24 REPORT OF THE MINISTER AT LARGE. own character, but I will even add, to the religion which formed it. I have but seldom had occasion to apply to her for the means of assisting others; for the necessity of this application has been superseded, by her own deep interest in the wants and sufferings of others. But I have ever felt myself at liberty to go to her, as I could hardly to any other; and I not only never applied to her in vain, but never without giving to herself, apparently, as great pleasure in bestowing, as they for whom I solicited her kindness had in receiving it. She felt, as I fear that few feel, the responsibility that belongs to wealth. But she always gave with cautious discrimination, and a strong desire to secure the greatest amount of good. Thus did she lay up treasures in heaven, where I doubt not that she has found them, to be to herself an eternal possession. She was, in the best sense of the term, a Christian. Her heart went out in sympathy, and in efforts for others, peculiarly from the care and discipline which she maintained for personal improvement, as a disciple of Christ. I will only add, in reference to those under whose eye this notice may pass, 66 Say, are ye sure his mercy will extend To you so long a span? Alas, ye sigh! Make then, while yet ye may, your God your friend, Respectfully, Boston, November 5, 1829. JOSEPH TUCKERMAN. P. S. I am informed, that one or two persons have availed themselves of my name in begging, by saying that I have sent them to the families to which they have applied for charity. But I never so sent any one to an individual, or to a family, but in a single instance, and a long while ago; and then, with a written recommendation. But this I shall not do again; and any one thus using my name, may be known as an impostor. FIRST SEMIANNUAL REPORT OF THE FOURTH YEAR OF HIS SERVICE AS A MINISTER AT LARGE IN BOSTON. MAY, 1830. BOSTON, GRAY AND BOWEN, 135 WASHINGTON STREET. To the Executive Committee of the AMERICAN UNITARIAN ASSOCIATION. GENTLEMEN, — In addressing to you my last semiannual report, I anticipated a winter of more than usual suffering among the poor of our city. My expectations on this subject have been fully realized. Nothing, indeed, short of a sudden, and very great change from the state of things as they then were, of a change which should have given employment at once to several hundreds of laboring men, to hundreds of journeymen mechanics, and to a number at least equally great of females, who depend for their own, and the support of their families, on the work with which they can be supplied from shops, or from the families of their more opulent neighbors, could have prevented an extraordinary demand either upon public, or private charity. No change, however, occurred, either in the state of commerce, or in demand for our manufactures, or in any of the departments of mechanical labor, which was favorable to the employment, or to the wants, of the poor. A consequence of this has been, as I suppose is well known in every family which has had anything to bestow, that the beggary of the past winter has very far exceeded anything of the kind, that has been known among us for many past years. Yet this is by no means the only, nor is it the strongest evidence, of the extent of the want and suffering that have been felt around us. Nor, in truth, have the keenest sufferings of want been felt in the habitations of beggars. On the contrary, some of this class have lived well, that is, as well as they would probably have lived, even in a winter of the greatest prosperity, while many, who have preferred to suffer rather than to beg, who have retained a strong sense of character even in the depths of their poverty, have passed a winter of far greater privations than they have ever before known. Of this last named division of the poor, consists a large part of the flock, of which I have the privilege to be the pastor. As I am therefore very desirous that their actual condition should be distinctly understood, I will beg leave to say a few words in explanation of it. The fact All are familiar with that general classification of society, by which it is separated into the three divisions, of the rich, the poor, and those who have a competency of the blessings of life. But all seem not to be aware, that poverty, as well as affluence, or competency, is a comparative term; and that, among the poor, there are distinctions of condition and character, which are quite as strongly marked, as are any which are to be found in those that are called the more favored classes. is, that between those who have a competency, and the rich, there is a very close connexion of interests, and a very considerable intimacy of intercourse. They are necessarily brought into contact with each other, in the daily business of life. The men who have a competency, are those whom the rich employ as their principals, or whom they are accustomed in various ways to trust, in their commercial enterprises, in trade, and in the mechanic arts. Here, it is felt, that a mutual knowledge of character is demanded, for mutual security; and these classes have actually a pretty accurate knowledge of each other. But it is not so in the connexion which ordinarily exists between the laborer, and his employer. A knowledge of personal character is not here felt to be of very |