It may be thought that I should have given this plea the precedence of every other.

I did not, because I felt more anxious to make good my ground with the prudent and the philanthropic--to show them that self-interest and humanity demand our exertions in this cause.

I knew that when I came to urge such efforts upon the attention of the Christian, I could not possibly fail.

No one who is a sincere follower of Him who said "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom;" no one who professes to abide by the maxims of Him whose commandment was, "Love thy neighbour as thyself," can turn a deaf ear to the entreaties of those who are necessitous and suffering.

Thousands there are among those of whom we have been speaking, who are brought up in as great ignorance of God and religion, as though they had been born in a country where the light of Revelation had never shone--where the glad tidings of salvation have never been proclaimed.