Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-08-02
CHARITY.
LETTER Or TIE REV. JOHN NEWTON TO
4 YOUNG MINISTER.

LETTER ot ItL SOii.> L" AO-' :"
YOUNG MINISTER.
Diy dear Friend,
The more | think ofthe point you propo-
scd to me, the more am confirmed TO re-
new the advice then gave. There is
'ibtless such a thing as Christian pru-
dence, but. my friend, beware Of counter
fets. Scli:love, and an evil heart Of un-
belief will endeavor to obtrude upcl us
prudence, so called, which is as opposite
to the former rs darkness to light. do
not say thai, now yoa have VIE, and the
prospect of a family, you are strictly bound
to communicate with the post IN the same
proportion as formerly: | say yon are not
bound; for every thing Of this sort should
proceed from 4 willing mind. But If YOU
should tell me, the Lord has gwen YOU
such zeal for his glory, such concern
for the honor of the Gospel, 81 love
TO his members, such q grateful sense
ofhis marcies, and such al alliance IN his
providence and promises, that You lind
yours If very unwilling to be one slSpcnc
in the wear less useful than you was before
could not blame YOU, or dissuade YOU from
il. But do not absolutely advise i, De.
cause know not the STATE ofyour mind, or
measure oriaith the Lord has given YOU.
Oa,y this brive. that when the Lord
YES such confidence he will 10. dis1p-
-~nt II.
t,'len look among thc professors, yea,
among ne ministers Of The Gospel, there
a.. few things See more general wan, OF
~. sNvh trust in God, as to temporaIs,
and S,,h a sense of the honor Of being
permit II 10 relieve the necessities of his
people IS mi.nt dispose them 10 q more
lbera distribution Of what they have at
present in their po':2r, and to reliance on
him for sufficient supply in future. Some
exceptions there are some persons have
the happiness to know whose chief pleasure
it seems to be 10 devise liberal things. Fo:
the most part, W, ,nke care first, TO be we'll
supplied, if possible, with all the necessa-
ries, conveniencies, and not 4 few Of the
elegaucies, OF life, then 10 have snug fund
laid up against a RAINY day, as the
phrase IS, Of this is in an increasing way
so much the bettcr.) that when we look al
children and near relatives, VIC may say
TO our hearts, "Now they are well provi.
ded for" And when we have gotten all
this, and more, we are perhaps content, for
the love of Christ, TO bestow 4 pittanre of
COR superiuities, a tenth twentieth part of
what we spend or hoard up for ourselves,
upon the poor. But, alas what do we
herein more than others! Multitudos, who
know nothing olthe love of Christ, will do
thus muci,-yea, perhaps greatly exceed
US, from the mere feelings Of humanity.
But, il may be asked, would you show no
regard to the possibility Of leaving your
wife or children unprovided for?
Quite the reverse. | would have you
attend 10 it very much; and behold, the
Scriptures show you the more excellent
way. Ifyou had little money to spare,
would YOU not lend it to me if | assured
you it would be repaid when wanted? |
can point out to you, better security than
could possibly give you: Prov. xix. II.
"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth
unto the Lord and that which he hath
given will he pay him again." What think
YOU ofthis text! Is it the word Of God or
not! Is he worthy Of belief or no; ! Is he
able to make good his word, or is he not!
dare stake all my interest in your friend.
ship (Which should be very 10th to forfeit
that if you act upon this maxim, in spirit
of PRAYER and faith, and with single eye
TO his glory, YOU shall not be disappointed.
Read over Mat. vi. 26-34 Shall We
confne that reasoning and those promises
TO the primitive times Say not, fthc
Lord would make windows in Heaven this
might be-" He has more ways 10 bless
and prosper those who trust in him. than
we are able to point out to him. But
tell YOU, my friend, he will sooner make
windows in Heaven, turn stones into bread,
yea, stop the sun in its course, than he will
suffer those who conscientiously serve him
and depend upon him to be destitute.
Some instances We have had of minis.
tiers who have seemed to transgrcss the
bounds fstrict prudence IN their attention
to the poor. But they have been men of
faith, prayer and zeal; if they did it not
from a caprice Of humor, but from such
motives as the Scriptures suggest and re-
commend, believe their families have sell
dom suffered for it. | wish you TO Con.
suit on this head what Mrs. Aileine says in
the affecting account she has given of that
honored and faithful servant OF God, her
husband, Joseph AlIeine. Besides, you
know not what YOU may actually save in
the course Of a year by this method. The
Apostle, speaking of some abuses that OBJ
tanned in the Church Of Corinth, says:-
For this cause many are sick among
you." If prudence should shut up the
bowels of your compassion, (which | trust
NIl- /