of Divine homage given in Eden, onward through the successive
generations of the patriarchs, were to be performed with decency and in
order. The Mosaic economy was one of the most rigid exactness. The
ritual prescribed to the Jews required the utmost method. The same law
held in regard to the payment of tithes and their multiplied gifts to
the Lord. This precision, with which every one must be struck in
reading the Old Testament, is doubtless designed for the instruction of
all succeeding times. But what is its peculiar lesson to us? It, at
least, shows us that God is pleased with regularity in the conduct of
his people; and not less in their beneficent transactions than in the
discharge of their other duties. The same principle of order is
transferred to Gospel times. Here, there may be liberty, but there must
be regularity. This is taught in that general commendation of Paul to
the Colossian christians for the order and steadfastness that rejoiced
him. (Col. ii. 5.) But if regularity in other things is pleasing to
God under the New Dispensation, why is it not in this divinest work of
an intelligent being? This is specifically shown in the injunction of
Paul to the Corinthians,*[1 Cor. Xvi. 2.] for each one to lay by him in
store on the first day of the week, as God had prospered him. Now,
without pushing this text to extremes, and affirming that the Holy Ghost
intended to require of all christians in all circumstances and in all
ages, to contribute a portion of their substance in charity every
Sabbath, the passage most distinctly shows that God is pleased with
systematic benevolence--with stated appropriations of income to objects
of munificence. As order is nature's first law, so it is of the
Scriptures.

System in our benefactions is thus clearly a duty devolving on all. It
is alike the voice within and the voice from heaven. It cannot be
neglected without imminent peril. It is a subject of vital interest.