Further, a mothers' association. The duties of a mother, more especially among the lower classes, are very arduous. She requires to be enlightened, encouraged, stirred up, and perhaps rebuked. Such an association would afford eligible opportunities for telling them many things which could not be appropriately delivered before a mixed assembly. It is a great misfortune for a family when the husband forgets himself and his duties; but when the wife gives way, all is lost. Is she not, indeed, the guardian of religion and virtue at the domestic hearth? The attempt thus suggested has been made at Bordeaux and elsewhere with perfect success. [Footnote 22] [Footnote 22: See the _Manuel de Charité_.] {295} There are two other associations which should by all means be established in large towns: namely, an association of young clerks, and an association of those young persons who are called shop-girls or girls of the counter. These two classes are most shamefully neglected; hence their morality is generally _nil_ ... and from the large towns they go to the smaller towns, and into the larger villages, where they help to form that egotistical, sensual, _Voltairian_, excitable, and vain shop-class, ever ready to disseminate the vicious lessons which they have acquired. It would be easy to form these associations. There would be no difficulty as regards the young females. With respect to the men, all that is required is a good nucleus; which would soon be increased by those who are at a distance from their homes. Families are often pained at being obliged to launch a young man alone into a great city, and would feel much happier on learning that there would be some to protect him against being led astray, and who would help him on in his new career. Almost all the young people who come up from the country are Christians up to the time of leaving their homes. Some genial title might be given to the association, which would make it attractive. Another great field for the exercise of zeal is the diffusion of good books. [Footnote 23] [Footnote 23: See the _Manuel de Charité_ under the chapter headed _Les Bibliothèques_.] {296} This kind of ministration has not been adequately or generally appreciated hitherto. The ministry of the word, which is proclaimed in our churches, is recognized; but that of the word which, in the guise of a good book, goes and sits down at the domestic hearth, is not understood as it should be. We are, however, making some progress in this respect; and I trust that the magnitude of existing evils may stir us up to greater activity, and that after being thoroughly beaten we shall rise up again as becomes Christians.