It is the opinion of many of the wisest and best of men, that the
besetting sin of professors of christianity is _the love of money_; and
yet, there is no subject on which so little has been written well. The
late Andrew Fuller says, "It will, in all probability, prove the eternal
overthrow of more characters among professing people, than any other
sin; because it is almost the only crime which can be indulged, and a
profession of religion at the same time supported."
_One Hundred Guineas_, besides the profits of its publication, will be
presented to the author of the best essay on this subject. Preference
will be given to the most spiritual, poignant, and affectionate appeal
to the judgment and consciences of those who professedly recognize the
authority of revelation, on avaricious hoarding, and unchristian-like
expenditure, to gratify the lust of the eye, and pride of life, whilst
they avow their obligations to redeeming mercy, and profess that
themselves, and all they have, is not their own, but belongs, and must
be accounted for, to Him who has said, "Occupy till I come," and then
"Give an account of thy stewardship, for thou mayest be no longer
steward." The work wanted, is one that will bear upon selfishness, as it
leads to live to ourselves, and not for God and our fellow-men.
It is requested that reference may be made to the different estimates of
man who blesseth, and of God, who abhorreth, the covetous (Ps. x. 3);
and to the tremendous consequences of this sin, which is associated with
the vilest of crimes which exclude from the kingdom of heaven. (Eph. v.
5.) The manuscript is to be sent to Dr. Conquest, 13, Finsbury Square,
on or before the 1st of November, 1835; with a sealed letter, containing
the address of the writer. The Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel and the Rev.
Dr. Pye Smith have kindly engaged to be the arbitrators. The reward will
be adjudged on the 1st of May, 1836.
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