port of our free schools, which are open to every child in the city, from the age of 4 to 14 years; and that, besides these schools, there are in the midst of us private seminaries for instruction, for the support of which, I think I may say with confidence, that an equal sum at least is annually expended, will go far to explain the causes of this difference. The moral influences of these schools are scarcely less upon parents, than upon their children; for the parent who faithfully keeps his or her children in them, feels that his or her family is thus connected with the society of which they are members, by a strong and most interesting bond. They feel that their children may attain to a better condition than their own; that they have in these schools, notwithstanding their poverty, something to give, and to bequeath to their children; and that their educated children may be the supports of their own old age. Not a little, too, is thus done, to awaken in them a proper self-respect, and a very salutary sense of the worth of character; and much, very much, to aid them in the great work of domestic discipline; and thus in the attainment of the best happiness of life, next to that of a good conscience, the happiness of domestic virtue, order and peace. Who can doubt whether much is thus doing at once for the prevention of pauperism, and for the exertion of a most important influence on the character and condition of the poor? "It cannot be doubted also,”—to adopt the language of one of the greatest benefactors of our city, who at once was one of the most efficient of the agents by whom our primary school system was established, and who was the originator, and has for twelve years been the life and soul of our Savings Bank,-" it cannot

be doubted whether much indirect benefit has resulted from the Savings Bank, for even the direct advantage is perceptible. Formerly it was supposed, that the expenses of any town for the aid and support of its paupers must be swelled, at least in equal proportion to its population; and our history, it is believed, generally verified the supposition. But within the period when our city has certainly increased fifty per cent, the poor rate has advanced less than ten. Thus twelve years' experience proves how much good may result from calling upon the poor to help themselves; and, by adding together their small funds, become lenders to the rich, and thereby strengthen the connexion of all the classes of society.' The active and excellent officers of our benevolent societies have contributed a share to this good work; and I hope that I may be allowed to say it without being accused of presumption, my own ministry has, to some extent, been effectual to the same end. Let there be a minister, who shall be qualified for the service, in each of the quarters of our city; let him know, and minister to, every family of the poor within his district; and let these ministers, as far as they can consistently with any differences of religious opinions among them, cooperate in the great general objects of their service; and, I believe, very much will be done to lessen the amount of pauperism and of sin among us; very much to meliorate the condition, by improving the character of the poor; very much to raise multitudes from their degradation and wretchedness; and very much in the accomplishment of the great objects of the gospel of Christ. I know that my own service is much less effectual of good

*Mr Savage's twelfth report of the Provident Institution for Savings. See Boston Advertiser for January 29, 1829.

than it would be, if I could bring it within narrower limits. Nor would I ask of my fellow-beings a greater boon, than the opportunity and privilege of being thus enabled to restrict my labors within a single quarter of the city.

Let me say a word in respect to the wages which are given to the poor, and especially to poor females.

I have recently received the "report of a committee, appointed by the citizens of Philadelphia on the 21st of February last, to ascertain whether those who are able and willing to work, can in general procure employment; what is the effect upon the comfort and morals of the females, who depend on their work for a support, of the low rate of wages paid to that class of society;— to what extent the sufferings of the poor are attributable to those low wages ;-and what is the effect of benevolent, or of assistance societies, on the industry of the laboring poor?"-These are important inquiries, and they deserve attention. There must indeed, and there will be, there, and here, and in every large city, seasons in which there will be great numbers of those who depend on their daily labors for their daily subsistence, who will seek in vain for the opportunity to labor. The supply of laborers in a city will often be beyond the demand for them. Nor, probably, in these seasons, could the united efforts of the benevolent furnish any considerable part of them with constant employment. Nor do I perceive how it is practicable essentially to raise the

wages of the poor females, who depend for work upon

the supplies which are furnished from slop-shops, or by upholsterers, or by shoe-makers, or by any of the mechanics who employ them. Still it is important that it should be understood, that there is a vast amount of

want and suffering, which is to be attributed to the low wages that are given to these females; and to the absolute impossibility, with many men and women who are able and willing to work, at certain seasons to obtain the employment by which they may live. It is very important that it should be understood, that, revolting as may be the forms in which poverty is sometimes seen in our streets, or at our doors, there is yet a very great amount of want and of distress, which is not to be ascribed to vice. And it is important, too, that these causes of want and of suffering should be well known, not only as a means of calling forth the sympathy and kindness of those who are able to send, or to carry to the destitute the relief which they need, but also to induce those, who call for the occasional services of the poor, to remunerate them fairly, fully, and when they are able, even generously for these services. I am sure that there are great numbers of the poor, who now cannot subsist without the occasional assistance of benevolent societies, or of benevolent individuals, who would yet most gladly, if they could do it, support themselves by their own labors; and who would never ask for charity, if the wages of six days' labor would meet the necessities of the week. To the conscience, then, of those who give this occasional employment to the poor, I appeal for the justice towards them, which they cannot demand for themselves, and which human laws cannot enforce upon us. Let us feel,-for we should fee!,-the injustice and the meanness, the oppression and the cruelty, for the sake of the small savings that may thus accrue to us, of availing ourselves of those seasons and circumstances in which the poor are compelled to be idle, or to work at the lowest possible prices. Or, if any one resists the demand

on the ground of its justice, let me pray him to consider how much better is the charity, which thus enables a family to live independently, than is that which, in giving that which has not been earned, may be a means at least, of fostering indolence, and of encouraging a willingness to be dependent.

I am, however, particularly desirous that it should be understood and felt, that, important as it is that the claims of our religion for the physical wants of the poor should be met and answered, there is a yet infinitely higher charity, which is demanded for them by the same authority. I refer to the charity which has for its object, their greatest improvement and happiness as moral and immortal beings; to the charity which regards the poorest, and even the most debased of our fellow beings, as our fellow sinners and our fellow immortals; to the charity which regards them, as, equally with ourselves, the children of the Almighty Father; and, which sees in their spiritual wants, and exposures, and weaknesses, in their temptations, and trials, and sufferings, a clear intimation of the will of God, that we should be his instruments in carrying to them the light, and strength, and consolations, and encouragements of the gospel of Christ. Almsgiv ing is unquestionably a christian duty; and, when brought under the direction of christian principles, is an exercise of christian charity. And delightful is it to witness the blessed influences of our religion, as they are manifested in the contributions of private benevolence, for the relief of the sick and suffering poor. It is a beautiful exhibition of the spirit of Christianity, which is given by the agents of our benevolent associations, in their visits of sympathy, and their offices of love, in the chambers of want and