melt the heart, and lead, under the most trying circumstances, to a holy life. Nowhere upon record can be found cases of more thrilling interest than came under his ministry. Never was the full force of the gospel more powerfully displayed than in connection with his labors. Holy apostle of God! thou hast not toiled in vain. in the churches, and the seed thou hast scattered will bear fruit for ever!

Precious is thy memory

The Ministry at Large has existed in Boston twentyfive years, and is as vigorously carried on now, and is as beneficial in its results, as at any period of its history. The constant and unprecedented influx of foreign emigration puts its power to the test, and offers perpetually new material for its reformatory influence. The special work of this ministry has been suggested in what has already been said. The poor, the tempted, the suffering, are sought out; and, by free and constant intercourse, their wants become known, and their failings and excellences understood. Knowing that alms-giving is not always charity, it acts less as an almoner than an instructor and guide; seeking to render assistance in such a manner as to do good, and not evil. The causes of pauperism and crime are investigated, and the means of prevention put in operation. Jails and prisons are visited; vagrants and impostors are exposed; truant children

are placed in school; employment is found for such as are able to work; and not unfrequently those have been rescued, who stood upon the very verge of ruin.

Every reflecting mind will readily see what a work there is to be done, and the necessity which exists for such a labor. When it is remembered that these ministers often make from three to four thousand visits a year, an idea may be formed of the good which must be accomplished.

With such labors it is evidently important that there should be some centre, - a place where those who are ready to unite with the Minister at Large may come together for associated action; where the young may be gathered into schools, and adults meet both for instruction and worship. Dr. Tuckerman early felt the need of this, and urged the importance of a chapel where the scattered flock might assemble, and truth be spoken in an hour which it would take weeks to say to each individually. A central room was procured by the venerated founder of this mission almost as soon as he commenced his ministry, and the first chapel was erected twenty-three years

ago.

With the chapels in Boston are regularly connected some two hundred families; and in two chapels (that in Pitts-street, and that in Warren-street),

since their commencement, between nine and ten thousand children have received instruction. Most of these have now gone forth into active life; not to idleness, beggary, or theft, as they might have done had they been neglected, but to become useful and worthy members of the community. The Ministry at Large has been established in London, Liverpool, Bristol, and Birmingham; in Providence, Charlestown, Roxbury, Lowell, Salem, St. Louis, and other places. It has been, as you are well aware, in successful operation here between two and three years; and the devotedness of your minister, and the sympathy of the Christian churches in this holy enterprise, is widely known. The third year of this ministry in your city has not been quite completed, while more than two hundred and fifty destitute children have been clothed by the ladies of the societies, and four hundred brought into the Sunday-school. During ten months there has been an evening free school, in which between two and three hundred persons, from the ages of fourteen to forty, have received instruction. A large number of truant children have been induced to attend the day-schools. Employment has been given to the idle. A sewing-school has been in active existence more than two years for instructing girls in the use of the needle; and at least fifty of the most abandoned and vicious children have

been rescued from the streets, and placed in good homes in the country, nearly all of whom are doing well. Who can estimate the blessings which have been conferred, and the evils which have been prevented, by this ministry? And it should be remembered that much is done that can never be embodied in statistics. Though no report were made of what is actually accomplished, we could have faith to believe that a true-hearted, intelligent, and judicious man could not visit constantly among the poor, without doing good. But in this instance there are palpable results, alike gratifying and encouraging. In addition to what has been adduced, street-beggary is said to have very perceptibly decreased; and the criminal cases at the Municipal Court were oneeighth less during the second than the first year of this ministry.*

You have commenced the work in good time. In large cities like London, the evil which exists is appalling. It has so gained the upper-hand that the Christian laborer feels his heart sink within him. In the city of New York, pauperism and crime have already become too gigantic to be brought under easy

* It will be seen by the Appendix, that, in addition to the labors of Rev. Mr. Hadley, the Rev. Mr. Mitchell has been employed as a City Missionary by the Orthodox Congregational Societies. These gentlemen have always united together in their Christian efforts with mutual good-will, and both took part in the services at the dedication of the chapel.

subjection. Well do I remember the words of Mr. Arnold, the noble-hearted man who, for some years, gave himself there to the work, and whose reports were among the ablest that have ever been made upon this subject: -"Sir," said he, "the evil is too great for me to grapple with. It sweeps by me like a flood."

You have commenced wisely, while you can keep things under your control, and mould them to your wishes. This city you can make, if you will, a per

Purify it from

fect model of what cities should be. intemperance, licentiousness, and every vice. Seal up the fountains of iniquity; educate the young; encourage all in industry and virtue; and disseminate the principles of the gospel, till they shall penetrate and pervade the community. Then will you make your city the glory of your country, and a joy to the whole earth.

a light

This beautiful edifice is a landmark in your progress. It is a noble monument to the Christian philanthropy of your city. May it become instrumental in greatly aiding the ministry by which so much has already been accomplished! May its evident usefulness encourage the churches to yet greater activity! May the poor feel that this is to them as a pleasant and hallowed home, where they can rest at times in the weary pilgrimage of life, and gain