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

AN

ADDRESS,

DELIVERED

ON REQUEST OF THE MANAGERS,

ΤΟ

THE CHILDREN OF THE UNION SUNDAY SCHOOLS,

CONVENED IN THE CITY HOTEL ASSEMBLY ROOM,

ON THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOCIETY,

February, 1817.

BY JOHN STANFORD, A. M.

From the New-York Christian Herald.

EDUCATION is of great importance to the mind of man. Our mental powers are naturally enveloped in shades of ignorance, because we are born in sin. Education, like the rays of the sun, opens the bud of intellect, expands its flowers, to emit their fragrance for the benefit of mankind. For many years, this city has been eminent in acts of benevolence to the various classes of the indigent, and, especially, to the children of the poor. Many are the charity schools which have been established in connexion with the churches of various religious denominations; and, unquestionably, have proved a valuable blessing to the rising generation. Yonder stands the Orphan Asylum, which takes its first rank in the class of benevolent Institutions. Beneath that hospitable roof, children, without father, and without mother, are clasped in the arms of kindness; sheltered from the blasts of adversity; their tender minds instructed in useful learning; and to them the charming sentiments of the Gospel are explained and enforced, in hope, through the benediction of God, they may be made wise unto salvation through faith as it is in Christ Jesus, and become useful members in the community. Still, great is the number of the children of the poor and needy, who are destitute of the means of instruction; and for want of precept and example, are abandoned to idleness, vice, and the profanation of the Lord's day. To remedy this growing evil, Sunday Schools have recently been established; and it is devoutly wished that the Lord of the Sabbath day may so crown these pious efforts with his smiles, that they may prove extensive and lasting benefits to rising generations!

It must be confessed, that this Institution is founded upon the pure principles of humanity and patriotism. Besides, it has a powerful example, drawn from the Bible. Moses, the servant of the Lord, having conducted the Israelites nearly forty years in the wilderness, knowing the day approached that he must die, gave to that people his last direc

tions for their future conduct. One of the most remarkable, is recorded in Deuteronomy xxxi. 12, 13.-Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and the stranger that is within thy gates, that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: and that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. This requisition, you will readily perceive, was in favour of the more ignorant Israelites; its benevolence extended to the stranger; the children were expressly included, especially those who were entirely ignorant and knew not any thing. The purposes for which they were to be collected were, to hear and to learn, fear and obey the Lord their God. The reason to enforce the duty was, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. This text may be truly called a SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTORY; and admirably corresponds with the religious liberty and extensive benevolence of America. For here, the foreigner, the stranger of every class and nation, mutually partakes with our citizens in every moral benefit. The ignorant children of the needy, especially they that know not any thing, are in our Sunday Schools instructed to remember their Creator in the days of their youth, to obey their parents in the Lord, and to be serviceable to their fellow creatures. Indeed, we may apply the reason of Moses as a sufficient motive to persevere in this good work. It is as much as to say, Do all the good you can while you live; for you will soon go over the Jordan of death, to inherit the land of everlasting rest. As this is the first ANNIVERSARY of the INSTITUTION, on request of its MANAGERS, I shall now, with fidelity and affection address the children, who are now assembled.

CHILDREN,

Be persuaded, that the generous patrons of this Society are deeply interested in your welfare. They are convinced, that without some degree of education, you will not be able to act a useful part in life, whether for yourselves, or the good of others. You therefore are taught to read, by which you may not only become conversant with business; but be able to understand the will of your God in the Holy Scriptures. These are benefits which you ought most highly to esteem! For you cannot but know, that the mind of youth, instructed in useful and sacred knowledge, is a fruitful source of pleasure and interest to itself; while the ignorant and thoughtless are as useless to themselves, as they are to their fellow creatures. To aid in promoting this happiness in you, is the pious ambition of the Managers of the Sunday Schools; the consideration of which will, of course, inspire you with gratitude and esteem.

Let me give you a few advices for your general conduct and behaviour. Cultivate the greatest attention and diligence in the school, without which the labours of your Teachers to instruct you will be in vain. The time allotted for your learning may be short. The necessities of your parents may require your aid in the family, or to place you out in situations to procure your own living. As therefore your present learning will then be of the greatest advantage, be assured that without attention and diligence, this valuable benefit cannot be obtained. Be clean in your persons, and exemplary in your conduct, whether in or out

of the school. Never let it be said, that a Sunday School scholar was heard to tell falsehoods, curse, swear, or use any wicked language; for every one must believe that such are a disgrace to a Sunday School, where they are taught to fear and serve the Lord, and forbidden to take his name in vain. Never be found in company with children of such bad character, for evil communications corrupt good manners; but cultivate truth, honesty, meekness, kindness; for be assured, that such virtues will always make you amiable, and will not fail to procure you many friends. And let me request you to behave to your Teachers with the greatest respect, attention and affection. These friends of sacrifice their time and labour from pure motives of benevolence, purposely to instruct and do you good. Not a child present but what must in a moment be convinced, how much you are indebted for their kind and assiduous attention: and it is seriously wished that to them you may prove obedient, thankful, and affectionate children.

yours

Perhaps you know, that Sunday Schools are supported by the contributions of our CITIZENS without any expense to your parents; of course, their expectations are fixed upon your present and future good conduct. Our hopes are indeed founded upon the virtue of the rising generation, to produce good and valuable members of society. We know not what path you may tread, nor what part God, in his providence, may design you to perform; yet you must be convinced that the public, who are so generous as to provide the means for your instruction, have a right to expect from you a virtuous course of conduct, that you may prove yourselves to be sober, faithful and industrious; and in this we hope not to be disappointed.

I cannot but, upon this occasion, press upon your tender minds the great importance of obedience to your parents. This is one of nature's first dictates, and there are very few children but what are convinced of its propriety, however they may act disobediently. But remember, it is the command of God who made you. Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Exod. xx. 14. Solomon says, Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. Prov. xx. 11. Nothing so much proves the character of a child, whether he be good or bad, as his temper and conduct towards his parents. And it is equally true, that a child who disobeys his parents will be found capable of almost every other wicked action. On the contrary, you will scarce ever find a child, who loves and obeys his parents, but what is virtuous in all other parts of his conduct; and assuredly gains the esteem of all good men.

The principal book used in the Sunday School is the BIBLE. This sacred volume is put into your hands, because it is designed, with the blessing of God, to make you wise unto salvation through faith as it is in Christ Jesus. Any other book might be sufficient in which you may learn to read; but this reveals a Saviour, and contains the necessary religion for sinners. Though you are now young, you are sinners, and need a Saviour. Your minds are ignorant, and your hearts are depraved; and it is by the word of your God, you can be instructed and renewed; for, said David, Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto, according to thy word, Psalm cxix. 9. Here too, you will be directed to the cleansing blood of the Saviour;