the temper and motives from which they do so; but we will speak first of the undertaking itself.

Our natural reason does lead us to conclude that men united for any object have much greater power than when acting singly and the holy Scripture tells us the same. "Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth! for he hath not another to help him up. And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Not only does the number tell, which is obvious, but each man's strength and ability is multiplied by the fact of his acting with others. Let us for a moment suppose the case of a village or town in which all were independent of one another; no man obliged to his fellow for any thing, but each doing for himself every thing which he needed: any one can see what would be the disadvantage of such a state of things: no man, however strong or skilful he might be, could do every thing for himself nearly so well or so easily as one who made the particular trade or art his chief business; infinitely more

k Eccl. iv. 9, 10, 12.

time and labour would be consumed, and yet the work after all be done very much worse: while the weak or the awkward (far the larger part, remember, of any society) would be destitute even of the necessaries of life, to say nothing of comforts.

It is plain then that the Creator has so ordered our condition in the world that we are dependent upon one another, and thus are naturally led to live together in what we call society; and His having seen fit so to do is in effect a law to that purpose. It is therefore reasonable to suppose that to unite for any particular object is the best and most likely way to attain it. Now what are the principles of unions like yours?

They are founded upon what is called experience, on the observation of what has commonly happened, and which it is therefore just to conclude will most likely happen again. We find that sickness whether of an ordinary kind, or caused by sudden accidents, such as breaking of limbs for instance, does not commonly affect many men of a given number at once, and that some out of the number even escape altogether. We need no teaching to tell us what distress falls upon a poor man's family when the hand of God is heavy upon him:

God has ordained that the mass of men should live by bodily labour, and with such the loss of health and strength is the loss of the means of living. Now it is found that if a number of persons join for the purpose of meeting sickness when it comes, the afflicted are enabled to receive help much more plentiful and more effectual than could possibly be procured by any savings of their own singly, however prosperous or careful they might have been.

And the knowledge of all this is a fair and lawful reason for such unions, because God, who has given to all animals instinct to provide for themselves, has given to man reason, that is common sense and forethought, to the same end.

I might go on to mention other goods which spring from them as for instance the strong inducement thus held out to avoid selfish and hurtful indulgence leading almost necessarily into grievous temptations: but I have said enough to shew that they are lawful and expedient, and I hope you will already have found the benefits of your own. I wish in conclusion to warn you against some of the evils to which as members of such a society you are exposed.

First, supposing that God is pleased to prosper your society, this will be in itself a snare you will be tempted to trust in your

selves, and to think highly of your own prudence. Remember then that this, like all other good gifts, is from Him, and as such humbly acknowledge it. If the last year has been a prosperous one with you, let your grateful thanks be this day offered to Him who has permitted it to be so: no calculation founded on human prudence could stand for a moment against any unusual visitation; a pestilent fever might soon exhaust your funds and leave you helpless bless then His holy name who hath graciously looked upon your infirmities, and turned from you those evils which it may be you have righteously deserved.

Next, if ever your resources should be greatly reduced by sickness or accidents, then will be the time to practise the precept of the text, and not be anxiously careful for the morrow: if you undertook your engagements on sound principles of calculation, and in reliance on the Divine blessing, your part is done: "Commit your way unto the Lord and put your trust in Him and He shall bring it to pass" as seemeth Him good: and then whether your society prospers or no, it will have brought you a blessing.

:

Thirdly, be careful above all things of entering into such engagements in a spirit of selfish

1 St. James i. 17.

m Psalm xxxvii. 5.

ness. If you have joined this society merely from a wish to secure yourselves, and without a thought of the good of your neighbours, do not deceive yourselves for a moment with the notion that you are doing any thing praiseworthy you are only doing what any prudent worldly man might do as well. And the following will be a good practical test to prove your hearts by With what feelings do you who are blessed yourselves with good health regard those of your members whom the hand of God stretches on a bed of sickness and of pain? Do you feel jealous, and grudge the drain on your funds, continuing as it often may do for many weeks? do you think yourselves unlucky to have such members? do you wish secretly you could be rid of them?-if you do, you cannot expect God's blessing on yourselves, that blessing which descends on him "that considereth the poor and needy the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble. The Lord preserve him and keep him alive, that he be blessed upon earth and deliver not Thou him into the will of his enemies. The Lord comfort him when he lieth sick upon his bed: make Thou all his bed in his sickness"." Rather, my brethren, should you rejoice and thank God that you have been shewn

may

n Psalm xli. 1—3.