THE little narrative of which this text is a part, presents so beautiful a picture of profound sorrow, and virtuous humiliation, that I am sure you will excuse me, if I give you more in detail. it "Behold a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus "sat at meat, stood behind him, weeping, "and began to wash his feet with her tears, ་ " and did wipe them with the hairs of her "head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with ointment; and he turned to the woman, and said to Simon, seest "thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my, "feet; but she hath washed my feet with her tears, and dried them with the "hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman, since the time "I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my "feet. Mine head with oil thou didst not "anoint; but this woman hath anointed my head with ointment: Daughter, thy "sins are forgiven thee.” There is something in the sorrows of this poor, unknown woman, which is touching, and sublime: A delicate spirit, abashed with the wisdom, and purity of Jesus, a lowliness which forbade lamentation, a remorse which precluded hope, a heart broken with public scorn, and inward shame. She said nothing, she had no hope of mercy, nor dream of salvation, for her soul; but giving a loose to that enthusiasm for the good, from which the worst of our species are not wholly exempt; and remembering, perhaps, the days when she was innocent, and happy; she never ceased to wash the feet of Jesus with her tears, and to dry them with the hairs of her head.. you Jesus did not reject this poor creature; he forgave her sins; and bless the mercy of your Saviour. Bear then in mind this picture, and imitate that mercy which you love: The poor women in whose behalf I am this day to plead, present themselves before you with the deepest shame, and the most profound contrition: they are fully sensible of their unworthiness; they would kiss the ground on which you tread; they would wash your feet with their tears: have mercy on them, for they are wretched; and if you cannot forgive their sins, at least alleviate their sorrows. 27 Mp3 Before I enter at length upon this subject, it may be necessary to state to you, that the principal object with the Society, now called the Magdalene Society, is to reclaim unhappy, and deluded females from a vicious In course of life, to inure them to habits of industry, to reconcile them to their families, and restore them to a sense of religion. It is nearly two years since this Society was first founded; and during that time fortyfour women have been admitted to the benefit of the institution. You will be curious to know the result, and I will lay it before you with the greatest candour. some women the habits of vice have been found so deeply fixed, that it was not possible to eradicate them; such have of course been dismissed from the asylum, though by no means wholly abandoned: The salvation of a fellow-creature has been always deemed," by those who superintend this institution, as much too sacred an object to be given up, while activity could suggest a single effort, which reason could sanction. But I have the greatest pleasure in assuring you, that the cares of the Society have been eminently successful in by far the greatest number of instances; and that many poor women who would (but for this) have dragged on a wretched, and ignominious life, have been reconciled to their parents, |