Page:The collected works of Theodore Parker volume 7.djvu/62

58 State after the pattern of that divine man, Jesus—how different it would be from this in spirit and in form! Taking all this whole State into account, things, on the whole, two better here, than in any similar population, after all these evils. I think there can be no doubt of that; hotter now, on tho whole, than ever before. A day's work will produce a greater quantity of needful things than hitherto. So the number of little ones that perish in smaller than heretofore, in proportion to the whole mass. I do not bolieve the world can show such examples of public oharity us this city has afforded in tho last fifty years. Alas we want the justice which prevents causes no less than the charity which palliates effects. See yet the unnatural disparity in man's condition: bloated opulence and starving penury in the some street! See the pauperism, want, licentiousness, intemperance and crime, in the midst of us; see the havoc made of woman; see the poor deserted by their elder brother, while it is their sweat which enriches your ground, builds your railroads, and piles up your costly houses. The tall gallows stands in tho back-ground of society, overlooking it all; where it should be the blessed gospel of the living God.

What we want to remove the cause of all this is the application of Christianity to social life. Nothing less will do the work. Each of us can help forward that by doing the part which falls in his way. Christianity, like the eagle's flight, begins at home. We can go farther, and do something for each of these classes of little ones. Then we shall help others do the same. Some we may encourage to practical Christianity by our example; some we may perhaps shame. Still more, we can ourselves be pure, manly, Christian ; each of us that, in heart and life. We can build up a company of such, men of perpetual growth. Then we shall be ready not only for this special work now before us, to palliate effects, but for every Christian and manly duty when it comes. Then, if ever some scheme is offered which is nobler and yet more Christian than what we now behold, it will find us booted, and girded, and road-ready.

I look to you to do something in this matter. You are many; most of you are young. I look to you to set an example of a noble life, human, clean, and Christian, not