hunger and cold. If the moral nature of the poor is to be reformed,
their surroundings must be improved. "The mind becomes that which it
contemplates." It would be impossible for any one surrounded by crime
and poverty to understand or be made to comprehend the loving kindness
of a God who placed them in such a condition and amidst such
surroundings. No one, unless they were fanatics, would think of
distributing religious tracts to the poor half starved ignorant portion
of a large city. The _human_ portion of their natures must be benefitted
before any great results in moral improvements can be attained. Commence
at the beginning. Teach them the laws of hygiene: teach them their duty,
not from any reward which they may expect in the next world, but for the
sake of right and the happiness it will afford them in this world.

I am often struck with the idea that the religion which is taught from
our pulpits frequently helps to nourish all that is most selfish in our
natures. We are taught that for every kind act we perform, we may expect
a reward hereafter. In worldly matters we would have a poor opinion of a
friend--or one calling herself such--who for every small act of kindness
shown us, was constantly thinking of the benefit she was to derive from
it. Why will the reasoning not apply to spiritual matters? Such teaching
develops all that is lowest in human nature. And again we are told that
by doing certain things which are sinful in the sight of God, we may
expect punishment hereafter; consequently many people are deterred from
wrong doing, simply from fear; not because of any inner consciousness of
wrong doing, but for fear of the consequences of their sin. Would it not
be well to teach and train the human mind to the belief that any act
committed which is injurious to ourselves or our fellow creatures is
wrong, because the act in itself is wrong and not because we are to be
punished in the future.