The Faithful Steward

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The Faithful Steward

The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Faithful Steward, by Sereno D. Clark
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Title: The Faithful Steward Or, Systematic Beneficence an Essential of Christian Character
Author: Sereno D. Clark
Release Date: May 12, 2005 [eBook #15822]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FAITHFUL STEWARD***
E-text prepared by Jared Fuller

Prize Essay
THE FAITHFUL STEWARD;
Or, Systematic Beneficence an Essential of Christian Character
by
REV. SERENO D. CLARK.

PUBLISHER'S ADVERTISEMENT.
The following is from the Circular of the Committee of Award, signed THOMAS S. WILLIAMS, WILLIAM R. WILLIAMS, R. T. HAINES.
"The committee selected to award a premium of $250 for 'the best approved treatise on the importance of Systematic Beneficence, and of statedly appropriating certain portions of income for benevolent objects,' report, that they have examined one hundred and seventy-two manuscripts submitted to them, several of which are large treatises, and a number marked by distinguished merit. They selected four, as in their judgment superior to the rest. Of these four, each was found to have its peculiar excellencies and adaptation to usefulness--this in one walk, and that in another. Literary merit, thoroughness of discussion, and a spiritual and practical character, each and all necessary, in their measure, to render a composition 'THE BEST' in the sense of the original offer of the donor, are to be found blended, in various proportions, in these several treatises, and rendered the task of decision the more embarrassing. The committee were thus unable to select any one, two, or three, as on the whole preferable to the remainder of these four. They therefore awarded the premium, which the benevolent donor has increased to $400, to be divided equally among these four manuscripts;" one of which is here offered to the public.

CONTENTS.

PART I.
Introduction.--Systematic Beneficence argued.--Nature of such a System,

PART II.
Distinction between a General and Particular System. --Two Questions discussed. 1. What is the proportional amount of property or income to be given individually in charitable contributions; together with the principle on which the amount is to be ascertained? 2. How frequently should stated contributions be made? --The method of previous appropriations discussed, and the duty enforced,

PART III.
The General System given in detail.--1. It must consist of intellectual views, their inculcation, and harmonizing affections and desires. 2. Of general purposes and resolutions. 3. Of correspondent actions.--The adoption of the Individual System urged.--Systematic Beneficence an essential of Christian character,
CONCLUSION.
An Address to professed Christians.--An Address to the Rich.--An Address to the Young,

THE FAITHFUL STEWARD.

PART I.
"GOD IS LOVE." Perfectly blessed in Himself, he desired that other intelligences should participate in his own holy felicity. This was his primary motive in creating moral beings. They were made in his own image--framed to resemble him in their intellectual and moral capacities, and to imitate him in the spirit of their deportment. Whatever good they enjoyed, like him, they were to desire that others might enjoy it with them; and thus all were to be bound together by mutual sympathy,--linked to Himself, and to one another; otherwise, they would not resemble their Great Original, either in feeling or conduct. But intelligent beings, unlike Himself, Jehovah, in consistency with his holy character, could never purpose to create. He thus must eternally abhor the covetous; and hence, with all the strength of his infinite nature, threaten them with everlasting death.
How glorious this idea of creation, and how beautiful the universe produced!--the whole mantled in the effulgence of the eternal throne; the Sovereign Creator upholding all ranks of intelligences in the hollow of his hand, and pouring into their bosoms the fullness of his own fruition; while their hearts, in turn, rise to the Source of their being in sweetest incense of joy and praise; each burning with a seraph's love to communicate his own overflowing enjoyments to those around him. Well might the morning stars have sung together when such a universe awoke to being.
The greatest good, the richest possession, then, of an intelligent being, is a soul in harmony with this original design of creation--a oneness of principle, of feeling, and interest, with God; in other words, disinterested benevolence. Truly, "It is more blessed to give than to receive;" for without the good will the generous deed implies, whatever else we have, we must have sorrow.
But how little of this spirit is evinced by man in his fallen state. Those ties of love, that bound us to our Creator and to one another, are sundered; as a race, severed from the governing Centre of all, each has chosen a centre for himself, and is moving on in darkness and ruin; selfishness the rule, self-interest the end.
Benevolence