cultivate, therefore, a docile temper, a simple, child-like spirit
towards Christ. We should cherish such vital nearness to our Lord,
that we may commune as freely with him as friend communes with
friend; feeling that we can and would do nothing, even in the
common affairs of life, without his aid and guidance. It is said of
a lady in one of our cities, whom an intimate acquaintance urged to
spend a few days with her in the country, that she replied, "I
should like to, but I don't know, it may not be best;" and added with
great simplicity, and in agreement with the spirit of her life, "I will
go and ask my Saviour." Thus, on the reception of worldly
treasures, or in determining beforehand what proportion of our
expected increase we shall appropriate to the Lord, we should go to
Jesus with the same sweet simplicity and earnestness, crying, "Lord,
what proportion of these thy bounties shall I share with the
destitute?" failing not to devote that portion which our consciences,
enlightened by scripture, shall dictate when kneeling before the
mercy-seat.

9. The responsibility of maintaining a healthful and enlightened
conscience in respect to benevolence. The Bible is the great teacher
and rectifier of the conscience. We must in the first place, then, take
fair, impartial, disinterested views of all the precepts, examples,
promises, and teachings of the Scriptures on this point. We must
investigate them thoroughly, and be sure that we obtain precisely the
mind of the Spirit. Dim or distorted views either cripple the springs
of action, or give them wrong direction. True, the scriptural standard
towers high, and shines brightly. Some would obscure its brightness;
would wrest those passages most vividly presenting it; would convince
themselves that so great sacrifices as some, in their zeal, have
prescribed, are not required; that we are permitted to enjoy our own