The following eulogium on this virtue, is extracted from Mr Hamilton's
appeal in behalf of a religious community which had been deprived of its
property during the French Revolution:--
"Charity is an emanation from the choicest attribute of the Deity; it
is, as it were, a portion of the Divinity engrafted upon the human
stock; it cancels a multitude of transgressions in the possessor, and
gives him a foretaste of celestial joys. It whetted the pious Martin's
sword, when he divided his garment with the beggar; and swelled the
royal Alfred's bosom, while a pilgrim was the partner of his meal. It
influenced the sorrowing widow to cast her mite into the treasury; and
held a Saviour on the Cross, when he could have summoned Heaven to his
rescue. Its practice was dictated by the law, its neglect has been
censured by the prophets; and when the Lord of the vineyard sent his
only Son, he came not to destroy the law, but to fulfil it. Other
virtues may have a limit here, but Charity extends beyond the grave.
Faith may be lost in endless certainty, and Hope may perish in the
fruition of its object, but Charity shall live for countless ages, for
ever blessing and for ever blessed!"