hundred chapels, with as many minis

ters.

Burdened to support a church from which they dissent, in addition to the much more willingly paid stipends of their own ministers, and occasional but liberal aid to weaker country churches, can it be wondered at that they have not made that combined effort which has been needful, to obtain for others, what they have had no little difficulty to procure for themselves?

I cannot however but think that neither the plan itself, nor the data on which it has been founded, have been brought so prominently and efficiently forward as they deserve; and as I fear some readers of the Evangelical Magazine have not thoroughly understood the matter, and some others have not fairly considered how strong a claim it has upon them; I beg to call their serious, thoughtful, prayerful attention to the following facts:

2. The proportion capable of attending public worship is variously calculated at half, five-eighths, and two-thirds; taking it at the lowest estimate, half, we have to provide for ..

3. But the total number of sittings, among all denominations, is only (in 660 places of worship)..

1,610,868

805,434

517,614

So that of the whole population,1,094,224; or of the half population, 287,820 are unprovided for.

As evangelical Christians, however, we must deduct from this for Jews, Roman

As the Chapel Fund Association does not confine itself to these limits, it would have been better had the returns of population, &c., been sufficiently distinct, to have taken a circle extending, in each direction, about eight miles.

This would give a population of about 2,200,000 Accommodation of all sorts, under..... 700,000

And the deficiency, more than........... 1,500,000 or, with deduction, on one hand for persons unable to go out, and on the other, for churches and chapels not evangelically supplied, leaving about 700,000 adults unprovided for.

Catholics, and Unitarians 20,000, and the deficiency is thus increased to 307,820.

It is impossible here yet to overlook another fact, viz., that many pulpits in the Established Church are occupied by men whose preaching is not, in our opinion, according to sound doctrine. I have no data that will warrant any estimate of the deduction on this head, nor, if I had, should I desire to use them: one thing is certain, that they are annually diminishing in num ber, and as evangelical Christians, we rejoice in the knowledge of this fact.

4. Bad geographical distribution much increases the deficiency. Thus the City of London, containing about 137,428 inhabitants, has sittings for 79,000, or considerably more than the half; while Westminster, with a population of 226,460, can accom modate only 58,000, or barely more than a fourth.

5. It may then be safely concluded (without deducting for the want of evangelical instruction in the Church) that little more than half of the adult population of London is provided with the means of hearing the Gospel; or, in other words, that there is not accommodation for much more than a fourth of the whole population.

6. But in estimating the numbers attending public worship, we must remember that these places are far from full. It has been calculated that on the average, three-fifths of the sittings are occupied. This would give us for the numbers attending public worship at any one time, 252,570; and the number of adults capable of attending, who are neglecting it, 552,864! Of the whole population, only one-sixth are in the regu lar habit of attending to the worship of God.

Let us, by way of impressing our minds, just look at this matter a little more closely; for the mind does not readily estimate the real meaning and vastness of a few figures.

1. The population, young and old, in the South Sea Islands at present visited, amounts to about 450,000: we have, at home, in London, more than half a million adults in a state of practical heathenism, living "without God in the world." Ought we to have sent half round the world to convert the former, while we were leaving our heathen fellow-citizens undisturbed, uncared for? This indeed we ought to have done, but not to have left the other undone.

2. If, in the dispensations of God's providence, any thing were to occur which should excite these torpid masses to thought and reflection, and should bring them to our churches and chapels, what

could we say to them? We must say, "Stand back,-stand back; go and build churches and chapels for yourselves; there is no room here." Can we say that this may not occur?

3. We must remember that these figures do not represent fixed items: the mass, indeed, is annually increasing, but the individuals are constantly dying off. As we speak only of adults, the deaths are probably at the rate of four per cent. per annum; that is, the halfmillion which existed twenty-five years ago has gone to meet its doom; in twenty-five years more, the half-million now existing around us will have quite passed away: 20,000 will die this year! This is a serious thought. Oh, this is a case which will brook no delay! Verily if we do not bestir ourselves the blood of our brethren will cry out against us !

3. But I have said the mass is increasing. Notwithstanding Death's doings, London is increasing at the rate of 22,000 souls per annum. Here, then, is work enough for us. When the halfmillion is overtaken, ten places of worship must be built annually to meet the annual increase.

4. The number of temples of the living God is only 660; but the licensed temples of drunkenness and debauchery amount to nearly six thousand. Here is another topic of meditation for the Christian philanthropist. Thirty thousand of our fellow-citizens are annually fined as "drunk and disorderly:" more than one-third being females.

THE PLAN OF THE CHAPEl fund.

The society purposes to meet this sad state of things, and to aid the labours of our societies, by building twenty chapels where the Gospel of Christ may be constantly preached.

They do not encroach on others, or wish to supplant them.

Before we can say, "there is room and to spare," three hundred places of worship must be built; and even then, ten will be required annually. The Bishop purposes to build fifty churches, and it is calculated that they will not be completed under eight years. Surely then the field is wide enough for us to enter. Every labourer must meet a welcome in so vast an expanse of sin and woe. Oh that we could build one hundred instead of twenty!

Nor is the plan sectarian. Where the Gospel is faithfully preached, in what

ever denomination, the society goes not: but there are large spaces, larger than some provincial cities, where the Gospel is not preached,-where the true light shineth not; and these form the society's field of operation.

The society's aid is not entirely gratuitous and unsolicited. Aid has been asked for many destitute neighbourhoods, and subscriptions promised on condition of peculiar localities being fixed upon.

Its operations have commenced; so that aid is wanted immediately. It has built a chapel in Lambeth, and purchased one in the Regent's-park; and it is in treaty for sites in Westminster and Camden-town.

It has, at present, received aid principally in large sums from a few wealthy individuals; but it is felt that it is to annual subscriptions, however small, that it must mainly look for support, and for them it is now appealing. It is hoped also that ministers will make annual collections for so important an object; at least, those whose chapels are free from debt.

The funds are inadequate to meet the expense already incurred, much less to engage in new works. The committee, however, feel that they can rely on the liberality of the denomination; and I rejoice to hear that they will continue their work, notwithstanding a little present discouragement.

I need not say that no other plan than extensive building of places of worship, can, for any length of time, effectually meet the deficiency. Our visiting socie ties, and Tract societies, and Bible societies, are doing much; but after all, they can only be looked on as subsidiary to the regular ministrations of the pulpit. This plan then comes in aid of all the other means which Christian benevolence has devised for meeting the spiritual destitution of the metropolis.

Need I say any thing more, to excite in the readers of the Evangelical Magazine an interest in a cause which has for its aim, the recalling half a million of our countrymen from a state, in some respects, worse than heathenism.

To the Independent Dissenters of London, I would say, "This cause is your own if you have any confidence in the great principles you profess, and for which your fathers suffered; if you sincerely believe, that with errors and failings which you lament, these principles

are on the whole the purest and the best, can you neglect a cause like this? Will you let your brother perish before your eyes, without holding out a hand to save him? Oh no! Let the rich man among us give liberally; and the poor man remember that God will bless his mite.

6

"Protestant Dissenters in the country, London, the mighty heart whose pulses are felt to the extremest bounds of the empire,' has paramount claims on you. Here your sons and your daughters come to study or to stay; and here, alas! many of them are lost for ever! Your aid then, I ask, to enlighten and to purify this modern Babylon.

"Liberal minded men of all communions, you may aid this cause. You who value true religion above the dogmata of creeds, or the shibboleth of party,-I believe that in these temples Christ will be evidently set forth, and therefore I appeal to you.

WHEN a thoughtful person turns from the study of the New Testament, to contemplate its practical effects in the church, he reasonably expects to discover a happy family, who love and care for each other; the strong bearing the infirmities of the weak; and those possessing this world's goods, cheerfully contributing to the necessities of their poorer brethren. Indeed, a Christian convert, who had as yet his experience to gather, would expect to find among the faithful, not humanity merely, but a tender sympathy, an unwearying kindness in all, one towards another, for Christ's sake. Certainly such high-raised expectations would not be fully realized.

The example of Jesus shows how near and dear to him are the godly poor, for he was always on the watch to draw attention to the characters and deeds of such; this was evinced, in his public approbation of the widow who gave to God her mite which was all her wealth; in his repeated warnings against slighting and discouraging feeble and, in a worldly sense, despicable belevers, whom he tenderly calls "little ones;" and in his choice of poor, low

born, and illiterate persons as his companions and honoured servants; pronouncing them, in an emphatic manner, his nearest and dearest relations," my mother, my sister, and brother." To a mind conversant with the writings of antiquity, nothing in the four Gospel histories is more strikingly original and characteristic, distinguishing them in a remarkable manner from the memoirs of heathen philosophers and moralists, than the compassionate regard they show the Messiah to have entertained for that most numerous class of mankind, known in all ages, ancient and modern, as the rabble, the baser sort, or the dregs of the people. Amongst these he had many followers. We hear of no persons oftener as the serious attendants of our Lord's ministry than publicans and sinners, that is, tax-gatherers and courtezans, despised in Jerusalem beyond what can easily be imagined in the present age; since the lowest orders of our large towns, if really despised at all, are despised on account of their indigence or their vices. Whereas the tax-gatherers of Judea, we may suppose to have been held in nearly the same detestation as

the tithe-proctors of a neighbouring country are, and for the same reason; they being the collectors of an impost against the payment of which the national pride and the religious prejudices of the Jews equally revolted. As for the courtezans, they were probably all, or chiefly, Gentile strangers; and, for that reason, independently of their moral character, exceedingly despised.

But compassion to the degraded and outcast, was perfectly in agreement with the predicted character of this Divine person, who was to bear the griefs, carry the sorrows, and suffer for the infirmities of his unhappy brethren. Moreover, it is worth remarking, that evidences of analogous goodness and pity are to be detected even in the field of nature-for the Saviour of the world is the God of nature. Creatures, which we are ready to look upon as utterly vile and devoted to extermination, are fed, protected, and cared for, by the common Father. Wonderfully and curiously made, they are furnished with capacities and means of enjoyment suited to their respective natures; affording proof that, without a single exception, the tender mercies of God are over all his works. When we despise or wantonly abuse the meanest of God's animated creatures, we are apt to forget that the gracious Parent does not share in our feelings, that he rejoices in his own beneficence, and, in his word, has called upon us, his intelligent_offspring, after his own example, 66 to love mercy." If this be true, even in reference to the brute creation, it may teach us how to appreciate the force of the declaration in Scripture with respect to human beings, "He that despiseth the poor, dishonoureth his Maker."

Our Lord had delivered to his disciples a new commandment," that they should love one another; and warned thern that obedience to it would, in all ages, be the test of discipleship: "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another." The apostles did not forget the command, and hence a tender regard to the poor saints was inculcated on the first churches, not on the ground of expediency, but as a Christian duty-an act of obedience to the new commandment of the Saviour: for we find them occupied about the poor soon after the descent of the Holy Spirit, and appointing deacons to distribute to their wants. The gatherings for the poor in Christ are often mentioned, and

"Love as

when liberal, commended. brethren,' says the apostle Paul, “be pitiful, be courteous. Do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith;" and more emphatic still are the words of John, "Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" By James the new commandment is enforced in a manner peculiar to his style of writing. What doth it signify, ye pretenders to religion, that ye boast of your faith and knowledge; will this profession save you? "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit ?" Such an apostle could indeed feel as he wrote them, the meaning of these delightful words, The Lord is pitiful, and of tender mercy."

For several centuries after the times of the apostles, kindness and a tender regard for the poor distinguished the Christian societies; as may be inferred from, besides many other sources of information, the testimony of an unexceptionable witness, the emperor Julian, the apostate. In a letter addressed by him to the pagan high priest of Galatia, on whom he was desirous of enforcing a reformation of manners in some points, in imitation of the Christians, he remarks, (after enumerating a variety of particulars requiring amendment in the lives of the priesthood of that province,) "You are also to erect hospitals in every city, that strangers may share in our humanity, and not only those of our religion, but others, likewise, if they are necessitous; for it is a shame when there are no beggars among the Jews, and the impious Galileans relieve not only their own people, but ours also; that our poor should be neglected by us, and be left helpless and destitute." In another epistle or oration the same emperor says, having happened, as I suppose, that the poor were neglected by our priests, the impious Galileans have addicted themselves to this kind of humanity; and, by the show of such good offices, have recommended the worst of things. For, beginning with their love-feasts, and the 'ministry of tables,' as they call it, (for not only the name but the thing also is

"It

common among them,) they have drawn away the faithful [viz., the worshippers of the Gods] to impiety [i. e. to Christianity."] See Lardner's Credibility, vol. vii. pp. 645, 6.

It is my purpose, in this and a future communication, respectfully to solicit the attention of your readers to the manner of treating the poor, which obtains in churches of the Independent or Congregational denomination, especially in churches in large towns. Having seen much of our poorer brethren; having, indeed, for many years been intimately conversant with their privations, habits, and character; I am able to speak from experience; and my testimony is, that they are the very salt of our churches. Considering their education and manner of life, they are remarkable, in general, for good sense, knowledge of the Scriptures, and benevolence. I venture to affirm, that they are, in various respects, decidedly superior to their neighbours of the same rank; nor is this to be wondered at, when it is considered that candidates for membership with us, among the poor, are very properly admitted with caution, after a careful inquiry, both as to principles and character; and that the discipline of the church, subsequently, is more vigilantly exercised in their case, than in that of the rich. In this class of members are to be found the purest and noblest examples of practical Christianity; a simple faith, patience, industry, cleanliness, and regularity in attending the public ordinances of religion; solemn regard for the authority of the Scriptures; and often much of a missionary spirit, intent on doing good in their own neighbourhood, by reproving sin, visiting the sick and afflicted, and by conversing seriously with the ignorant and careless. If any members of the church, which is His body, are in a peculiar sense dear to the Saviour, it may allowably be supposed to be such as these, who, in the midst of trials and privations, are striving to follow his steps. Do we see a church which regards and tenderly cherishes its poor? no better sign need be afforded that it is flourishing that the spirit of Christ is there. And, on the other hand, where the poor are little esteemed or regarded, and especially where their wants and privations are unheeded, or irregularly, sparingly, or grudgingly relieved, we may fairly conclude, that a worldly spirit is prevalent-that, speaking generally,

the members "do not love the Lord Jesus Christ."

It requires an intimate acquaintance with our poor to be fully aware of the number and variety of their privations and difficulties. The head of a family is sick, it may be for many weeks and months; the usual earnings have ceased; rent, fuel, and other necessaries are comparatively far higher than in country towns and villages. It is, therefore, not long before want appears, unless Christian kindness prevent; articles of clothing and furniture are pawned, perhaps debts are inevitably contracted; and from such precarious sources are derived the whole of the supplies which are to soothe the sick-bed, or to restore and invigorate the bodily strength in a lingering convalescence! Some, again, are fallen into feeble health, and cannot earn enough to maintain, as they ought to be, a wife and family: often, too, there are sudden accidents; a broken limb, a crushed hand, an inflamed eye, a sprained ankle, to say nothing of blindness, palsy, and numerous other incurable maladies. There is, further, bereavement by death, as a common cause of trial and suffering: -a wife is left with several fatherless children to maintain; and daily to struggle with cares and woes which none can imagine, or so much as comprehend, who has not witnessed and carefully con sidered them. Again, the widowed mother dies, and "the seed of the righteous" is left helpless and entirely dependent.

The aged and infirm are, of course, to be found in every church; and, in gene ral, are but indifferently supported. Life, it is true, is sustained by the church's alms; but life may long be sustained in a state of abject depression and weakness, a sense of bodily comfort being entirely unknown. This kind of dying life, which numbers of our aged poor are allowed to sustain, while many of their Christian brethren of the same church enjoy superfluities, affords conclusive evidence how very imperfectly practical godliness is understood.

In a large town there are some circumstances extremely unfavourable to the poor of a church, not so obvious till pointed out; for while the term, church, commonly conveys the notion of a body of persons residing in some particular place, or defined locality, and, of course, well known to each other-the reality is far from answering to such an idea.