PLEA 
 
 FOR 
 
 DELIVERED 
 
 ON THE 
 
 NEWBURYPOlfcfc 
 
 MAY^fc2 
 
 BY S. P. WILLIAMS. 
 
 PUBLISHED ^R THE BENEFIT OF THE ASYLUM. 
 
 
 PRINTED BY W. & J. OILMAN, 
 
 PRINTERS AND BOOKSELLERS, PHENIX-BU1LDIN6, 
 NO. 9, STATE-STREET.
 
 
 THE Managers of the FKMALE CHARITABLE SOCIETY, 
 direct me to express to the REV. MR. WILLIAMS, their entire 
 satisfaction with the ADDRESS delivered this day, in behalf of 
 the Female Asylum, and to request a copy for the press. 
 
 ELIZABETH BALCII, SEC'V. 
 Newburyport, May 21, 1822. 

 
 ton 
 
 THE ORPHAN 
 
 VV E admire the magnanimity of the man, 
 who, disregarding every distinction of person, sex, and 
 rank, honors good deeds, and whose gratitude seeks for 
 their authors a present reward. We admire still more 
 the religion, which elevates many of both sexes, and 
 some of every rank in life, to such peculiar greatness, 
 and which alone furnishes us with models of appropri- 
 ate excellence. In him, Avho came not to be ministered 
 unto but to minister, and in his disciples of both sexes, 
 we have perceived such magnanimity, and in the relig- 
 ion which he taught, and wPthis exclusively, we have 
 found such an influence. 
 
 Christianity, alone, has marked with precision, the 
 official boundaries between the two great divisions of 
 mankind ; clearly defined the duties of their several re- 
 lations, and wisely assigned the stations which they may 
 occupy with appropriate dignity. It is from this we 
 learn, that the modesty which gives a polish to the 
 sternest virtues of our sex, is essential to the very na- 
 ture of virtue, in woman. It is this, which while it pre- 
 scribes a silent and gentle manner, allows, and com- 
 mends in her, a powerful and extensive influence. It 
 clothes her with a profusion of ornaments, alike costly 
 and beautiful, because they are the adornings of the
 
 heart : those retired virtues, which render her lovely to 
 the Christian observer, rather than the decorations and 
 embellishments by which she might more successfully 
 * obtrude herself on the common eye. We hear only in- 
 cidentally, for this, of the names and the services of dis- 
 tinguished women in the infant church, yet they are 
 noticed even in this manner, not without hints of the 
 warmest affection and gratitude, as cooperating with 
 their sister spirits of a higher sphere, in furthering the 
 grand object of the gospel of Christ. This object, as 
 man is regarded, is to make us good and happy our- 
 selves, and having eiFe'cted this, to secure, through our 
 agency, the deliverance of all the subjects of ignorance 
 and vice and wretchedness around us. Whoever dis- 
 creetly and delightfully contributes to this end, is en- 
 titled to the honorable distinction of a laborer in the 
 vineyard of GOD, being associated with the various 
 orders of his whole family, in ministering to them who 
 shall be heirs of salvation. Among them all, there is 
 but one ultimate design ai^Jnterest ; and however re- 
 mote their present relatra!^ however diversified their 
 powers, however enlarged or limited their sphere of 
 action, there should be the most cordial cooperation, 
 There is equal need, of those engaged in the less con- 
 spicuous and more prominent parts of the Christian call- 
 ing. All, therefore, should be alike prompt to give and 
 to receive encouragement to virtuous enterprizcs, or to 
 patient continuance in that well doing, to which they 
 have been already excited. It was with views such as 
 these, and under a conviction of the importance of unit- 
 ed action, the chief of the apostles cautioned the friends 
 of goodness, against all differences which might endan- 
 ger or obstruct the interests, of the infant Christian in- 
 stitutions. It was under such impressions, he sustained
 
 the cause of female enterprize, when tending to the 
 grand result Christianity proposes, and claimed from the 
 Christians at Phitlippi, for those who had embarked in 
 it, the encouragement and aid, which virtuous designs 
 and well concerted measures, ever merit from men. 
 
 It is a man of no less consideration than Paul, in a 
 religion of no lower origin than Christianity, who ad- 
 dresses us, and in the very language employed eighteen 
 hundred years ago, on an occasion not unlike the pres- 
 ent, says to this assembly HELP THOSE WOMEN WHICH 
 labor WITH ME L\ THE GOSPEL, 
 
 It was the sentiment of his unerring pen, if I mis- 
 take not, and for this reason it is mine, and should be 
 yours, that every institution and enterprize conducive to 
 the real welfare of mankind, contributes to promote the 
 honor of Christianity : that it is our duty of consequence 
 to patronize such institutions and promote such enter- 
 prizes, by giving substantial encouragement to those 
 who are actively engaged in them. 
 
 To illustrate this sentiment, it would be enough, to 
 shew that the religion of Christ comprehends in its ob^ 
 ject, every thing which tends to promote the ultimate 
 good of mankind, That it is a system of divine charn 
 ty, proposing terms of peace for the wicked, and pro- 
 viding ample means of relief for the helpless and the 
 wretched. Every where does the gospel instruct us, 
 that GOD delighteth in mercy that his love is uncon- 
 strained and boundless- that man, even while an ene- 
 my, is the object of his compassion that the Father 
 sent the Son to be the savior of the world that being 
 independent of creatures, the favor of GOD is bestowed 
 without any sordid views on his part ; without merit 
 and against desert, on ours : and that while the reign of 
 grace continues, this world will remain the theatre of
 
 G 
 
 his active and unwearied compassion. These are the 
 good tidings ; and this the evidence that Christianity is 
 nothing less than the broad system of charity, which 
 seeks the ultimate good of all mankind. This opinion 
 is confirmed by the animating fact, that GOD has not 
 merely revealed his will to bless us in all this extent, 
 but in order to bind us to cooperate with him, has en- 
 joined it as an indispensable duty, that we be merciful 
 even as our father in heaven is merciful. 
 
 We need little Christian discernment, to find this spir- 
 it of benignity pervading all the doctrines, promises, pre- 
 cepts, and even admonitions and denunciations of the 
 gospel. Whatever be the means employed, the same 
 grand object is pursued, the same result is sought. The 
 spirit of Christianity is a spirit of disinterested kindness. 
 Its object, the restoration of man's moral nature to the 
 image of GOD'S. Its result, a full developement of the 
 principles and affections which have governed them res- 
 pectively. 
 
 Charity then, the charity of a GOD, is the reigning 
 principle of the religion of* Christ. The charity of an- 
 gels and men, the grand mean of adorning and univer- 
 sally diffusing his gospel, of accomplishing its object, 
 and of sharing delightfully in the glories of its result. 
 Such is the view which the word of GOD has given, of 
 itself and its designs, of its author and its influence. GOD 
 is love, and whoever is governed by this affection, has 
 fellowship with GOD. All the executive parts of the 
 Christian redemption, directly exhibit this fact. It was 
 to call sinners to repentance, the Redeemer came. It 
 was to ransom not the unfortunate but the guilty, the 
 Redeemer died. Not to instruct the boastful sage, but 
 to impart to conscious ignorance, the wisdom of GOD, the 
 taught. To loose the chains of satan's captive?
 
 and open the gates of immortality to the prisoner of the 
 grave, were the grand objects for which Immanuel dwelt 
 with men. Look at him and his religion, through what 
 medium you will, and you behold prominent over every 
 other, this feature of mercy. Christianity, is eminently 
 a system of consolation for the wretched : for just such 
 a race of beings, as this world has always presented to 
 the discerning eye. A race, poor and miserable and 
 blind and naked, as every man will find, who has cour- 
 age to look into his heart, and integrity to tell himself 
 what is lacking there. Christianity is a religion, a- 
 dapted perfectly, to the wants of no other than such a 
 race. Propose it to angels, and you do but mock them. 
 They, need not its provisions : they, are above its rem- 
 edies. None, other than the lost, really need them : 
 none other than the sensibly depraved and wretched, 
 can feel their adaptedness to man's condition, nor avail 
 themselves of their recovering efficacy. None, other 
 than men, subjected in their own view to painful vicis- 
 situde for their sins, and Avho with the most distinguish- 
 ed natural gifts and acquirements, are without hope arid 
 without GOD in the world, will justly appreciate the ex- 
 cellence of Christianity, and avail themselves of its pro- 
 visions for their deliverance. For all that is found in 
 any of our race, more elevated in character, more de- 
 sirable in destiny than is comprehended in the preced- 
 ing description, they are indebted to the influence of tho 
 gospel of Christ. To the true dignity and comfort 
 of such a being as man, in such a condition, what in- 
 structions, what institutions have at all contributed, oth- 
 er than those, founded and supported by the influence 
 of that religion ? Cast your eye over that portion of 
 the globe, on ;which the hand of incarnate charity has 
 either raised or left, no monument of its redeeming
 
 power. Is it but a single family ? Where are the chil- 
 dren which it has reared to anything better than a 
 heathen's doings, and a heathen's destiny. Is it a prov- 
 ince, or a kingdom ? Search its legends, write out the 
 fairest acts of its wisdom, its policy, its goodness, and 
 you will have produced little more than a compound of 
 selfishness and folly. The attestation of profane histo- 
 ry, and that of our sacred books, is one. It is given us in 
 words of dreadful import. " The whole world lieth in 
 wickedness." On every moral subject, its covering is 
 palpable darkness. Its wisdom is earthly, sensual, de- 
 moniacal. Its religion, obscenity, absurdity, blasphemy. 
 Its tender mercies are cruelty. Of Christianity, which 
 aims to restore man, to holy purposes and holy pleas- 
 ures; which makes its way to the habitations and the 
 hearts of its enemies, by unasked kindness, and through 
 the endurance of perils and labors and sorrows ; which 
 even through charities administered to the body, aims 
 to carry a healing touch to the heart ; which assails the 
 conscience in the still, small voice, and by goodness lead- 
 eth to repentance ; and which even when riding on the 
 whirlwind, alarms the unsuspecting, only that he may 
 take the way of escape ; of the genius of a religion such 
 as this, not a lineament nor expression is to be found, in 
 all the pagan world. The institutions which have grown 
 out of their superstitions, do not aim at the real welfare 
 of man. They knew not what is good for him. Those 
 institutions had no reference to the divine glory. The 
 wisdom of this world reached not, the knowledge of his 
 moral nature. But had they arrived at just conclusions 
 concerning both, they must have possessed affections 
 not common to man, to have framed their rites and in- 
 stitutes, with designs coincident with those of Jesus 
 Christ. To say, however, what is the chief good of
 
 man, was as far beyond their wisdom, as the love of 
 honoring GOD and doing good, was high above their 
 virtue. 
 
 Christianity, not only founds no institution whose ob- 
 ject terminates on the interests of the present state, but 
 recognizes none as the fruit of devotedness to her cause, 
 which is not a mean of man's ascent in moral improve- 
 ment. In her hands^ the insane hospital, the asylum 
 for the deaf and the diseased of every species, and ev- 
 en the common jail, embrace as their object the real 
 good of the sufferer, as well as the safety and comfort 
 of society. The seminaries of science, of literature, 
 of the fine af tSj so far as they are under her influence, 
 always tend to extend our admiration of the Deity ; to 
 purify and heighten our social enjoyments ; to elevate 
 our moral and religious character and prospects. Those 
 ordinances of GOD Avhich primarily regard man as a 
 creature of this World, are designed and fitted, to affect 
 favorably his future welfare. Civil government for ex- 
 ample, is avowedly ordained, to facilitate the godliness 
 and honesty of men, who without its imposing and impar- 
 tial aspect, are willing, in all things to live honestly and 
 if it be possible, with all men, peaceably. To every 
 thing she fosters, to every thing on which she looks with 
 approbation. Christianity imparts a moral hue and lustre, 
 resembling her own purity and brilliance. Nothing is 
 done, nothing proposed, in her spirit, in which there is 
 not discoverable, something of the hallowed charity of 
 her founder. 
 
 But if the character of every institution is known by 
 its tendency to promote the real welfare of our species, 
 and if whatever tends to this, contributes to honor chris- 
 tiamty, how obviously docs it become our duty, to pat- 
 ronize and help those who arc engaged in enterprizes 
 
 B
 
 of such a character. This is not merely a duty impos- 
 ed by the law of charity, but the actual expression of 
 such charity. For what avails it to say, I love my GOD, 
 if I refuse him the service he demands ? or, I love my 
 neighbor, if I withhold my aid, which is the only substan- 
 tial good my love can do him? Without such an influ- 
 ence, love is in Avord only, and in tongue, and is of no 
 more utility, than indifference. The only full expres- 
 sion of charity, is a keeping her commandments. To 
 adore and praise her name only, is idolatry. If we would 
 be her disciples indeed, we must AVash the feet of her 
 coarsest and rudest children. Do to others therefore, 
 said our lawgiver while he was giving us the example, 
 as I have done to you. Ascertain, hearer, the amount 
 of that doing, and the spirit of the performance, and ac- 
 cording to your ability, you have learned the measure 
 of your duty to every object of charity upon the earth : 
 and if duty be not with you a thing of fancy, then in the 
 returns you make for a Savior's love, you will pledge 
 yourself to every institution, which decidedly subserves 
 the interests of his kingdom. 
 
 In the age in which it is our privilege to live, an al- 
 most boundless field for beneficent action, is opened be- 
 fore us. The number of institutions and associations, 
 which have sprung up in aid of the gospel, or through 
 the gospel's influence, in aid of human improvement ; 
 all of them presenting a specious, and many of them a 
 just claim to our regard, is beyond my power of recol- 
 lection. To the generous mind, notwithstanding, to the 
 man who has ceased to live to himself, and whose hap- 
 piness is proportioned to his facilities for conferring the 
 richest favors, and honoring the religion which is both 
 his law and his example, to such a man, this fact is not 
 alarming. It brings to his ear no unwelcome tidings,
 
 11 
 
 no evil forebodings to his heart. The era of intelligent 
 piety and diffusive goodness, is to him, the era of Messi- 
 ah's rising glory, and of the joy and triumph, as well as 
 trial, of his peoples faith. A trial, more precious than that 
 of gold, because always found honorable, to the disciple 
 indeed. For though he glories only in the LORD, he is 
 glad of opportunities to prove, that his glorying is not 
 to be made void. How then can the calls of the wretch- 
 ed, and for no other, is his bounty claimed, become too 
 frequent, too importunate ? He can give, only accord- 
 ing to that he hath, and with a mind willing thus to give, 
 is accepted. He can part with no more than a//, for 
 Christ's sake and the gospel's. He can love his neigh- 
 bor only as himself; and all this he was bound to do in 
 his affections, to prove him a disciple, when such calls 
 were seldom heard, and when they were addressed to 
 his vanity rather than his conscience. 
 
 There were genuine disciples, when such claims 
 were rarely heard, and had the better part of mankind 
 known the miseries of the rest, had the Christian discov- 
 ered, how, by his hand, they might be reached and re- 
 lieved, they would have been long ago practically ac- 
 knowledged. The darkness is now past. The kingdom 
 of Christ, for which prayer has been made continually, 
 approaches its establishment. The times in which he 
 is to reign in every nation, draw on. His salvation is 
 near to come, and his right and righteousness to be uni- 
 versally revealed. In a voice heard even to earth, He 
 asks of the Father, the heathen for his inheritance. The 
 heathen need a deliverer like him. Ethiopia stretches 
 out her hand in supplication. The isles are ready for his 
 law. The sea, whose abundance is to be converted unto 
 him, begins to reflect the image of his banner. The kings 
 who are afar off, bring presents to him and offer gifts.
 
 Even the waters of Israel, again are troubled by the 
 angel of mercy. Stranger and more auspicious still, the 
 warrior rests upon his arms and muses in doubt to find 
 the PRINCE OF PEACE, in the instruments of vengeance 
 and garments rolled in human blood. The watchmen 
 approach the consummation of seeing eye to eye and 
 singing together with the voice, while the disciples of 
 the one GOD, no longer opposing each other, with the 
 word of the common salvation, unite in the practical 
 confession, of its sufficiency to make the simple wise, 
 and join their strength to send its sound through all the 
 earth and its words, unmended, to the ends of the world, 
 By the great engine now in motion, for in relation to the 
 moral machinery of Christendom, all are but parts of one 
 stupendous whole, by this great engine, GOD is raising 
 the river of the water of life to a height, whence every 
 field shall be irrigated, and the productions of the for-r 
 mcr Eden be forgotten, in the more extensive and dur- 
 able fruits of that which is to come, 
 
 The same GOD, however, who operates in the greatr 
 er, is not ashamed to be known, as concerned in the 
 more minute events. Nor are his wonders confined to 
 the sublime in greatness. The hand which rolls the 
 planets through their courses, feeds the sparrow. The 
 mind which regulates the complicated movements of the 
 universe, numbers the hairs and counts the tears, of his 
 obscurest friend. From the contemplation of more 
 splendid objects and their powerful claims, the occasion 
 summons me back, to bespeak your interest, in a mere 
 streamlet of the river of GOD. Condescend then, to 
 those who tread the more retired and humble walks of 
 usefulness, and if it is your happiness to labor in a high- 
 er sphere, be in this, also, the followers of GOD.
 
 13 
 
 But what can I add to the arguments of those gener- 
 ous men* who have plead before me, on this anniversary, 
 the cause of the Society, in whose name I address you ? 
 
 Shall I tell you, that the object it pursues, is com- 
 prehended in that system of charity which the gospel 
 enjoins ? He who has neither mistaken nor forgotten 
 the language of his Bible, needs not to be thus instruct- 
 ed of me. 
 
 Shall I press upon you the fact, that a soul in Amer- 
 ica, is as precious as a soul in India, and without Chris- 
 tian instruction and discipline, as much in danger, and no 
 less to our shame in danger, of being lost ? Need it be 
 said, that an Orphan, in sight of a Christian temple, 
 is no less an object of interest and of holy compassion, 
 than a child in the same forlorn condition, in the forests 
 which skirt the missionary cabins of Elliot and Brainerd ? 
 
 Shall I go further, and say that he who cares not 
 for those in distress and danger, within reach of his eye 
 and his hand, is neglecting the duty and losing the pleas- 
 ure of Christian charity, though he may have peopled the 
 wilderness with missionaries. No, enlightened hearer. 
 These greetings too often meet you, from men alike ne* 
 glectful of the wretched, at home and abroad, to need 
 repetition here. 
 
 Let me rather appeal to your discernment and your 
 better feelings, by stating such facts as I have been able 
 to collect, and leave to their eloquence^ the power to 
 persuade. 
 
 The Society for whom I solicit help, was formed in 
 the year 1803, and two years after, incorporated by the 
 General Court. It was among the first charitable asso- 
 ciations of the town. It has the honor of that charity, 
 so generally extolled, which begins at home ; which 
 
 * Appendix, 1.
 
 14 
 
 provides for the destitute around its door, before it goes 
 in quest of similar objects abroad. It is entitled there- 
 fore to the patronage of that large class of society, who 
 insist on such an order of selection, as the condition of 
 their bounty. 
 
 The avowed, and I doubt not the real object of this 
 association, is, " to rescue from poverty and vice, to in- 
 struct and train to virtue and usefulness, female orphan 
 children." Thirty of this description, have already re- 
 ceived the benefactions of the Society, and been succes- 
 sively removed into families of sobriety and virtue, sub- 
 ject to the ordinary domestic services of children of their 
 rank, dependent upon their own hands for the means 
 of subsistence. Eight, still remain under its immediate 
 inspection, entirely dependent on its bounty for food and 
 raiment, and the means both of ordinary and religious 
 instruction. The fidelity with which the children of 
 the asylum have been nurtured, and fitted for the sphere 
 in life, in which they are destined to move, is best told 
 in the appearance which they exhibit, and in the in- 
 creasing demand for them, by respectable families, both 
 at home and abroad. 
 
 The object of the Society, is a noble object ; and 
 the fact that it has not been universally approved, dis- 
 credits not at all, the Society or its patrons. It is the 
 fate of every good object, in the present imperfect and 
 mixed state, to meet disapprobation not only from the 
 selfish, but from the ill informed among the benevolent. 
 The orphan asylum of New-York, formed in 1806, said 
 its most zealous friend, " was feeble in its origin, the jest 
 of most, the ridicule of many, and met the opposition of 
 not a few ; but GOD put his seal upon it, and facts and 
 sense, soon converted prejudice into patronage." In two 
 years from its establishment, it became a favorite with
 
 15 
 
 the public. A house was erected for it Avithin this pe-> 
 riod, sufficient for the accommodation of 200 children ; 
 and from a subscription of 350 dollars, the sum with 
 which its operations commenced, it came into the pos- 
 session of property to the amount of 25,000 dollars. It 
 will be long remembered with sentiments of high com- 
 mendation, that a grant of 500 dollars annually, was ear- 
 ly made to the asylum by the legislature of that state. 
 The same good sense and good feeling, have been re- 
 cently exhibited in relation to the same object, both 
 by individuals and by the legislature of Pennsylvania. 
 Their establishment, of only seven years standing, ac- 
 cording to^my recollection, had accumulated property to 
 the amount of not less than 40,000 dollars, inclusive of 
 the public grant of 10,000. Since the destruction of its 
 commodious arid beautiful edifice, more than 40,000 dol- 
 lars is said to have been raised in that city, always dis- 
 tinguished for its munificence, to repair the loss. 
 
 The Society in this town, unlike those of the capi- 
 tals mentioned above, limits its regard to female orphans. 
 We are obliged to say it is unlike them, also, in public 
 favor, and that though earlier in its formation, we are 
 farther behind them in zeal and gifts for its prosperity, 
 than in population and wealth. 
 
 To the institution here, it has been objected, that 
 the town is too small, to render it necessary. But I 
 have yet to learn, that actual suffering, is diminished by 
 the dimensions of the place which it inhabits. I have 
 yet to learn, that it is the duty and the privilege of large 
 cities only, to provide for the destitute sufferer. Fol- 
 lowers of Christ ! Do ye say that Jerusalem is the only 
 place where men ought to worship? Were the charities 
 of your master exclusively directed to the poor of the 
 metropolis of Judea, or to them also of the little villages
 
 of Cana and Bethany ? It is the fact that such are with 
 us, and not that they are innumerable, which calls for 
 this institution : and the fewer there are requiring suc- 
 cor, the smaller is the expense required for their relief. 
 The Society, it should be remembered, have done no- 
 thing to create the evils, they are endeavoring to re- 
 move. They found these children destitute and expos- 
 ed, and therefore with generous aim, became responsi- 
 ble for their protection and relief. Shall we betray 
 their confidence in our ability and disposition to help 
 them ? 
 
 Neither the utility nor necessity of this association, 
 can longer be seriously considered doubtful. The 
 fact, that a hundred widows, and many of them in indi- 
 gent circumstances, are found in a single congregation 
 in this town, goes far to shew, that the Society judged 
 well of its necessity ; and had it embraced the widow 
 with the fatherless, would not have exceeded in the du- 
 ties of that religion, Avhicli is pure and undefiled, before 
 GOD and the Father. 
 
 Consider a moment some of the causes for such an 
 association. It is well known, that in populous maritime 
 districts, a greater inequality prevails in the condition of 
 the people, than in those of the same extent whose 
 inhabitants subsist chiefly by agricultural pursuits. The 
 causes which operate to the production of this ine- 
 quality, and which will always operate to perpetuate 
 it, are obvious. 
 
 The mariner, who is dependent on the success of ad- 
 ventures almost as fluctuating as the waves on which he 
 rides, and whose condition is little less variable than the 
 winds which control his bark, however frugal and indus- 
 trious his habits, affords his family but a precarious sup 
 port. By adversities against which no foresight can
 
 17 
 
 guard, he and his resources, not unfrequently perish to- 
 gether. His wife is unexpectedly made a widow, sinks 
 into despondency or dies of a broken heart, and her 
 children beg. Often, however, the habits of men, not 
 only of this but of every other calling, are the reverse 
 of those described. Vice, brings after it a broken con- 
 stitution or premature death, and children in no incon- 
 siderable numbers, without crime perhaps, but without 
 education or means of support, are thrown upon the 
 world, exposed to more than common temptations. With- 
 out a friend to help or guide them, they fall into habits 
 of vagrancy, and as a necessary accompaniment, of idle- 
 ness and its kindred vices. Female children in such cir- 
 cumstances if not left to starve, are almost certainly 
 driven to what is worse, the unrestrained indulgence of 
 corrupt propensities, and the practice of whatsoever 
 things are unlovely dishonest indecent and of ill report. 
 Without any culture of the mind or manners, without 
 an early subjugation of the passions to any control, and 
 without stated or useful employment, nothing better can 
 be rationally expected of them, than that they become 
 the drones and the pests of society ; useless to them- 
 selves, fair objects of seduction, and ultimately the cor- 
 rupters and seducers of others. Of all the spectacles 
 which meet our eye, none, to a virtuous or even delicate 
 mind, is more disgusting hideous and loathsome, than 
 that of an abandoned female. On the warrant of an in- 
 spired Prince, we avoid the door of her house as the 
 way to death, her touch as pollution, and her compan- 
 ionship as hell. To preserve the destitute and friend- 
 less, from such dangers and wretchedness, and society 
 from the burden of such members, is of itself an object, 
 worthy of all the efforts which this association, have ev- 
 er made. Yet this is not the most interesting part of 
 
 C
 
 18 
 
 their design. It is to afford them not only restraint ari(J 
 shelter, but the means of such culture, as shall by the 
 blessing of GOD, render them both decent and virtuous; 
 as shall not only save them from squalid wretched- 
 ness but make them happy. It is to give to society 
 in them, useful assistants in domestic labor, and ultimate- 
 ly to form and fit them for the station of wives and par- 
 ents, the helpers of others to the kingdom of heaven. 
 This is the least comprehensive object of this Society, 
 and will any man say there is not utility in the association? 
 that there is not honor in conceiving and executing such 
 a design ? Above all docs any woman think it unworthy 
 of her regard ! Who else, will assume the task and res- 
 ponsibility, of thus providing for this class of the unpro- 
 tected and unfortunate ? What other provision for them 
 to such extent, is made, or has been made ? In what 
 other way can the objects proposed, probably be secur- 
 ed ? Who will vigilantly and hourly inspect their con- 
 duct, and care for their souls ? Who fortify them a- 
 gainst temptation, provide them comfortable subsistence, 
 attend them in all their walks and guard them in all 
 their ways, watch with parental solicitude over all their 
 interests, and qualify them for honorable however hum- 
 ble stations among their species ? This is a class of be- 
 ings concerning whom it was said, by him who was him- 
 self friendless in the world, and without a place to 
 lay his head, I am come to seek and to save, that which 
 was lost ; concerning whom he has given direction, feed 
 my lambs : and concerning all who have heard and obey- 
 ed his voice, he has also said, inasmuch as ye have 
 done it unto these, ye have done it unto me. In face 
 of all the difficulties to be encountered and under the 
 pressure of many trials, from those who should have 
 been their helpers, this Society has stood forth a sub-
 
 19 
 
 stantial advocate and friend of the helpless j and when fa- 
 ther and mother have forsaken, in the name of the Lord, 
 iiavc taken them up. It is pledged to watch over them 
 for GOD and the public; to give them such instruction 
 as can alone fit them to pass through life with reputation 
 and lay a foundation for hope., in their latter end. It 
 iias learned them to lisp with sacred meaning the name 
 of their Creator, and breathe to him the humble prayer; 
 and to this Society, under GOD, these children will be in- 
 debted, for all the virtue and comfort, of their future 
 lives. \Ve have seen that such an institution is both 
 useful and necessary. It has the attributes then of wis- 
 dom and goodness, and must .be acknowledged, a child 
 of Christianity. Its object, like that of all Christian in- 
 stitutions, is not to excite the vacant gaze and useless 
 admiration of the world, or ostentatiously display the glo- 
 ry of female enterprize, but simply to do good; to pro- 
 mote the real welfare of society and the highest interest 
 of the wretched. Instead of considering it a reproach 
 therefore, to those who have cordially embarked in it, 
 \ye rather wonder at .those of the sex, who esteem it 
 not amoiiff their hjo;hest honors, to be found in the list 
 
 ~ o ' 
 
 of its patrons and benefactors. 
 
 I said there was wisdom and goodness in this insti- 
 tution, and those only will doubt it, who suppose its 
 object is, to raise these children above the sphere 
 which providence has assigned them, rather .than to aid 
 them to move in that sphere with ability and profit. 
 In regard to goodness, we eed only perceive the mater- 
 nal character of the institution, and the fruits it has al- 
 ready produced, most solemnly to award it this emi- 
 nent distinction. Who has not felt it a blessing, to 
 have been placed under the fostering care of a gover*- 
 ness, who commands with tenderness of affection, in-
 
 20 
 
 structs with assiduity and patience, and guards and 
 guides, with all the scrupulousness of a religious mind, 
 while she continually commends her pupils to the divine 
 regard, in the availing intercessions of a pious heart. 
 To such a governess, the early years of some of us were 
 indebted, for most of their profit and pleasure. 
 
 Christian Parent, is not such the inheritance you 
 would chuse for your children and your children's chil- 
 dren, should it please GOD to cut them off from the 
 fountain of maternal tenderness, without a friendly roof 
 to which to flee, for shelter and a home ? In foresight 
 of such an event, would you not acknowledge tl^e hand 
 of divine goodness, in providing a refuge such as this ? 
 It is to the members and patrons of such societies the 
 eye bears witness when it sees them, because they de- 
 liver the poor that crieth, the needy and the fatherless 
 who have none to help them. It is for this, the names 
 of the Lady Glenorchy, Graham, Ralston, and their as- 
 sociates, will be as ointment poured forth, so long as the 
 rescued child of want shall live on earth, and good 
 deeds be remembered in heaven. 
 
 But it is said, the whole management of this institu- 
 tion, is entrusted to females. And who beside are fit to 
 be the confidents and guides, of females ? 1 envy not 
 the heart of that husband, son or brother, who does not 
 feel its interests, safely lodged in the hands of the wives, 
 the daughters, the mothers in Israel. Solomon said, 
 many centuries ago, and the sex in our age can suffer 
 little by comparison with it in his, Every wise woman 
 buildeth her house. Is a combination of the wisdom of 
 many such minds, unequal to the superintendence and 
 direction, of an asylum such as this ? There is no haz- 
 ard in affirming, that placed in their circumstances, the 
 good accomplished by the directors of this Society, will
 
 21 
 
 bear comparison with that effected by any combination 
 .of human wisdom. On an income whose average amount 
 has been less than 350 dollars a year, they have provid- 
 ed for the children under their care, every necessary of 
 life, including books and tuition, as well as food and 
 clothing.* They pledge themselves to continue the 
 same economical arrangement, and will probably here- 
 after support their charge, at the moderate expense of 
 one dollar and twelve cents each, per week. A sum 
 not more than five times the amount paid by the town 
 for each of their female children, for the single item 
 of tuition. Who, has done as much, at less expense ? 
 What family in the commonwealth, even in its alms 
 houses and hospitals, can furnish better evidence of good 
 management or proof of greater vigilance and fidelity, 
 than is uniformly exhibited by these children in their 
 health, neatness, subordination, and mental improvement 
 as well as progress in the practical knowledge of domestic 
 business ? He that condemneth the just, no less than he 
 who justifieth the wicked, is an abomination to the Lord ; 
 arid he will not be likely to escape the imputation who 
 judges this Society, on partial information, and with an 
 illiberal spirit. 
 
 GOD has smiled on this institution. He has qualified 
 its friends to cherish it, under reproaches and discour- 
 agements from \yhich any other than resolute and gen- 
 erous spirits would have shrunk. It has been support- 
 ed only by the persevering labors and patient continu- 
 ance of its members, in stated as well as occasional con- 
 tributions. He has suffered no acute disease to invade 
 the asylum, nor from its foundation, has one of the num- 
 ber of its members, ceased to be a living witness to the 
 
 importance of its establishment, and the utility of its influ- 
 
 i 
 
 * Appendix, 2.
 
 22 
 
 ence. Few, if any. it may be added, are known to have 
 done discredit to its instructors and guardians, and none, 
 who have received its benefits, will be so ungrateful, as 
 in no way to contribute to its future prosperity ; certain- 
 ly none among them to whom it shall be made the gate 
 to heaven. 
 
 But why, it is time to ask, should this Society be so 
 limited in its operations ? Why should it be compelled 
 to refuse a place of refuge to any native foundling, want- 
 ing its protection and care. Is there not wealth enough 
 to supply the means of relief to eyery proper object of 
 their charity ? Or is there too little Christian compas- 
 sion, in this elevated community ? Surely it will not be 
 pretended, that on such compassion, any portion of our 
 suffering race advance a fairer claim than destitute 
 orphan children. None appeal more impressively to 
 the feelings of our common nature. The claim of none ? 
 to pity, is more powerfully enforced by the example of 
 him, whom we address as the GOD of the widow and 
 the Father of the fatherless. 
 
 Is there present, a Priest or Levite who doubts, 01 
 who chuses to make himself a stranger, to the children 
 this day presented him ? Children ignorant of their 
 own dangers and unable to plead their own cause. Let 
 him listen to Christ's benediction of the less pitiable 
 children of his embrace, let him read his parable of the 
 good Samaritan, and pass by them unfeelingly, if he can. 
 
 Having seen that it is the tendency of this institu* 
 tion to promote industry frugality and the other domes- 
 tic virtues ; that it is an antidote to vice and wretched- 
 ness ; and that, by its direct influence in fixing the prin- 
 ciples of religion and qualifying the pupil for the impor- 
 tant station of wife, mother and friend, it subserves the 
 best interests of society and the highest Avelfarc of tlic
 
 individual ; it must be obvious that all its faithful mem- 
 bers, are laboring with us in the gospel. The object of 
 this Society and that of the Christian minister, however 
 it may differ in comprehensiveness, and in the mode of 
 accomplishment, is one. The friend of the one, of con- 
 sequence, if consistent with himself, is the friend of both. 
 
 HELP THEN THESE WOMEN, ye who are not ashamed 
 of the gospel. 
 
 Help, sons of AFFLUENCE and PLENTY, who have no 
 children of your own or none who have not a compe- 
 tence. Offer them your purse ; do something worthy of 
 men, charged by the GOD who maketh thee to differ, 
 to be rich in good works, willing to distribute, ready to 
 communicate. 
 
 Help for GRATITUDE, ye whom GOD has fed all your 
 life long, with the richest dainties of the earth and of 
 the sea. 
 
 Help for FEAR, ye whose children after all your la- 
 bor and policy, may by one revolution of the wheel of 
 providence, be glad to find a place in this asylum of the 
 destitute. 
 
 Help, ministers of Jesus, they labor with you in the 
 cause of public virtue and morality, of human comfort 
 and the kingdom of GOD. 
 
 Help, O thou GOD of christians, shield of the stran- 
 ger and friend of the destitute, help this feeble band, 
 who, would cooperate with Thee, and while the dew of 
 heaven descends on other Christian associations, let not 
 their fleece be dry. 
 
 Let each of this community consent to do his duty, 
 and this stinted plant shall become a tree, extending its 
 roots and spreading forth its branches to give to all that 
 need, the threefold benefit of protection, sustenance and 
 wisdom. The cry of these children, unable intelligibly
 
 to supplicate for themselves, is written for them in sacred 
 language. Consider and behold our reproach. Our inher- 
 itance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. We 
 are orphans and fatherless, our mothers, are as widows. 
 
 Hearers ! this institution should be honorably sup- 
 ported. ECONOMY requires it. There is no way of sav- 
 ing the money, necessarily expended for the indigent, 
 less precarious, than that which makes charity the hand- 
 maid to industry. This too, is the only way to foster 
 self-respect in the children of honest poverty. How much 
 greater must have been the ultimate expense to this 
 town, of the 38 children provided for by this Society, 
 had they been left to the ordinary courses of the vag- 
 rant, exposed to the formation of those vicious habits, 
 which bring disease helplessness and crime in their 
 train, and as the unavoidable result, confinement for life 
 to the alms house hospital or prison ? By becoming 
 their early guardians and guides, this Society has. pre- 
 vented much waste, both of morals and of property, 
 perhaps is destined to save the town from another con- 
 flagration.* 
 
 May we not safely affirm that this institution will be 
 supported. Self-love requires it. Our families need 
 females of such qualifications as are given to those who 
 are trained in its school, for their domestic comfort. 
 They are exposed to incalculable evils by employing 
 such, as do not possess them.t The necessity for such 
 services as honest and capable domestics are able to ren- 
 der, arises out of the different circumstances of society, 
 which heaven has ordained to be perpetual. By this 
 ordination, often ignorantly or impiously regretted, the 
 rich for many of their domestic comforts, will always be 
 dependent on the poor. In training up these children, 
 
 * Appendix, 3. f Appendix, 4.
 
 therefore, to frugality, neatness, and a regard to moral 
 principles, as well as the business of housewifery, we 
 bless ourselves and our neighbors, as well as the sub- 
 jects of our bounty. We make of them, by a practical 
 conversion, a most valuable class of our community. 
 
 This institution must be supported. HUMANITY re- 
 quires it. Shall gold and the little attention from us, 
 necessary to its prosperity, come into competition with 
 the interests and the duties of humanity ? The lady 
 who paid from her private purse, a hundred and fifty 
 dollars, for the redemption of the little Osage captive, 
 has furnished us with better hopes. The sex will not 
 allow such forlorn children to become outcasts, if hu- 
 manity only, be the actuating motive. They are objects 
 of pity. They are unfortunate. It is not their crime to 
 have descended from men of broken fortunes, or from 
 weak, or wicked, or improvident parents. They ought 
 not to be neglected. They must be sustained and 
 comforted. 
 
 The HONOR of the TOWN, requires it. Its reputation, 
 like that of every other town in like circumstances, de- 
 pends in no small degree, upon the flourishing state of 
 its humane and charitable institutions. The neighbor- 
 ing towns of Salern and Portsmouth, to the time of their 
 last printed reports, have furnished us worthy examples. 
 The first, for thirteen years from the foundation of its 
 asylum, including widows and orphans, received on an 
 average more than 900 dollars annually, in addition to 
 very liberal donations in materials for cloathing;* and 
 since that period, has added a thousand dollars, to the 
 Society's fund. In Portsmouth the average amount of 
 contributions, added to the sum received from annual 
 subscribers, to the year 1815, was 476 dollars annually : 
 
 D * Appendix, 5.
 
 their expenses, generally 570. In a single legacy the 
 asylum received 500 dollars, and by the donation of 
 seven individuals, 761 dollars.* 
 
 We are to decide the questions, on this view of facts, 
 will we be characterized by the spirit of virtuous emu- 
 lation ? Will it do us honor, to suffer this institution to 
 fail ?- The representation which an abandonment of it, 
 would give of our moral character, would be, in my 
 view, a disgraceful' representation. Who among its in- 
 habitants is willing the town should sustain it ? 
 
 The Society anticipates some uncommon exertions in 
 its behalf, the present year; and while it attaches much 
 importance to your annual contributions, indulges the 
 hope, that such as cannot be present on this anniversa- 
 ry, or who prefer a different mode from that adopted, 
 of contributing to its aid, will devise some liberal and 
 efficient means of swelling the amount of its fund. Let 
 female charity continue to do honor to female tender- 
 ness and consistency and this Society, increasing in num- 
 bers and exertions, will soon extend its blessing to ev- 
 ery object, of its appropriate solicitude. 
 
 This institution shall unquestionably be sustained ; 
 for in the last place, CHRISTIANITY requires it. No en- 
 lightened and unprejudiced disciple, will be deaf to the 
 cry, which has come up into his cars. The cry of crea- 
 tures ready to perish, because, out of this Society, they 
 have none to succor them. It is a popular sentiment, 
 arid I mean not to controvert it. that he who makes two 
 blades of grass to grow, where but one grew before, de- 
 serves well of his country and of man. But if to re- 
 deem a swamp, or increase the productiveness of a farm, 
 be worthy of such an eulogy, how much more the opera- 
 tion^ which redeems the moral wastes we have survey- 
 
 * Appendix, 6.
 
 ,ed, and converts sources of human misery and ruin, intp 
 .streams of health, refreshment, and salvation ! Is it con- 
 ceded, that this is, on Christian principles to do good ? 
 Then recollect, that to him that knoweth to do good 
 
 : and doth it not, to kim, it is sin.--- Go forward then, 
 
 .daughters of Charity, undiscouraged in well-doing, stcd- 
 fast, immoveable, always abounding in the .work of the 
 Lord. We covet the pleasure of saying to this Society, 
 while at the same time doing honor to others, many 
 daughters have done virtuously, but thou exccllest them 
 all. Conducting all your concerns with fervent prayer 
 and humble reliance on him, who alone gives success to 
 
 7 O 
 
 *he holiest enterprize, you will, in the proper time, see 
 the fruit of your labors, and be satisfied with your reward. 
 The earnestness, with which I have urged this sub- 
 ject on your attention,, may seem to exceed its magni- 
 tude. If such be the fact, the former prejudice against 
 the institution is a sufficient apology. But this Christian 
 .charity ought to interest us, no less than a share in the 
 blessing of them who are ready to perish. Have not 
 you then as well as I, has not every member of this 
 community, a deep interest in it? Or will the obliga- 
 tions of this Society and their advocate be remember- 
 ed at the bar of GOD, arid the duties of those whose aid 
 we supplicate, be forgotten? There, the author and 
 judge of our faith, will acknowledge our supply of the 
 wants, of the most insignificant among the redeemed, a 
 service done to him. There too, it will be effectually 
 learned, that such as have withheld their help, have 
 withheld it, from the Lord. Live, beloved hearer, and 
 ,act in faith of these truths, and I am sure you will fulfil 
 .every reasonable expectation. You will confer daily ben- 
 efits on the world, and furnish a source of reflection for 
 yourselves, of which you shall never, no, never bo ashamed,
 
 AJHUBDJE 
 
 .THE following HVMN, composed for the occasion and sung on the I9tb 
 anniversary of the Society, is inserted by particular request. 
 
 POWER supreme ! enthron'd above, 
 Source of Virtue GOD of Love ! 
 In whose Pity all things share 
 Hear a helpless Orphan's prayer. 
 
 When forsaken of my kind 
 faint my heart and dark my mind, 
 Thou who hear'st the ravens cry 
 Turn'd on me her pitying eye. 
 
 In a. female form she came, 
 By a Savior's powerful name 
 Taught to feel, to love, to give ; 
 Saw, and wept and bade me live. 
 
 Now again a Mother's voice 
 Makes my trembling heart rejoice, 
 Now a more than Mother's care 
 Guides my steps through ev'ry snare. 
 
 Open LORD thy gracious ear 
 For thy love and mercy hear ; 
 If thy pity still I share 
 Hear O hear the Orphan's prayer. 
 
 When beneath the adverse storm, 
 Sorrow threats or bows that form 
 Stooping in a Savior's name, 
 Me to save from want and shame. 
 
 Then thou GOD of peace be near, 
 Stay or wipe the starting tear, 
 Then to her thy mercy be 
 What her mercy was to me. 
 
 When thy foes from Virtue's way 
 Tempt her doubtful feet to stray, 
 Holy Spirit ! then descend 
 Guide and guard the Orphan's friend. 
 
 When our tears bedew her urn 
 When like us her offspring mourn 
 Shield of goodness ! then defend 
 The children of the Orphan's friend.
 
 30 
 
 I. 
 
 THE following 1 List contains the names of all who have preached 
 
 on the anniversary of the Society. 
 
 1604, Rev. Doct. DANA, 1813, 
 
 5, JAMES Moass, 14, 
 
 6, Doct. POPKIN, 15, 
 
 7, JAMES MILTIMORE, 16, 
 
 8, Doct. PARISH, 17, 
 
 9, Doct. BUCKMINSTER, 18, 
 
 10, E. HUBBARD, 19, 
 
 11, M.STUART, 20, 
 
 12, A. ABBOT, 21, 
 
 Rev. J. CODMAN, 
 
 Doct. DANA, 
 
 J. TUCKER, 
 J. MORSS, 
 
 L. WlTHINGTON, 
 
 W. F. ROWLAND, 
 
 H. BLATCHFORD, 
 
 L. F. DIMMICK. 
 
 II. 
 
 THE Table below, giyes a yiew of the Receipts on which the pre- 
 ceding statement is founded. Since the statement was made, it is found 
 that the product of the Society's fund, about 60 dollars annually is noj 
 included in the estimate of its expenses. 
 
 Amount of 
 Collection 
 
 Amount of 
 Subscribers 
 
 Amount of Amount of 
 Collection Subscribers 
 
 after Serm 
 
 Tax. 
 
 after Serm. 
 
 Tax. 
 
 1803, 
 4, 
 
 D. C. 
 
 Dols. 
 260 
 294 
 
 1813, 
 14, 
 
 D. C. 
 
 63,04 
 42,70 
 
 Dols. 
 204 
 186 
 
 210,00 
 
 5, 
 
 121,33 
 
 272 
 
 15, 
 
 49,13 
 
 198 
 
 6, 
 
 119,39 
 
 264 
 
 16, 
 
 53,25 
 
 19? 
 
 7, 
 
 120,00 
 
 274 
 
 17, 
 
 30,46 
 
 176 
 
 8, 
 
 94,00 
 
 256 
 
 18, 
 
 31,12f 
 
 160 
 
 9, 
 
 131,40 
 
 236 
 
 19, 
 
 54,11 
 
 148 
 
 10, 
 
 57,14 
 
 230 
 
 20, 
 
 
 
 146 
 
 11, 
 
 93,85 
 
 264 
 
 21, 
 
 33,12 
 
 162 
 
 12, 
 
 56,22 
 
 238 
 
 
 
 
 The donations which are to be added to the above sums average 52 dolls, 
 a year, giving a total of 6508 dolls, and 27 cts. expended by the Society.
 
 III. 
 
 THIS remark, is not without meaning. The parents of the unhappy 
 boy executed at Salem in May last for Arson, have repeatedly assured 
 me, that his crime and consequent execution, were to be surely traced 
 to his association with females of dissolute character. 
 
 IV. 
 
 THE evils alluded to, are deeply and extensively felt in countries old- 
 er than our own, and have given rise to Societies whose sole object is to 
 encourage the worthy, and prevent the employment of unfaithful domes- 
 tics. Is it not better, to provide as far as possible an antidote to those 
 evils than to suffer by our negligence, the necessity of a resort to so in- 
 vidious a mode of cure ? 
 
 V. 
 
 % 
 FOR the details whence this account is made up, see Appendix to 
 
 Professor Stuart's Sermon before the Society in Salem, 1815. 
 
 VI. 
 
 FOR particulars, see the printed account of the Female Asylum, * 
 Portsmouth, N. H. 1815. Since that account was published the Society 
 in Portsmouth, for reasons which I am unable to state, has ceased to be 
 an example, such as its own members would be willing to recommend. 
 " Ye did run well, who did hinder you." 
 
 FORM OF A BEQUEST. 
 
 / give to the Managers of the Female Charitable Society ofNewbury- 
 port, dollars, for the purposes of said Society, for which, the re- 
 ceipt of its Treasurer for the time being, shall be a sufficient discharge.
 
 

 
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