have been received. Great have been the exertions of the Trustees to manage the concerns, and to procure the necessary supplies of food and raiment for so large a family. It was the firm determination of Mrs. Hoffman, as well as her companions, to expend their funds as long as a fatherless and motherless needy child claimed their shelter and kindness. Often at the commencement of winter, when the orphan family consisted of more than one hundred children, their treasury did not contain half as many dollars; yet, through the goodness of the Lord, it may truly be said, the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruise of oil fail, until the Lord replenished their wants. Much has deservedly been written on the page of history, of the interposing and benevolent hand of God, in the establishment and supplies of the Orphan House at Halle, in Saxony, through the laborious means of Professor Frank; and, I may venture to affirm, that it has been no less so in favor of our orphan establishment in this city. The faith and pious zeal of its Managers have frequently been tried to the last extremity; often, indeed, cast down, but not forsaken; for in ways least expected, or not expected at all, the kind hand of God, almost miraculously has produced their necessary supplies. One instance, among others of this description, occurred but a few years ago, was known to myself. At a time when the funds of the Society were almost expended, and money immediately demanded, a young gentleman, who had just received a share of a paternal estate, requested of me information," what benevolent Society was most worthy of attention ?" I immediately named the Orphan Asylum. Next day, a letter was left at my house, addressed to the Treasurer of the Orphan Asylum, which being delivered to that lady, on being opened, it was found to be a blank paper, containing the sum of FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS!! How seasonable a relief was this to the exigences of the Society! and what a noble example to those who become heirs to the patrimony of deceased relatives, instead of wasting it in vanity and profligacy! Who but must feel the most devout acknowledgment to Divine beneficence, for providing the necessary supplies for the support of the children of this valuable Institution! And at the same time, firmly believe the truth of God's most gracious promise, that the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish

forever.-In the government of the orphan family, as well as in its general plans, Mrs. Hoffman took a very large share of active labor. Frequently would she spend a whole day at the Asylum, for the purposes of inspecting the wants of the children, and their progress in education; the management and frugality of supplies; and, indeed, the most minute concerns of the whole establishment. On such occasions, so far from receiving any extra refreshment, she would invariably partake only of the simple fare of the orphan's table. Never did she permit herself to quit the habitation, without conferring her most salutary advices, and bestowing her maternal expressions of kindness upon the tender orphans of her charge; and which, of course, never failed to produce the most happy effects.

It may gratify the reader to be informed, that this Orphan Asylum is now entirely freed from debt, and that by the smiles of Divine Providence, there is gradually forming a fund for its future support, by means of legacies. Still, the orphan's cry is directed to the ear of a benevolent public, for a present supply, and it is firmly believed, that their cry will not be heard in vain. The annual expenditures for the household amount nearly to 5000 dollars, exclusive of repairs to the building. And it must be likewise stated, that the increase of orphans, render it indispensably necessary that means be procured for the erection of a wing to the house for their accommodation. Since the establishment of this Society, in May, 1806, there have been received 422 orphan children; 235 have been bound out to trades or to service; eight have been returned to their respective widowed mothers, who had been insane in the Lunatic Hospital; 26 have been relinquished to their relatives; and 15 have died, one of which departed beneath the smiles of Jesus. On the present day, January 1st, 1822, there are in the Asylum, 84 boys, 52 girls, or 136 orphans. It is a pleasing reflection to the Managers, and was a eause of sublime pleasure to the pious Mrs. Hoffman; that while God extended his paternal wings over this orphan family for their protection and comfort, he has likewise granted some expressions of his grace to several of the children, both male and female, who are now arrived to the age of maturity, and maintain the correctness of christian character. One pious young man is now studying for the ministry; another is handsomely

settled in business, and another is retained in the Asylum, as an Assistant Teacher. The recital of these favors cannot but produce a charming gratification in the breast of every patron of the establishment, and ensure their future interest in its prosperity. We now arrive at a part of this statement, calculated to teach a lesson on human frailty, and that the most valuable labors of life must come to an end. In the year 1817, Mrs. Hoffman, bent beneath the infirmities of age, and by a severe rheumatic affection, was compelled to retire from the scene of activity, and in her chamber, to spend her remaining days in devotional exercises, awaiting the pleasure of her Lord to call her to the blissful regions of immortality. Let us follow her to the chamber of retirement, and attempt, from her private days, to learn a few more lessons of instruction for our own imitation.

THE CHAMBER OF RETIREMENT.

David was an attentive observer of the Providence of God, and of the special favors which are reserved for the benevolent in heart. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. Psalm xli. 1-3. In few instances have these words been more happily verified, than in the chamber of Mrs. Hoffman. She had considered the poor; the Lord had frequently delivered her out of her afflictions; the Lord was still with her in her last scene of retirement, and strengthened her upon her bed of languishing. She, who had given bread to the widow, and comfort to the helpless orphan, finds her bed of pain and languishing made easy beneath her, by the tender hand and cheering smiles of God, her heavenly Father. How precious and kind are the ways of the Lord! In this chamber Mrs. Hoffman's highest privilege was, to cultivate communion with God, by meditation and prayer. The reading of the Holy Scriptures, was her constant delight; and frequently, would she take pleasure in reading a few pious authors, the English Evangelical Magazine, with such modern periodical publications which recited the progress of religion.

Although our venerable friend was now confined, and not expected to return to her active duties, such was the high estimation which the Orphan Society possessed of her virtues and her past services, that they would not permit her to resign the office of First Directress to the Asylum. When favored with a mitigation of her pain, the Board of Direction met in her room; when her counsels were received with veneration and delight. Her own clergy of the Episcopal Church, made to her frequent visits, which she received with the warmth of feeling; and she took great delight in conversing with the pious of all denominations who visited her chamber. Sensible of the kind attention which she received from her children and family, she was frequently in the habit of ejaculatory prayer for their welfare and happiness. Until her right hand was literally clenched by the violence of her rheumatic complaint, she would indulge herself in epistolary correspondence with her friends: and as such letters usually express the fine feelings of the heart, and give a strong character of the writer, I shall take the liberty of presenting the reader with a copy of three of them, which were put into my hand since her decease.

TO MRS. STARTIN.

MY BELOVED Friend,

While you are comfortable and happy in the pleasant habitation of your friends, I trust it will add a mite to the stock of pleasure, to receive assurances of the mending health and strength of an old pilgrim by the way-side, whom you left a suffering prisoner in a sick room. From the many and lively expressions of your regard that I have experienced for years past, I am fully confirmed, that while absent, you still remember me with a heart of anxious inquiry, desiring to know of my comfort and well-being. Considering this, I desire to anticipate your good friendship, and rallying all my strength, I send you this little page with my own hand, assuring you that I am somewhat

better than when we were last together; and I think the trial I have made of cotton applied frequently to my limbs, has proved greatly beneficial, both in mitigating my sharp pains, and increasing my strength. For all this we may praise Him together, who

is the God of all comfort. But my most peaceful experience is that, as runs the promise to Israel" In the latter day he will lengthen out her cords, and increase her dominion, as at even-tide it shall be light." Even so, as He increases the cords of my life, he seems to enlarge my place; and though I am hedged in the body by pains and trouble, yet it seems to set the spirit at liberty. I cannot but dwell with delight on the words of our divine Master, which are so expressly applicable-" If the Son make you free, ye shall be free indeed." As to the increasing brightness of my sun, I trust I may say, it seems shining towards the perfect day, as I live to behold more and more the light of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus; he indeed is light, and in him is no darkness at all. But I am forgetting my crippled hands, and fear you will not be able to read what I have already written.-I suppose you have heard of Mrs. Williams' leaving 500 dollars. to our little orphans. I say from her, but we may look only from above, and add, "He openeth his hand, and filleth all things plenteously." I have been much gratified by a friendly visit from our beloved Mrs. H. Our dear friend Miss O's health is very infirm; she has had pressing invitations from the bishop, and Mrs. B. to pass the winter with them; change of air may have the desired effect, and that she may return a blessing to her friends, as she has been to our little orphan flock. Mrs. J. O. H.'s health continues very weak and infirm; the event must be left to him who only knows what is best for us. I feel a very particular pleasure in telling you of the good health of all the numerous family. Mrs. H. appears to enjoy perfect health; her kind and unremitted attentions have doubly endeared her to my heart, and are numbered among the other many blessings which God has given me through a long, and I may with truth say, a painful confinement. Kiss our dear little R. for me; remember me with sincere love of christian fellowship and good wishes to Mrs. A. and every branch of her family. And now, my dear friend, may I be kept stedfast in the true faith; and may the promises of God be my hope, his providence my guard, and his grace my strength, till in his own good time I may be received, through the merits and all-sufficient atonement of a blessed Redeemer, to a happy eternity! Receive my warmest thanks for