ABSTRACT
In prosecuting the plans for instructing the adult poor to read, we have, as might naturally be expected, met with a variety of opinion on the practicability, the propriety, and even the dangerous consequences of the ~heme; and the idea of instructing persons far advance4
39 In age, bas excited even the ridicule of prejudiced indfviduals; hut if any person into whose hands this Nan"ative may come, should be disposed to enquire-What benefit can possibly result from teaching persons of sixty, seventy, eighty, or more years of age, to read the Bible? -] would request leave to observe that we do not seek for such; nevertheless, the instances already mentioned are so many excellent and valuable proofs of the practi. cability of persons, very far advanced in age, receiving that instruction which requires an exercise of the memory that many well-informed individuals have boldly denied. One of these learners, seventy-seven years old, observed to her teacher-" It is never too late to learn a good thing."-But I would take the liberty of asking the enquirers before-mentioned, how can we rcfuse these aged applicants the privilege of learning to read, when they come forward with earnest solicitations to be instructed, for the very purpose of deriving edification and comfort from the perusal of the Holy Scriptures ?-If they should enjoy that acquisition for only the last year of their lives, it may prove to them a mos.t invaluable blessing" Let us not, therefore, deny them the balm that may soothe their minds under the combined affiiction of poverty and of age. It may happily he the means of conductillg their feet to the true fountain of spiritual health and strength, and to the knowledge of the Redeemer's kingdom ;-this will be a staff to lean upon, when their hoary heads are bending toward the silent grave, and their footsteps fast advancing toward their eternal home, Under these cor,siderations, will not every Christian ardently exclaim-O! let them read of the wisdom and goodness, of the love and mercy of their Omnipotent Creator !-Let them employ their latest breath ill proclaiming their Maker's, their Redeemer's praise,
If additional instances are requisite to prove the practicability of persons far advanced in age acquiring a knowledge of the use of letters, amongst the great number that might be produced, I will only select the fe\v following :-My friend, Henry Alexander, of Ipswich, in Suffolk, iu a letter I received from him, dated the II th Gf the 12th Month (December), 1814, gives the annexed account of four females, whom he kindly undertook to instruct.
