But associated efforts will not suffice. Isolated action was everything once. Combined action is too exclusive now. The one must be done, and the other not left undone. Each man must strive in his own sphere to do good to the stranger from a far land. He may distribute tracts, he may guide to the house of prayer, he may know how to drop a fitly spoken word; or he may be able to introduce the foreigner to a courteous, intelligent, and educated friend. Persons of wealth and influence, and especially such as, together with these, have tolerable facility in the use of modern languages, possess talents for usefulness at the present time, the value of which they can hardly overrate. By judicious hospitality; by making a point of cultivating acquaintance with the guests of the nation, and selecting certain among them as guests of the family; by frequent and wise arrangements for this purpose; by entertainments, elegant but simple, generous but not extravagant; and, by methods easily understood and adopted by those who possess the requisite means, many may be brought within the reach of the gentle, tender, and softening influences of Christ’s blessed religion of friendship and love—may have images painted in their memory never to fade, and emotions kindled in their hearts never to be quenched, and
“Oft, while they live— In their own chimney nook, as night steals on, With half-shut eyes reclining,—oft methinks While the wind blusters and the pelting rain Clatters without, shall they recall to mind The scenes, occurrences they meet with here, And wander in Elysium.”
They may discover that they were entertained by angels unawares. Elements of piety, like rich odours, may steal over their soul, to leave behind an undying fragrance. Our Christianity, through our kindness, may become endeared. In the reminiscences of future years they may strangely feel that never were they so near heaven, as during the memorable moments they spent around the domestic hearths, and at the domestic altars of England; and, stimulated by the recollection, they may embrace the truths and find the inward hidden life which will enable them to perpetuate and multiply such hallowed scenes.