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THE

DUTY OF GIVING AWAY

A STATED PROPORTION OF OUR INCOME.

AN ADDRESS

DELIVERED IN THE VICTORIA HALL, BELFAST,

THE LORD BISHOP OF DOWN, CONNOR, AND DROMORE
IN THE CHAIR.

BY

WILLIAM ARTHUR, A.M.

LONDON:

JAMES NISBET AND CO., BERNERS STREET.

1855.

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MY LORD, LADIES And Gentlemen,—

THE task which devolves on me this evening is to submit a few observations on the duty of giving away a stated proportion of our income. This subject has already been handled, and that with much force of logic and scriptural demonstration, with much feeling and practical knowledge, in the book so well known under the title of "Gold and the Gospel;" a book with this singular genealogy, that it is the offspring of five heads and one heart. The gentlemen to whom the public are indebted for the origin of that volume, as also for its circu

lation

on terms unprecedented, though they must be satisfied that they have done much, yet, like all who have tasted the pleasure of doing good, are resolved on doing more. Not content with having set up banner for benevolence, they are determined to aise and train an army by whom that banner shall be followed, wherever it is unfurled. Against their

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THE DUTY OF GIVING AWAY

volume just one thing can be said,-it is a volume, and a large one; and that is no inconsiderable drawback, in an age that is itself a newspaper. They now intend, by the lighter instrumentality of popular addresses, to press the subject home upon multitudes whom octavos never disturb. By their choice, the lot of commencing this new form of proceeding has fallen upon me; and though, my Lord, in public addresses, I generally feel it to be wrong to spend even a sentence on myself, tonight I am bound to say, that, in the course of my short and humble life, nothing in the way of compliment or honour ever affected me so deeply, as when, after reading the requisition which called me. here, I read that remarkable list of names appended to it; names, to more than one of which I had been accustomed, from boyhood, to bow with respect in the distance.

For the practical handling of the subject which is expected from me, I know not, my Lord, that I can do better than attempt to

Explain the duty,

State the grounds whereon it rests, and

Plead for practical attention to it.

When we speak of the duty of giving away a stated proportion of our income, we do not mean that all persons having equal incomes are bound to give away equal sums, however their other circumstances may vary. Power to give away may be modified by three circumstances,—family, locality,

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