they might diffuse much bounty, kindness, instruction, and exhortation to their poor and ignorant parishioners. It is impossible not to see at once that such associations might be so framed as to be productive of the most extensive and beneficial results to the Church and people of England; they are calculated to restore the influence of the Clergy, and extend their sphere of usefulness amongst their flocks. Notwithstanding all the arts of the enemies of our Establishment, the people of England always have loved, and still love their Church: wherever a contrary feeling subsists, it may be always traced to a local or temporary cause; but still it must be admitted, that the immense population of some parishes, under existing circumstances, is likely to produce estrangement from the appointed pastor; an evil, which the visiting societies are admirably adapted to remedy. Some may object to such associations as being likely to encroach upon the separate and peculiar duties of the ministerial character: such would be an evil of the most serious nature, for no one must presume to intrude himself uncalled upon the priest’s office: but, though it is true every good is capable of abuse, this is an abuse which may be always especially guarded against by the clergyman who selects and controls the visitors, receives their reports, and superintends their operations: whilst as a further security against the perversion of such associations to party or sectarian views, it might be made a standing rule, that no tract should be circulated in any parish, which had not received the sanction of the incumbent or his curate. To arrange the machinery and frame the laws of a general system of parochial visiting societies, must be a work of time; but experience has already proved that they may be so framed and conducted as to be productive of great and unmixed advantage. And never could such aid come more opportunely than at the present time: we have already seen the number, fierceness, and malignity of the enemies, who beleaguer our Zion, “and cry, down with her, down with her, even to the ground.” The assistance of the laity, who are faithfully attached and devoted to the cause of true religion, will, therefore, be invaluable, at such a time, in defeating the designs of those who seek to alienate the minds of the flock from their regular pastors, to corrupt their principles, and make them ready instruments for the execution of their deep and wicked schemes: nor will the co-operation of pious laymen, with the clergy, in using every means to bring the great bulk of the people to humble them selves before God, in the day of their visitation, be a less important service. The Christian minister resembles a beacon on a dangerous coast, which warns against sand-banks, sunken rocks, and precipitous shores: in fair weather, its single bright and steady light, which, shining through the darkness, guides in safety the passing vessels, is alone sufficient;