the Poor in Bavaria. 323 



taking:. Those communities which are the first to 

 follow the example of the capital are honourably men- 

 tioned in the newspapers; and such individuals as 

 distinguish themselves by their zeal and activity upon 

 those occasions are praised and rewarded. 



A worthy curate (Mr. Lechner), preacher in one of 

 the churches in Munich, who, of his own accord, had 

 taken upon himself to defend the measures adopted 

 with regard to the poor, and to recommend them in 

 the most earnest manner from the pulpit, was sent 

 for by the Elector into his closet, and thanked for his 

 exertions. 



This transaction being immediately made known (an 

 account of it having been published in the newspapers), 

 tended not a little to engage the clergy in all parts of 

 the country to exert themselves in support of the in- 

 stitution. 



It is not my intention to insinuate that the clergy in 

 Bavaria stood in need of any such motive to stimulate 

 them to action in a cause so important to the happiness 

 and well-being of mankind, and consequently so nearly 

 connected with the sacred duties of their office ; on the 

 contrary, I should be wanting in candour, as well as 

 gratitude, were I not to embrace this opportunity of ex- 

 pressing publicly the obligations I feel myself under to 

 them for their support and assistance. 



The number of excellent sermons which have been 

 preached, in order to recommend the measures adopted 

 by the government for making provision for the poor, 

 show how much this useful and respectable body of men 

 have had it at heart to contribute to the success of this 

 important measure; and their readiness to co-operate 

 with me (a Protestant) upon all occasions where their 



