It arises, in the first place, from _a wrong estimate of the character of the poor_, and especially of the religious poor. The sympathy which is professed by the author of these Reasons, is for suffering which only exists in his own conception. Those who subscribe to Bible Associations have no feeling of the cruelty which they are said to endure. The best delight which can animate a human breast, is afforded to them by the means of the Bible Society, in the easiest manner, as well as in the highest degree. Persons in higher situations of life, are apt to look upon those beneath them, as incapable of feeling those pleasures which they themselves enjoy. Thus the clean cottage, the small, but decorated garden of a poor man, is passed by with indifference by the rich; yet the poor man has, perhaps, more exquisite pleasure in his enjoyments, than another, pampered with all the superfluities of life. So may it be with these small subscriptions to Bible Associations. Although poor, a man is equally a man; he has drank “milk sweet as charity from human breasts;” and feeling, as acutely as any other, his own spiritual wants, he may have as earnest desire for the relief of his fellow-creatures. Such I am persuaded is the state of many of the poor, and their language in giving to these Associations is not the pang which _cruelty_ extorts, but of this kind—“I am not rich myself, but I will give my money, because I know that he who giveth to the poor, lendeth to the Lord; because the souls of multitudes are perishing for lack of that knowledge, which I am able, in a degree, to impart to them.” But not only is this charge founded upon a wrong conception of the character and habits of the poor, but upon a mistaken view of the real political and moral influence of these Associations. It is admitted on all hands, that the best remedy for national distress would be to create in the poor a spirit of independence; to raise them above a state, in which they would stoop to receive from the public, that support which ought to be procured by their own industry and foresight. On this ground, we establish clubs to provide against sickness; banks to deposit savings; and there is reason to conclude, from the example of Scotland, that if the principle of honest independence were duly cultivated, and means supplied for its full operation, an almost total subduction of our Poor Rate might take place. Bible Associations have, then, a direct tendency to teach and to set at work this very principle. They teach the poor economy, a habit of foresight, the benefit of order and christian co-operation. They raise the poor from the rank of beggars to that of benefactors; and, whilst in common with clubs, they cherish a habit of prudence, they root out the habit of selfishness, which clubs have, perhaps, a tendency to produce.