THE PRESENT IMPERFECT STATE OF POPULAR INSTRUCTION, AND THE MEANS OF

RENDERING IT EFFECTUAL FOR THE SALVATION OF THE COUNTRY

AND THE WORLD.

By Rev. B. PARSONS,

AUTHOR OF

ANTI-BACCHUS,'

;" “ MENTAL AND MORAL DIGNITY OF WOMAN,” ETC.

“ Also that the soul be without knowledge it is not good.”-Solomon.
“ Train up a child in the way he should go,

And when he is old he will not depart from it."-Ibid.
“ Make disciples of all nations.”—Jesus Christ.
“ Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”-Apostle Paul.
“ Neither did she (Sodom) strengthen the hand of the poor and needy."-Ezekiel.
" God hath showed me that I should not call any man common.”-Apostle Peter.
“ Honour all men."-Ibid.

DEDICATION.

TO THE OPERATIVES OF BOTH SEXES.

or rank.

RESPECTED WORKING WOMEN AND WORKING Men,

It has been customary with Authors, when dedicating a Work, to select the most respectable personages, and hitherto, in the language of the world, these have been supposed to exist only among individuals noted for learning, wealth,

The Author now addressing you candidly confesses, that in making choice of patrons he has not lost sight of their respectableness, and hence, strange as it may appear to some, he has dedicated the following pages to you.

If ancient parentage has any claim to honour, then your ancestry is older than Adam, yea, is old as eternity, for you are “ the offspring of God.” If learning is valuable according to its utility, then you are distinguished for the most important practical knowledge. And though you are not wealthy, yet yours is a still higher grade in the social body, for you are the producers of wealth. And surely, if there is honour due to the mere possession of riches, then those who call them into existence, and sacrifice every thing in doing so, must be far more honourable than the bare recipients of what has been gained by the labours of others. You are literally “poor, and yet are making many rich.” You will perceive, then, that in inscribing this Essay to you the Author has not been indifferent to the respectability of his patrons. He has read a little of both ancient and modern history, and has paid some attention to the characters of those who constitute the different grades of society; and after upwards of twenty years' close study, he can find no rank so truly important, noble, and dignified, as that which belongs to working women and working men.

From the first day that he investigated the deeds of nations and of individuals, he was particularly impressed with your wrongs. That you, and such as you, who have always been occupied in blessing others, should be of all crea