Had the author availed himself of all the facts relating to the addresses which have been given in different places by clergymen, home missionaries, and other ministers, and published all the letters of an interesting nature addressed to himself and the Southampton Committee, in reference to the Gipsies, together with the gratitude they have shown for such Christian attentions, it might have gratified many readers; but these pages would thereby have been increased to too great a number.

But, before concluding this little work, he desires to impress upon the reader, the necessity there is of engaging in the great work of the conversion of the poor Gipsies.

Why do not all ministers, and all good people unite in it? May we not conclude that they do not feel the value of their souls as they ought, if they do not perform all that is in their power for this end? Both ministers and their congregations are too lukewarm. We are discouraged by difficulties under the influence of unbelief, and we often say, How can these things be accomplished? Every Christian is called by his Saviour to attempt the instruction of his fellow-creatures; and no common excuse, such as business, poverty, a want of time, acknowledged ignorance, and a want of talent, can justify us in neglecting the attempt to speak a word of advice, or reproof, or promise, to our fellow-creatures. This is the duty of every Christian, and if done in faith, Almighty God will bless the effort.

To the magistrates the author would make a most ardent appeal on behalf of the despised members of the Gipsy family. Most respectfully and most earnestly does he entreat them to pity their destitute condition, when brought before them as vagrants, and from which they have been so often made to suffer; for, sooner would the wild creatures of the forest be tamed, than those branches of the human family be brought, through coercion, to dwell in houses and follow trades, who were born under the hedges, and have, through life, made unfrequented solitudes their homes. Much better would it be for the magistrates to encourage the education of their children, with the view to improve and reform the rising generation. The author hopes and prays that they may. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

If we all felt the importance and necessity of discharging our Christian duties as the sailor and the soldier do in their different stations, no difficulties would deter us; but God expects every Christian to do his duty. A celebrated commander once called his officers together, and said, “We must carry such a garrison.” The officers said, “It is impossible; the attempt would be vain.” The general replied, “It can, and must be done, for I have the order in my pocket.” Oh! ye ministers of Christ! you have the order lying on your table, and in your desks, at this moment; read it in the Bible:—Go ye into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. Luke xiv. 23. The duty is ours: have we done it? Have we done it as opportunities have presented themselves? Have we done it as we ought? Yea, more; have we sought for opportunities to instruct souls? Our adorable Master did so. He came from heaven to earth, to seek and to save them who were lost. Private Christians! you also have your order from the high throne of heaven, in your houses, perhaps unnoticed; or, it may be, you have not rightly interpreted these orders to their full extent. Others may have acted the coward’s part, and thrown these orders aside. Would a soldier or a sailor thus serve his king and country? If you saw your countrymen perishing on your shores by shipwreck, or likely to be destroyed by fire, would you not be anxious to assist both the virtuous and the wicked? Gipsies are perishing around you; hear their cries, ere they are plunged into eternity; and attend to these orders from the King of Kings:—

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people; but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Leviticus, xix. 18. The stranger that dwelleth with you shall be as one born amongst you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; xxxiv. 5. Beware of hardness of heart toward thy poor brother. Deut. vii. 15, 9. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father who is in heaven is merciful. Luke vi. 36. For he raiseth up the poor out of the dust and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill. Psalm cxiii. 7. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matt. vii. 12. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matt. xix. 19. And who is thy neighbour? Read the parable of the Good Samaritan, and Go and do likewise. Luke x. 15.

The author will finally conclude by observing, that England will have a great deal to answer for in reference to the Gipsies of past generations. For, from a very moderate calculation that he has made, 150,000 of these outcasts have passed into the eternal world, uninformed, unacquainted with God, since they came to this country. May the present, and succeeding generations, be wiser than the past!