Upon a sound physical foundation alone can we build a high moral and spiritual civilization.
Moral and sanitary reformers have their proper sphere of action among those portions of the working classes who have climbed the first rounds in the ladder of civilization, and stand on tolerably firm conditions of material comfort and security.

They cannot hope at present to achieve any great success among the poorest workers.

The fact must not be shirked that in preaching thrift, hygiene, morality, and religion to the dwellers in the courts and alleys of our great cities, we are sowing seed upon a barren ground.

Certain isolated cases of success must not blind us to this truth.

Take, for example, thrift.