New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-04-11
MATTERS N BOSTON.
Correspondence Of The Tribune.

The usual State Fast appointed by the civil
authorities, was observed here on Thursday, when
all our churches were opened for public worship,
In the forenoon and afternoon, as on the Sabbath.
In the evening dropped into the Fede1al-street
Church, 1ate Or. Channing's to see and hear
the proceedings Of the Tenth Annual Meeting of
the /" Benevolent Fraternity Of Churches" en-
association having for its object the support OF
ministry to the Poor The meeting was one Of
deep and thrilling interest, not to the Unitarian
alone, but to Christians and PhllanthroPists Of
whatever name; and sure briei account
Of it viii BIO acceptable to many Of your readers.
The chair was occupied by SAMcRI GRgELE,
Esq. After an exceedingly appropriate prayer By
the Rev. D. F. HUNTINGTON, the Annual Report
Of the Fraternity was read by the Rev. ]. X. La
-HsoP. 1t traced the history OF the origin and
progress of the efforts to establish and MAINTAIN
Ministry to the Poor, from the time when the late
and lainented DR.. TucKERMAv commenced his
faithful and self.denying labors II years ago, to
the present period. After spending many months
IN visiting from house to house. and surveying the
evidences of moral desolaton'' which he had
chosen as the field of his labors, DR.. Tuckerrnan
procured small upper roorn'' and commenced
preaching on the Sabbath to such as he could IN
duce to attend upon his ministry. His efforts
were so successful, that at length small Chapel
was built, where, for many years, with apostolic
simplicity, be continued to administer the hopes
and consultations Of religion to the poor and dcstl
tutc. The enterprise has continued to prosper,
till now three commodious Chapes have been
erected in different parts of the city, each of
4la Ialor .,c.
One of these (the Warren-street Chapel is on
plan somewhat peculiar, and not connected with
the Fraternity: the others are under the direction
of the Association, which ls responsible for Their
support
The Report embodied extracts from the official
statement Of their labors, made by the Rev.
Messrs. WATERsToN and SARGEANT, from which
it appeared that the institutions connected with
these Chapes are in prosperous and flourish
ing condition. These ministers do not confinc
their labors to spiritual Inatters-to the mere
binary round of professional duty, the preaching
of sermons and the offering up Of public prayers
They make it part of their business to search
out the poor and destitute to visit them at their
houses, supply them with food and clothing, and
aid them in procuring the necessary medical at
tendance when sick. They take the poor and
frendlcss outcast by the hand, recognizing his
brotherhood, aud administering words of consola-
ton and hope, which often prove the means Of say
ing him from degradation and guilt and of awak-
ening HIM to new and virtuous life The good
which they thus accomplish it is beye nd ourp over
to estimate. AS listened to the affecting state
mcnts of these ministers, was impressed with
the conviction that their labors were far more
ful and efficient than those of their professional
l,et1
who fear, are toe often induced to
Hang another flower
VI earthly sort about the sacreii truth.
with relish suited 70 The sinners tastc'
These missionaries are styled "ministerS at
large" and could not help thinking that it
would be great improvement upon The present
state of things in our churches, if the ministers
OF our cities were all set "Gt large" in precisely
the same way. 1t appeared to me, In the enthu-
sasm of the moment, that the change would
work wonders bota for them and their people, and
that they would be more like their Master in be-
coming thus identified with the poor and the OPP.
pressed, instead of mnistcring as exclusively as
some of them now do to that class whom Jesus
declared could enter into his kingdom as ca
silly az the camel could go through the eye of the
needle These remarks, which are quito sponta-
neous and not prcmeditated when | sat down to
are kindly intended.
Short addresses weromade by the Rev. Messrs.
GARNET, HOLLAND and HALL, of Providence and
by JOHN c. PARK, DR.. F. A. GRAY GEORGES G.
CLAIMING, and HoRAcs Mann, Esq. the popular
Secretary of our Board of Education. Some of
these speeches were truly eloquent, and nothing
bat remembrance of the continually crowded
state of your columns Restraints me from present
Ing sketch of them. Those of DR.. Gray and
Mr.. Mann were peculiarly impressive. MIR. Hall
of Providence made some interesting statements
respecting the Ministry TO the Poor in that city,
and MIR. Holland stated some important facts re-
speeding the restitution and suffering Of the poor
in Philadelphia and Ncw.York. One point was
insisted upon by Mr.. Park with great force, which
was, that ministry TO the poor and vicious was
worth infinitely more as u means of preventing
VICE and CRIME IN u city, than the civil Police;
and he said that on this ground alone the inshtu-
ton was worthy of the support of the conmu-
uity.
Ii was painful to learn that the Fraternity is
IN debt; and unable at present TO meet It's hab!ll-
ties; but, from the spirit manifested al the meet
ing, have no doubt that its treasury will speed
ily be relieved from embarrassment.
You doubtless know that our Legislature al its
late session. enacted law to prohibit those hold
ing office under the State to assis, in the resora-
ton of fugitive slaves. AS this is matter of
great public interest affecting the rotations of the
North and South, II Is important that the whole
country should be accurately informed IN relation
to 20 serious movement on the part of one of
the members of the conteueracy. For this rea-
son, send you copy of the act referred TO, as
follows;
Section Nc ietss Of any Sost Of record Of hi, Com,
ShRi