ficious, and even ridiculous. them, however, of which the which the greatest reliance is will be directed to that alone.

As it is the last of most is made and on placed, my attention

If there is sufficient evidence, that the funds contributed in religious charity are misapplied and wasted; with all my heart, I say let it be known. Let those who have done it be exposed, that they may be execrated. Let no considerations of prudence be allowed to screen them from the merited indignation of a defrauded world. But if there is no evidence that this is the case, but evidence the most complete and satisfactory to the contrary; then the mildest lan-. guage which can be used in respect to their accusers is, that they are chargeable with "evil surmisings." They have given way to jealousies and suspicions, which are as wicked, as they are unreasonable. They have treated, and continue to treat, those benevolent and distinguished persons who are entrusted with the concerns of Missions, not with uncharitableness, not with injustice, but with palpable cruelty.

The pretence here proposed to be examined, whether it be founded in truth or not, is obviously one of very serious influence. It is one exactly suited to the feelings of sordid, selfish hearts. Many have long wished for such a plea, to justify their covetousness, and their secret opposition to the cause of Christ. It is harbored I have no doubt by many, who from a regard to character would not avow it; and means are in operation to make it still more general. The influence of it, wherever it is harbored, cannot but be perceived. It must paralize the lifted hand of charity, and put a stop to all exertions and contributions for the spread of the gospel. No man will contribute to increase those funds which he

suspects are wickedly misapplied. No person will put his property into the hands of those, who he really believes will squander it on unworthy objects.

In the ensuing remarks I shall endeavour to shew, that the pretence under consideration is totally unfounded. I shall endeavour to satisfy every candid inquirer, that the monies contributed in religious charity have been disposed of, not only with strict integrity, but with great prudence and economy.-In order to this, let it be observed,

1. That the contrary has never been proved, nor has any credible proof of it been so much as attempted.-Obviously no body of men are holden to establish their own innocence. They will be deemed innocent by the eye of reason and of charity-by all laws human and divine, till their guilt is proved. If then the directors of our religious charitable concerns are chargeable with fraud or mismanagement, why is not this shown? Why is not the proof of it furnished? Till it is furnished, no one has any reason or right to indulge suspicions; and, till it is furnished, if suspicions are indulged and thrown out, they ought to be frowned upon and disregarded. But not only has no proof been exhibited against those who are entrusted with the concerns of Missions, I add,

2. That the manner, in which the charges to be proved are brought forward, affords presumptive evidence of their falsity. These charges are always made indefinitely, and in general terms. If fraud has actually been discovered in the management of these concerns, we have a right to know who has done it. "Where does he live? What is his name? At what time, and to what amount, has he enriched himself from the treasury of the Lord"? When charges are

presented in the manner here prescribed, it will be time to attend to them. It will be time to enquire seriously, whether the implicated individual is guilty or not. But it is remarkable that we hear no charges alleged, in this definite, tangible shape. They have, so far as I know, been uttered uniformly in a very different manner. Some guess that the money which is contributed is misapplied; others have heard a flying report, to the discredit of some unknown, unnamed, and totally undefined individual; others still do not know what becomes of the contributions, but do not believe that they ever reach the object for which they were bestowed.-The manner, my friends, in which these surmisings are uttered is to me sufficient evidence of their falsity. If they were founded -in truth, they certainly could, and they certainly would, be brought forward in a very different man

ner.

3. The known character of those who are entrusted with the Missionary funds is a sufficient security that these funds are faithfully applied. It is no disparagement to others to say, that these are among the best and most distinguished men of our own, or of any country. Some of the most distinguished Divines and excellent civilians of which America can boast, have the care and management of all our principal' charitable concerns. Are not these men worthy to be trusted? Were it necessary, I would gladly read over their names, and ask, which character among them is not above suspicion ?-And in order to make out the charge of fraud, it is not enough to suppose that some individual among them is capable of practising it. The truth is, no individual can practise it, without the knowledge and concurrence of others. If there is fraud, all are accessary to it; and we

must suppose that twenty or thirty men, such as compose, for instance," the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions," are cuddleing together for what? To defraud the Lord's treasury -to enrich themselves from those consecrated funds which have been generously contributed by industrious people for the spread of the gospel!!-I envy no man his disposition, who will allow himself to suppose, or even to suspect such a thing, when there is no evidence in favor of the supposition, but the most abundant and satisfactory evidence against it.

4. I see no way possible in which those who are entrusted with religious charitable funds can practice fraud, if they are disposed to do it, and not be discovered by the whole Christian public. For all that is contributed, a fair receipt is given, and in all the societies, these receipts are published. In some they are published monthly, in some quarterly, and in some annually. These publications are examined by thousands, and may be examined by all who are willing to take them. What opportunity then for fraud in regard to the subject of receipts ?-But there is every way as small an opportunity in regard to expenditures. Every article of expenditure, even the most minute, is carefully noted, and the general result published; and the whole account is declared, under the hand of an auditor, to be correctly cast and well vouched. If people will not examine these accounts, the directors of our charities certainly are not in fault. They publish them-lay them fairly open for examination, and what can they do more?

5. It is evidence that the funds of our charitable institutions are faithfully applied, that the complaint of mismanagement is not made by those who are best able and most deeply interested to detect and ex

pose it. It is not made by those who are in the habit of examining candidly the religious publications of the day, and whose continued and liberal contributions have in fact constituted, and do constitute, the charitable funds. These persons make no complaint, and are perfectly satisfied that there is no ground for any. The complaint is made by those who read little or nothing on the subject, and who give, if possible, less than they read by those who know scarcely any thing about it, and only wish to bring it into discredit and reproach.

The persons who contribute to our public charities, and who carefully examine all their accounts, are not of a character silently and tamely to suffer imposition. They are a people of many eyes, and ever watchful, if not for their own interest, at least for the interest of their beloved Zion. The moment any considerable fraud is practised upon them, they must discover it; and whenever they do discover it, rest assured, ten thousand tongues and pens will be employed to condemn it. Ten thousand voices will be raised at once to blast with eternal infamy him who has done it.-Till such as have the best means of knowing, and are most deeply interested, begin to complain; it is of little consequence for those to murmur, who, though ignorant of the subject, are yet its inveterate opposers and enemies.

6. The great things which have been accomplished by those who are entrusted with the public charitable funds, are a living, standing proof that these funds are faithfully applied. The American Bible Society has printed and prepared more than two hundred and fifty thousand Bibles and Testaments. The American Tract Society has published, and to a great extent circulated, between three and four mil