The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-06

How is this Increase of convictions TO be ac-
counted for 7 Can it be accounted for from the
fact OF having better system of police than we
had, that crime has not increased so fearfully
rs might be inferred from these figures, but that
convictions have
We fear Motive fear the truth to be, that the
convictions have kept pace with the increase OF
crime and that there has been great an increase
OF The latter as the table exhibits. We are very
much disposed 10 believe that our Christian socie-
ties-our Bible and tract institulions-do no, perform
much good es is represented that the benefits
which is asserted they confer, are In the main,
imaginary, and that the good is inferred from the
quantity OF tracts distributed, more than from the
number Of people reformed. In all countries, and
In all ages poverty has been fearful source Of
crime. Starvation viii overcome moral feeling,
and hunger drives thousands into the commission
OF crime. The poor are the principal recipients Of
tracts and Bibles; but what good does giving a
sermon or a copy of the scriptures do TO man
who perhaps has three or four hungry children
calling upon him for bread, which he has not
In innumerable instances, as testified by the col
porteurs themselves the tender OF tracts is refused,
and the remark made that a loaf Of bread would be
more acceptable. And who doubts IL With hun
ger gnawing his viials and those OF his unfortunate
wlie end children, Is a man in a condition to listen
TO religious exhoraton, or to forget the cravings Of
nature for the necessary nntrInent II is undeni-
able that there a vast amount OF poverty and mi-
sery in this great metropolis, there is in all large
cities. In proportion TO the population, az much
misery exists here as in London. Lodging houses
are TO be found ia New York almost Of the same
revolving and debasing character those in the
British metropolis, which have been 90 truthfully
described BY the London Chrontcis We question
II any Of those refugees for the poor and unfortunate
are worse than what the Old Brewery, at the Five
Points, was year or 30 ago, or what hundreds OF
similar places In that neighborhood at the pre-
cent hour. Will the diffusion Of tracts confer any
consolation on their unfortunate inmates, or will
copy Of the scriptures sppease the hunger Of half
a dozen children
Now, If those societies were TO incorporate into
their system Of operations the dispensing OF food TO
the starving, they would do infinitely more good
than they do II they were 70 give away with each
tract or with each Testament, a loaf Of bread, the
recipient would be in filter mood to read and pom
der on lie ccnients, than he would be II his
hunger were unappeased What is to preven, this
from beng done Hundreds of thousands OF dol
lars ars thrown away in printing tracts Bibles, and
reports and the only retsrn al the end Of the year
is few doubtful conversions, and an assertion tina
there is h~pe to believe vas, deal Of good
will be accomplished through the labors Of
the neat year, II the sinews OF war are
literally supplied. Now, suppose a society,
with an income OF say twenty thousand dol
lars a year. were, al this Indictment season Of
the year, 70 expend ten thousand OF It in pur-
chasing and giving bread 70 he poor and the other
ten in printing tracts and Bibles Suppose all
Bible and tract societies we're 10 do this can Il be
denied that they would exercise a much greater
influence than they do, redeem from vice more
uniortunates than they do, and prevent crime from
making such rapid strides as the above table ex-
hbis il does in this city Of churches and benevo-
lsEt Institutions We think not, and true Chns-
tenity. in our opinion, dictates such policy