The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-11 00:00:00

AT a MEETING held at LONDON HOUSE,
on Saturday, December 2, 1843, it was resolved to form
an ASSOCIATION for PROMOTING the RELIEF of
DESTITUTION, and for IMPROVING the CONDITION
of the POOR in the METROPOLIS, by MEANS of PA-
ROCHIAL and DISTRICT VISITING : and after sev_sral
intermediate meetings, it was resolved, on Saturday, De-
cember 16, to adopt and circulate the following Address and
Regulations :
The object which this Association has in viewi s, not merely
to administer immediate relief in cases of extreme destitution,
or of pressing want, but to improve the social, moral, and re-
ligious condition of the poor, by means which have been tried,
on a limited scale, in certain districts, and which have been
successful in proportion to the completeness of the system
which has been put into operation, and tine care with which it
has been worked. It is obvious that to dispense pecuniary re-
lief indiscriminately, and with reference solely to the apparent
or actual necessity of the case, without inquiry as to the past,
or provision for th_e future, is, to say the least of it, but a half
measure of charity, and has a tendency to generate or increase
the very evils which it seeks to cure. An inquiry into the
causes of distress, and into the best means of preventing its
recurrence, by infusing into those who labour under it sound
principles of action, and forming them to habits of economy,
industry, and foresight, is obviously necessary, to ensure to the
exertions of benevolence their proper results. Mere liberality
in almsgiving, unaccompanied by an endeavour to remove the
causes of that destitution which calls it forth, will not answer
the requirements of Christian charity.
This view of the subject plainly implies the necessity of com-
bining religious and moral instruction with the relief of bodily
want, and of making the latter, as it were, a preparative for
the former. And, therefore, although the primary design
of the Association is, to furnish the means of administering
to the extreme necessity of the poor, after due inquiry into the
circumstances of each particular case, its ultimate object is, to
aid in removing the moral causes which create or aggravate
want; to encourage prudence, industry, and cleanliness, as
parts of Christian duty, and to promote kindly feelings be-
tween those classes of society which are kept so far mender
by the difference of their worldly conditions. And this may
be effected, it is hoped, by a judicious distribution of the funds
entrusted to this Association, through which individual bounty
may be applied to the relief of distress without fear of misdi-
rection or waste. A few only of those charitable persons, who
are at all times ready to give of their worldly substance to the
sick and needy, have either leisure to make personal inquiry
into each case which presents itself, or those habits of investi-
gation which are required for the detection of imposture. Dis-
trict Visiting Societies, when conducted on right principles,
open a safe and ready channel for the distribution of pri-
vate alms.

The description now given of the objects contemplated by
this Association clearly marks out the propriety, sr rather the
necessity, of attempting their attainment through the agency
of the parochial clergy. They are, in virtue of their office,
almoners, as well as instructors, of the people ; nor can it be
doubted, that the evils under which the poorest classes labour
in our crowded cities and towns, have been greatly aggravated
by the inadequacy of our parochial system, with its existing
machinery, to meet the wants of an overwhelming popu-
lation. Two things are necessary, in order to replace the social
system in a healthy state ; a more direct and friendly intercourse
between the different classes of society, and the general incul-
cation of Christian principles. In both cases the agency of the
Clergy is indispensable, and will be, under the Divine blessing,
effectual to these ends, if means are supplied far carrying on the
work, which is now so immeasurably beyond their strength
and resources. An Association, which aims at the attainment
of this object, may surely assert its claim upon the charity of
those whom Providence has entrusted with the means of doing
good, and who are bound to use them for the glory of God, in
promoting the temporal and eternal welfare of their fellow-
creatures.
ASSOCIATION for PROMOTING the RELIEF of
DESTITUTION in the METROPOLIS, and for
IMPROVING the CONDITION of the POOR, by
MEANS of PAROCHIAL and DISTRICT VISITING.
1. The object of this Association shall be to relieve Desti-
tution, and to improve the condition of the Poor in the Metro-
polis, by means of Parochial and District Visiting, under the
superintendence and direction of the Bishop and Clergy.
2. The Association shall consist of the general body of con-
tributors to the Fund, the Bishop of London being President.
3. The business of the Association shall be conducted by a
Committee of Members belonging to the Church of England ;
one-third to go out annually, but to be re-eligible; the vacan-
cies to be filled up by election at the Annual Meeting.
4. The Committee shall have power to defray, from the funds
of the Association, such expenses as they shall deem essential
for the efficient management of its concerns ; but no part of its
funds shall be applied to the payment of District Agents or
Visitors. The attendance of five members of the Committee
shall be necessary for the transaction of business.
5. An Annual Meeting of the Association shall be held—the
President in the chair—to receive the accounts of the preced-
ing year, to appoint auditors for the ensuing year, and to fill up
the vacancies in this Committee.
The duties of the Committee shall be, to form and maintain
a fund for the purposes hereinafter specified, by occasional ap-
peals to the public, to receive. contributions, and to administer
such fund under the following regulations :-
1. To obtain from the parochial clergy, and to afford to them,
information concerning District Visiting. For this purpose, to
enter into immediate communication with the clergy of each
metropolitan parish.
2. In such parish where a Visiting Society is in operation, to
request information respecting its working and results, and the
general condition of the poor.
3. Where a Visiting Society exists, but is confined in its
operations by want of funds, to render assistance.
4. Where there is no Society, to submit a plan, with the offer
of effective co-operation.
5. Where no provision for District Visiting exists, or seems
likely to he made, the case to be submitted to the Bishop.
The fund shall be administered to objects deserving of relief
without distinction of religious persuasion.

1. Upon application from any incumbent, or from the curate
of any non-resident incumbent, a grant of money may be made,
to be employed in the relief of the destitute poor by means of
gratuitous district visiting.
2. Such incumbent, or curate, shall specify in his application
the constitution of the District Visiting Society by which he
proposes to dispense the money granted to him by the Commit-
tee, and the general objects to which it will be applied.
3. And shall render periodically to the Committee an ac-
count of the actual expenditure of the grant.
4. All grants shall be made for one year only, but shall be
renewable upon similar application, at the discretion of the
Committee.
In distributing the funds of the Association, care shall be
taken not to interfere with the legal administration of relief to
the poor.
It was resolved to advertise the foregoing Address and Regu-
lations in the leading London journals.
A Committee was appointed, with power to add to its cam-
ber. The following noblemen and gentlemen have already
consented to act on the Committee
The LORD BISHOP of LONDON, President.
The Lord Ashley, M. P. Philip Cazenove, Esq.
The Lord Howard Rev. W. W. Champneys
Viscount Campden Harry Chester, Esq.
The Lord Dudley Stuart Rev. Thomas sale
The Lord R. Grosvenor, M.P.. W. Clowes, Esq.
Hon. Wm. Ashley IW. Cotton, Esq.
Hon. Wm. Cowper, M.P. IRaikes Currie, Esq., M.P.
Hon. and Rev. H. Montagußev. William Dodsworth
Villiers G. Carr Glyn, Esq.
Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, W. Gregscn, Esq.
M. P. J. G. Hoare, Esq.
Hon. A. Kinnaird J. R. Kenyon, Esq.
Kin, :ote, Es(

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Hon. and Rev. Baptist tenry I<ingscL , r.sq.
Noel John Labouchere, Esq.
Hon. Mr. Justice Patteson J. G. Shaw Lefevre, Esq.
Hon. Mr. Justice Coleridge Rev. H. H. Milman.
Rev. Sir H. Dukinfield, Bart. W. Norris, Esq.
Sir Walter R. Farquhar, Bart. Stafford H. Northcote, Esq.
Sir Robert H. Inglis, Bart., A. Robarts, Esq.
M.P. Rev. W. Short
Very Rev. the Dean of Chi- Edward Thornton, Esq.
chester Henry Tritton, Esq.
Rev. R. Burgess Rev. J. Endell Tyler
Rev. A. M. Campbell Rev. J. G. Ward.
The Bankers of London are requested to receive contribu-
tions to the fund, and to place the same to the account of the
following gentlemen, who have been appointed Trustees :
The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., Sir Walter R.
Farquhar, Bart., Sir It. 11. Inglis, Bart., M.P., and Henry
Kingscote, Esq.

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19, Lisson-grove, Marylebone.
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