The tears and remonstrances of his humble charge testified the value of his services, and confirmed the Trustees in the propriety of their choice.

From the first of July, the Rev. John Stanford, who had been already partially employed, was appointed Stated Preacher of the Board. His labours have been faithful and abundant; and there is reason to hope have proved a blessing unto some, at least, of those who have heard the gospel from his lips,

Permission having been granted by the regular authorities, the Trustees have paid a special attention to the destitute in the Almshouse, the Hospital, and Debtors' Prison. Besides preaching alternately in those places, Mr. Stanford extends his labours to the State Prison, the Military Hospital at Greenwich, and Magdalen House, and a few times to the Bridewell.

He usually preaches eight sermons in a week; that is, four on the Lord's Day, and four on other days; besides which, he makes frequent visits for the purposes of prayer, conversation, and instruction to the sick, the afflicted, and the dying. Eight hundred dollars a year, is the salary allowed by the Board to their stated preacher. Many interesting instances of deep and solemn convictions of sin, awakened in the minds of the prisoners and the poor, have been related to the Committee of Superintendance. these facts, with others known to the Board, will very probably be presented to the public in a small

volume, the Trustees decline the insertion of them in their Report to the Society.

The Treasurer's Account Current, which is aunexed, will exhibit the state of the funds.

The Trustees close their Report, congratulating the Society on the prospect of usefulness, and expressing their assured hope, that such an Institution will enjoy the blessing of God, and the support of all those who love and believe the compassionate Saviour, who said, 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.'

By order of the Board of Trustees,

DIVIE BETHUNE,

LEONARD BLEECKER,

New York, November 30, 1813.

} Committee.

LONG have I been looking for a letter from you or my brother, and have been disappointed. I hope this silence is not owing to illness or displeasure.

It was my wish to have paid you a visit, but the expence I could not very well afford. There was a gentleman here who would have taken me on; but I feared the slander of my foes. He may call on you.

My dear mother, I wish to return; but it appears there is an invisible power that governs my actions, over which I have no controul. Whether that influence will terminate in good or ill, is yet to be proved. I entreat you to pray for me. The prayers of the good will ascend to the throne of God; and in mercy to your sufferings I may be saved. Should it please the Almighty to cut the frail thread of my existence, I should be happy; for I have had

my trials and temptations. When I look to what I might have been, and what I now am, my heart is ready to break: but reflection is fruitless; and I sometimes think my wishes, so contrary to your commands, could not have been accomplished, but for some wise purpose. The ways of Heaven are inscrutable.

Mother, be not unhappy on my account; but yet, do not neglect me so much as not to answer this letter.

My boarding is now but three dollars; and I have been economical. I enclose you a bill to pay the postage, out of which I wish you would let William pay a trifle that I owe a person at Mrs. Ms. It is not quite a dollar. Give my respects to them, Land ask Betsy to write. Remember me to my friends. I had forgotten that I owe P- M'E- one dollar, which I shall send her. Give my love to my brother and sister; and let me entreat you to write soon. Send me all the news that concerns my friends. Ask Mrs. P-why she don't write.

I hope you have good health. I wish you could go into the country. This time last year I was with Mrs. K. If it would please her I would write.

I shall conclude this long letter with prayers for your happiness and health. Adieu.

Your affectionate daughter,

3

Direct me as before.

Not Mrs. M-K——,

L-M.

SOME ACCOUNT OF AN ACTRESS. 183

LETTER FROM REV. E. S. ELY TO MISS LM-.

Philadelphia, August 6th, 1814.

YOUR affectionate, afflicted, but prayerful mother, Miss M-, has made me partially acquainted with your character and circumstances. She has honoured me so far as to believe that I possess some philanthropy; and that, from the favourable opinion which you have formed of me, by reading my Journal, and hearing me preach a few times, I might possibly exert some influence for the benefit of your immortal soul. Oh! if this were possible, it would add a new source of pleasure to my life; and I should be delighted with the satisfaction and comfort which you and your mother would then mutually experience. But I am told that you are handsome, and have met with considerable approbation in your theatrical career! This is almost sufficient to banish every incipient hope of being useful to you; for few can be contented with the realities of plain and peaceful life, who know that they are pretty, and applauded.

Shall I then here fold up my paper, and sigh, 'Ay! she is lost for ever!' Certainly you are not far from destruction; but your last tender letter to your parent, encourages some faint persuasion that you may be rescued from contaminating scenes; from bewitching, delusive, destructive pursuits; from that path to temporal and eternal misery, which few that have entered ever retrace.

You retain, nevertheless, a tender regard for your mother's health and peace; you respect her for her piety, and desire her prayers; you have a strong