which the Lord our God promised to raise up, like unto him in all things whom his people should hear.* How singularly striking were the circumstances which attended their infancy! Yes, the babe of Bethlehem, found in a manger, was Christ the Lord; and, his name was called Jesus, for he was to save his people from their sins. If Moses that was found in the ark of bulrushes, was born to deliver the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt, and conduct them through the wilderness on their way to Canaan: we are certain, that our blessed Saviour was born to deliver from the more dreadful bondage of sin and misery, and safely conduct his redeemed to the rest of immortality and glory. Yes, Jesus was born to live, to suffer, and to die upon the cross for our sins; and after he was laid in the grave, he burst the bands of death, ascended up to heaven, and sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, from thence to shower down the multiplicity of his mercies upon mankind. And who, on this occasion, but what will most devoutly pray-LORD, RESERVE A BLESSING FOR THIS HOUSE OF REFUGE! Amen.

The service was concluded by the children, alone, singing an hymn. The recollection that those sixty-three unfortunates, had just been rescued from vice, and the paths of the destroyer; and now employed in singing the praises of the Lord; together with the melody of their voices, produced a most impressive effect upon the whole assembly!

* Deut. xviii. 15. Acts vii. 37

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NEW-YORK:

PRINTED BY E. CONRAD,

4 FRANKFORT-ST.

DISCOURSE.

1 THESS. 5, 14.

COMFORT THE FEEBLE MINDED."

HUMAN NATURE, in its present fallen state, exhibits little else than one vast hospital. Sin has produced such a variety of diseases, both in the body and mind, which none but the God of mercy and compassion can possibly cure. The diseases of the mind, are certainly the most calamitous; for, the connexion between the body and the mind is so strong, that the disability of the mind may truly be said to unman the man. From the direction contained in my text, it becomes the friendly duty of every christian, and especially of every minister of the Gospel, to employ every possible method to comfort the feeble-minded. This duty, with much tenderness and affection, I shall now

attempt to discharge to you, who are residents in this Asylum; sincerely wishing that it may be the means which the God of compassion may bless for your consolation; and that, eventually, he may restore you to your health, your family and friends.

I will endeavour first to describe the CAUSES by which a feeble mind is produced.—Some persons are naturally feeble minded; they have little understanding to judge and determine their duty, or things around them, with the propriety of acting; and therefore, are obliged to depend upon the opinion and advice of others, for direction.There are not a few, who once possessed a strong mind, which they have made feeble by pursuing the baneful practice of relaxing the nervous system, by the excessive use of ardent spirits.Other persons, having enjoyed a good degree of affluence, or a competency of life, and, afterwards, by a reverse of circumstances, being reduced to poverty: the severity of such a change, has enfeebled their minds to such a degree, as to cast them into a state of despondency.-Nor is it uncommon, when a person has fixed his superlative affections upon an object, whom, by