however, are seldom circulated beyond their respective localities; and it may be here suggested whether it would not be desirable for a few copies to find their way to the warm friends of Domestic Missions in all parts of the country. In London, Birmingham and Manchester, two missionaries are employed, making eleven the total number in this country.

The wide existence of most abject poverty is but too well known. It is very true that much of this poverty arises from unwise and unjust legislation. Yet, however it may have arisen, and however in the course of time it may to some extent be removed, it now exists, and demands immediate mitigation and relief. It is also true that much poverty arises from ignorance. Hence those are real and lasting friends to the poor who help in promoting their education. It is true, again, that not a little distress arises from idleness, intemperance, and other vices on the part of the sufferers themselves. Hence the necessity of adopting some plan by which the idle and dissolute may be sought out and reclaimed, and their ranks no more filled up. Lastly, it is true-they who have seen it know how true-that many sorrows lead to despair, and that men cast down by long-continued poverty have not the power to rise. They need a helping hand to lift them up and set them on their way. A little encouragement at the right moment may rescue them altogether from the condition into which they have fallen.

Now by what means can all these objects be achieved so effectually as by the appointment of one who shall make it the business of his life to go continually among the poor, to learn their wants and trials, to encourage them by his sympathy and friendship, to give them his advice whenever it may be needed, and, if they should have gone astray, to lead them back to God? All this, and more than this, is the work of the missionary. The distribution of alms forms a very small part of his duties. In cases of great distress, and especially at times when a little temporary assistance may prove a lasting good, he is glad to have some funds at his disposal. These funds, however, are in general very small: and knowing, as he does, the difficulties which would meet him, and the universal distrust which he would be compelled to feel, if ever he were looked upon as an almsgiver, he shrinks from bestowing more than is absolutely required. Any one who reads the missionaries' reports will be surprised to see how small a sum constitutes the Poor's Purse or Relief Fund. In London, for instance, where there are two missionaries, not more than £35 were disbursed during the past year.* In Liverpool alone does almsgiving appear to have been carried on to any considerable extent,-and there, under the careful direction of one whose name need scarcely be mentioned.

The real object of the missionary is to go as a friend and brother to the homes of the poor. Homes they are, however small, dirty or crowded. It is in his power, as he becomes known and beloved, to use his influence there. Very often the room which was once so dirty is made clean, and the children who were previously neglected are sent to school. The husband, who was perhaps a drunkard, is reclaimed.

This is really too small an item in the accounts, but it exceeds the receipts of the Poor's Purse by £12.

The wife, whose thoughts were more and more absorbed by anxious cares, and whose temper was not the same as it had been once, now opens her heart to the cheering faith and long-enduring love which help to make the gospel glad-tidings for the poor. But these changes are not made at once. The temptations of the poor are great; and the temptations of habits which have been long indulged in are greater still. Again and again the missionary may have to urge a change of life without apparent effect. At last a good resolution is made, and the missionary hopes that the work is done. Full of expectation he calls once more, and finds all things as bad as ever. Yet he must not be discouraged; for if he have not faith, how can the mountains be removed? Next time he calls, perhaps one of the family is sick,-dying. And now by his cheerful, though sympathizing presence, his kindly ministrations, and his thoughtful supply of all the sufferer's wants, he gains a new hold on the parents' affections. Now, too, by his earnest words of religious comfort, hope and warning, he helps to prepare them all for life or death. Death comes at last; and with it comes to that sad home the first deep and lasting thought of Life, Eternity and God. This is told as one of the simplest histories with which the missionary may often meet. The first and principal means by which he can hope to effect his object is personal visitation. It is by going from house to house that he becomes the friend and welcome guest of many families. The two things which he requires in his visits are his own simple nature, and a little care that he does not call at an inconvenient hour. In the ordinary City Missions there is some danger of these requirements being lost sight of. According to the arrangement of these societies, the missionaries are expected to render a minute account of all their visits,-what portions of Scripture they have read, and on what subjects they have conversed. Great objections may be urged against this plan. The best minds can never submit to it; and those that do submit, must be in very great danger of losing that simplicity of nature, which is at once the greatest charm and the greatest power in conversation. It leads, moreover, to visits being paid without any consideration as to the time and convenience of the parties visited,—a frequent source of complaint amongst the poor. It may well be mentioned here, that no such supervision is exercised in the case of the Domestic Mission Societies. A missionary is chosen in whom the society has confidence, and who is left free to work out his own plans in his own way. He is generally expected to give a monthly report, but not of that minute character which no free mind could tolerate.

Some persons in visiting the homes of the poor may have met with a rebuff. They will find, probably, in most cases, that the fault has been their own. They have assumed, perhaps unconsciously, an air of superiority; or they have attempted to give advice, unasked for, in a lecturing tone; or they have put on a peculiar gravity of demeanour, hoping to make their visit in this way more profitable. Had they been themselves, they would have met with a kindlier reception. Had they forgotten all the trifling distinctions between man and man, and looked only to the things unseen and eternal which lie wrapped up in every heart, they would have been ordinarily civil themselves, and been treated with ordinary civility in return. Had they possessed an earnest heart, ever dwelling in God, and ever feeling a deep sympathy with all human

joys and sorrows, wants and trials, they would naturally and unconsciously have gained good and done good by their conversation with the poorest of their friends, even as they would by their conversation with the richest. Every man must be in earnest; otherwise his conversation, if natural, will be mere gossip; and, if unnatural, will help to strengthen those feelings of disgust which too often arise in the minds of the ignorant at the very name of religion. In conversation, as in every thing else, the one thing needful is the spirit of Christ within. Reverence for human nature in itself, sincere and fervent piety towards God, and a perfect freedom from all thought of the barriers and distinctions of the world, these were Christ's, and these will lead to an intercourse which, whether amongst rich or poor, is sure to be for good.

After all, it is impossible to describe the beautiful workings of this plan of visiting the poor from house to house. Amidst all the various aids which the missionary may gather round him, this will ever be regarded as the prime and peculiar feature of his work. Some, indeed, as in Boston, appear to regard it as, by itself, the work of a missionary. There are certainly some advantages in this plan. He can not only give more time, but more of that time which is peculiarly valuable for the purpose. There are many who, from various causes, are unable to attend public worship, and who are very thankful to be visited on that day by the missionary. There are many also at home on that day, who can be met with at no other time, and with whom the leisure and quiet of the season afford peculiar advantages for conversation. Considering these things, it may be said that, where funds cannot be raised for the support of a Mission with all its connected institutions, it might be well to support a missionary who should devote himself to visiting from house to house in some poor locality.

Yet there is some doubt whether much permanent good can be effected without these connected institutions. They are of use in strengthening the influence of the missionary himself. If those whom he calls upon are induced to form part of his congregation, a new bond of union exists between them. And yet another arises if their children come to the Sunday-school with which he is connected, Moreover, as Dr. Tuckerman says, in the work previously quoted, "it should be known that there are those who, while not at all inclined to form a connection with any of the churches around them, and who are not even to be induced to form it, yet become disposed, and even strongly so, to assemble for religious worship and instruction, provided this worship shall be conducted, and this instruction given, by the individual who has been the instrument of calling their attention to religion, and of exciting their interest in it. Very strong is the personal attachment which is formed between many and him with whom they have been connected through the offices of this ministry, and the minister thus becomes to them a centre of sympathy and union as no other can be." Again, in the last Report which was issued by Mr. Johns—but a short time before he laid down his life in his devotion to the good of others-we find him saying, "Our chief work is not with the tree, but with the sapling and the seedling. Our first, last business is with the young. Whatever stray benefits, whatever occasional good impressions, may have been done or produced among those of riper years, it

is to the young that the hand of Philanthropy still points, as the primary and legitimate field of action for those who share in her views and labours. A Domestic Mission, that looks to any real and lasting good, must rest upon an educational basis.”

In this country there are chapels connected with all the Missions, and more or less attention is paid to the promotion of education. In all cases there are Sunday-schools and evening classes. In some there are also day-schools. It is felt, indeed, that every new institution which springs up in connection with the Mission is a new bond of union, and furnishes the means of bringing some, who were before passed by, within the circle of its influence. Hence it is a real benefit to the operations of the Mission to establish a Temperance society, and to provide a library, news-room, lectures, music, and any good thing that can be thought of. On the other hand, the Mission exerts a good influence over these various institutions. If, for instance, it makes use of the only instrumentality which has proved itself greatly effectual for reclaiming the drunkard, it does not imagine that this will effect his entire reformation. It just fills up the deficiencies of the ordinary Temperance societies, and removes the only valid objection which can be urged against them. Having reclaimed the drunkard, it supplies him with interesting and improving occupations; and leads him, whilst struggling into freedom, to ask for the help of God and to feel its power. Thus, with him, the good resolution is firmly established, which with so many lasts but for a time. So is it also with the news-room. That men should live in this country and at this time without taking an interest in politics, is altogether impossible. That they will go to the public-house to see the papers, unless they can be procured elsewhere, and that there perhaps they may meet with only a one-sided and violent paper, is notorious. How desirable, then, is it to establish a newsroom where men shall be exposed to no temptation, where they can read the best papers and periodicals on every side, and where they are directly brought into connection and conversation with those whose deepest interests are engaged in the progress not only of political reform, but of inward and practical religion! The Mission must endeavour, as far as it is able, to supply every intellectual and moral want that may be felt by the people of the neighbourhood in which it is situated. It must furnish the purest amusements, the most interesting occupations, and the noblest pursuits. It will thus gather round it those whose affections will cling to the place where they find the society, the instruction, the thoughts and the worship, for which the spirit thirsts.

Birmingham may be chosen as an example of what can be done in this respect. In connection with the New-Meeting Ministry to the Poor, there is a People's Instruction Society, consisting of about 200 members, who subscribe one penny per week. The following is an extract from the last Report:

"In no branch of your Institution has a more rapid advance been effected than in the People's Instruction Society; and your Committee refer to this

Loan and Building Societies have also been tried. At present their success is doubtful. Benefit and Provident Societies, if conducted with great care, are always useful.

fact with the greater satisfaction, as the extraordinary development of its resources is almost entirely due to the exertions of the members, who by means of funds collected among themselves, have established new classes, materially added to the library, and otherwise advanced the interests of the Society. The reading-room has become so numerously attended, that a second room will shortly be opened. [Seventeen daily and weekly papers are taken in, besides numerous periodicals.] This list, formed to meet the increasing wants of the members, proves how fully the Society has succeeded in establishing a place for reading and conversation apart from the temptations of the publichouse. Although the pecuniary assistance rendered by the Parent Institution has not been increased, the Instruction Society has been enabled to clear itself from debt (which at Christmas last amounted to nearly £8), and will soon be competent to support itself entirely. In connection with the Instruction Society, there are three evening classes for the instruction of adults in the rudiments of education; and an additional class has been formed, and is entirely supported by a few of the members who wish to be instructed in some of the more advanced branches of knowledge." * The library, which is open to the members of the Instruction Society and to the pupils of the evening school, now contains upwards of 900 volumes, and the number of issues during the year has exceeded 4500. Your Committee refer with pleasure to the fact, that considerable additions are being made to the library by members of the Instruction Society and by pupils of the school."

This extract has been given at length for the purpose, amongst other reasons, of shewing the success which is likely to attend an institution in some degree self-supporting. The efficiency of the Missions would be increased if more attention were paid to this fact. The principle might be applied with advantage to a Missionary congregation. A fund raised by the members of the congregation themselves, to be appropriated to the support of the Mission, the relief of the distressed, or such other purposes as they may decide upon, would be an expression of the interest which they feel, and would prove a source of more active co-operation with the minister and each other.

On looking to the history and capabilities of Domestic Missions, one would have thought that there was in them every thing that prudence and benevolence could desire. Little is given in the way of immediate relief, and that little to the most deserving, and in cases where it is likely to prove permanently beneficial. At the same time, much higher objects are kept in view, and every thing is done to promote health and cleanliness, domestic comfort and happiness, knowledge, virtue and piety. Yet there are not wanting those who are restrained by prudential considerations from giving their hearty concurrence to these plans. To them it is replied, that prudence and benevolence here unite. The one is found to help the other. The most benevolent man must always wish to do the best with what he has. And the most prudent man, who can wish nothing more, should by his visits to the missionary become acquainted with all his plans, and help to correct whatever may be wrong. No Report can take him to the spot. He must come himself. His wisdom must give advice; his sympathy must encourage; and his own eyes must see the work that is going on. That work is often full of trial and discouragement. To go from day to day into the midst of sorrow and distress, with little power to relieve and little hope to cheer,-to witness the most mournful instances of human degradation with utter inability to reclaim,-is no little trial to a man's faith and happiness. In the midst of such a life, the presence