RELIGION AND THE STATE.
[TO THE EDITOR Or TEM SPIACTATOR.']
Sa„—Kindly find room for a few words of appeal to the people of this country. I have hitherto been receiving support from two sources : first, individual contributions; second, the com- bination of individuals as represented in Parliament. I am sorry to say that I have been able to obtain only a precarious living. In the worst parts of the country, and in the thick of the Lon- don poor population, I have been liable under the Vagrant Act for "not having any visible means of subsistence." You will find a statement of my starving condition in "The Bitter Cry of Outcast London."
My grievance is, that a number of my supporters have com- bined for the purpose of reducing my support. This sounds contradictory, and I am unable to explain it. They wish Parlia- ment to do no more for me, but they make no offer to guarantee my income. A vast number of the people require my help, but any means are sadly inadequate. I am able to attend to those who worship on cushions, but I yearn to be among those who never worship at all.
I have, unfortunately, become entangled among questions of Episcopacy, Presbyterianism, Independency, Churchism, Dissent, and suchlike. These have not been helpful, because they are apt to be put in the first place, while I am put in the second; also because they are not conducive to harmony, whereas I cannot thrive in discord. They promote separation, but I love union. They encourage boundaries, fences, demarca- tions, and badges, which I have no affection for. Some would now confine my. resources to narrow channels ; I value the broader support received from the people in their national .capacity, as more in harmony with my nature. This voluntary offering has been specially acceptable, as being yielded without pressure or begging. If cut off, it must be replaced by increased begging, which is not to my honour. Strangely, the proposal comes, not from my enemies, but from my friends. I hang
down my head.—I am, Sir, Fie., RELIGION.
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