produced by the use of means, you can teach these ignorant children to read their once neglected Bible; show them the nature and danger of sin and transgression in the sight of God and man; you can point them to a compassionate Saviour, who not only died for our sins, but in the days of his flesh, took children in his arms and blessed them. And, it will be easy for you to contrast their former state of ignorance and degradation, with the privileges of instruction and good examples which they now receive, in the cheering hope of their interest and happiness in the world. These are some of those duties which you owe to them, and to the public; and if faithfully performed, I hope God will succeed your endeavours, and the expectation of our citizens will be happily realized.

ADDRESSES.

THE LADIES who have so generously engaged their services to visit and to watch over the female department of this House of Refuge, will accept my congratulation upon this occasion. You have no need for me to intimate the duties you have to perform. You possess a parental feeling; and nothing but motives of tenderness and kindness could have prompted your exertions to aid in this noble design of restoring the fallen children of your own sex, to the paths of virtue and happiness. Permit me to remind you of Pharoah's daughter, as your noble example. True, she was an Egyptian; an Idolatress; no matter for the

colour of her complexion; she came to the brink of the river; she saw the helpless infant; she had compassion, and she saved him! Had that distinguished woman lived in a Christian land; and had her heart been enriched with the Gospel of Christ, I would exhibit her in the attitude of relieving the distressed, and then say to you, BEHOLD THE loveliest picture of CHRISTIAN CHARITY!-Go, worthy Ladies, and do likewise.

THE HONOURABLE THE MAYOR, AND THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY; AND the GenTLEMEN OF THE NEW-YORK DELEGATION TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE, who have honoured this Society with their presence, cannot but feel a lively interest in beholding this rising Institution. You must be convinced, Gentlemen, that this is not an object of simple charity. It is strongly combined with the safety, honour, and happiness of the whole community. If such little offenders were permitted to range at large, their criminal habits would grow with their years; their number by example would increase; and, by these means, town and country would be overrun, and our public prisons be crowded, not failing to produce an enormous expense to the state! To prevent these calamitous consequences, the House of Refuge is erected, and makes a strong appeal for public support. But, my humane friends, the prevention of the growth of crime is not all that is intended by this Society; it is their moral design, by every method possible, to reclaim these juvenile dilinquents, that they may

become useful and honourable members of society. This enhances the value of the Institution so highly, that I have no language sufficiently to express its importance! While therefore we cherish the hope that our own CORPORATION will look with a benign aspect on the House of Refuge: our CITY DELEGATION also will make such a favourable representation of it, that our STATE LEGISLATURE will form a sort of echo, "We also will aid, and pay thee thy wages."

THE MANAGERS OF THIS ESTABLISHMENT. I cannot but congratulate you, Gentlemen, on the completion of this new building. The smiles of heaven have thus far succeeded your efforts, in favour of the young unfortunates committed to your care. The duties requisite in every new institution, must generally be known as the result of observation and experience; of course you will have much to learn, as well as much to perform. Begin your services in the fear of your God; duly reflect on the magnitude of the object for which you are engaged; while you combine tenderness and faithfulness in all your operations; it is my sincere wish, that the whole may be crowned with the most abundant success.

THE CHILDREN.

CHILDREN! I must not omit claiming your attention, and soliciting you to indulge the most serious reflections on the privileges you now enjoy. The erec

tion of this building, together with your support, must give you strong conviction, how much a benevolent public are interested in your present and future welfare. Had you been left alone to yourselves, in poverty, idleness and sin, instead of ensuring you peace and pleasure, iniquity would have proved your final ruin. You are to look at the walls which surround this building, not so much as those of a prison, as an hospitable dwelling, in which you enjoy comfort, and safety from those who once led you astray. And, I may venture to say, that in all probability, this is the best home many of you ever enjoyed! You have no need for me to tell you, that the consideration of all these favours should stimulate you to submission, industry, and gratitude. You are not placed here so much for punishment, as to produce your moral improvement. By these indulgent means, we hope, that instead of your spending your days in idleness, disgrace, and misery, you may become useful to yourselves, honourable in society, and share in the true happiness of your fellow creatures. Although you are now young in years, you must have some consciousness that the errors of life, and the evils of your heart, expose you to the displeasure of the Almighty. That you need the tender mercy of the Saviour to pardon your iniquities; to renew your depraved minds by the virtue of His grace, and thus save you from the desert of your transgressions. We hope, therefore, that while you are within these walls, the Lord may command his merciful kindness upon you, and enable you to devote yourselves to his adored Name, and his most delightful service! Moses could never forget the humanity and

kindness of Pharoah's daughter, in delivering him from the danger to which he was exposed; and I would indulge the charming impression, that, there is no youth in this House of Refuge, but what will bear in devout remembrance the deliverance and the favours which you have here received, and evince the sincerity of your gratitude by the amiableness of your temper, and the virtue of your future conduct.

CONCLUSION.

The time on which we have now assembled, is usually called "Christmas Day." Whether this recognizes the very day on which Jesus was born in Bethlehem, is not now my business to examine. If any man prefers keeping this, or any other day to the Lord, I am not disposed to interrupt him in the enjoyment of his privilege. The text on which I have this morning addressed you, combined with the narrative of Moses laid among the flags on the brink of the river, remind me of the Angel's address to the Shepherds in the field while watching their flock by night. Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Immediately the Shepherds left their flocks; and they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.* This is that true Moses, the Prophet,

* Luke ii.