Wesley Corpus

Occasions of doing this can never be wanting; for "the poor ye have always with you." But what a peculiar opportunity does the solemnity of this day furnish you with, of "treading in his steps," after a manner which you did not before conceive Did he say to the poor afflicted parent, (doubtless to the surprise of many,) "Weep not" And did he surprise them still more, when he stopped her flowing tears by restoring life to her dead son, and "delivering him to his mother" Did he (notwithstanding all that "laughed him to scorn") restore to life the daughter of Jairus How many things of a nearly resembling sort, "if human we may liken to divine," have been done, and continue to be done daily, by these lovers of mankind! Let every one then be ambitious of having a share in this glorious work! Let every one (in a stronger sense than Mr. Herbert meant) Join hands with God, to make a poor man live! By your generous assistance, be ye partakers of their work, and partakers of their joy. 3. To you I need add but one word more. Remember (what was spoken at first) the solemn declaration of Him whose ye are, and whom ye serve, coming in the clouds of heaven! While you are promoting this comprehensive charity, which contains feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, lodging the stranger; indeed all good works in one; let those animating words be written on your hearts, and sounding in your ears: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto ME."