find those invaluable precepts to direct you in your future paths, and those promises of God, which are calculated to support you under all the afflictions of your lives.

I shall conclude my address by enjoining you to remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. This is God's command; and is designed, not only for the purpose of devotion, but, by the discourses you may hear, to improve your minds, guard you against vice, stimulate you to virtue, and lead you to that compassionate Saviour, who took little children in his arms and blessed them. I assure you, that a neglect and violation of the Lord's day, has been the means of a vast many children forming wicked connexions, cultivating vicious habits, and eventually to commit those crimes which conducted their feet to the dreary shades of a prison. Should you forget every thing else I have said to you this evening in presence of this large assembly, remember, that it has been, and still is, on a Sabbath day, and in a Sabbath School, that you receive your learning, and perhaps the only education you ever received. Should you therefore, hereafter, despise or neglect the duties of this holy day, the recollection of it will produce the keenest regret, and add to your punishment. You are not, even now, too young to die. Walk among the tombs of the dead, and there you will perceive graves shorter than yourselves. Instances of mortality have already occurred in our Sunday Schools; and we are informed, that some of those children have died happily in the embraces of Jesus. You are now addressed by the oldest standing minister of any religious denomination in this city; and whose eyes may soon be closed in death. Your kind benefactors and teachers, now assembled with you, must also pass the Jordan of death. While, therefore, we live in the land, our efforts for your instruction are affectionately extended for your benefit; and our prayers are directed to the throne of our God for your interest and happiness.-Amen.

reclaim the feet of the wanderer to the paths of virtue and industry, that he may become useful to society: these considerations are of sufficient weight to prompt you to discharge the duties of your trust with faithfulness, and the feelings of humanity. I most sincerely wish, Gentlemen, that the Almighty may preserve your health, and crown your efforts with success.

My Fellow Sinners, the inmates of the Penitentiary, whose labour is demanded in carrying forward this building, and are now arranged before me as spectators of the present ceremony; I cannot allow myself to conclude without expressing my sympathy for you, under your criminal misfortunes. You must be convinced of the necessity of laws, and modes of punishment, to preserve the rights and property of the community; and were I with you, and alone, you would lay your hand upon your breast and say, "such laws, and such punishments, are indeed necessary for the public peace and security." Many of you are from European countries, and you well remember, that many of their civil laws, even for small offences, are tinged with blood. And you know too, that for half the amount of offences you have here committed, your lives would have been the forfeiture. This should make a strong impression upon your minds; convince you that as the rays of the gospel of Christ have so meliorated the laws of America, as not only to provide punishment for the guilty, but to soften the sentence with mercy, in hope of producing reformation in the offender; so I am persuaded, that a due impression of this, will guard you from future depredations and lay you under obligations to pursue a correct course of life. Though labour be demanded of you, you are here remote from the gazing eye of the multitude; the salubrity of air is conducive to your health; and, the retirement is favourable to excite penitential reflections. While in your confinement, I have no doubt but that you will be favoured with means to promote your moral and religious instruction; and which I hope, however thoughtless, or wicked you may have been, that such means will be so blessed of the Lord, as to lead you to repentance, and direct your heart to behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. My sincere wish therefore is, that God may so over rule your misfortunes for good; so reform your hearts and moralize your lives, that you may not only be submissive and in

dustrious while under your confinement: but, on gaining your liberty, you may regain your characters, prove comforts to your families, useful members of society, and finally come to your graves in peace.-Amen.

At 3 o'clock, the Gentlemen of the Corporation sat down under a temporary shed, and partook of a plain cold collation. After they had risen, the workmen and the keepers enjoyed the repast; and these were succeeded by one hundred and thirty-three prisoners, ,⚫ labouring on the Island, who were permitted to set down at the table, once more to make a comfortable meal. It had its intended effect; gratitude beamed in every countenance; and it is hoped this indulgence will ensure their greater submission and industry in performing their labour. When their meal was finished, Mr. Woodruff their keeper, gave a signal for them to arise; and while standing, the Chaplain advanced to the head of the table, and thus addressed them

MEN, you have now received a strong expression of the sympathy and good will of the Honorable the Corporation, in giving you the indulgence of this unexpected refreshment; and I have no question, but that each of you, feel the warmth of gratitude glowing in your bosoms. A sight like this, I presume, was never before beheld whether in America, or in Europe! may it have its most salutary effect upon every heart. Many of you have left families at home, absorbed in grief through your misconduct; but, could they hear of the indulgence you have this day received, the tear of gratitude would start from their eyes.-Let us therefore return thanks.

Great God, accept our thanks for the favour which these unfortunates have now received from thine indulgent hand. We render unto thee our praise, that thou hast taught America, how to season justice with mercy; and let it have its due influence upon every man before thee, to restrain them from evil, and guide them in the paths of virtue. Send home thy consoling smiles upon the families from whom these unfortunates are separated, and when the time of their liberation shall arrive, give them thy grace to walk in thy fear, and prove useful members of society, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

NOTE. This Island, is one mile and three quarters in length, and about six hundred feet in width; containing one hundred and ten acres. The soil is excellent, and suited to purposes of various cultivation. It also contains ample quarries of granite stone of a superior quality, highly adapted to the purposes of building; and is oft abundance, which will yield a supply for me ages to come. The small Island, at the North East end, contains about four acres.

asto

The Penitentiary now erecting, will be 200 feet in length, and 50 in breadth. In the interiour will be a double tier of cells for sleeping, each three and a half feet by seven, four stories high, forming in the whole 240 cells.