Chap. VII.] - DUTY OF MUTUAL ASSISTANCE.
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individual, to increase prudential habits, and to cultivate, in theirpurest form, the feelings and affections of the heart.* It is ad-mitted, that education is not always a sufficient guaranty againstthe commission of crime, — it is indeed a mighty instrument ofeither good or evil, according as it is directed. The great objectof education ought to be, the cultivation of the moral feelings,habits, principles, and character.
The children of the poor, then, ought to be special objects ofthe care of those who take a lively concern in improving themorals and advancing the happiness of mankind. To this end,our infant-school societies are among the most useful of our in-stitutions, in rescuing the children of paupers, and of the mostprofligate of the poor, from the disastrous exposures of theircondition. Their object is, to take these children into theircharge, even at the age of lisping infancy, and form their firstassociations to the knowledge and love of right, to the knowl-edge and practice of their duty, and to the knowledge and love ofGod, their Almighty Father. These schools are moral nurseriesfor those, who, if not gathered into them, or if left where theyare, can hardly be expected, when they shall be advanced in life,to have any clear conceptions and permanent regard for right andwrong ; and who certainly, if uncared for, will not be whollyaccountable for their character and conduct. The responsibilitywill be divided between themselves and those by whom theyshall have been neglected.
2. Furnishing the poor with employment, at a reasonable com-pensation, is another unquestionable and unexceptionable wayof benefiting them. This position, also, does not seem to re-quire much illustration. We shall diminish the demand for alms,in proportion as we can awaken a spirit of industry in those whoshall apply for them, and supply those with employment whocannot otherwise obtain it; and not less, in proportion as weshall save the children of paupers from early exposure, and edu-cation in the vices, which have brought their parents to debase-ment and ruin.
3. Alms given by individuals in considerable sums, to merito-
* Lord Brougham’s Speech in the British House of Lords, 20th June, 1834.