302 DISTINGUISHED CHURCHMEN
to the East End, lest it be to the disadvantage of some of the other populous districts of London and the suburbs, where evangelistic and social work is required nearly as much. The East End, so long regarded as the 4 black spot of the Metropolis, has evoked a continual rush of helpers to its aid ; mean while, these other parts stand practically neglected." There may, or may not, be some truth at the root of such an argument ; but, at any rate, the picture is overdrawn. The speaker had evidently forgotten that in most of the populous districts even there are many men and women, educated and otherwise equipped, capable of performing the work required in their immediate neighbourhoods, if they will only rise to their duty as Christians. That there is, however, an annually increasing number of what may be termed " local workers " is a matter of sincere gratification.
But if there is anything at all in this so-called " rush to the East End," it is seen in the fact that there are thoughtful ones living in the better and healthier localities who realise the different conditions existing in places like Whitechapel, Stepney and the Docks most of all, the almost entire absence of the upper, middle and educated classes from the residential population and, possessed of the means and the leisure, they go forth somewhat in the role of missionaries to supply what is lacking in the way of encouragement, teaching and example, which, after all, are so essential for the raising of the less
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