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ference, as watchful guardians, in their behalf? Will you allow the "people to perish for lack of knowledge;" while so much public money is spent upon questionable objects, and even upon injurious vanities and follies? Will you allow Intemperance to march along, with bold and insolent triumph, over the ruins of the morals, peace, health, and interest, of the community; overthrowing the labours of ages,-the fruits of the pious diligence of Christian Ministers, the benevolent exertions of Sunday School Teachers, and others, who have sought to diffuse virtue and religion among the poor,—and all the plans which your wisdom has devised for the benefit of the great mass of the people? Will you still permit the Sabbath to be shamefully profaned, the cattle to be compelled to labour beyond their strength, and the feelings of humanity to be violated, by the spirit of an excessive competition and rivalry? Surely, if "righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people," (Prov. xiv. 34.) there is a higher object for the contemplation of our Legislature than worldly glory, and temporal gain; even the attainment of His favour and protection, who has said, "Them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed." (1 Sam. ii. 30.)

British Christians-to you we must appeal: if we meet not with encouragement in other quarters, we yet hope for attention and aid from you. We cannot believe, that you will suffer the national character, and Christian glory of England to be tarnished with so many foul spots of disgrace and infamy. What! can you exert yourselves in

other causes, for the Heathen abroad, for foreign lands, and will you not aid the cause of perishing thousands, at home? We do not ask you to give your money only, though you will not refuse that, when it is needed; but we ask your exertions, your influence, your prayers, and, above all, your example. We ask you to discountenance every demoralizing agent, and every cruel act and custom; to limit your views by the rules of Scripture morality; and to have no part with those companies of men, who act in opposition to the authority of their supreme mandates, and have no fear of God before their eyes.

The evil habit of conformity with a "world which lieth in wickedness," has sadly lowered the tone of Religion among its professors, and grievously injured society at large. There has been, too often, a tacit compromise of principle, between the Church and the World. The former has partly given up its peculiarities and rigid morality: the latter has laid aside somewhat of its proud persecuting temper and carriage; and seems to be on good terms with what, secretly, it looks upon as its deadliest enemy. There is something pleasing in this;—to see good men smiled upon and caressed by the great; and to hear those who once reviled, now speaking favourably of individuals of known piety and godliness. But, is all this sincere? Is there not much of hollow and hypocritical kindness? And is there not an injury done to both parties, by such an intermixture? The real Christian, bribed by kindness to hold his peace, and not interfere with the irreligion of his worldly partners and friends, under the pretence that

Religion is a private affair, and must not be brought into the political arena, or exhibited in public, ceases to be "the salt of the earth," "the light of the world :”—his own principles are impaired by concession; and his neighbours are robbed of the benefit of a faithful monitor, and an instructive example. But, let faithful men once come out, and act independently; let them bring their " candle” from under the "bushel" of covetousness, and the "bed" of sloth, and set it upon the "candlestick" of consistent, steady, decided Christian conversation, and we shall see, by the blessing of God, a most beneficial effect. Without agitation, without party excitement, without tumult or noise of any kind, the impulse of Christian feeling and sentiment will pervade the circle of each consistent professor; spread from rank to rank, and diffuse itself around; till the whole mass of society feels the saving impression, and Christianity reigns in the midst of a happy people, crowned with the triple diadem of

HUMANITY, TEMPERANCE, and CHARITY.

NOTES TO SECTION IV.

Note A. Page 207.

The benevolence of this distinguished Philanthropist, and true Christian, is thus celebrated by his friend, the Poet Cowper:

"Some men make gain a fountain, whence proceeds
"A stream of lib'ral and heroic deeds.
"The swell of pity, not to be confin'd

"Within the scanty limits of the mind,

"Disdains the bank, and throws the golden sands,
"A rich deposit, on the bordering lands;
"These have an ear for his paternal call,

"Who makes some rich for the supply of all;

"God's gift with pleasure in his praise employ,

"And Thornton is familiar with the joy."-CHARITY.

Note B. Page 225.

One of the greatest obstacles, in the way of any effectual Temperance Reformation, is the vast wealth of many of our great Brewers, and the large amount of Capital employed in the manufacture of Intoxicating Liquors, by the Monopolists of the Drunkard-making Trade; owing to which, the Government itself is involved in their trammels, by the great weight of influence which they can throw into the scale at contested Elections, no less than by the immense sum which they contribute to the Public Revenue. But, is it not disgraceful, that our Legislators should be returned to Parliament by the power of Brewers, Distillers, and Publicans; and that our vast Empire is ruled, not ostensibly indeed, but really, by their will and pleasure? Is it not too much, that Britain should be indebted to Intemperance for many millions of its annual income; and thus its Governors feel bound to consult with the patrons of vice, concerning the public morals and welfare? As an illustration of the above, it has lately been stated in the public journals, that "should a rise or fall take place of one halfpenny in a pot of beer, it would make a difference of forty thousand

pounds a year, to one of the principal Brewing Establishments in London," which is only one-eighth of the net amount realized by the firm, every year.

Note C. Page 230.

The writer is acquainted with a very melancholy instance of this kind, where a Sunday School Teacher had borne an unblemished character for many years, and at last became a confirmed drunkard, in old age; and that it is no uncommon case for such apostasies to occur, is proved by the testimony of a respectable correspondent of the "London Temperance Intelligencer," who states that, out of twenty four Sunday School Teachers, who had been engaged in the same School with himself, not less than eight, or one-third, had in sixteen years been lost by Intemperance. Another writer has made a similar observation, respecting the scholars; and the result is, that, taking the most favourable case as an average of the whole, no less than 45,000 teachers, and about 300,000 children, will, in 15 or 16 years, be thus corrupted.

Note D. Page 231.

It is usually reckoned, that there are 500,000 persons in the Metropolis, who never attend any place of worship; but this seems to be far too low an average: probably, nearly that number are really unable to attend, and we should perhaps not err very materially, were we to double the amount.

Note E. Page 231.

It were greatly to be wished, that some Legislative measure might be passed, to fix an earlier time, for the payment of labourer's wages, than the Saturday evening; and also to do away with the practice, productive of so much manifest evil, of paying workmen in Publichouses. We have been informed of an instance, where a man who had joined a Temperance Society, and was unwilling to enter the scene of temptation, was kept waiting in the street several hours, until midnight; before the agent arrived, who was to provide the men with money to obtain their needful provisions for the Sunday and following week. With some, no doubt, a considerable portion was already spent in liquor, which, alone, could be had upon credit; and, what was worse, their disposition for drink would be so inflamed, that they would probably sit there drinking, to the benefit of the Publican, and the

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