224 WHERE DO THE POOR LOVE THE CLERGY?

it will be nearly in vain, if those who profess to be Christians do not follow. In this career of charity, the clergy must not only embark, but their people must be induced to embark with them.

It is strange, indeed, that with the example and instructions of the Saviour before them, ministers should have so forgotten their duties to their fellow-men as not to perceive that the hand of charity must accompany the tongue of truth; the latter must enter into the heart, but the former must open the door. In what Protestant country are the clergy regarded by the mass of the poor as their special friends? or rather, in which do the poor look to or receive from ministers or bishops, as such, any evidences of special regard, temporal or spiritual, beyond what may be dictated by and subserve the interests of such ministers and bishops themselves? Where has the impression been adequately made upon the poor that Christ is as much the friend of the poor now as in the days

of his sojourning upon earth, only that now his disciples are appointed to do his will and execute his works of mercy? Until this impression is made, and that by a veritable fulfilment of the law of love, the gospel cannot be preached to the poor, as prescribed and intended in the New Testament.

It may be said, the clergy are already burdened beyond their strength, and that they cannot assume such duties as are here designated. True, they are so burdened, and they are constantly sacrificing health and life to a mistaken system. Two-thirds of their present current duties should be dispensed with, to make room for the ministry of kindness, which would promote health instead of destroying it, and prolong life instead of shortening it. The personal effort required by a ministry of consolation and succour among the poor, the afflicted, the sick, and the imprisoned, would give vigour to the body and nerve to the mind; it would deepen the affections and enlarge the views; it would

226

CHARITY EXPANDS THE INTELLECT,

confer a knowledge of human nature and an insight into the ways of Providence which no other clerical training can accomplish. It would show that he who makes such acquisitions may carry to the study of the Scriptures a commentary shedding a holier and purer light than all the volumes which human intellect without such experience has yet devoted to that purpose. A servant of Christ engaged in the very work in which his Master laboured must acquire the very knowledge and experience which will enable him fully to understand and appreciate the lessons delivered by Christ whilst so engaged. The whole of that sublime and exquisite system of divinity and charity which is taught in the evangelists will be gradually unfolded to his admiring view. He will soon glory in his Master, in his instructions, and in his work. With this clear comprehension of the Scriptures which lie before him, of the wants of his fellow-men around him, he can soon extend his vision to the whole field of labour, the inha

bited world. By this torch, he will begin to see the compromise now subsisting between the spirit of this world and the professed disciples of Christ, of which the ministers of Christ are, of every name, the most determined supporters. His mind will gradually open to the consideration of topics and questions now utterly eschewed by nearly all the clergy of every church. Looking with indignation beyond that political economy which regards men as machines to create and distribute wealth; which upholds a competition which grinds the labourer into a condition far below that of the slave; which looks upon the poor as having come "unbidden to the banquet of life," he will inquire anxiously and boldly what can be done to ameliorate the condition of the millions upon millions of his brethren of the same family and children of the same Heavenly Father. Whilst he will bow to every ordinance of man for conscience' sake, and will neither meditate nor counsel violence, nor any uncharitable or evil proceed

ing, to attain a good end, he will permit no false principles of honour, or trade, or property, however consecrated by time, or upheld by rank, wealth, or legislation, to restrain him from looking at the naked truth, and from pursuing what he shall deem the path that leads to human well-being in that way which may be consonant with the teachings of Christ.

FURTHER MISTAKES OF THE CLERGY.

THE clergy fell into another grievous error in the first ages of the church of Christ, which clings in greater or less degree to all churches down to the present time. This error is equally due to human weakness, and is therefore as likely to prevail in time to come as in time past. It is the more necessary, then, to be fully aware of the mischief, that some effort be exerted towards counteraction. We refer to the con