Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-10-08
ON BENEVOLENCE.

ON BENEVOLENCE.
I" But deep this truth impressed my lind,
Through all His works abroad,
The heart benevolent and kind
The resembles God."-BuRHs.
OF those virtues which are universal
ly acknowledged and admired, there Is
none more worthy Of cultivation than
benevoience. The amiableness of its
character is SD impressive aud endear.
ing, that il has been venerated even by
those who in other respects were unac-
qi,:inied with the light of religion, and
the dictates Of genuine morality.
That to have enjoyment increased or
wretchedness mitigated, is delightful TO
him who experiences either. must be
obvious to all; Tor who has not felt that
he had some power OF happiness that
might be expanded, or some emotion
of sorrow that might be aIlayed? But
the bliss Of benevolence is not confined
merely to, the receiver of benefit.
There is powerful and indescribabIe
delight in cooierring happiness, and in
this occupation the mind will never
complain Of fatigue and safety; for sue
cessive exertions produce increased
strength and satisfaction.
That a virtue so consonant with the
good feelings of mankind was intended
by the Creator to be universally felt
and exercised, may be perceived by
reason unassisted by revelation, Tor it is
evident that society exists by contin-
ual reciprocation Of benefits; that no
one is independent of human aid and
that all possess some power of increas-
ing the general good.
But though the constitution OF the
world in some degree compeIs man
20 promote his neighbours interest for
the advancement of his own it has long
been discovered, that he who acts from
this motive alone, has no claim to the
s title of benevolent; that his actions,
though arrayed in apparent affection,
are nothing but diguised sel6shness !;
and that, if he were elevated beyond
the assistance of his fellow creatures,
they would cease to be the objects of
his specious regard. Benevolence can
not acknowledge such character as
one Of her children.
1t is, however, to be remembered
that the nature oil our present condition
is in many ways adapted to the encour-
agement Of benevolence. The hume
rous cases which solicit and deserv,.
our assistance, might continually ex-
cite and confirm the virtue. To be.
hold brother oppressed by calamity or
misfortune, and groaning under that
which he could neither avert nor resist;
to Imagine how his bosom throbs with
anguish, or palpitates with the expecia-
ton OF future good: to- see him CON.
tending with the difficulty or over
whelmed with disappoint ment, must
surely arouse our sympathy and inter-
est; especially if we recolieci that the
slow decline Of fortune, or the sudden
Oiast OF yiclssitude, may compel us to
that which we are now implored to be-
stow.
This consideration might bp sufici-
ent to satisfy our natural reason and hu-
mainly ofthe oncrous duty of active be-
nevolence. But he who is warmed and
irradiated by the beams Of revealed
love and wisdom, will have his feelings
stimulated and his understanding con-
WINGED by more elevated instructor.
Tho he whose criterion Of righteous
ness is the love which we have TO, each
other, has abundantly enjoined the du-
ay of relieving natural distress though
ne has taught us by direct precept or
obvious implication that to view human
wretchedness with apathy, is mon
strous sin; yet he has increased the
power and elevated the character of
benevoIence, by instructiDg us that il is
susceptible Of a spiritual, and eternal
application. To abate the wretched-
ness and increase the enjoyment which
refer to this world, is an immense sa-
tisfaction; but when we can save fell
Iow-creature from destruction, and fur
Their his everlasting happiness, we feel
the most profound gratitude and adora-
ton to Him who has condescended to
end0w us with power which we can ex
ercise. 6nitely, in that benevolence of
genuine love 10 which He delights.
Let us, therefore, when we feel the
amiabie emotions of beneyolence to-
wards those whom we can relieve or
rejoice remember that there is spi.
ritual as we'll as natural benevolence !;
that The benefit and delight Of the for