Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1878 edition. Excerpt: ... chapter xi. more workers wanted. Will those who have followed me thus far have seen what has been my object in writing? what excuse I have for adding to that pile of books which are increasing in number every year? My object has been to enlist more workers for the poor, more, who with an enlightened spirit, and with warm sympathy, will seek to improve the conditions of working people, not in a sentimental fashion, but with common sense, and with loving hearts that will feel the sorrows that, alas' we are often unable to heal. But we can do much, and let none despair and say that their help would be of no use, that their efforts would be too feeble to stem the great tide of misery. From the poor, I have said, we can often learn, and a story I heard a few years ago, of a poor labourer, may encourage some who have but small scope for their energies. This poor man lived in a cottage, in a far-away neglected part of a large parish. He cared for his religion above all things, and he thought if there was a church in that apparently God-forsaken spot, the people would be.less wild and less wicked. So day by day, as he toiled back from his weary work; he would beg a brick here, or a large stone there, and carry them home with him; till at last he had a great heap of bricks and stones near his cottage; and with a real faith that could remove mountains, he used to say to his neighbours that these bricks and stones would build a church. He grew old and the heap grew ever bigger, and at last, when threescore and ten years had gone over his head, he died, and his last words were that the bricks and stones he had collected were to be used for building a church to the glory of God. And truly his stedfast faith was not misplaced. His fervent hopes were...
