LETTER VI.

Third Visit in the District.

"Many a father hath erred, in that he hath withheld

reproof,

But more have mostly sinned, in withholding praise where it was due ;

There be many such as Eli among men ; but these be

more culpable than Eli,

Who chill the fountain of exertion by the freezing

looks of indifference."

Tupper.

BEFORE we pay our next visit in the district, I will answer your two questions. "Do I think that only religious persons are adapted to visit the poor?" Far from it; for whilst those should be preeminently qualified for this labour of love, who have learned in their own experience, something of the Divine love, still, humanity and kindness, are the obligation and privilege of all men; and not unfrequently, I believe, does the Holy Spirit attract into this lowly, self-denying path of usefulness, those, who shall eventually come to know of the fulness of the love of God to themselves. There are many parts of this work, for which young persons are admirably qualified, if they are but simple and kind, and do not take upon themselves to teach, what they do not understand. The distribution of tracts, the collection of club money, and Bible subscriptions, visiting children, or reading to those who cannot read themselves, properly belong to them; and if any young lady did know how to make cheap soup, or nice gruel, or to cut out articles of clothing neatly, and economically, it might indeed be a great advantage to all parties.

In that remarkable description of the spiritual body, united to its Head, it is said to be, by that, which every joint supplieth, and according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, that increase of the whole body is made, to the edifying of itself in love. This example is very instructive and suggestive in all combinations for useful work.

Your other remark is this-"If so much thought and time are given to the poor, would not our more immediate duties be neglected?" I have always found that one helps the other; but, if there be any danger, that our strictly individual and family duties be neglected, by ministering to the poor, then certainly, the ministration of the poor is not our duty; but I incline to the belief, that, when our time is held as a talent, and when want of health, or providential arrangements do not interfere to prevent, we should seldom find it needful to neglect our poor neighbours altogether; and those who do it, would, in many ways, be great losers themselves. Our beloved queen finds opportunities, and I have no doubt would acknowedge that she gains, more than she gives. Το visit the poor, is on all hands acknowledged to be a christian duty; and as no one can judge for another, every one must have his conscience clear in the sight of God about it.

You say truly, "There are needs in all classes

which require a self-denying service from us"which service, I would reply, as truly forms a part of the christian's duty. I had not entered these fields of charity, because our subject confined us to the poor, but, I am well aware, there is want everywhere—often a bitter hunger of soul, where the table groans with plenty; nakedness and deformity, where taste reigns triumphant; dungeon imprisonment, where no bonds appear; and a lack of all things in the lap of luxury. Ah! yes, the world is full of needs, but God in His love can supply them all; so in hope and faith, let all work; and we will go again into the alley, for that is our present business.

The lady is this time met by a very common occurrence: a respectable and thoughtful woman, has a pretty young daughter about fourteen years old, and she is wanting to find a place of service for her; she wishes she could get her into a gentleman's house, but Mary knows nothing more than she has been taught at home, and ladies do not like the trouble of girls; she has heard of a place at the "Jolly Companions," in Low Lane, where the mistress wants a girl to look after her children, and has taken a great fancy to Mary; but the mother does not like young girls to be dragging about the streets with children; and beside that, she would be wanted to go into the bar in the evening, and