Providence we shall devote to purposes of beneficence, may not be passed
over; and the consecration, not to say the disbursement, should be made
_immediately_, while the idea that our possession are from God is fresh
in our minds, and before selfishness shall seize them as her own.
Procrastination is often but giving heed to her treacherous voice, and
ere we are aware, she carries us captive. As we receive our increase
from the hand of God, like faithful stewards, we should set apart the
portion belonging to others without delay. To indulge ourselves by
holding them up before us, and doating upon them as our own, will but
inflame our covetousness; and we shall be tempted to rob the needy of
their portion. This is not hypothesis; facts prove that money is
contributed far more cheerfully when in a loose state than after it
becomes fixed property. This rule, directing frequency of
consecrations, conforming itself to individual circumstances, is
oppressive to none.

But the capital of some makes returns only once a year; of others, only
once in a series of years. To such this rule can be by no means
applicable; for the wants and sufferings of those whom God has made it
our duty to relieve, often demand far more frequent distributions;
while, in a variety of instances, it calls into exercise our benevolence
too rarely to suppress the selfish tendencies of the heart,--a point,
which, in rearing a system of beneficence, may never be overlooked.
Other principles must therefore be noticed.

2d. _Our contributions should be so frequent as will tend to repress
the selfish, and keep alive the benevolent affections_. We should give
so frequently as to impress and nurture the conviction that we were made
not only for ourselves, but for others; and that the noblest use of
property is its distribution to the needy. This conviction it is