clothing, and perishing with cold; while their infant children were clinging to the breast, and others looking wishfully for a morsel of bread to satisfy the cravings of hunger. Mrs. Hoffman and her companions, forgetful of their own comfortable homes, would enter these abodes of poverty, and by a condescending address, make themselves familiar with the distressed, and thus speedily ingratiate themselves into the broken feelings of the suffering widow. Though sometimes these messengers of goodwill would make their visits without partaking of any refreshments, yet not unfrequently would they turn into a shop, purchase a loaf of bread, &c. and enter some forlorn habitation to partake of their morsel, and to bestow a kindness upon its occupant. It must not be forgotten that these visiters, into whatsoever house they entered, failed not to instruct the ignorant, frequently leaving a religious tract behind them, and thus convince the objects of their bounty, that they were the servants of a compassionate Saviour. Although from the nature of human depravity, it must be expected that they too frequently met with characters, who afterwards proved themselves ungrateful for kindness received, yet I have often heard them relate a variety of instances of so affecting a description, which, were it my province to recite, would present to the reader the very shape and distorted fortunes of female misery, while at the same time they would stamp a dignity upon the generous exertions of the Widows' Society.

"Who comfort to the infant suff'rer bring,

"And teach with joy the widow's heart to sing.
"No sounding numbers shall their names reveal,
"But their own hearts, the rich reward shall feel."

This Society, through the smiles of the Almighty, still exists, and perseveres in its humane and generous efforts. During the last winter (1820) they fostered 254 widows, with 687 small children, under 10 years of age. It is to be regretted that its funds would only allow each family an average of $2.50 per month, for the five winter months, reserving a small sum for the exigences of sickness in the summer months. The wants of many of them were great. Its managers still confide in the promise of that

God who is a husband to the widow and a father to the fatherless; and hope that a generous public will continue their aid, that this Society may yet continue its acts of kindness to the widow and the fatherless. It is devoutly to be wished that the example of their departed sister Mrs. Hoffman, may yet stimulate them to persevere in acts of kindness, and, that the mantle of that venerable mother in Israel, may fall upon the pious daughters of our city, to cherish the Widows' Society, while a tear falls from a widow's eye, or a fatherless child shall cry for a morsel of bread!

THE ORPHAN ASYLUM.

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these,
ye have done it unto me.-Mat. xxv. 40.

It may with propriety be said, the Orphan Asylum of this city took its rise from out of the Widows' Society; or, at any rate, on the minds of several of the members of that Society, was created the first impressions of its necessity and importance. Several of its Managers, particularly Mrs. Hoffman, and her colleague, Mrs. Graham, in the course of their benevolent walks, found poor helpless children whom death had deprived both of father and mother. For the succouring of such little unfortunates, the Widows' Society, according to their constitution and charter, could make no provision; and the necessity of attempting something in the shape of an Orphan Asylum, was first suggested to the benevolent mind of Mrs. Hoffman, by visiting a family of five orphans, immediately after the decease of their mother by the yellow fever, in 1805. These children, of whom the youngest was a few months old, were boarded at the expense of Mrs. Hoffman, until an asylum could be provided. Upon this subject, she frequently conversed with Mrs. Graham and others, who also had children of their widows in similar abject circumstances. Alternate hopes and fears agitated the hearts of these ladies for

several weeks, while they ceased not in prayer and supplication, to spread the wretched orphan's case before the Lord. About the beginning of March, Mrs. Hoffman made a visit to Mrs. Graham. Entering the parlour, she said to Mrs. Bethune, my dear friend, we must begin the Orphan Society. I have slept none all night, and these words have been constantly on my mind: whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Eccl. ix. 10. This was received by her as the signal for benevolent action. At a meeting of the Widows' Society, at Mrs. Startin's, it was agreed, that an invitation be given to our citizens, in order to meet this desirable object. Accordingly, on the 15th of March, 1806, at the City-Hotel, a very respectable number of ladies and gentlemen were convened. Mrs. Graham was appointed to the chair, the plan was read, and unanimously approved; and, at the same time, the following ladies were elected to conduct the concerns of the Society.

MRS. HOFFMAN, First Directress.

MRS. HAMILTON, Second Directress.
MRS. BETHUNE, Treasurer.

MRS. RODMAN, Secretary.

TRUSTEES.

MRS. STARTIN, MRS. M'VICKAR, MRS. FAIRLIE, Mrs. Saidler, MRS. PIERCE, MISS ASPINWALL, Miss Tallman.

The Society thus organized, its first object was to provide a shelter for those little orphans which immediately demanded their care. As a temporary residence, a house in Raisin-street, in the village of Greenwich, was hired, and Mr. John M'Farlane and Catharine his wife, two discreet and pious persons, were engaged as Superintendents and Teachers. They commenced their duties on the first week in May, 1806. The door of this Asylum was open to receive all destitute orphans, without restriction to any religious denomination, or distinction of nations. Sufficient, if the child be in distress, without father and without mother; here was its home, and friendly guardians to foster its tender years, until at a maturity of age, a kind providence should open another door to commence its more active duties for its own and

the public good. During the first six months, twelve orphan children were received by the Society. In order to qualify whatever children should be received into this Asylum, a mode of instruction was formed, in order to prepare them for useful stations in life. Reading, writing and arithmetic were allotted to the whole; and in addition, the girls were taught plain sewing, and when at a suitable age, to be accustomed to domestic employment. But, as a far more important object, a well adapted plan was formed, that with the blessing of the Lord, such moral and religious instruction should be afforded as to produce their happiest advantages.

It must be confessed, that until this Institution was formed, in which Mrs. Hoffman acted with others, the real value of her benevolent and christian character was comparatively unknown. The acuteness and economy of her judgment in forming her plans; her mild and amiable manners, and her unwearied perseverance amidst every discouragement; these, while they produced a charming excitement in the breast of her worthy associates, contributed a large share towards the prosperity of the Orphan Asylum. It cannot but be acknowledged, that this Institution, with the variety of its benefits, was a gift from above, through the fervency of prayer. The afflicted orphan's case was continually commended to the orphan's God and Father, whose sacred smiles have crowned it with success for fifteen years!An admirable lesson this, for all those whose christian benevo lence dictates an effort in favor of the poor and afflicted; BEGIN WITH GOD, AND IT SHALL END IN PROSPERITY!

In January, 1807, Mrs. Hoffman laid before the Board, the plan of a Constitution for the Society, which, after a due examination of all its parts, was unanimously adopted, and afterwards published. Soon after this, a petition was presented to the Honorable the Legislature of the State, praying for a charter of incorporation; and which was readily granted. In April, the same year, the Society held their first annual meeting, at the CityHotel, where more than twenty orphans were presented to the view of their generous benefactors, comfortably clad, and wearing on the countenance the guileless smiles of health and happy youth. The hired house, occupied as a dwelling for the orphan family, being too small, and to prevent the inconvenience of fre

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quent removals, it was contemplated to erect a building sufficiently commodious for the accommodation of the orphans which the Society might hereafter be able to support. However great this undertaking, the ladies piously persevered, in full confidence that the God of mercy and love would indulge them with his sacred benediction. To facilitate this desirable object, the patrons of the Institution did honor to themselves; while several of the clergy recommended the design to their respective congregations, and made handsome collections for the purpose. The Board was directed to an airy healthy spot of ground in the village of Greenwich, on which to erect the building; the plan for which was gratuitously drawn by Mr. West. The building was to be of brick, fifty feet square, sufficient for the accommodation of more than one hundred children. The corner stone was laid by the ladies of the Board, on the 7th of July, 1807. During the summer, the walls rose rapidly; and, as the funds of the Society were expended by purchasing the materials only, Mr. Ronalds, Mr. Gifford and Mr. Thorpe, the master builders, generously paid the workmen, without rendering their account until the building was roofed. At this period, several other ministers and churches generously favored the Society by collecting for their aid, the sum of 1165 dollars. During the winter, applications were made to the Trustees, so numerous, for the admission of orphans, that they were obliged to finish the basement story and two upper rooms. The Society, at this time, finding themselves oppressed with necessary debt, were induced, on the 1st of February, 1808, to forward a petition to the Legislature for aid, and which was accompanied by a recommendatory letter from De Witt Clinton, Esq. then Mayor of New-York. The result of this petition was, an appropriation of five thousand dollars of the money to be raised by lottery for the Board of Health, but which was not received until the year 1816. But, in addition to this, the Legislature made a grant of 500 dollars annually; and which they still regularly receive. On the last day of April, 1809, the Society, with fifty-four orphans, entered the new habitation, under a charming impression of the good hand of their God, and devoutly supplicating his throne for the continuance of his presence and benediction. By the liberal aid of a generous public, the building was gradually completed, and a succession of orphans