subsequent applications,

And mean while I issue

the time taken up with that solitary movement, but it is the struggle that I should have with which I am most anxious to save. these refusals with a clear conscience; for truly it is a higher department to have to do with the understandings and consciences of my students, than to wear out any more of my life in the outward business of the house of God. But,

Secondly, That business is infinitely better done by the timely retirement of the veterans from the stage, and the consequent calling up of younger and stronger men. I am fortified in this idea by two very recent examples. I was urged to be a member of the last Assembly, and such was the overweening importance attached to this by some, that they absurdly anticipated a decay of interest in the Assembly should I not be there. Now, I put it to yourself-Do you ever recollect an Assembly, the proceedings of which were conducted in a finer spirit, and with higher ability, and with greater effect upon the public mind? Again, Mr. Guthrie applied to me to launch the Manse Scheme at the first meeting about it which he held in Glasgow. This also I resisted; and is not that scheme progressing at a rate most encouraging to all the friends of the Church? I perfectly agree with you in thinking that the Assembly of Inverness, now that it is determined on, should be made as impressive as possible, so that the larger the confluence to it from all parts the better. This I am urging upon all my acquaintances who should and can go, whether they are members or not. But for myself, it is out of the question. Will you forgive me if I state an illustration which has occurred to me in connection with this subject? To parade me onward to Inverness appears to me as ludicrous as to parade thitherward a congeries of old bones; for it strongly reminds me of the delusion under which Cobbett labored when he brought Tom Paine's bones from America, and carried them through England, in the hope that they would operate as a charm in every neighborhood wherever he presented them. Ever believe me, my dear sir, yours most truly, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. CCXXXVI.

EDINBURGH, 7th August, 1845. MY DEAR SIR-Our two last letters crossed each other. In regard to my going to Inverness for the purpose of an address on the Sustentation Fund, I beg to submit the two following considerations:

In the first place, it has been my uniform experience that the Associations have remained as sluggish and lethargic after such an address as previous to its delivery. Witness my Assembly's address at Glasgow, and my more recent addresses there, since which time the Associations just yield as little as ever. The only way of advancing the Sustentation Fund is by an agency who might severally deal with each of the localities piecemeal and at close quarters. I did no sensible good by a series of at least twenty public addresses in the north of Scotland. All the good I have done is by correspondence or personal converse, either in my own person or the persons of the agents whom I employed.

But, 2dly, My feelings and principles on the subject are well known, and more especially my strong dissatisfaction with a number of the Highland ministers and congregations. On the other hand, they do not at all sympathize with me in my sense of the religious importance of this subject. They call it secular, and seem to speak as if my confidence was placed in carnal weapons. This was the feeling, I afterward heard, of the men whom I dealt with at Arran, and I believe it to be a pretty general feeling in the north. Now, put these two considerations together; first, my general experience of the uselessness of these addresses; and, secondly, my special experience of the positive dislike to the subject in the north; and then I ask you to conceive with what utter heartlessness, or rather with what inward recoil of spirit I behooved to go to Inverness, there to obtrude an unpalatable subject upon an unwilling auditory-I, who am not a member, and would be felt by many as a most unwelcome interloper were I to go

upon such an errand. Nothing, my dear sir, could force a way through such a barrier but a special invitation from the Assembly where they have met, and this too at the instance of twenty, thirty, or forty Highland ministers themselves; after which, and when they had put the censorial staff into my hand, I should feel at freedom to wield it with all faithfulness, though at the same time I hope with all delicacy. But be assured that there are paragraphs in your closing address to the last Assembly which will do infinitely more good to the Sustentation Fund than all I could hope to do by going to Inverness. Ever believe me, my dear sir, yours most truly, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. CCXXXVII.- IN REPLY TO A LETTER REQUESTING SOME DIRECTIONS ON THE SUBJECT OF PRACTICAL CHARITY.

GLASGOW, 6th November, 1821.

MY DEAR SIR-I received a letter some days ago from the person who signs himself" Christianus," and with which I would have been still more gratified had he subscribed his real

name.

I think that the best school for benevolence is a limited district, which it is competent for any individual to assume as the field in which he chooses to exercise his philanthropy. I would take one of the poorest vicinities in the whole town, and measure off for myself a population of, say fifty or a hundred families, and the topic of introduction I should choose would not be an inquiry into their temporal necessities (for this might call forth a reaction most appalling to the adventurer, and most corrupting to the people whom he means to benefit), but rather an inquiry into the state of health and the education of the young; or the accommodation that there is with respect to schools and churches; or something, in short, that would begin your acquaintance with the people without exciting any sordid or mercenary expectation. You will not find it so formidable an affair to secure a welcome

from the families, among whom you may reiterate as often as you will on the same topics, but never in the ostensible capacity of an almoner, assuming always the higher capacity of a friend to their children, and a zealous advocate or promoter of all that can conduce to the improvement of principle and moral habits among the population. In this way they will not obtrude their necessities so readily upon you; while you, on the other hand, when their necessities in any particular way force themselves upon your observation, may secretly, and without the knowledge of others, relieve them. You will thus find the work of charity a very quiet and manageable process; for, in truth, there won't be half a dozen families among the hundred who will stand in real need of your money; while perhaps one half of the whole would have been the sordid expectants of your generosity had you injudiciously announced yourself as the general almoner of the district that you had assumed.

Meanwhile, ply all the families with kind and moral attentions, stimulate education, recommend cleanliness, encour

age church-going habits. Be not too obtrusive with your money; let the people pay for all themselves as much as possible, and, at the same time, show that you grudge no expense that would serve their best interests by being generous in every case of unquestionable distress; by setting up, if you will, a little library in the district, to which, however, there ought to be small quarterly payments on the part of the people themselves. Set up a local Savings-Bank, if you think it would promote frugality, and study by all possible means to make the people thrive-not so much by any imparted liberality on your part, as thrive by teaching them the power of their own resources and their own capabilities.

I have not nearly exhausted this favorite subject; but I send you to the best school when I send you to the school of your own experience. Blunders, and failures, and discouragements are unavoidable; but you are in the best place for profiting by these when you confine yourself to a local terri

MAN'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS BELIEF. 279

tory, where you are ever growing in acquaintanceship and mutual regard with the people, than when you throw yourself at large over a boundless field. Mr. John Campbell, Tertius, W.S., has done the very same thing that I now recommend to you, and if you are disposed to consult him, he is qualified to supplement the deficiencies of my present communication. Yours truly, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. CCXXXVIII.-To A FRIEND.

ST. ANDREWS, 13th November, 1825.

MY VERY DEAR SIR-I have no peculiar mode of addressing the Gospel to any one class of human creatures. It is a wide and general proclamation of mercy to all, and whatever the age or condition of the sinner, still he is welcome to Christ; and coming unto Him he shall in no wise be cast out. All are warranted to approach, even with boldness, to that throne of grace, where they shall receive both mercy to pardon and grace to help in every time of need.

It is a wonderful plea that the Psalmist urges for pardon : "Pardon mine iniquity, for it is great." That greatness of transgression, which would preclude the hope of forgiveness from an earthly superior whom we had offended, is the very argument which we are encouraged to make use of in praying for pardon from Him whose thoughts are not as our thoughts, and whose ways are not as our ways. May you, my dear sir, and all with whom you are connected, have great peace and joy in thus believing; and sure I am, that when Gospel peace enters, Gospel holiness will follow in its train. Have you read Romaine's "Treatises on Faith?"—they are very precious. Believe me, my dear sir, yours truly,

THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. CCXXXIX.-ON MAN'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS

BELIEF.

ST. ANDREWS, 15th March, 1826.

MY DEAR MADAM-Lord Byron's assertion, "that man is