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66

GRATITUDE FOR DIVINE FAVOURS.

Birth-day Memorial, on entering into my 74th year, October 20th, 1827.

"Another year has fled! One more birth-day memorial of the patience and goodness of the Lord my God! Long have I thought, from the number of my days, and the increase of my infirmities, that I was near my journey's end, still, how greatly is it protracted. This is the Lord's doing; and while it is marvellous in my eyes, it affords me a further opportunity to work in his vineyards, and more abundant cause for gratitude and praise! Since my last birthday, I have undergone a variety of conflicts in my own breast, on the subject of my ministry. True, I have this year preached as frequently, if not more so, than I did fifteen years ago; and yet I have observed a deficiency in my ministerial animation, as well as in my personal concerns, walking humbly and sensibly with the Lord my Saviour. If the multiplicity of duties performed, could constitute me a lively Christian, perhaps some bystanders might pronounce me one of the first class; but the exercises of my own heart, during the last year, compel me to take the lowest seat. I must still hang upon the same free and unmerited mercy, which I preach to the greatest sinners in my congregations.

"No particular changes or events have taken place with me this year; the whole having been employed in my usual course of public and private services.

"When I look on my table, I find many pieces of composition, which require a finishing touch; but in this case I may say,' The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.' My senses grow dull, and my hand moves slower every year, so that Solomon's admonition comes forcibly to 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'-Ecclesiastes ix. 10."

In his diary for May, 1828, he remarks:-" The

ORIGIN OF THE N. Y. MECHANICS' SCHOOL. 287

Lord grant that, as I am spared to commence this month, I may be assisted to perform the duties and meet the events which may be appointed. The StatePrison, which I have attended for twenty-one years, will in a short time be broken up, and the prisoners be sent to the new prison at Sing-Sing. The corporation of the city will then take possession of the old building. What new arrangement may take place in regard to my services, I leave to the providence of God." The prison was purchased by the corporation, who took possession of it on the 18th of May.

On the 7th of this month, Mr. Stanford was unanimously elected one of the vice-presidents of the American Tract Society.

Friday, July 4th, he says:-" The anniversary of American independence. By special invitation from the committee of arrangements, I attended the annual celebration of the Mechanic's Society, in Masonic Hall. Made a short address, and offered thanksgiving and prayer. After Mr. Wheaton had pronounced his oration, I dismissed the assembly with the benediction." The improvement of this highly respectable class of our fellow citizens, was an object of great solicitude to Mr. S., and he availed himself of every opportunity to promote their influence, by the increase of their moral powers. With this view he early directed his attention to the subject of providing the best possible means for the proper education of the children of the New-York mechanics. He accordingly prepared and published a document, addressed to the mechanics in the city of New-York, inviting their particular attention to the establishment of a mechanic's school, and describing, with a master's hand, the nature, internal arrangements, and advantages of such an institution. To the gentlemen convened for the purpose of considering this subject, he submitted the plan of " A Mechanic School," which, with some modifications, was adopted.

283

GOOD ADVICE TO A PHYSICIAN.

Tuesday, 12th, he went to the Marine-Hospital, and attended all the wards. In two of them he found several sailors in a very happy and religious frame of mind, with whom, in conversation, he enjoyed great satisfaction. A considerable number of sailors were afterwards assembled in the middle hall, to whom he gave a discourse on Psalm xcv. 5-" The sea is his, and he made it."

From Mr. Stanford, to Dr. Isaac Wood, Bellevue Hospital.

"MY DEAR FRIEND,

It

"Sincere thanks for your little basket of eggs. reminded me of Job's interrogation to his mistaken friend Eliphaz, the Temanite:-Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?' I suppose most people would reply in the negative; though some philosophers would say, there is no substance perfectly devoid of taste. However, Job's question had a direct application to his injudicious and ungenerous friend; for certainly his speech had no more savor than relish is to be found in the white of an egg, whether eaten raw or boiled. Let us therefore remember, that on visiting the afflicted, in body or mind, alway to take with us a little salt,' a drachm or two of savory advice, which may prove a refreshment to their dejected spirits.

6:

Notwithstanding my present illness and great infirmities, I long for strength to allow me to visit my poor people at Bellevue! Who can tell, but that blessed hand which has spared and conducted me through the dreary shades of the winter, may permit me in the next month to enjoy that satisfaction? To his blessed care I commend you, and remain,

"Your's truly,

"JOHN STANFORD."

SABBATH SCHOOLS.

289

Lord's day, 31st, Mr. S. says:-" Thus the Lord has spared me through another month. The heat of the weather has been intense; nevertheless, the Lord has enabled me to preach FIFTY TWO SERMONS."

*

"Wednesday, 10th, rode to Bellevue. Accompanied the Mayor and Corporation, to Blackwell'sIsland, to deliver an address at the laying of the corner-stone of the New Penitentiary. The address was ordered to be printed."

"Lord's day, 28th, morning, preached in the CityHospital, then rode to Bellevue, and preached with unexpected freedom; after which, was rowed over to Blackwell's-Island, where I delivered a discourse to the prisoners, and made arrangements for establishing a Sabbath school for the benefit of the convicts.

"October 1st. Preached in the Greenwich prison, and made arrangements to form a Sabbath school for the female prisoners.

"Wednesday, 8th. Rode to the Orphan-Asylum, and finished my course of fourteen morning lectures on the history of Joseph.

66

Birth-day Memorial, on entering into my 75th year, October 20th, 1828.

"How great and marvellous is the forbearance and goodness of the Lord my God, in keeping me alive, and upholding me in his service to this day, notwithstanding my complicated infirmities! From my last birth-day, I have been assisted to perform all my usual services in the various public institutions which the Lord has for so many years committed to my care, and I hope not without some tokens of his blessing.

* This island is one mile and three quarters in length, and about six hundred feet in width; containing one hundred and ten acres. The soil is excellent, and there is found an exhaustless quarry of granite, of superior quality. The present buildings are each four stories high, and about two hundred feet in length, and fifty in breadth, containing double lines of cells, each three and a half feet by seven, and capable of containing in all, about four hundred and eighty prisoners.

1

290

CLOSING THE YEAR WITH PRAYER.

It certainly is a cause of gratitude, that the numerous classes of my people, rather increase than diminish in their respectful and affectionate attention to my services. Still, from the feeling of my increasing infirmities, and a concern for the interest of my poor, miserable people, I have this year indulged sericus thoughts, how far it was my duty to continue among them as a stated preacher, or look out for some more able and active minister to take my place; but, as yet, I have found no person disposed to assume the responsibility of ministering to these unfortunate beings, or to engage to perform the requisite amount of active service. I have therefore concluded that it was the will of my God, whom I serve in the gospel of Christ, that I should persevere.

"This year I have been led to know and feel more deeply, what Solomon calls the plague of a man's own heart,' than ever I knew or felt before. It is therefore my daily and fervent prayer, that my faith, love, patience, and obedience, may more abundantly increase; that I might be kept steadfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; that I may be found in Christ, and that my last change may be honourable to God, whether I shall be favoured with a warning of the event, or be suddenly removed from time to eternity. Amen."

December 31st, 1828, Mr. Stanford says:-" Thus ends another year. O that my heart were more deeply impressed with a sense of the long-suffering, patience, and goodness of God towards me! I most humbly pray, that I may be sanctified by the spirit of Christ, that my faith, hope, and obedience, may increase with my days, and that I may be prepared for my departure. This year preached FIVE HUNDRED

AND TWENTY-THREE SERMONS."

Monday, March 16th, Mr. S. says:-" In the afternoon, I visited the two murderers in the Bridewell. They are to be executed on the 7th of May." In