to improve and dignify the Agent; are natural proofs of our obligation to perform kind and beneficent actions, or, in the words of my text, to do good unto all men.
SUCH are the nature and frame of man, that what is moſt worthy of the name of Happineſs is found, by experience, to be utterly inconſiſtent with an unfeeling ſelfiſhneſs. He that confines his aims and proſpects to his own private intereſt, is a ſtranger to, and doth not intermeddle with,
the moſt ſubſtantial and cordial ſatisfaction, which this life affords. There is a generous, noble and exquiſite pleaſure, experienced by the friendly and benevolent, which is incomparably ſuperior to what a perſon of his character has ever felt, or can feel. As therefore the Author of our nature has annexed a much greater degree of happineſs to the exerciſe of the benevolent, than of the ſelfiſh, Affections; it is evidently his will and intention, which are the foundation of all moral obligation, that every human creature ſhould, as opportunity offers, perform acts of kindneſs and beneficence.
THE innumerable wants of aſſiſtance from others, which we conſtantly experience, are alſo a manifeſt indication of the ſame intention. No man, for any conſiderable time, in the preſent ſtate of the world, can even ſupport life, by his own endeavors. Not a ſingle day paſſes, from his firſt entrance upon this ſtage of exiſtence until he makes his final exit, in which a man would not be miſerable, were it not for the labor and aſſiſtance of other peopleSee this point well illuſtrated by Mr. WOLLASTON, in his Religion of Nature delincated. Sect. vii.. If he is poſſeſſed of riches, for which he is always chiefly
beholden to others; he muſt know that bare riches—that ſilver and gold, how much ſoever ſome men may place their hope and confidence in them, will neither feed nor cloath him. They are in reality no otherwiſe uſeful to him, than as they may be exchanged, for what will immediately anſwer his neceſſities and wants. If he has bread enough and to ſpare; yet he finds that, in the literal ſenſe of the expreſſion, man doth not live by bread alone; but that other things are as neceſſary as his daily food. The ſame obſervation might be extended to all the different circumſtances of life. No ſituation can be aſſigned, in which a man does not frequently want aſſiſtance, nor any in which he is not, in his turn, capable of giving aſſiſtance to others that want it, in ſome form or other. But if he refuſes to give aſſiſtance, he has no right to demand it; the claim being mutual and conditional. This farther ſhews it to be the deſign of Divine Providence, in placing him in ſuch a ſtate, that he ſhould be aſſiſting to others; or, that he ſhould do good to them, as he has opportunity, and as caſes may require.
THIS obligation will appear in a light that is ſtill more ſtriking, if we conſider ourſelves as members of ſociety. All the individuals belonging to the human ſpecies, however diſperſed or diſtant from one another, or however differing in ſentiments, manners, or political intereſts, yet conſtitute one ſociety or ſyſtem, which is united together by many inviolable bonds. This general ſociety is divided into various diſtinct bodies or leſſer ſocieties; the members of which are linked together by ſtill cloſer ties, than thoſe which connect the diſtant members of a larger ſyſtem. Thus the ſubjects of every kingdom, or the inhabitants of any country that are united under the ſame government, form a diſtinct civil ſociety; and they have a more intimate connection with one another, than what ariſes from their relation as men, or as belonging to the ſame ſpecies. So again: the profeſſors of the ſame religion, the diſciples of the ſame maſter, conſtitute a ſociety of a different kind; compared by St. Paul
Cor. xii. 12., in one inſtance at leaſt, to the human body; all the parts or members of which have their reſpective uſes and functions aſſigned
them, and are mutually ſubſervient to one another. And it deſerves our notice, that in proportion as ſociety is reduced into a ſmaller compaſs by ſubdiviſion, the members of it become of more conſequence, and their mutual good offices are more neceſſary.
If we conſider ourſelves then as members of ſociety, whether in a larger or more confined view, whether in a civil or religious ſenſe; it will appear to be our duty to act as members of ſociety. Now to act as members of ſociety, is to perform all thoſe offices towards the body in general, and our fellow-members in particular, which the ſtation aſſigned us, and the relation we are in, require; that is, according to our power, to contribute, in the firſt place, what is neceſſary to the being, and then to the well-being, both of the body, and of any of its members; or, in other words, to do all the good that we can.
SUCH conduct appears alſo to be our duty, as it naturally improves us; for we are under the ſame obligations to improve and perfect ourſelves, as we are to preſerve ourſelves. Every right act has a tendency to produce a right habit and diſpoſition of mind; and the excellency of any moral agent conſiſts as
much, at leaſt, in a right habit and diſpoſition, as in intellectual capacity or power. The Supreme Being is infinite perfection; and the more any other being reſembles him, the farther he is advanced towards a ſtate of perfection. And the more any creature performs acts of goodneſs and kindneſs, and has acquired the habit of performing them, the more he reſembles that adorable Being, whoſe goodneſs is perpetually exerciſed, and extends to all the parts of the creation; and who delights in conſtantly beholding millions of his creatures, of different ranks and orders, from the higheſt Angel down to the loweſt reptile, enjoying the various degrees of perfection and happineſs, which they have derived from his bounty.
THE ſame conſiderations that prove it to be our duty to do good at all, prove alſo that we ſhould do it, to all men, as we have opportunity. Why we ſhould be bound to do good, and not to do all the good in our power, will be impoſſible to ſhew. To ſuppoſe that a man has ten degrees of ability to do good, and yet that he is under obligations to exerciſe no more than five of them, is to ſuppoſe that the other five degrees of this ability
were given him for no purpoſe. But, in truth, the obligation is always in proportion to the power and opportunity; ſince it ariſes from the circumſtances and connections in which GOD has placed us.
AS we are connected with all men, and are fellow-members with them of one general ſociety, we ſhould be diſpoſed to do good unto all men. But as the moſt important relation we bear to others in many reſpects, is that of fellow-chriſtians; our obligation to do good to thoſe, who are in this relation to us, is proportionably ſtronger. We are, according to the juſt diſtinction in my text, as we have opportunity, to do good unto all men; but more eſpecially, and with peculiar attention, unto them which are of the houſhold of faith.
WHAT the light of nature thus teaches to be our duty, the voice of revelation univerſally confirms. Under the Moſaic inſtitution indeed, the precepts injoining kindneſs and good offices have commonly a particular reference to thoſe, who were members of the Jewiſh tribes; who, for wiſe reaſons, were ſeparated from all the families of the earth, and diſtinguiſhed with peculiar privileges; and whoſe affections, ſtill wandering after the
vanities and ſuperſtitions of the idolatrous nations around them, it was neceſſary to call off and reſtrain, with great ſtrictneſs and ſeverity. Yet notwithſtanding, inſtances are not wanting under that diſpenſation, in which kindneſs and acts of beneficence were required towards STRANGERS; i. e, perſons who were unconnected with them by any political or religious ties, being, in the language of St. Paul, aliens from the commonwealth of Iſrael.
THUS general benevolence to mankind was recommended to them, and urged, from the example of GOD himſelf, as well as from the conſideration of their own former experiences. HE doth execute the judgment of the fatherleſs and widow, and loveth the STRANGER, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye THEREFORE the STRANGER; for YE were ſtrangers in the land of Egypt.
Deut. x. 18, 19. Again: when thou cutteſt down thine harveſt in the field, and haſt forgot a ſhief in the field, thou ſhalt not go again to fetch it: it ſhall be for the STRANGER, for the fatherleſs and for the widow: that the Lord thy God may bleſs thee in all the work of thine hands.—And thou ſhalt remember
that THOU waſt a bondman in the land of Egypt: THEREFORE I command thee to do this thing.
Deut. xxiv. 19, 22. See alſo Levit. xix. 33, 34. And the Jews themſelves take notice, that a kind behaviour towards Strangers is required in one and twenty paſſages of their law.
SUCH precepts, as the foregoing, have a tendency to impreſs upon the mind the great natural duty of univerſal kindneſs and benevolence; and they were undoubtedly intended for that purpoſe. There were caſes, it muſt be confeſſed, wherein the Jews were commanded to treat ſome ſtrangers in a very different manner; but the exceptions from the general rule were not many, and ſpecial reaſons were always aſſigned for them.
THUS an unrelenting ſeverity towards the Canaanites was directed and preſcribed in theſe words. When the Lord thy God ſhall bring thee into the land whither thou goeſt to poſſeſs it, and hath caſt out many nations before thee:—and when the Lord thy God ſhall deliver them before thee, thou ſhalt ſmite them, and UTTERLY DESTROY them; thou ſhalt make no covenant with them, NOR SHEW MERCY unto them.
Deut. vii. 1, 2. The Iſraelites were alſo commanded to
purſue the Amalekites with the ſame exterminating acts of hoſtility, and not to ſpare them any more than the ſeven nations of the land of Canaan. Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way (in your paſſage through the wilderneſs) when ye were come forth out of Egypt, how he met thee by the way, and ſmote the hindmoſt of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou waſt faint and weary, and he feared not God. THEREFORE it ſhall be, when the Lord thy God hath given thee reſt from all thine enemies round about thee—that thou ſhalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under Heaven, thou ſhalt not forget it.
Deut. xxv, 17. The great Governor of the world ſaw fit that theſe implacable and idolatrous nations, on account of their innumerable provocations and enormous wickedneſs, ſhould be deſtroyed; and he had an unqueſtionable right to make uſe of the Iſraelites, as inſtruments in his hands, to accompliſh their deſtruction: and all thoſe ſeemingly revengeful inſtructions, which we meet with in the law of Moſes, were neceſſary in order to a due execution of the righteous purpoſes of Divine Providence.
IF from the Law, we turn to the Goſpel;
we ſhall find every page of it ſhining with precepts, or examples, of the moſt active and unbounded Charity. The infinite goodneſs of GOD, extending to every part of the creation;—the amazing kindneſs, and compaſſion, and condeſcenſion of his bleſſed SON, of which the whole human race are the objects;—are placed before us as the pattern and ſtandard, by which we are commanded to regulate our affections. The whole ſyſtem of the Goſpel, and every part of it, have a ſtrong tendency to inſpire and eſtabliſh, the moſt refined and exalted ſentiments, and the moſt vigorous and unlimited exerciſe, of love and affection to our fellow-creatures.
IT is a fundamental law in this benevolent inſtitution, relating to our mutual intercourſe, that we make our own reaſonable wiſhes and deſires, in caſe our circumſtances were exchanged for thoſe of other men, the rule of our conduct towards them. From this general law no exceptions are admitted. Neither the ill language, nor the ill treatment, nor the avowed enmity, nor even the perſecution we may have met with (which is one of the worſt effects of it) is allowed to excuſe us. All this is literally and expreſsly commanded, and no room for evaſion is
left us: I ſay unto you, love your enemies, bleſs them that curſe you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that deſpitefully uſe you. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven; for he maketh his ſun to riſe on the evil and on the good, and ſendeth rain on the juſt and on the unjuſt. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the Publicans the ſame? and if ye ſalute (or treat with common civility) your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even Publicans ſo? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.
Matt. v. 43—48.
I have recited theſe verſes in connection, becauſe the whole paſſage, taken together, not only contains the law of our Bleſſed Maſter, but explains the reaſon of it, as well as the extent and perfection in which it ought to be interpreted.
AND indeed, a benevolent diſpoſition, unlimited with regard to its objects, is repreſented throughout the New Teſtament to be of ſuch conſequence, that our eternal happineſs depends upon our having it. Were our faith ſtrong enough to remove mountains—were our knowledge deep and extenſive enough to comprehend
all myſteries—would our zeal, even in a good cauſe, ſupport us under the pains of Martyrdom—and were the tongues of men and of Angels added to our other accompliſhments; yet St. Paul aſſures us, that without charity—by which he means an univerſal love and affection to our fellow-creatures, as well as to our Maker —they would profit us nothing.1 Cor. xiii.
NOTWITHSTANDING, as has been already obſerved, and as my text intimates, this great and eſſential qualification is not a blind and undiſtinguiſhing affection, leading us equally to love all men, without any regard to the difference of their characters. The love of GOD extends to all men; but ſome are the objects of his peculiar affection, as being in reality more worthy than others. Among the diſciples of our bleſſed Lord, there was one whom he loved in an eminent degree; leaving us, even in this reſpect, an example, that we ſhould follow his ſteps. If the righteous is more excellent than his neighbor, he is more deſerving of our eſteem than his neighbor; for we ſhould eſteem every thing, and love every one in ſome degree of proportion to the real excellence, which that thing or that perſon poſſeſſes.
EVERY man is intitled to ſome degree of eſteem, on this account. The worſt of men poſſeſs ſomething that is valuable. They bear, in ſome reſpects, the image of their Maker. They are, at leaſt, the workmanſhip of GOD; and therefore they are not to be deſpiſed. They are alſo of the ſame nature with ourſelves, and originally of the ſame family, being deſcended from the ſame anceſtors. And however they may be ſituated, and whatever may be their characters, in other reſpects; yet ſtill, as they are men, they are intitled to our kindneſs, and if we are able to relieve their neceſſities, both nature and religion oblige us to relieve them.
BUT if we are thus to do good unto all men, we are under a more particular obligation to do good to the worthy and deſerving
Donabit (Sapiens) aut bonis, aut eis quos facere poterit bonos. Donabit cum ſummo concilio, digniſſimos eligens.
SENECA de vita beata.
, and to thoſe who have a cloſer connection with us than the maſs of mankind. Under this latter head may be reckoned, our countrymen and kindred—our friends and ſuch as have done kind offices to us—thoſe whom Providence has made dependent upon
us—thoſe who are united to us by the ties of the ſame common religion—and the members of the ſame particular church, worſhiping GOD in the uſe of the ſame ſolemn offices; who are, according to reaſon, and to revelation, intitled to our peculiar affection and kindneſs.
OF all religions, that of the Goſpel produces the moſt intimate union among its profeſſors. They are all governed by the ſame laws, and intitled to the ſame privileges, and included in one general purchaſe; and not only ſo, but they are taught to conſider themſelves as ſo many branches of the ſame vine—as ſo many limbs or members belonging to the ſame body. As the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; ſo alſo is CHRIST: for by one ſpirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we be (originally) Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have all been made to drink into one ſpirit
1 Cor. xii. 12.. And, in another paſſage, the Apoſtle lays it down, and argues from it, as an eſtabliſhed principle, that Chriſtians are members one of another
Eph. iv. 25..
SUCH are the illuſtrations, in Scripture, of the inſeparable connection of Chriſtians with CHRIST, and with one another. No ſociety, whether civil or religious, introduces ſo cloſe an union between its members as the Church of CHRIST does: our obligation therefore, as fellow-chriſtians, to cultivate brotherly love, and to do good to one another, is greater than it is, or can be, in any other religious ſociety.
IN collective bodies of men, as well as in the natural body, all the members have their reſpective offices aſſigned them, more or leſs honorable—of greater or leſs importance; and they who perform the more important and honorable Offices, are intitled to proportionably greater kindneſs and reſpect, than others who are placed in an inferior ſtation. In the houſhold of faith, they who are appointed, as ſtewards, to diſpenſe to the various members of it that proviſion which is to nouriſh and ſupport them, are, on account of their rank, and eſpecially if faithful to their truſt, in the eſtimation of St. Paul, worthy of double honor
1 Tim. v. 17.. The honor due to them evidently appears to be, not an uſeleſs, unavailing reſpect, but an active principle, performing all thoſe good Offices,
by which eſteem and affection are properly ſignified.
THE loweſt inſtance of this nature, is, if poſſible, to prevent their falling into diſtreſs or neceſſitous circumſtances; and, where this hath not been done, to relieve their diſtreſſes, and ſupply their wants. So much indeed is due to them on the common foot of humanity; and they would have a right to expect it, were they ſtrangers or enemies. They are ſtill more intitled to this kindneſs, conſidered as Chriſtians. For if any one that deſerves the name of chriſtian—if one of the leaſt of our brethren, is known to be in ſuch a condition, we are to give him meat; if he is thirſty, we are to give him drink; if he is a ſtranger, or deſtitute of particular friends to receive him, we are to take him in; if he is naked, and unable to provide for himſelf, we are to cloath him; if he is ſick, or in priſon, we are to viſit him, with a view of relieving him. All this is commanded, and you know the penalty: Depart from me ye curſed, into ever laſting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels
Matt: xxv..
BUT ſurely ſomething more muſt be due to the CLERGY, than to Chriſtians
of the loweſt degree! for, as has been obſerved, they are the moſt important members of the myſtical body of CHRIST, without whoſe functions the body muſt ſoon periſh. We are not forward to ſpeak on this ſubject, nor to ſay what we eſteem to be our juſt rights; — in an age wherein the leaſt intimation of our claiming any ſuperior reſpect, or kindneſs, on account of our ſtations in the Church, is ſo liable to be treated as PRIESTCRAFT. However, we ought ſometimes to remind men, in what manner our office is repreſented in Scripture; and briefly to do this, on the preſent occaſion, I doubt not but the candid will think excuſable.
THE clergy then are ſpoken of, by our Saviour himſelf, as ſterwards, whom their lord has made rulers over his houſhold, to give them their portion of meat in due ſeaſon—as ſhepherds, ſet over the flock of Chriſt—as the ſalt of the earth, the light of the world &c. St. Paul ſpeaks of them as embaſſadors for Chriſt, employed by him to negociate matters that concern the ſalvation of ſinners. They are in other places repreſented as perſons appointed and commiſſioned by CHRIST, to diſpenſe the myſteries of his Goſpel, to apply the ſeals to his covenant, and to convey thoſe
ſpiritual mercies which are infinitely more valuable than all earthly enjoyments. And we know that it is alſo a part of their office, to preſent the homage and adoration of their fellow-chriſtians, before the throne of the Divine Majeſty. Such are their office and employment, according to the language of Scripture; and we can freely leave it for others to judge, whether perſons of this rank and diſtinction in the Church of CHRIST, are not intitled to peculiar kindneſs and reſpect from Chriſtians in general.
AMONG the ſeveral ways in which this kindneſs and reſpect are to be ſhewn, I ſhall confine myſelf to a ſingle one; becauſe I would not loſe ſight of the occaſion of our preſent aſſembling, to which all that has been hitherto ſaid has a particular reference. The inſtance then that I ſhall mention, is that of providing a comfortable and decent maintenance for them and their families. As they are commonly ſituated, this is a natural expreſſion of that reſpect which is due to them; and, at the ſame time, it would contribute greatly to their uſefulneſs, as it would enable them to devote themſelves to their proper buſineſs, without diſtraction.
EASY circumſtances, in ſome meaſure, animate and enlarge the mind, and inſpire it with ſuitable confidence, vigour and reſolution: whereas the faculties are cramped, and cannot be exerted to advantage (as many of us can tell you from experience), by a perpetual anxiety to procure, what we ſhall eat, and what we ſhall drink, and wherewithal we ſhall be cloathed. To this may be added, (what ſome of you perhaps can tell us from experience), that leſs attention is paid to the inſtructions and exhortations of the clergy, when they are known to be in mean and indigent circumſtances, than when their condition is otherwiſe.
HAD I time, I might eaſily ſhew, that it was the opinion of the moſt celebrated legiſlators of antiquity, and of thoſe nations which are moſt reſpected for their wiſdom and ſound policy
Egypt is deſervedly famed as the firſt among the ancient nations, for the wiſdom of its laws and government, as well as its improvement in arts. And Moſes informs us, that, among the Egyptians, the Prieſts enjoyed many privileges and immunities, and in particular, that they had a portion of the lands aſſigned them of Pharaoh, and that they were exempted from paying the common tribute and taxes
Gen. xlvii.. And
Diodorus informs us, that Iſis gave the property of the third part of Egypt to the Prieſts for their own maintenance, and furniſhing the neceſſary ſacrifices. They held them in the higheſt honor; they were the firſt order in the ſtate, always near the perſon of their ſovereign; they aſſiſted him with their advice and inſtruction, and ſometimes with their perſons.—In a word, they filled the higheſt offices of the ſtate, adminiſtered juſtice, directed in levying taxes, had the inſpection of monies, weights and meaſures.
See the excellent work of the learned preſident GOGUET, on the origin of laws, arts and ſciences. Vol. 1. p. 51.
, that an honorable
ſupport ought to be provided for the miniſters of religion; and that it was chearfully contributed. I might ſet before you the conduct of the Jews in this caſe; which ought to have the more weight, as GOD himſelf was pleaſed to preſcribe it. But I will only obſerve, with regard to the Jews, that although the tribe of Levi, which was ſet apart for the performance of the public offices of religion, was the leaſt of all the tribes; yet to the Levites was aſſigned the tenth part of all the produce of the labour, land and ſtock, of the other tribes. Beſides all this, they had the property of forty-eight cities in the different parts of that dominion. The Prieſts had alſo the firſt fruits of the cattle, corn, wine, oil &c, which were annually dedicated to GOD. To which may be added, that they received a certain price for the redemption of every firſt-born; to ſay nothing of many voluntary oblations,
and the remainder of all the things, part of which had been offered in ſacrifice. All this muſt have amounted to a large ſtanding revenue, and has been calculated at a third part of the whole produce of the country; out of which is only to be deducted, what was expended in ſupporting the ſervice of the tabernacle, and afterwards of the temple See Potter on Church-government. CHAP. v. Sect. 9.—and compare with it Lowman on the civil government of the Hebrews. CHAP. vi..
THE poſitive part of this law, we confeſs, has no obligation upon Chriſtians; nor do the miniſters of the Goſpel claim the ſame maintenance, either as to kind or degree, with the Jewiſh Prieſts. But the moral law obliges us, and the poſitive law of CHRIST obliges us; and both theſe laws require an honorable and decent ſupport for the Chriſtian clergy; whoſe office demands much greater abilities and application in order to execute it properly—is much more uſeful and honorable in itſelf—and requires a much greater preparation for it, than that of the Jewiſh Prieſts.
OUR Bleſſed Saviour indeed has not preſcribed to his followers, how large a ſupport, nor after what mode, they ſhould provide for his miniſters. But when he
firſt ſent out his Apoſtles, he directed them to make no proviſion for themſelves during their miſſion; aſſigning this reaſon, the workman is worthy of his meat
Matt. x. 10.. And when he ſent forth his ſeventy diſciples, he gave them the ſame direction, repeating the ſame reaſon
Luke x. 7.. From whence it is evident, that he expected and intended, that the preachers of the Goſpel ſhould receive a full maintenance.
ST. Paul ſtrongly aſſerts, and proves, and inſiſts upon, the right of the miniſters of the Goſpel to be ſupported by it; and, that Chriſtians ought not to think it any great matter to make due proviſion for them. Speaking to the Corinthians on this ſubject, he ſays: who goeth a warfare at any time at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Or, who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I theſe things as a man, or ſaith not the law the ſame alſo? For it is written in the law of Moſes, thou ſhalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox, that treadeth out the corn. Doth GOD take care of oxen, or ſaith he it altogether for OUR ſakes? For our ſakes, no doubt, this is written; that he that
ploweth, ſhould plow in hope; and he that threſheth in hope, ſhould be partaker of his hope. If we have ſown unto you ſpiritual things, is it a great matter if we reap your carnal things?—Do ye not know that they who miniſter about holy things, live of the things of the temple; and they who wait at the altar, are partakers with the altar? Even ſo HATH THE LORD ORDAINED, that THEY WHO PREACH THE GOSPEL, SHOULD LIVE OF THE GOSPEL 1 Cor. ix..
IN this paſſage, St. Paul proves the right of the clergy to a maintenance, from the reaſonableneſs of the thing, which requires that a man ſhould be rewarded according to his ſervices; and this he illuſtrates by the caſes of ſoldiers, huſbandmen, ſhepherds &c. He enforces his argument from the Jewiſh law; which expreſsly provided, that thoſe who miniſtered at the altar ſhould be ſupported by it. And he concludes with the moſt deciſive argument of all, the authority of CHRIST himſelf; who ordained, ſays he, that they who preach the Goſpel, ſhould live of the Goſpel.
THIS ordinance and law of CHRIST he eſteemed to be of ſuch great importance
in the Chriſtian church, that a due attention to it is made one of the articles of his charge to Timothy. Let the elders, ſays he, that rule well, be accounted worthy of double honor, eſpecially they who labor in the word and doctrine. That this double honor principally means a liberal ſupport and maintenance, is evident from the next words: For the Scripture ſaith, thou ſhalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn: and the laborer is worthy of his hire
1 Tim. v. 17, 18.. On the ſame principle he exhorts the Galatians, in my context, to the practice of the ſame duty: Let him that is taught in the word, communicate, to him that teacheth, in all good things
Verſe 6..
IT is time now that I ſhew, how the preceding general obſervations are applicable to the preſent occaſion. You want not to be informed, that this annual meeting is in order to promote the charitable deſign of our CORPORATION, which is to raiſe and conduct a fund, FOR THE RELIEF OF THE WIDOWS AND CHILDREN OF CLERGYMEN IN THE COMMUNION OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN AMERICA. This deſign correſponds exactly with St. Paul's
exhortation in my text; which is to do good unto all men in general, but more ESPECIALLY unto them which are of the houſhold of faith.
BY the houſhold of faith is undoubtedly meant the Chriſtian church; and, in the exerciſe of kindneſs, or in doing good, why a diſtinction ſhould be made by Chriſtians in favor of their fellow-Chriſtians, has been particularly ſhewn. It has alſo been ſhewn, that the reaſon for this preference extends farther, and equally requires, that ſome Chriſtians ſhould be treated with a higher degree of reſpect and kindneſs than others: and that this may juſtly be ſaid of the clergy, whoſe ſtation in the church is more uſeful, more important, and conſequently more honorable, than that of Chriſtians in common.
AMONG the proper methods of doing good to them, one has been particularly noticed; namely, that of ſecuring to them a freedom from the diſtracting cares of the world, by providing for them an eaſy and comfortable maintenance— ſo far as mens circumſtances enable them to make this proviſion. Beſides the reaſonableneſs of doing this, and its being an eſſential part of that beneficence
which is recommended in my text; more direct proof has been made, from the declarations of our bleſſed Saviour, and the words of an eminent Apoſtle, that this is a neceſſary and important duty, not to be evaded conſiſtently with the Chriſtian character.
WHEREVER therefore it has been neglected, the clergy have been debarred from a juſt night; and the injury, like all other injuries, ought to be repaired, as ſpeedily and effectually as poſſible. And wherever the failure has been owing to want of ability, (which, if real, and not pretended, is always a ſufficient excuſe, in the ſight both of GOD and man), care ought to be taken to render the ill conſequences as light as the caſe will admit of.
THAT the clergy of our church in theſe colonies, ſome individuals excepted, receive, upon the whole, but a ſcanty ſupport Although the bounty of the venerable ſociety to the clergy of theſe three provinces, in many inſtances, far exceeds the contributions raiſed by their congregations. which however commonly plead that they do as much, in this way, as they can: yet conſidering the expences of living—expences which the clergy cannot avoid, it may be truly ſaid that they have no more than a ſcanty ſupport. The ſociety's ſalary is always punctually paid: and they expect from their miſſions, even in the pooreſt parts of the country, that the people, beſides providing a convenient and comfortable parſonage-houſe and glebo, will alſo punctually pay the annual ſum of £ 30 ſterling to the miſſionary; and ſo much, at leaſt, I believe, is always promiſed at the time of the application for the ſociety's bounty. But in what manner it is performed by ſome congregations; whether it is done wholly, or with that punctuality which is neceſſary; it concerns all thoſe, who have thus ſtipulated, and have any regard to their juſt and formal engagements, as honeſt men and as Chriſtians ſeriouſly to conſider.;
a few moments attention to their caſe will convince men of liberal ſentiments, who perhaps are the only competent judges. When I declare that our maintenance is generally deficient, I mean, that it is not an adequate compenſation for the expences we have been at in preparing ourſelves for this ſervice; —that it does not allow us to devote ourſelves intirely to the buſineſs of our functions;—and that it does not enable us to leave our families in comfortable circumſtances when we are taken away from them.
THE expences attending our education for the miniſtry may be eaſily imagined. It requires the application of many years, to make a tolerable proficiency in the learned languages: a long time is commonly ſpent by us in other academical improvements: and theſe ought always to be ſucceeded, as I truſt they commonly are, by a courſe of theological ſtudies
—before we preſume to offer ourſelves as candidates for holy orders. During the two former of theſe periods, that is, during the long time of our claſſical and academical education, beſides food and apparel ſuitable to our ſtations, inſtruction muſt be paid for, and many books muſt be purchaſed. When we are ready to offer ourſelves for the ſervice of the church, which muſt be at an age By the ſtatute of 13 Eliz. and by Canon xxxiv, none can be admitted to Prieſt's orders under the age of 24 years. No diſpenſation is allowed of. when men may have been long ſettled in any other employment, there is ſtill a heavy load of expence (to whoſe reproach ſhall I ſpeak it? for a reproach it certainly is;) to be ſuſtained, in a voyage to a diſtant quarter of the globe for ordination. This laſt expence, heavy as it is, is a hardſhip peculiar to the candidates of our own church in the colonies; and ſuch an one as, I am perſuaded, is not to be paralleled in the annals of hiſtory.
THOSE of us who live to return from this voyage (for it has proved fatal to the lives of many of our candidates) Particularly of meſſrs. Bradſtreet, Brown, Miner, Dean, Checkley, Colton, Johnſton, Uſher, Giles and Wilſon. are fixed in pariſhes or miſſions, the incomes
of which are greatly inferior to the profits of other callings, which require not more than half the time, nor ſo much as half the expence, to prepare for them. With theſe incomes we are expected to live, as other people in public and reputable ſtations live—to be not behind them in ſhewing hoſpitality —and to be the very foremoſt in every work of charity. If we anſwer not theſe expectations, many will impute it to avarice, to churliſhneſs, or to any thing, rather than to its true cauſe. If ſuch an opinion of us once gets abroad, perhaps the whole order is reproached with us; at leaſt, our own miniſtrations are ſlighted, and the intereſt of religion proportionably ſuffers.
IT is not within the power of many of us to avoid theſe evils. We are not allowed to call in to our aid any ſecular employ, one only perhaps excepted, for which but few of us are qualified; nor indeed can we eaſily find leiſure, from the important buſineſs of our ſacred profeſſion, to purſue one. Such of us therefore as have any independent property of our own, find it neceſſary to expend from it; and the reſt of us are obliged to ſhift as well as we can. In
the mean while, as to ourſelves, the expectation of a reward in a better country will greatly ſupport our ſpirits under our hard fortune in this; but ſtill it muſt neceſſarily give us pain to conſider, what may become of our poor widows and children, after our departure.
IMAGINATION can hardly picture to itſelf ſcenes of deeper diſtreſs, than are ſometimes really to be found in the families of clergymen, when the ſource that ſupplied them is at once dried up. Bereaved of their ſupport—deprived of their habitations—turned abroad to the world, wounded, and half-dead, in a more pitiable ſenſe than the traveller bound from Jeruſalem to Jericho was
Luke x. 30.; their condition is ſuch, as would move the compaſſion even of a Samaritan. How then muſt it affect every tender, humane and generous heart in this Chriſtian aſſembly! Indigence is terrible in all caſes; but when it ſucceeds fulneſs of bread—when it comes ſuddenly—when it falls upon perſons of delicate ſenſibility
The cauſes of pleaſure and pain are relative things: and in order to eſtimate truly their effect upon any particular ſubject, they ought to be drawn into the degrees of perception in that ſubject. When the cauſe is of the ſame kind, and acts with an equal force, if the perception of one perſon be equal to that of another, what they perceive muſt needs be equal. And ſo it will likewiſe be, when the forces in the producing cauſes and the degrees of perception in the ſentiments are reciprocal. For (which doth not ſeem to be conſidered by the world, and therefore ought the more particularly to be noted) if the cauſe of pleaſure or pain ſhould act but half as much upon A, as it does upon B; yet if the ſenſibility of A be double to that of B, the ſum of their pleaſures or pains will be equal. In other caſes they will be unequal.
WOLLASTON.
, who from
their former way of life are peculiarly unable to help themſelves, it is more than doubly diſtreſſing.
NOW, to remedy ſuch diſtreſs, or rather to prevent it as far as poſſible, which is ſtill a greater act of humanity; a corporation has been erected, conſiſting of the clergy in general, and gentlemen of the firſt rank and character in theſe three colonies; whoſe countenance and aſſiſtance, in this good work, are acknowledged with all gratitude. A fund is now eſtabliſhed by charter; to which the clergy themſelves are large annual ſubſcribers, and to which ſeveral generous donations have been already made. That venerable ſociety, which is famed throughout the Chriſtian world for its charity—a charity, to which our church in theſe colonies, in a great meaſure, owes its exiſtence—contributes a yearly
allowance of £ 60 ſterling. Collections have been made in ſeveral congregations, the largeneſs of which is not leſs honorable to them, than to this inſtitution. But notwithſtanding all that has been done, much remains ſtill to be done, in order to make our fund adequate to the purpoſe for which it is intended: and we muſt depend upon the farther kindneſs and compaſſion of our friends, to aſſiſt in making up the deficiency.
AND in order to obtain it, can it be neceſſary to do more, than to give a plain and true repreſentation of the deſign? Can it be needful to make uſe of arguments or entreaties, to prevail with our friends, who are of the ſame houſhold with ourſelves, to aſſiſt us in a work, in which, at the ſame time, their own reputation is peculiarly concerned, as well as the honor of their religion?
IT has been ſhewn, in this diſcourſe, that the clergy have an undoubted right to a comfortable maintenance for themſelves and their families; which right ought to take place, where the ſtate of a country will admit of it: yet, for want either of inclination or ability in their friends, that their maintenance is deficient in theſe colonies. But, at preſent,
we relinquiſh the claim. We are not now contending for rights; nor do we demand any thing for ourſelves: we only requeſt your CHARITY, in making ſome decent proviſion for the relief of our wives and children, when they ſhall come more ſenſibly to feel the bitter effects of that ill fortune which has hitherto attended us. We make this application and requeſt, in full confidence of your humanity and compaſſion. We are perſuaded that you will not, that you cannot, diſregard ſo pitiable a caſe, and paſs by on the other ſide; a caſe, perhaps as worthy of your notice, of your friendly interpoſition, all circumſtances attended to, as the providence of GOD has ever called you to conſider.
WE deſire you to do no more, on this occaſion, than what your abilities will fairly admit of—to give no more, than what you can conveniently ſpare, or what may eaſily be retrenched from the ſuperfluities of living; of which every man is allowed to judge for himſelf. And you may be aſſured, that whatever ſhall be given in this way will be faithfully applied, if not for the immediate ſupport of the clergy themſelves, yet for the ſupport of thoſe who are as
dear to them as themſelves, when they ſhall need it moſt. Whatever is given in this way will therefore lay us under equal obligations, with what is given to ourſelves.
AND, at the laſt day, when all our accounts, both of juſtice and charity, ſhall be publickly audited, each of us will make the acknowledgment, with regard to what you ſhall contribute to this fund, for the relief of our widows and children: inaſmuch as ye have done it unto my little ones, whom I left behind me in a helpleſs condition, and to her who was moſt dear to me on earth, ye have done it unto me. The like acknowledgment will alſo be made by one, whom you are under infinitely greater obligations to regard; even the Son of Man, when he ſhall appear, ſurrounded with his Angels, and ſeated on the throne of his glory
Matt. xxv..
THAT our conduct on this, and all other occaſions, may meet with approbation in that day, may GOD of his infinite mercy grant, through the merits and mediation of JESUS CHRIST, whoſe charity and compaſſion led him to die for us; to whom therefore, with the Father and Holy Ghoſt, be glory and dominion, adoration and praiſe, now and forever!
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A copy of the
CHARTER, and an abſtract of the
PROCEEDINGS, of the
CORPORATION for the relief of the widows and children of Clergymen in the com
munion of the church of England in
America, with a general account of
BENEFACTIONS, and of the
ſtated contributions to their fund, from the date of its commencement,
October 4th, 1769, to October 4th, 1771.
THE PUBLIC has been already informed, that this charity is conducted by the clergy in general and a number of very reſpectable gentlemen of the laity, who are incorporated for that purpoſe by three diſtinct charters of ſimilar tenor, veſting the ſame members with all the powers requiſite for the diſcharge and execution of this benevolent truſt, in the three provinces of New-York, New-Jerſey and Pennſylvania. A
public and grateful teſtimony has been given of that readineſs and cheerfulneſs, with which the ſeveral governors conſented to the grant of theſe charters in their reſpective provinces.
And the members of the corporation do, further, thankfully acknowledge themſelves indebted to the officers of government in theſe
provinces, for their kindneſs and generoſity in refuſing to accept the fees, to which, on that occaſion, they were by law intitled. The following is a copy of the charter granted by his Excellency the governor of New-Jerſey.
GEORGE the third, by the grace of GOD, of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, King, defender of the faith, and ſo forth; TO all to whom theſe preſents ſhall come GREETING. Whereas it hath been repreſented unto us, that the clergy of the church of England in our American colonies, and eſpecially the miſſionaries in the ſervice of the ſociety for the propagation of the goſpel in foreign parts, have in general but a ſmall ſupport, and have always found it difficult to make any tolerable proviſion for their families, ſo that their widows and children are often left in great diſtreſs; and whereas, in order to provide a remedy for theſe growing difficulties, humble application hath been made to us, that we would erect and conſtitute a corporation in our province of New-Jerſey, for receiving managing and diſpoſing ſuch ſums of money as may be ſubſcribed and paid in from time
to time by the clergy and miſſionaries themſelves, and ſuch benefactions as may be given by charitable and well-diſpoſed perſons, as a fund towards the ſupport and relief of the widows and children of the miniſters of the church of England in our ſaid American colonies;
KNOW YE therefore, that we, favoring the ſaid uſeful and laudable deſign, and being fully convinced of the loyalty and affection of the clergy of the church of England in America to our perſon and government, of our eſpecial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, have given and granted, and by theſe preſents, for us and our ſucceſſors, DO give ordain conſtitute declare and grant, that the Honorable Peter Kemble, Charles Read, James Parker, Samuel Smith and Frederick Smyth Eſquires of our province of New-Jerſey; the Honorable Sir William Johnſon Baronet, Cadwallader Colden, John Watts, Charles Ward Apthorp and Henry Cruger Eſquires of our province of New-York; the Honorable James Hamilton, Lynford Lardner, Benjamin Chew and James Tilghman Eſquires of the province of Pennſylvania; the Reverend William Smith, Samuel Auchmuty, and Thomas Bradbury Chandler,
Doctors in Divinity; Myles Cooper, Doctor of Laws; Richard Peters, William Currie, Richard Charlton, Philip Reading, George Craig, John Ogilvie, Samuel Cooke, Samuel Seabury, Thomas Barton, Charles Inglis, William Thomſon, Jacob Duché, Leonard Cutting, Alexander Murray, Ephraim Avery, John Beardſley, Jonathan Odell, Samuel Magaw, John Andrews, Abraham Beach, William Ayres, and William Frazer, clerks; Cortland Skinner, John Lawrence and Daniel Coxe Eſquires of our province of New-Jerſey; John Tabor Kempe, John Livingſton, Elias Deſbroſſes, James De Lancey, James Van Cortlandt, Iſaac Willet, Nicholas Stuyveſant, James Duane, Jacob Le Roy, Benjamin Kiſſam, Jacob Walton and William Axtell Eſquires of our province of New-York; Joſeph Galloway, John Roſs, Richard Hockley, Samuel Johnſon, Thomas Willing, Samuel Powell, Francis Hopkinſon and William Atlee Eſquires and Doctor John Kearſley of the province of Pennſylvania; and ſuch other perſons as ſhall hereafter be elected and admitted members of the corporation erected, and to be erected, by theſe preſents, according to the tenor hereof, and of ſuch by-laws and conſtitutions,
as ſhall hereafter be made by the ſaid corporation, be, and for ever hereafter ſhall be, by virtue of theſe preſents, ONE BODY CORPORATE AND POLITIC in deed and in name, by the name of, THE CORPORATION FOR THE RELIEF OF THE WIDOWS AND CHILDREN OF CLERGYMEN IN THE COMMUNION OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN AMERICA, and them by the ſame name, ONE BODY CORPORATE AND POLITIC in deed and in name, we do for us, and for our ſucceſſors, fully create, conſtitute and confirm, by theſe preſents; and Do grant that by the ſame name they, and their ſucceſſors, ſhall and may have perpetual ſucceſſion, and ſhall and may, at all times for ever hereafter, be perſons able and capable in the law to purchaſe, take, have, hold, receive, enjoy and tranſmit to their ſucceſſors lands, tenements, rents and hereditaments, within our province of New-Jerſey to the value of One Thouſand Pounds Sterling by the year in the clear, above all out-goings and repriſals, in fee ſimple, or for any other eſtate, term and intereſt, whatſoever; and alſo to take, have, hold, receive, enjoy and tranſmit to their ſucceſſors, goods, chattels, monies, and effects, but at no one time to
exceed the ſum of twenty thouſand pounds ſterling in the groſs, within our ſaid province of New-Jerſey; and may and ſhall, by the name aforeſaid, do and execute all things touching and concerning the ſame, for the benefit, ſuccour and relief of the WIDOWS and CHILDREN of ſuch deceaſed clergymen, who have been in communion of the church of England, as ſhall or may be contributors to the funds of the ſaid corporation, and in ſuch manner, rates, proportions and annuities, as ſhall be reaſonably ſettled, adjuſted, agreed to, and expreſſed in the by-laws and regulations, which ſhall be made, from time to time, by the ſaid corporation, and their ſucceſſors. And alſo, that they, and their ſucceſſors, by the name aforeſaid, be, and ſhall be for ever hereafter, perſons able and capable in the law to ſue and be ſued, plead and be impleaded, anſwer and be anſwered unto, defend and be defended, in all or any courts of juſtice, and before all or any judges, officers or other perſons whatſoever, in all and ſingular actions, plaints, pleas, ſuits, cauſes, matters and demands, of what nature, kind or ſort ſoever. And that it ſhall and may be lawful to and for them the ſaid corporation, and their
ſucceſſors, for ever hereafter, to have a common ſeal for their uſe, and in their affairs and buſineſs, and the ſame, at the will and pleaſure of them, and their ſucceſſors, to change, alter, break and make new, from time to time, as they ſhall think beſt: and for the well governing and ordering the affairs of the ſaid corporation, we do, for us, and for our ſucceſſors, further grant, that it may be lawful for them, and their ſucceſſors, to meet together on the firſt Wedneſday after the feaſt of Saint Michael, in every year, and at ſuch other time and times, and in ſuch places, upon ſuch public notice given, as may be fixed and agreed upon by certain fundamental regulations, to be firſt duly made and enacted, by a majority of the ſaid corporation, and never afterwards to be altered, but by a majority of the members for the time being: and they the ſaid corporation, being ſo met, in ſuch number, and agreeably to ſuch notice, as ſhall be fixed by the ſaid fundamental regulations, ſhall have full power and authority, from time to time, to make other neceſſary laws and regulations, and to tranſact, manage and ſettle, all ſuch matters and things, touching and concerning the affairs of the
ſaid corporation, as they ſhall be impowered and authorized to tranſact, ſettle and manage, by virtue of the fundamental laws and regulations of the ſaid corporation, once duly made and enacted by a majority of the members as aforeſaid. And all the by-laws and regulations ſo made, whether concerning the election of officers and ſervants, or concerning the government, and management of the goods, chattels, eſtate, revenues, buſineſs and affairs, of the ſaid corporation, ſhall have full effect and force, and be binding upon, and inviolably obſerved by, all the members of the ſaid corporation, from time to time, according to the tenor and effect of the ſame; PROVIDED that the ſame be reaſonable in their own nature, and not contrary to the laws of that part of Great-Britain called England, or of our ſaid province of New-Jerſey. AND FURTHER, We do hereby conſtitute and appoint Richard Peters of Philadelphia, clerk, to be the firſt preſident of this corporation; and Thomas Bradbury Chandler, doctor in divinity, to be the firſt treaſurer, and Jonathan Odell, clerk, to be the firſt ſecretary; who ſhall continue in their reſpective offices, until the firſt
Wedneſday after the feaſt of Saint Michael, in this year of our Lord one thouſand ſeven hundred and ſixty-nine, and from thenceforwards until one preſident, one or more treaſurer or treaſurers, and one ſcretary be choſen into their rooms, in ſuch manner, and for ſuch term and period, as ſhall be ſettled by the fundamental regulations, to be made for that purpoſe by a majority of the ſaid corporation, duly met and convened. AND we do hereby, for us, and our ſucceſſors, ordain, order, and appoint, that the accounts and tranſactions of the ſaid corporation, legally and properly vouched and authenticated, ſhall, from time to time, and as often as demanded, be laid before the Lords Archbiſhops of Canterbury and York, and the Biſhop of London, for the time being, or before the Governor with any three of his Majeſty's council of New-Jerſey, for the time being, in order that they, the ſaid Archbiſhops of Canterbury and York and the Biſhop of London, or the Governor with any three of his Majeſty's council of New-Jerſey, for the time being, may ratify and confirm the ſaid accounts, or ſubject them to ſuch reviſal check and confirmation as may be thought juſt and
reaſonable. And our will and pleaſure is, and we do by theſe preſents give and grant for us and our ſucceſſors forever, that theſe our letters patent, or the inrollment thereof in our ſecretary's office in our ſaid province of New-Jerſey, ſhall be good and ſufficient in the law to all intents and purpoſes whatever againſt us our heirs and ſucceſſors, without any other licence grant or confirmation from us our heirs or ſucceſſors hereafter to be had or obtained, notwithſtanding the miſreciting or not naming or miſnaming of the officers, franchiſes, privileges, or other immunities aforeſaid, or any of them, and notwithſtanding a writ of ad quod damnum hath not iſſued to enquire of the premiſes, or any of them, before the enſealing thereof, To HAVE TO HOLD AND ENJOY all and ſingular the privileges, advantages, liberties and immunities, and all and ſingular the premiſes hereby given and granted, or meant mentioned or intended to be hereby given and granted, unto them the ſaid corporation for the relief of the widows and children of clergymen in the communion of the church of England in America, and their ſucceſſors forever. IN TESTIMONY whereof we have cauſed theſe our letters to be
made patent, and the great ſeal of our ſaid province of New-Jerſey to be hereunto affixed; WITNESS our truſty and well-beloved WILLIAM FRANKLIN, Eſquire, Captain General, Governor and Commander in Chief, in and over our ſaid province of New-Jerſey and Territories thereon depending in America, Chancellor and Vice-Admiral in the ſame, &c. at our city of Burlington the twenty-ninth day of March in the ninth year of our reign, anno domini one thouſand ſeven hundred and ſixty-nine.
REED.
THE firſt meeting of the corporation was held, agreeably to the tenor of the foregoing charter, on the firſt Wedneſday after the feaſt of Saint Michael, the fourth day of October 1769, at Burlington; from which place they were adjourned, to meet again on the Tueſday following at Philadelphia; where, a majority of the members being met, the FUNDAMENTAL LAWS and REGULATIONS of the corporation, as directed by charter, were duly made and enacted; a copy of which is here inſerted.
FUNDAMENTAL LAWS and
REGULATIONS, of the corpora
tion for the relief of the widows and children of clergymen in the communion of the church of
ENGLAND in America.
LAWS relative to ANNUITIES, &c.
I. THE yearly contributions of the clergy, whoſe widows and children ſhall be hereby intitled to annuities, ſhall not be leſs than eight Spaniſh milled dollars, of the preſent current weight, namely, ſeventeen penny-weight and ſix grains, nor more than twenty-four ſuch dollars, or the value thereof in current money of the province where each contributor lives.
II. NO annuities ſhall be paid but to the widows and children of ſuch clergymen as ſhall have been contributors to the fund; and the reſpective annuities to be paid to the widows and children of ſuch clergymen, ſhall be five times the ſum of their annual contributions.
III. IN order to have a certainty, both as to the quantum, as well as the payment of the annual rates, each contributor ſhall abide by that rate or claſs
which he firſt chooſes; unleſs he ſhall change into another claſs, on ſuch terms as to the corporation ſhall appear to be reaſonable: and each contributor ſhall pay his annual contribution to the corporation, on or before the firſt Wedneſday after the feaſt of Saint Michael in every year, under the penalty of one penny in the pound for every day's default: and if the ſaid penalty of one penny in the pound, together with the whole contributions due, ſhall not have been paid up during the life of the contributor, then his widow and children ſhall receive only an annuity proportionable to the payments made by the huſband or father.
IV. EVERY yearly contributor, who ſhall marry oftner than once, ſhall pay one year's contribution extraordinary on every ſuch marriage, as he makes the chance in general worſe againſt the fund.
V. IF the huſband or father of any perſon or perſons, intitled to an annuity on this plan, ſhall not have paid five annual contributions into the fund; then the widow and children ſhall only be intitled to ten per cent. per annum for thirteen years, on the amount of the contributions paid by the deceaſed.
VI. IF any contributor ſhall have paid for five years, or any number of years under fifteen, and exceeding five, the annuitants ſhall receive only half the annuity which belongs to the rate or claſs ſubſcribed to by the deceaſed, until ſuch time as the yearly deduction of half the annuity, added to five or more payments, made by the deceaſed (without computing intereſt) ſhall together make a ſum in the fund, equal to the ſum of fifteen annual payments in the rate or claſs to which ſuch deceaſed contributor belonged; which partial annuities, payable agreeably to this article, ſhall be proportioned between the widow and children as hereafter fixed, in reſpect to full annuities, viz.
VII. IF there be no children, the widow of every contributor, if fewer than fifteen payments ſhall have been made by the deceaſed, ſhall receive the whole annual ſum due by the laſt preceding article; and if fifteen ſuch payments ſhall have been made complete by the deceaſed, then the widow ſhall receive the whole annuity due on the huſband's contribution during her widowhood; and if ſhe marry again, ſhe ſhall, from the time of ſuch ſecond marriage, receive
only half ſuch annuity during her natural life.
VIII. IF there be a child, and no widow, ſuch child ſhall be intitled to the whole or partial annuity for thirteen years, agreeably to the foregoing articles; but if there be more than one child, and no widow, the annuity, whether whole or partial, ſhall be equally divided among them, to be laid out, in caſe they are minors, in their education or apprenticeſhip, with the advice and approbation of ſuch executors or guardians as the father may have nominated; and if none ſuch ſhall have been nominated by the father, then in ſuch manner for the benefit of the child or children, as the corporation ſhall direct.
IX. IF there be a widow, and one child, the annuity, whether whole or partial, ſhall be equally divided between them, under the limitations aforeſaid: and if there be a widow, and two or more children, ſhe ſhall have one third during her widowhood, or one ſixth during her natural life, if ſhe ſhould marry a ſecond time; and the remainder for thirteen years, ſhall be laid out for the uſe of the children as aforeſaid.
X. THE corporation may, if they
think proper, with the conſent of the annuitants, or of their guardians, if they be minors, pay the child or children of contributors ſuch a ſum in hand, as ſhall be equal to the annuity of ſuch child or children, according to the number of years for which ſuch annuity ſhould be paid, deducting legal intereſt, and taking into the account the chances againſt the life of ſuch child or children, for the term ſuch annuity is to be paid.
XI. THE corporation ſhall have power to increaſe the rates of annuities, as the ſtate of the fund ſhall admit; and for that end, all benefactions that ſhall be made to this fund ſhall, for the term of ten years to come from this day, be put out to intereſt, on good land ſecurity, and the ſaid intereſt, annually collected, and again put out to intereſt, ſhall be appropriated as an augmentation of the capital ſtock, for the ſaid term of ten years; and, after the expiration of the ſaid term, the intereſt of all benefactions ſhall be equally divided among all the children of contributors for the term that their annuities reſpectively ſhall continue payable, according to the foregoing articles.
LAWS relative to MEETINGS and BUSINESS.
I. AT every annual meeting, agreeble to the charter, there ſhall be one preſident, one or more treaſurers, and one ſecretary choſen for the enſuing year; and if any of the ſaid officers ſhould be abſent from any meeting, the members met ſhall chooſe another to officiate in his ſtead, during that meeting. At any annual meeting, the members met as aforeſaid, ſhall have power to elect; ſuch new members as they ſhall think fit, and likely to promote the good purpoſes of the charity; and all elections whatſoever, ſhall be by ballot, and the majority of votes ſhall be ſufficient for the election of the preſident, treaſurer or treaſurers, and ſecretary; but no new member ſhall be admitted, unleſs four fifths of the whole votes be in his favor.
II. There ſhall at each annual meeting be choſen a ſtanding committee of ſix members, conſiſting of two out of each of the three provinces, who, together with the preſident, teaſurer or treaſurers, and ſecretary, ſhall direct and carry on the neceſſary correſpondence of the corporation,
and from time to time aſſiſt the treaſurer or treaſurers, in managing the rents and eſtate of the corporation, and in putting out at intereſt the monies coming into the ſtock, either by the annual contributions of the clergy, or the occaſional donations of benevolent perſons, for which good land ſecurity ſhall be taken, at leaſt to double the value of the monies lent, payable in Spaniſh milled dollars of the preſent current weight, namely, ſeventeen penny-weight and ſix grains each, or the value thereof in current money of the province where the loan is made.
III. THE annual meetings of the corporation, appointed by the charter, ſhall be alternately held in the provinces of New-York, New-Jerſey and Pennſylvania; and ſix weeks previous notice of the time and places of all annual meetings, ſhall be given by the ſecretary, in one or more of the public news-papers, publiſhed in New-York, and in Philadelphia. And if an occaſional meeting of the corporation ſhould be found at any time neceſſary, and the ſtanding committee of buſineſs, to be appointed agreeably to the rules of the ſociety, ſhould apply in writing to the preſident of the corporation,
to call ſuch meeting at any particular place within the ſaid three provinces, the preſident ſhall call ſuch occaſional meeting at the place requeſted by the committee, giving ſuch public notice thereof, by the ſecretary, as is directed above. And at all ſuch meetings, whether occaſional or ſtated, any number of members met, not being leſs than fifteen, ſhall have power to make by-laws, and in general, ſhall have all the powers granted by charter to this corporation, other than the making, altering or repealing fundamental laws and regulations; provided always, that when any part of the ſtock of the corporation is to be diſpoſed of, or any augmentation of annuities to be made, the ſame ſhall be expreſſed in the previous public notices hereby directed to be given of ſuch meetings.
IV. THE treaſurer or treaſurers, ſhall give ſuch ſecurity to the corporation every year, as often as thereto required, in ſuch ſum or ſums as the corporation at any annual meeting may judge ſufficient, for the faithful diſcharge of the truſt repoſed, and to be repoſed, in him or them; and farther, he or they ſhall, at each annual meeting, exhibit his or their accounts to the corporation, for their inſpection and approbation.
ALTHOUGH the foregoing laws and regulations were enacted upon as full and mature deliberation as the time would admit, yet, upon reconſidering them carefully the next day, when the number of members preſent was not ſufficient to authorize any alteration or amendment, ſome things, relative to the payments to be made by thoſe of the clergy whoſe widows and children were to be intitled to annuities, ſeeming to have been tacitly implied, which ought rather to have been fully expreſſed, in order to prevent any future miſapprehenſion of the ſenſe of thoſe articles; it was therefore thought expedient, that an explanatory article ſhould be added, to be agreed to and ſubſcribed by all the clergy preſent, and, in future, by every clergyman who ſhould become a contributor, in order to intitle his widow and children to an annuity from this fund; until ſuch time as a majority of the members of the corporation ſhould again be met, to give this explanatory article, ſuch further ſanction as might be thought neceſſary. In this explanatory article the clergy declare their ſenſe of the
〈◊〉
laws and regulations to be, that every clergyman, who ſhall become
a contributor, in order that his widow and children may be intitled to an annuity at his deceaſe, is to continue the payment of his yearly contribution during his life, and not to ſtop at the end of fifteen years; the whole calculations being on the principle of payments for life. And they further declare their ſenſe of the articles to be, that if any clergyman ſhould die in arrears of his annual payments, all his arrears, with the penalty of one penny in the pound per day, are to be deducted out of the annuity payable to the widow and children.
BY the foregoing laws and regulations a plan was ſettled for the management and diſpoſition of a fund, that was, partly, to ariſe from the ſtated contributions of thoſe whoſe families were to be intitled to relief and aſſiſtance from it. Theſe contributions of the clergy are conſidered as the annual ſavings of a ſtrict and ſevere economy, laid out in the purchaſe of ſmall annuities, to be kept in reſerve for their wives and children, in caſe they ſhould come to be widows and orphans. To ſuch a fund, where the parties to be benefited by it were themſelves to exert their utmoſt ability towards its eſtabliſhment, it could
not be doubted that large additions would be made by the generoſity and charity of the benevolent and tender-hearted; eſpecially as the wants and diſtreſſes of thoſe, who by this inſtitution are to be relieved and aſſiſted, could not fail to have been peculiarly intereſting and affecting to perſons of humanity and ſenſibility. Two years, only, and a few months, have paſſed ſince the corporation was erected; and the members of it have the pleaſure to acknowledge, that they are already indebted to the worthy and humane, for as much aſſiſtance as could have been expected in ſo ſhort a time; and they are encouraged to promiſe themſelves a continuance of the public favor to the excellent charity, which they have undertaken to manage and conduct.
IT was intended, that a full account of the benefactions, received during the former year, ſhould have been annexed to the ſermon, preached before the corporation at New-York, and publiſhed, at their requeſt, by the Revd. Dr. Auchmuty; to whom ſuch an account was accordingly tranſmitted by the ſecretary: but, by ſome accident, it was loſt. This occaſioned the omiſſion of ſeveral articles,
which, otherwiſe, would have been then acknowledged. A general account is, therefore, here inſerted, of the encouragement and aſſiſtance hitherto received by the corporation; who now return their ſincere thanks for the following benefactions, which, as nearly as it could be aſcertained, are mentioned according to the order of time in which they were received.
| |
The current money in theſe provinces being of unequal value, the ſeveral articles of this account, in order to avoid perplexity, are expreſſed according to their value in Spaniſh dollars, at ſeven ſhillings and ſix-pence a piece; which is the value of a dollar in lawful money of New-Jerſey, and in the money of Pennſylvania; in New-York a dollar is valued at eight ſhillings of the current money of that province.
Lawful Money of New-Jerſey.
|
To the congregation of Chriſt-Church, Philadelphia, for their contribution, made at the firſt annual meeting of the Corporation, October 10, 1769, |
£. 40 — 6 |
To the Rev. Dr. Peters, preſident of the Corporation, |
200 — 0 |
To a Gentleman, by the Rev. Mr. Cooke,
|
10 15 4 |
To a Gentleman, by the Rev. Dr. Smith,
|
6 — 0 |
| To a Lady, by the ſame hand, |
1 — 0 |
To a Gentleman, by the Rev. Dr. Chandler,
|
6 — 0 |
| To a Gentleman, by the ſame hand, |
3 — 0 |
To a Perſon unknown, by the Rev. Dr. Peters,
|
— 15 0 |
To ſeveral Ladies, by the Rev. Mr. Duche,
|
14 8 0 |
To Mrs. Jackſon, by the Rev. Mr. Craig,
|
1 — 0 |
To Mrs. Vanlear, by the ſame hand, |
1 — 0 |
To the Lord Biſhop of London, by the Rev. Dr. Peters, £ 20 Sterling,
|
33 — 0 |
To his Excellency Governor Franklin, by the Rev. Mr. Odell,
|
£. 10 — 0 |
To the congregation of St. Mary's Church, Burlington, by the ſame hand, |
5 8 0 |
To the congregation of St. Andrew's Church Mount-holly, by the ſame hand, |
2 5 9 |
To the Hon. Sir William Johnſon, Baronet, by the Rev. Dr. Auchmuty,
|
9 7 6 |
To the congregation of Trinity-Church, New-York, for their contribution made at the annual meeting of the corporation, October 2, 1770, |
140 11 5¾ |
To a perſon unknown, by Dr Auchmuty,
|
3 — 0 |
| To another perſon, by the ſame hand, |
1 17 6 |
To a Lady unknown, by the Rev. Dr. Ogilvie,
|
3 — 0 |
| To a military Gentleman, by the ſame hand, |
3 — 0 |
| To another military Gentleman, by the ſame hand, |
3 — 0 |
| To another military Gentleman, by the ſame hand, |
1 17 6 |
To a Gentleman unknown, by Dr Auchmuty,
|
2 16 3 |
To a Lady, by Dr. Ogilvie,
|
3 — 0 |
To the Rev. Mr. Provoſt, by Dr. Auchmuty,
|
9 7 6 |
To the Rev. Mr. Forbes, by the ſame hand, |
1 7 2¼ |
To a Lady unknown, by Dr. Ogilvie,
|
3 — 0 |
To a Gentleman unknomn, by Dr. Auchmuty,
|
8 4 0¾ |
| To a Lady unknown, by the ſame hand, |
1 10 0 |
To the Rev. Mr. Preſton, by Dr. Chandler,
|
1 14 8¼ |
| To the venerable Society for the propagation of the Goſpel in foreign parts, their annual contribution, £ 60, ſterling |
97 — 7½ |
To Mr. William Hilton, by Dr. Chandler,
|
— 18 9 |
To the Right Hon. Lord Dartry of Ireland, by Major Fell.
|
5 2 0 |
To Col. John Lawrence, of Charles-Town, South-Carolina, by Dr. Peters,
|
7 10 0 |
To Mr. J.M. of Philadelphia, by Dr. Smith.
|
1 — 0 |
To Mrs. P. of Philadelphia, by the ſame hand,
|
2 — 0 |
To Thomas Smith, Eſq. of Charleſtown, South-Carolina, by the ſame hand, |
£. 3 — 0 |
To Mr. Elliot, of the ſame place, by the ſame hand, |
3 — 0 |
To John Smyth, Eſq. of Perth-Amboy, by the ſame hand, |
3 — 0 |
To Robert Pringle, Eſq. of Charleſtown, South-Carolina, by the ſame hand, |
6 — 0 |
To Col. Armſtrong of New-Caſtle county, by the ſame hand, |
5 — 0 |
To John Morton, Eſq. of Cheſter, by the Rev. Mr. Craig,
|
3 — 0 |
To Mr. John Croſby, jun. of Cheſter, by the ſame hand. |
2 — 0 |
To Henry Hale Graham, Eſq. of Cheſter, by the ſame hand, |
1 5 9 |
To the congregation of St. Martin's, Chicheſter, by the ſame hand, |
1 1 4 |
To the congregation of St. Peter's Church, Perth-Amboy, for their contribution, made at the annual meeting of the corporation, October 2, 1771, |
30 3 2 |
To two perſons unknown, by Cortland Skinner, Eſq. |
1 15 4 |
BESIDES the benefactions above acknowledged, it remains to mention one, which (though not yet come to hand) is no leſs intitled to the public thanks of the corporation. At the annual meeting in New-York, October 2d, 1770, a committee being named, to deviſe a proper ſeal for the corporation, Jocob Le Roy Eſq. offered to pay the expence of any ſeal that ſhould be agreed upon, the price not exceeding ten guineas. This generous offer was politely accepted by the board; and
a ſeal was accordingly ordered, and is daily expected from England.
AND here alſo it is, with pleaſure, acknowledged, that the ſincere thanks of the corporation are due to the Rev. Mr. Thomas Wharton, rector of St. Michael's at Bridgetown, in Barbados; who, on the firſt intelligence he received of this charitable inſtitution, warmly intereſted himſelf in its behalf, ſoliciting his brethren and acquaintance, in that Iſland, to join with him in contributing
to ſo laudable, ſo worthy an undertaking.
Such are the terms in which he expreſſes his approbation of the ſcheme, and his zeal for its ſucceſs, in a letter to Dr. Smith, dated ſo early as May, 1770; in which he intimates to the corporation his hope of procuring ſome conſiderable contributions to their fund. The corporation have not yet received any direct account of the ſucceſs of his application; but the readineſs and zeal with which it has been ſeconded and ſupported by the clergy, and by many of the principal gentlemen of the laity. in Barbados, appear from the following advertiſement, which was lately inſerted, for ſeveral weeks together, in the Barbados Mercury.
The benevolent and humane are acquainted, that a ſubſcription has been opened for the relief of the widows and orphans of the clergy of the eſtabliſhed church in North-America, and that the members of the aſſembly, and ſeveral other principal gentlemen of the Iſland, have been pleaſed to encourage the laudable ſcheme, by cheerfully contributing to the charitable deſign. Notice therefore is hereby given, that the ſeveral clergymen of the Iſland will receive ſubſcriptions, from ſuch of their pariſhioners as will be pleaſed to offer their bounty; and the ſums ſubſcribed will be duly tranſmitted, by Henry Duke Eſq. and the Rev. Thomas Wharton.