sionary spirit, which may result in a much greater benefit
than the amount of money contributed by the society. Another advantage
of this plan is, that it furnishes an opportunity of social intercourse,
with a great saving of time. Here you may meet your friends once a week,
without being exposed to the dissipating influence of parties of
pleasure. There is a little Sabbath-school book, published in Boston,
entitled "_Louisa Palston_," which ought to be in the hands of every
young lady. It presents the subject of missions to the heathen in a most
interesting light, and also contains an excellent example of an
association of the kind here recommended.

IV. _You can make your influence felt in behalf of the poor._ By
frequenting the abodes of poverty and distress, you may administer to
the wants of the afflicted, and call into active exercise the feelings
of Christian sympathy in your own bosom. By this means, also, you will
be prepared to enlist others in the same cause. Female benevolent
societies, for assisting the poor, should be formed in all large towns;
and in most places, much good may be done by forming societies for
clothing poor children, to enable them to attend Sabbath-schools. But
perhaps there is no way in which you can do so much for the poor, as by
assisting them with your own hands, in their afflictions, and aiding
them by your advice. Be careful, however, that you do not make them feel
that you are conferring an obligation.

There is, at the present day, a very erroneous impression abroad, in
relation to the poor. Many wealthy people, and many in moderate but
comfortable circumstances, seem to think God has given them their
property solely for their own gratification. Go to their houses, and you
will find their tables groaning with luxuries, their rooms garnished
with costly furniture, and their persons decorated with finery. But, if
you ask them for a small contribution for suffering poverty, you will
perhaps be compelled to listen to a long complaint against the
improvidence of the poor; their want of industry and economy; and
possibly be put off with the plea, that supplying their necessities has
a tendency to make them indolent, and prevent them from helping
themselves. This may be true to some extent; for intemperance has
brought ruin and distress upon many families, and we cannot expect
either industry, economy, or any other virtue, in a drunkard. But this
is far from being a full view of the cas