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UNlTAttlAN CHRONICLE. 205
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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fore , the whole body of the poor are to be made , as they cannot otherwise be made , the objects of a Christian interest They are to be instructed in the principles of the Christian faith , of a Christian life , and of the Christian salvation . Jesus Christ is to be made known to them in-his e ] iaracter 7 ^ his ^ offices 7-his 4 ife 7 " and his death . His precepts , his promises , his warnings , his
consola-I do not mean only , Or principally , that they are experiencing almost every possible kind of physical want . Yet these wants must not , and by a mind which has any of the benevolence of the Gospel cannot , be disregarded ; for how can we hope to make religious impressions , or to -exert-religious—influences ^ tipon ^ the " soul , while the half-clad , shivering , starving bodv asks for fuel , or for
food , or for a garment , as the greatest of blessings ? But , even to meet these pressing necessities 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 labour ; 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 fora family , to obtain its removal to another neighbourhood ; for their peculiar dangers and sufferings may arise from the neighbourhood in which they live . And sometimes , by other judicious counsel in a time
Uons , in all their comprehensiveness and simplicity , are to be brought distinctly before the minds , and addressed to the hearts , of the poorest , and even the most degraded and despised of our fellow-beings . If , then , it has been clearly proved that it is practicable by this ministry to extend this Christian instruction and
care to multitudes , who otherwise would not receive them ; if parents and children , who would otherwise be living" in heathenish darkness , may be brought to open their minds to religious knowledge , and . to put fortHtBeir efforts for a religious character ; and if these objects are not to be attained but bv the
institution and maintenance of a ministry distinct from that of the religious congregations of a city , is it not a solemn duty of those who are dedicating themselves to the office of the Christian ministry , to look to this among the other fields of labour
which the Gospel is opening before them ? And then , too , are not the obligationsof maintaining this mi' - nistry as unequivocal and as imperative , as are those of supporting the ministry in our churches ?
Direct religious instruction , however , forms but one , though without doubt the most important , department of this service . Objects of the second class are daily , and almost hourly forcing themselves upon our attention , arid soliciting bur care . The condition of the class of the
poor which falls under the charge of a minister at large , is one which calls for almost every possible form and exorcise of Christian benevolence ,
Unltattlan Chronicle. 205
UNlTAttlAN CHRONICLE . 205
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 1, 1832, page 205, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1821/page/29/
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