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They do not want to sin； many of them do not know what sin is； but they have certain appetites or natural likings； the indulgence of which is pleasant to them； and when the desire for their unlawful gratification is aroused； regardless of the claims of God； their own highest interests； or the well…being of their fellows； they are carried away by them； and thus all the good resolutions they have made in the past come to grief。
For instance； take the temptation which comes through the natural appetite； hunger。 Here is a man who has been at a religious meeting； or received some good advice； or； perhaps； just come out of prison； with the memories of the hardships he has suffered fresh upon him； or the advice of the chaplain ringing in his ears。 He has made up his mind to steal no more； but he has no means of earning a livelihood。 He becomes hungry。 What is he to do？ A loaf of bread tempts him； or； more likely； a gold chain which he can turn into bread。 An inward struggle commences； he tries to stick to his bargain； but the hunger goes on gnawing within； and it may be there is a wife and children hungry as well as himself； so he yields to the temptation； takes the chain； and in turn the policeman takes him。
Now this man does not want to do wrong； and still less does he want to go to prison。 In a sincere； dreamy way he desires to be good； and if the path were easier for him he would probably walk in it。
Again； there is the appetite for drink。 That man has no thought of sinning when he takes his first glass。 Much less does he want to get drunk。 He may have still a vivid recollection of the unpleasant consequences that followed his last spree； but the craving is on him； the public…house is there handy； his companions press him； he yields； and falls； and； perhaps； falls to rise no more。
We might amplify； but our Scheme proposes to take the poor slave right away from the public…houses； the drink； and the companions that allure him to it； and therefore we think the chances of reformation in him are far greater。
Then think of the great boon this Scheme will be to the children； bringing them out of the slums； wretched hovels； and filthy surroundings in which they are being reared for lives of abomination of every description； into the fields； amongst the green trees and cottage homes； where they can grow up with a chance of saving both body and soul。
Think again of the change this Scheme will make for these poor creatures from the depressing； demoralising surroundings； of the unsightly； filthy quarters in which they are huddled together； to the pure air and sights and sounds of the country。 There is much talk about the beneficial influence of pictures； music and literature upon the multitudes。 Money； like water； is being poured forth to supply such attractions in Museums； People's Palaces； and the like； for the edification and amelioration of the social condition of the masses。 But 〃God made the country； man made the town；〃 and if we take the people to the pictures of divine manufacture； that must be the superior plan。
Again； the Scheme is capable of illimitable application。 The plaister can be made as large as the wound。 The wound is certainly a very extensive one； and it seems at first sight almost ridiculous for any private enterprise to attempt dealing with it。 Three millions of people； living in little short of perpetual misery have to be reached and rescued out of this terrible condition。 But it can be done； and this Scheme will do it； if it is allowed a fair chance。 Not all at once？ True！ It will take time； but it will begin to tell on the restering mass straight away。 Within a measurable distance we ought to be able to take out of this black sea at least a hundred individuals a week； and there is no reason why this number should not go on increasing。
An appreciable impression on this gulf of misery would be immediately made； not only for those who are rescued from its dark waters； but for those who are left behind； seeing that for every hundred individuals removed； there is just the additional work which they performed for those who remain。 It might not be much； but still it would soon count up。 Supposing three carpenters are starving on employment which covered one…third of their time； if you take two away； the one left will have full employment。 But it will be for the public to fix； by their contributions； the extent of our operations。
The benefits bestowed by this Scheme will be permanent in duration。 It will be seen that this is no temporary expedient； such as； alas！ nearly every effort hitherto made on behalf of these classes has been。 Relief Works； Soup Kitchens； Enquiries into Character； Emigration Schemes； of which none will avail themselves； Charity in its hundred forms； Casual Wards； the Union； and a hundred other Nostrums may serve for the hour； but they are only at the best palliations。 But this Scheme； I am bold to say； offers a substantial and permanent remedy。
In relieving one section of the community； our plan involves no interference with the well…being of any other。 （See Chapter VII。 Section 4； 〃Objections。〃）
This Scheme removes the all but insuperable barrier to an industrious and godly life。 It means not only the leading of these lost multitudes out of the 〃City of Destruction〃 into the Canaan of plenty； but the lifting of them up to the same level of advantage with the more favoured of mankind for securing the salvation of their souls。
Look at the circumstances of hundreds and thousands of the classes of whom we are speaking。 From the cradle to the grave； might not their influence in the direction of Religious Belief be summarised in one sentence； 〃Atheism made easy。〃 Let my readers imagine theirs to have been a similar lot。 Is it not possible that； under such circumstances； they might have entertained some serious doubts as to the existence of a benevolent God who would thus allow His creatures to starve； or that they would have been so preoccupied with their temporal miseries as to have no heart for any concern about the next life？
Take a man； hungry and cold； who does not know where his next meal is coming from； nay； who thinks it problematical whether it will come at all。 We know his thoughts will be taken up entirely with the bread he needs for his body。 What he wants is a dinner。 The interests of his soul must wait。
Take a woman with a starving family； who knows that as soon as Monday comes round the rent must be paid； or else she and her children must go into the street； and her little belongings be impounded。 At the present moment she is without it。 Are not her thoughts likely to wander in that direction if she slips into a Church or Mission Hall； or Salvation Army Barracks？
I have had some experience on this subject； and have been making observations with respect to it ever since the day I made my first attempt to reach these starving； hungry； crowdsjust over forty…five years agoand I am quite satisfied that these multitudes will not be saved in their present circumstances。 All the Clergymen。 Home Missionaries； Tract Distributors； Sick Visitors； and everyone else who care about the Salvation of the poor； may make up their minds as to that。 If these people are to believe in Jesus Christ； become the Servants of God； and escape the miseries of the wrath to come； they must be helped out of their present social miseries。 They must be put into a position in which they can work and eat； and have a decent room to live and sleep in； and see something before them besides a long； weary； monotonous； grinding round of toil； and anxious care to keep themselves and those they love barely alive； with nothing at the further end but the Hospital； the Union； or the Madhouse。 If Christian Workers and Philanthropists will join hands to effect this change it will be accomplished； and the people will rise up and bless them； and be saved； if they will not； the people will curse them and perish。
SECTION 4。SOME OBJECTIONS MET。
Objections must be expected。 They are a necessity with regard to any Scheme that has not yet been reduced to practice； and simply signify foreseen difficulties in the working of it。 We freely admit that there are abundance of difficulties in the way of working out the plan smoothly and successfully that has been laid down。 But many of these we imagine will vanish when we come to close quarters； and the remainder will be surmounted by courage and patience。 Should； however； this plan prove the success we predict； it must eventually revolutionise the condition of the starving sections of Society； not only in this great metropolis； but throughout the whole range of civilisation。 It must therefore be worthy not only of a careful consideration but of persevering trial。
Some of these difficulties at first sight appear rather serious。 Let us look at them。
Objection I。It is suggested that the class of people for whose benefit the Scheme is designed would not avail themselves of it。
When the feast was prepared and the invitation had gone forth； it is said that the starving multitudes would not come； that though labour was offered them in the City； or prepared for them on the Farm； they would prefer to rot in their present mis