6. That a president, treasurer, committee, and secretary be appointed in order to make any necessary arrangement in the society, and to conduct its concerns in the most advantageous manner.

The increasing patronage of clothing societies in different parts of the kingdom, is a convincing and satisfactory proof of the excellency of such and similar institutions, and their expediency and utility can no longer remain a matter of doubt, when we notice the extensive benefits in various ways, arising from them, wherever they have been established. Conscious that every step taken to better the condition of the labouring classes, and raise them from abject poverty to additional comfort and enjoyment, has a natural tendency to increase their sensibility and improve their moral habits, the committee are induced to solicit the support and encouragement of all ranks of society, and they hope ever to be upheld by persons of enlightened minds and feeling hearts. To furnish the poor with money is seldom the most effectual way to benefit them :-far more essential service may be done them by contributing to plans and institutions, by which they may assist themselves, for it is well known that they never value gifts half so much as they do the produce of their own industry.

Gratuitous subscriptions and donations will be thankfully received by treasurer, and

secretary.

No. 3. Rules.

MY DEAR PARISHIONERS AND FRIENDS,

Ever anxious to promote the welfare of all within the jurisdiction of my ministerial office, I have been induced to draw up the following plan of a clothes club, to enable such of my poorer parishioners, who are under the necessity of working hard for the maintenance of themselves and families, to save a small sum monthly, to supply themselves, when the inclemency of winter sets in, with suitable apparel. The conditions of the club are as follow:

1. Those only who depend "entirely" on their labour for the maintenance of themselves and families to become subscribers.

2. The amount of subscription to be at the rate of two or three-pence per week, according to the means of the subscriber.

3. The subscription to be paid the first Monday in every month. The first payment to commence on the 4th of January, 18-; and punctually followed up, as no arrears will be accepted; -the subscription to close the first Monday in November.

4. Any person ceasing his or her payment during the year, to forfeit the amount already paid for the benefit of the club.

5. Thirty-five tickets of attendance at the church during at least one of the services of the day, will entitle the subscribers to the following reductions in the price of the articles they may wish to purchase :

Of the value of one shilling and sixpence per yard, and not exceeding two shillings, a reduction of sixpence.

Of the value of one shilling, and not exceeding one shilling and sixpence-three-pence.

Of the value of sixpence, and not exceeding one shilling-two-pence : and all articles under sixpence at half price.

6. Twenty-five tickets will entitle the subscriber to the following reductions:

Of the value of one shilling and sixpence, and not exceeding two shillings-three-pence.

Of the value of one shilling, and not exceeding one shilling and sixpence-two-pence.

Onder one shilling, but exceeding sixpence-one penny.

7. Those who cannot show the number of tickets, (unless prevented from actual illness, properly certified) will be entitled to the reduction of one penny per yard only.

8. Blankets and all articles sold by the piece, will be subject to a similar reduction, according to the original cost.

9. The names of such persons as may be willing to become members of the club, must be given to -, before Christmas-day; but any person may become a member at any subsequent period, by paying sixpence towards the general benefit of the club.

10. The names of the members will be entered in a book, and - will himself receive the subscriptions, or depute some person so to do. No subscription will be received after twelve o'clock at noon. Your faithful minister,

Rules of a Dorcas Charity.

1. Subscriptions not to be less than five shillings a year, which sum entitles a subscriber to one ticket.

2. Subscribers of ten shillings to be entitled to two tickets; subscribers of fifteen shillings to be entitled to three; and subscribers of one pound and upwards to be entitled to four. Donations will be thankfully re

ceived.

3. Each subscriber shall receive a ticket of recommendation, previous to every sale; and every person giving a donation of one pound, shall be entitled to the same privilege for that year.

4. Any subscriber giving a donation of one pound, shall be entitled

to an additional ticket; but no persons shall be allowed a ticket unless they are annual subscribers, or have given a donation of one pound.

5. From the funds arising from subscriptions and donations, materials proper for clothing the poor are to be purchased by the ladies of the committee; and when made up to be sold by them to the poor at something less than half-price.

6. The different articles to be made up by such ladies as are disposed to work for the charity, a list of whom to be printed in the annual report.

7. Any poor person wishing to have relief from this charity, may apply to a subscriber for a ticket, upon shewing which, on the day of sale, they will be allowed to purchase such articles for clothing as they may want, for themselves or their children, to the amount of the sum specified on the ticket, if they attend at the hours appointed.

8. The yearly collections to be made in the month of May; the committee to meet on the Thursday in the week following, and at such other times as shall be considered expedient-three days notice of such meeting to be sent by the secretary to each member of the committee.

9. Any three or more ladies of the committee, with the treasurer, to be considered as competent to act at such meetings, as if the whole of the committee was present.

10. That the committee do consist of a PATRONESS, eight ordinary members, and a treasurer.

11. A list of subscribers and donors to be printed with the annual report.

The Infirm, and Lying-in Society.

The objects that this society has in view are these :-to search out cases of distress among the aged and afflicted poor, by visiting them at their own habitations; to make up and provide for them, gratuitously, suitable articles of clothing, and to administer such other relief as the peculiarity of each case may require: to assist proper objects in their lying in, with the loan of baby linen; and, in cases of necessity, to provide a nurse for them during the first week of their confinement. No relief is afforded in any case without a previous investigation into its merits, and no preference is shewn to any particular denomination of persons.

This society, it is believed, will be found in some respects to be different from any other in the parish, and the humane assistance it affords to poor lying-in women will probably be considered, by many persons, as no small recommendation. It is however very far from wishing to advance itself by any attempt to disparage other institutions of a kindred character; it desires, on the contrary, cordially to co-operate with them in the great work of doing good, and is only anxious to stir up the benevolent and kind-hearted to fresh exertions in the cause of humanity, for which there is at all times but too wide a scope.

Rules.

1. Ladies subscribing one shilling monthly to be members.

2. That those members who are willing to take an active part shall form a committee to manage the affairs of the society, and from their number a treasurer and secretary will be annually chosen.

3. That the committee shall meet on the last Tuesday in every month, at each other's houses, until some other place be determined upon, to assist in making up clothes and for other business.

4. That at each meeting two ladies shall be appointed for the ensuing month to visit the poor, and to purchase and cut out clothing previous to the next meeting.

5. That application for relief, &c. be submitted to the committee at each monthly meeting, but the visitors in cases of urgent distress may give immediate assistance.

6. That the benefit of this society be extended to proper objects of every denomination, and in any part of the town.

7. That every member be entitled to recommend objects for relief.

8. That persons not being members, but contributing to the means of the society, either in money, materials, or any description of clothing, be entitled to send proper persons to be relieved, in proportion to the amount of their donations.

9. That clothing shall not be distributed between the months of October and March inclusive.

10. That the visitors shall collect the subscriptions monthly.

11. That the report of the proceedings of this society be published annually.

*** New subscriptions and donations of any kind will be thankfully received by any of the subscribers.

VISITATION OF THE SICK.

THIS is a very interesting and important part of a minister's duty, and where properly undertaken, most useful both to the visitor and visited. It is, however, a work which calls for much self-denial, faith, and earnest prayer. Humanly speaking, the whole benefit to be expected depends upon the fidelity of the minister. To "daub with untempered mortar," is here attended with the most disastrous consequences. The words of the prophet Ezekiel (xiii. 22) should always be borne in mind, and before the minister leaves his own house for the performance of this duty, it would be well to offer up a short prayer to God, that, by the Holy Spirit's aid, he may avoid the sin so solemnly reproved. "With lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad, and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked ways, by promising him life." The peculiar circumstances of the sick and dying call for the exercise of the most unbounded affection and tenderness. It is well to obtain the confidence of the person visited as soon as possible: for until this be obtained, little can be effected. The address to the heart and conscience should not be too abrupt. It may be found useful to commence the conversation with some such remarks as the following, -" I was sorry to hear that you were poorly, and have called to see you. Have you been long

unwell? Do you suffer much pain? It is a great blessing to know who appoints all our troubles, that there is nothing happens to us by chance, and that all afflictions, of every kind, are sent by a God of love, for the purpose of doing us good. Perhaps you sometimes feel this. And, I dare say, sometimes you think it very hard to be so afflicted. Satan is sure to take advantage of the weakness of the body to distress the mind: but Jesus is ever ready to help us; and if we ask him, will give us his Holy Spirit to make all work eventually for our good. Sometimes you think you shall soon be better. And perhaps there are times when you fancy that you shall not recover. How do you feel on such occasions? What do you think would become of your soul, if you should not recover? Where would it go to? You 'hope, to heaven,' and so do I. I most fervently pray that that may be your case. But what makes you think you shall go to heaven? On what is your hope founded? You know we are all sinners against God: and sinners cannot go to heaven, unless their sins are forgiven them. Do you feel yourself to be a sinner? What would become of you, if God were to deal with you as you deserve? Do you really think that you deserve to go to hell? And why then do you hope to go to heaven? Have you been thinking about your soul? Have you prayed to God for Christ's sake to pardon you? Are you convinced that if ever you are pardoned, it must be entirely of God's free mercy through Christ, and not on account of anything which you have done, or ever can, either do or suffer? Dare you trust Christ with your soul? Trust him for every thing? Was not God very good to give us such a Saviour? What could you do now, if you had not Jesus to trust in? Why, you cannot read, you are so poorly; and sometimes you cannot bear to hear others read to you; and your thoughts wander, and you cannot pray, you cannot keep your mind fixed upon divine things. Did you ever think of that text, 'Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us?' (Heb. vii. 25.) But we want something more than pardon, before we can enter into heaven. Heaven is a holy place, God is a holy God, and nothing unholy can enter there. You are not only guilty, but polluted and defiled. Sin mingles with all your thoughts, words, and works. You must, therefore, experience a great change before you could enjoy heaven, even if you got there. We must have a meetness for it, as well as a title to it. Now CHRIST procures the title to, and the HOLY SPIRIT makes us meet for heaven. Do you pray to the Holy Spirit to make you holy? Death will not alter our characters. Just as we die, shall we be to all eternity. He that is holy will be holy still, and he that is filthy will be filthy still.' (Rev. xxii. 11.) This is a solemn thought. What a mercy it is that God has promised to give his Holy Spirit to them that ask him! You cannot pray long together, but I will tell you what you can do, you can say, 'Lord, convert my soul for Jesus Christ's sake.' Use this prayer, and may the Holy Spirit help you thus to pray with the heart. But I must not talk too long, I shall tire you. I do not mean that you want me to go, but people when they are ill cannot bear too much at a time. Before I leave you, I will just offer up a short prayer for you."

In the treatment of various cases, "long patience" will be often called forth. "A cold unmeaning assent may meet us from day to day