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Mr. Thomas Gouge (a rich and liberal non-conformist Divine) used to employ the poor at his own charge, furnishing them with the materials, and giving them the full profit of their work. Thus he indulged the flow of his own charity with the best encouragement to honest industry. Clark’s Lives, vol. iii. p. 203. Clothing, rent, or shoe Societies (adding a certain ratio to the weekly contributions of the poor) have materially contributed to their comfort, by enabling them to meet anticipated demands; by fixing habits of providence and economy; and showing the fruitful results of the smallest efforts of self-denial, and of a well-directed use of their straitened resources. These points belong to what George Herbert well calls ‘the Parson’s completeness,’ and are equally connected with the well-being of our people, and with the effectiveness of our Ministrations. Country Parson, Ch. xxiii. and Bishop of Winchester’s Charge, 1829, p. 49.
