Most earnestly do the Committee appeal to the Members of this Society and the parishioners in general, to consider the importance—the Christian duty—of administering the proportion of their income which they set apart for charitable purposes, in such a manner as may produce THE GREATEST amount of good. That duty clearly is, not only to “distribute,” but to “distribute to the _necessity_” of their brethren. To perform this effectually, a knowledge of that necessity, as it really exists, must be acquired: which implies an intimate acquaintance with the habits and circumstances of families, and with their various grades of desert and of distress. This, again, can only be attained by a watchful superintendence, exercised for a length of time over them by the same persons—as by a permanent Visitor, or the Clergy. Of these, then, let inquiry be made respecting such applicants; they will be at once willing to state whether, in their opinion, they are or are not fit objects of relief and encouragement. To these, who possess the most certain means of information that are attainable, let any, {15} who are desirous of affording assistance beyond a mere annual subscription, apply. They will recommend to their notice, not the most importunate and clamorous, but the most necessitous and the most deserving. They will point out as fit recipients of encouragement not the professed beggar, nor the impostor, nor the vagrant, nor the idle, nor the improvident, nor the drunkard, nor the irreligious; but those, who are aged, or infirm, or sick, or “maimed, or halt, or blind;” those, who are honestly and diligently striving, with perhaps but a single downward step {16} between them and pauperism, to maintain their position as respectable and profitable members of society; those, who are anxiously endeavouring to avail themselves to the utmost of their spiritual privileges and advantages, in order to fulfil their duty in their several relations of life, to God, their neighbour, and themselves.