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However, Sir, I shall tire you with my long letter. I must however, say, that I hope things are mending a little; poor people's children are better taught than they were formerly; and when they become servants they know better how to conduct themselves than they used to do; and many masters and mistresses are very considerate, and think a great deal of the consequence of what they do, both to themselves and their servants. And where this is so, some good is sure to come of it: where masters and mistresses are careful to be right themselves, and live like Christian people, then they commonly desire to see their servants doing the same. are some, indeed, who do not know that any thing wrong is going on, and would be very sorry to think it was so. I say, Sir, it is often the fault of the servants themselves. I, not long ago, saw some carriages standing at a Church door, whilst the families within were staying the sacrament; and the coachmen were passing a pot of porter from one to the other. I don't say they drank much. But this is in a morning, and a Sunday morning too, and at a Church door too, on such an occasion; and it shews a very bad habit; and it looks a long way from decent. As to drinking in a morning, I look upon it to be all a vile bad practice; I never did it myself, and so I never crave after it, and I have saved pounds by it. Why, Sir, I have seen many a man lose a good place, because he could not keep his mouth from the pot: they are never good for any thing after they once get that trick,—no more care for body or soul. What gentleman or lady can bear a fellow near them all smelling of beer and tobacco? And besides, who would run the risk of a drunkard to drive him, or to attend on him in any way? It is besides a great grief to a master who is himself living like a Christian, to see any such person about him.-Well, Sir, "it is of no use writing;" I know you'll say so.-I trust I have been led to see

On Buying and Selling on the Sabbath. 371 what is right, and I have observed, that, though some men may be cautious for the sake of preserving their characters, yet if a man knows the value of religion, then there is an end of all these wicked ways; but if he has no regard for the service of his God, then he will go on in any sort of wickedness to which his mind inclines him. I must stop, Sir, before I quite tire you out.

A COACHMAN.

ON BUYING AND SELLING ON THE SABBATH.

To those who believe that the progress of religion and of good morals depends very greatly on the proper observance of the Sabbath, it is very melancholy to see the quantity of trafficking that is going on every Sunday in the streets of London. Under the pretence that eatables and drinkables, being matters of necessity, may be sold on the Sabbath, you can scarcely move ten yards, in the west end of the town, without meeting a man, or a woman, or a child, with a basket of fruit, or cakes, or gingerbeer, or something of that kind, to sell. The butcher's shops, too, are perhaps allowed to be open at an early hour in the morning, but they in fact do continue open long after the hour of service in the Church. The pastrycooks' shops are open all day, and the family of course cannot have the least chance of being able to go to Church. Those who have indeed some shame, but not principle enough to resist this unhallowed gain, will partly close their windows; whilst those few who have a truly religious principle, will despise the gain that could be got only by an offence against God,-these shut their shops wholly.-And some one would be inclined to ask, "What would be the use of pre

venting all this?" I am sure I do not know: but I am very sure that it shows a miserable want of religious principle in those who can, for the mere sake of gain, employ themselves in a way which is contrary to a Divine command,-which draws their minds into a train of thought wholly contrary to that which is proper for the Sabbath, and which moreover absolutely prevents them from frequenting the Church, or any place of worship whatever.

Now when there are so many of these sellers,and when we really must believe that these people are not only at present without religion, but that they are engaged in a way which effectually keeps them out of the reach of religion, we cannot help saying, that it is a very melancholy consideration. But these people may say, "That they are encouraged by those who purchase what they have to sell; that where there is one seller there are a hundred buyers; and that these are as guilty as themselves," This, indeed, is true: and the consideration on that account becomes still more melancholy. "Be ye not partakers of other men's sins," says the Word of God; and whoever encourages these practices is a partaker in the sin; and it is grievous indeed to see that such a multitude of people are thus living in the dreadful sin of Sabbath-breaking. And when this is so, we cannot help concluding that they have no right regard for religion.--But do we wish to see this evil put down by the force of law? This would do but little good. It arises from a want of religion, and you cannot make people religious by the force of law. Some little good, perhaps, might be done by checking the evil example, and by preventing the scandal that is thus brought on a Christian country; but those who have no heart for what is good, would be but little likely to be turned to the right course by any disagreeable restraints that might be put upon them. The duty of those, however, who do wish to serve God, is

Charity School at St. Mary-le-bone.

373

plain; they are to have nothing to do with these things: they are neither to do them themselves, nor to encourage others. We need not, however, say this; for they have indeed no inclination to do what they know to be wrong, and they dread to encourage it in others.

V.

CHARITY SCHOOL AT ST. MARY-LEBONE.

To the Editor of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor.

SIR,

I WAS much gratified yesterday by attending the Anniversary Festival of the St. Mary-le-bone Charity School. The children, consisting of 60 boys and 60 girls, are all clothed, maintained, and educated at the expence of the charity. It is a happy sight to behold so many of our young fellow-citizens kept at this early age from those scenes of vice which disgrace our streets, from joining in those acts of juvenile depravity which are unfolded in the daily reports of our Courts and Police Offices. That such was the impression made by the sight of these children, is proved by the receipt of several liberal benefactions, and by many names being added to the list of annual subscribers.

I must add a hope that this excellent institution will not be allowed to expire, or even to curtail its sphere of usefulness by the heavy demands which have lately and unavoidably been made on its funds; but that its just claims to support and patronage will become daily more known to, and consequently admitted by, the opulent inhabitants of the first parish in the metropolis.

I send you a copy of the "Instructions" addressed to the children of either sex, upon quitting this school; which few of your readers may have had an

opportunity of seeing; and which, if you can find room for it in your valuable miscellany, may be perused with equal satisfaction and advantage.

I remain, Sir, &c. &c.

AN INHABITANT OF ST. MARY-LE-BONE.

June 21st.

CHARITY SCHOOL, ST. MARY-LE-BONE,
ESTABLISHED 1750.

Instructions to a Young Person upon leaving the
School.

"By the Patrons, Trustees, and Subscribers to this Charity, you were taken into this School when young: by means of this Charity, you have now, for some time, been fed, cloathed, and educated, whilst many thousands have, in the mean time, been in want; and, had it not been for this charitable Institution, you most probably would have been among that unhappy number. You have been taught to reverence Almighty God, to love him, and to fear him; also to be honest, careful, diligent, and industrious; and, as you hope for success in this world, and happiness in the world to come, you must be ever mindful of the good instruction you have received; and seek, through Divine grace, to be religious, virtuous, and just, through life. To all mankind you are are to do all the good you can, but more especially to every master or mistress you may serve, and their family, whose commands you must make it your study always to obey, with cheerfulness and exactness. You will meet in the world with many temptations to do wickedly, and only by remembering the good instructions you have received, and acting up to them, can you avoid being deceived and allured by them. If at any time you should

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