ties wisely, and effectually, we must look beyond them. Many of the poor suffer greatly, or if, through the power of habit, they do not suffer as we should in the same circumstances, they are yet miserably destitute, from ignorance, or a disregard of the means of comfort which are within their reach. Some have abundant capacities for self-support, but are altogether indisposed to labor; and others are daily expending for their intemperate and debasing appetites, the earnings by which they might feed and clothe their families. Some are inefficient, and need to be excited. They may even need the assistance of a friend to obtain employment. for them. And with regard to others, there is no more important service which can be rendered, at once for their immediate comfort, and the preparation of their minds for religious instruction, and for religious exercises, than sympathy and aid in the charge of their children. These children, if left in the sole charge of their parents, will neither receive instruction in a school, nor discipline at home. They will grow up in ignorance, lawlessness, vagrancy and crime. Sometimes it may be the kindest and most important office that can be performed for a family, to obtain its removal to another neighborhood; for their peculiar dangers and sufferings may arise from the neighborhood in which they live. And sometimes, by other judicious counsel in a time of perplexity and embarrassment, or by the supply of some want which is very painfully felt in sickness, we may rescue from dangers of a very threatening character, and obtain a strong hold upon the mind for higher and better objects. There is, indeed, no service so small, and no office so humble, that it does not properly come

within the official duties of a minister at large. He will more gladly bow himself to wash the feet of the chief of sinners, than of the greatest of saints, if he can thus win the sinner's heart. He is to be, emphatically, and in all things, the poor man's friend, as well as minister ; and to acquaint himself not only with the mind and heart of the poor, but with all the circumstances which are exerting an influence on their hearts and characters. These circumstances may be, and often are, wholly beyond the control of the individuals who suffer from them; and may yet be within the power of one who is disposed to act as their benefactor and friend. These circumstances have therefore very strong claims upon the regard of a minister of the poor; and if they should be overlooked by him, or thought unworthy of attention, I should not be very sanguine in my expectations of good from all the other. services which he could render.

To the third class of the duties of a minister at large belong all those offices, in which he may engage as a medium of communication, and of connexion, between the classes of society. He goes to the poor, and to the poorest, primarily indeed as a minister of Christ, and for the purpose of preaching to them 'the unsearchable riches of Christ.' But he goes to them from among those who are not poor. Nor is it understood merely that he is, and unless he shall have sufficient property, that he must be, supported in his office by the rich. It is known, too, that as far as he is enabled to relieve the poor under the pressing wants of their poverty, it is through the sympathy of the rich, who have made him their almoner. He has therefore daily opportunities,

and if he be wise he will not fail to improve them, of calling forth the kindly affections of the poor towards the rich; of giving to them christian views of the connexion which God has instituted between all human interests, and human duties; and of inculcating the principles which will secure fidelity in duty, even in the poorest and lowest of all the employments of life. And he has frequent opportunities in his daily intercourse, and occasional ones in the Reports which he may make of his services, of giving to the rich a knowledge of poverty and of the poor, which is not otherwise to be obtained. It is, however, and it must not be forgotten that it is, a very partial trial which has yet been made of this ministry. It has indeed conduced, and it is conducing, to very great good. But I not only feel deeply, that we have much to learn of the best modes of operation in it, in view of the two first classes which I have named of its duties; but equally of those of the third class. Let this ministry be continued, and be wisely appointed, and wisely conducted, and it will do more, I believe, than can be done by any other agency, for making the rich and the poor advantageously known to each other; and, through the knowledge and feeling which it may extend of their intimate relation to each other as God's children, and of the inseparable connexion which exists between all their various interests, for the excitement and maintenance of a mutual christian sympathy, and feeling of brotherhood, between them. I have often, indeed, felt a strong doubt whether this ministry, if it shall be committed to fit instruments, and maintained at once on the part of those who engage in it, and of those who support it, with a spirit worthy of

its importance and its claims, would not, in every view of it, be as great a blessing to the rich, as to the poor. It may do more than any legislation can accomplish for checking the progress of pauperism and crime. It may bind the employed to the employer by stronger ties than any pecuniary compensation could form. And in various ways, which will readily occur to any one who will reflect upon the subject, it may be made one at least of the strongest bonds of moral connexion, which can be formed between the great classes of the rich and the poor. And on what other, I ask, than moral bonds, is any reliance to be placed in the great exigences of human society? Above all, under a government like ours, what may not be feared, from an extent of pauperism, like that which exists in the old world? What may not be feared from a division and hostility among us of the classes of society, analogous to that which the pride, and extravagance, and licentiousness of wealth, not less than of titles and rank, have produced there? And where, or in what is our security against these evils, but in a prevalence among all classes of the principles, and spirit of the gospel of Christ?

I could not satisfy myself with saying less of the objects of this ministry. But I feel no small diffidence in coming to the question, of the modes of action in it. I have my own modes of action in this service, and others have theirs; and I devoutly hope that others will still arise, and come after us, who will better comprehend its interests, and more skilfully teach, as well as discharge its duties, than can even the most zealous, intelligent and devoted of those, who are now engaged

in it. But as there are few favors for which I am more grateful than for any hint which will aid me in seeking the improvement and happiness of those with whom I am or may be connected in this work, I hope that I shall not be thought to have exposed myself to the imputation of arrogance, if I shall give some of the results of my own observations in it. There is, indeed, no topic of this subject, on which so much is yet to be learned, or I may even say to be discovered, as on this. Nor is this a circumstance to excite any surprise. For why is it, that in all the other departments of the administration of our religion, so little, compared with what might have been expected, is accomplished, but that so much is yet to be learned in them all, of the most effectual methods of bringing divine truth to its just and proper bearings on the human mind? Why is the most solicitous domestic instruction, and why is the most vigilant parental care, so often unavailing? And why also are our pulpits, the pastoral visits of our clergy, our schools, and our books of christian piety and morals, exerting no more salutary and life-giving influences, but that they are yet far short of what they should be, and of what a better knowledge of the true means of recommending religion, and of bringing it home to the human soul, would make them? I repeat, therefore, that I do not here assume the office of a teacher. On the contrary, I will gratefully sit at the feet of any one, who can give me any new lesson of which I may avail myself in this service. There are, however, two or three general questions respecting modes of operation in it, upon which I am willing to offer an opinion. I refer to the inquiries, which have