whom thoughtless, unfeeling, cruel profligacy had seduced, and over whom savage, brutal lust had tyrannized for a time, and then cast them, destitute and forlorn, upon the public, where there was none to help; for such, I say, when sufferings and the grace of God co-operating had led them to repentance, and to seek forgiveness, where we must all seek it, at the hands of a Redcemer-for such, a house of refuge has been opened, and ample provi, sion made in it, of all the assistance requisite for the purpose. And a noble charity it is. "There is "joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth ;" there is a joy peculiar to the circumstance of the sheep that is found, which cannot happen, unless that sheep has been lost. But let us not, therefore, in the mean time, forget the wants sustained by such of the flock as, having not wandered, require attention and provision in the fold. "Marriage is ho"nourable:" God has pronounced it to be so, and man cannot render it otherwise. By its offspring come the strength of kingdoms, the establishment of thrones, and the upholding of the world. Among the Romans, more than four ages elapsed, from the foundation of their city, without any complaint or process on account of adultery; and it was not till the year 521, that they saw the first divorce; when, though the cause was specious, the indignation of all Rome pursued the divorcer to the end of his days. These men were Heathens; but their morals put Christians wofully to the blush! Let us not be wanting in our endeavours to roll away the reproach which lies so heavy on the present generation, by

this instance of regard shown to the honest and faithful married.

It is shown at a time when they most need it-a time of distress and anguish, when they are suffering under the sentence passed from the beginning; when pains of body, sorrows of heart, and terrors of imagination, assail them with combined forces; when the enemy compasses them round about, and poverty has set all help at a distance. Their cries have been heard by the Lord of Sabaoth, and he hath raised up friends to their assistance. They have obtained mercy from God to be "saved in "child-bearing;" they should obtain it from you. If it be true, as the wise man has observed, that " by

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a woman came the beginning of sin, and through "her we all die;" no less true it is, that when the Saviour was born, "by a woman came the beginning "of righteousness, and through her we all live." "I am come," says that Saviour himself, “that ye might have life; and that ye might have it more "abundantly." Evil is swallowed up by good; and it must be through our own fault, if we do not become gainers by our loss. Sublime and beautiful is the exultation of Mary, upon the occasion, over the great enemy-" My soul doth magnify the Lord, "and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded the lowliness of his hand"maiden. For behold from henceforth, all genera

tions shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty "hath magnified me, and holy is his name: and his

mercy is on them that fear him throughout all "generations."

Lastly, the persons for whom your benevolence is this day entreated, are not of the number of those wandering and professional mendicants, who meet you, at every turn, with their clamorous and importunate petitions. Sober and laborious, they are to be found at home; quiet, though wretched; visited only by that charity, which, like the influence of heaven's great luminary, penetrates into the deepest recesses, and "nothing is hidden from the heat "thereof." Thither our institution goes to find them, and carries to their own houses the best medical, and every other necessary assistance. By the subscription of a generous public, hospitals have been erected, and are supported, for the same purpose. Without in the least depreciating them, or detracting from their utility, it may yet be truly said, that there are some superior advantages attending the present plan. The wife is not absent from her family, where, though, for a time she cannot herself do much, yet she can direct what is to be done; the husband can go forth to his labour, not an hour of which can well be spared; he is not induced to spend his evenings abroad in public houses, which may occasion his ruin and that of his family; being an eye-witness to the sorrows of his wife, the love between them is increased; and affection for the new-born offspring will stimulate him afresh to industry.

e See An Account of the Benevolent Institution for the sole purpose of delivering poor married women at their own habitations, printed in the year 1786. By this it appears, that since the establishment, in 1780, 9819 persons have been delivered.

All possible circumstances appear to concur in recommending to your notice a scheme thus calculated for the preservation of life, the relief of indigence, the honour of marriage, the encouragement of population, and, as a consequence of all, the general welfare of society. It must be approved, as soon as known; and when approved, it will be encouraged. To these poor, but not the less valuable mothers, in the hour of their utmost distress, and sharpest anguish, open your hands, and open them wide. Whatever you bestow, it will be well bestowed, and properly expended. In every sense truly respectable, honourable, and noble are the persons, who have been pleased to take upon themselves the superintendence of the expenditure. Parsimony at this time would be œconomy ill placed indeed. Spare something in the magnificence of your houses and style of living, in the splendour of your furniture, the costliness of your apparel, the luxury of your tables, and your visits to public places; but in your charity spare nothing. On the receipt of your incomes, set aside immediately some certain portion for this purpose. When objects offer, there will be a fund to draw upon; you will give cheerfully, and without grudging; you will always be giving, you will always have something to give and that which is so given will be returned to you, with increase abundant and eternal, when, in the sight of assembled nations, and all the hosts of heaven, the saying will be verified "Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy."