appear. For though we do not propose exactly to adopt the plan which is exhibited in the printed pamphlet, yet the considerations by which it is supported, are those which still influence us. But we beg leave to remark, that the plan, thus exhibited to the Presbytery, was not carried into effect at the time it was devised and printed, principally because a suitable and popular candidate, for taking the charge of the establishments in question, could not be held up to those who were requested to subscribe for his support; and till the present hour the whole business has been suspended, for this reason. In the mean

time the ministers and members of various religious denominations have occasionally visited the Bettering-House and the Gaol, and spoken to the people who are there confined. Among those who have performed these acts of religious charity, none has been so assiduous as Mr. Joseph Eastburn, a member in full communion with the 2d Presbyterian congregation of this city, and none, we truly think, could be more acceptable or useful than he. We do, therefore, with all deference to the reverend Presbytery, respectfully submit it to their very serious consideration, whether it might not be highly advantageous to the interests of religion, if the said Mr. Eastburn should be by them appointed a catechist or evangelist, for the express purpose of taking the charge, under their direction, of the Bettering-House, Hospital, and Gaol of this city; with permission, also, as occasional opportunities might offer, of speaking to others on the great subjects of religion. It is, no doubt, well known to the Presbytery, as it is to the undersigned, that Mr. Eastburn has been, for some years, in the practice of exhorting smaller or larger assemblies of the people on the concerns of their souls, and that his labours have been very acceptable to many. If he should receive authority from the Presbytery to continue this practice, with the special designation of the public institutions mentioned, as his particular charge, and under the control of the Presbytery, would it not rather prevent, than become a precedent for, the violation of the established order of our church? Could it be pleaded as a precedent for introducing men into the ministry, indiscriminately, without those literary

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qualifications, or that regular process of trial, usually demanded? Would it not rather be analogous to what other Presbyteries have lately done, and the General Assembly approved? This we fully submit to the wisdom of the Presbytery; being ourselves sincerely attached to the excellent order established on this subject generally, by the constitution of our church. We have, on the whole, nothing further to add, but that we know that Mr. Eastburn is so well esteemed in the city, that the appointment we suggest would immediately render practicable the plan for supplying the institutions in question with regular religious instruction and visitation; that his acceptance among other denominations is such, that he would be likely to obtain their countenance and approbation in this work; that the very circumstance of his not being a regularly ordained clergyman of our church, would of itself facilitate his entrance into the institutions contemplated; and that if Presbytery, as we hope may be the case, shall find their way clear to authorize him to take the charge of these establishments, we the undersigned are ready to use our endeavors to obtain for him such a salary as may enable him to devote his time to this important work.'

'Philadelphia, May, 1805.'

"This memorial was made the subject of much deliberation, inquiry, and discussion.-In the course of which it appeared, that Mr. Eastburn, to whom the memorial refers, has received baptism for himself in adult age, though he had been baptized in infancy; and was still disposed to consider infant baptism in a different light from that in which it is viewed by our church, though he has always remained in communion with that church, and shown no disposition to urge his peculiar sentiments on others. On the whole, after a careful consideration of the case, the Presbytery, feeling most sensibly the importance of providing for the religious instruction and assistance of the unhappy persons confined in the places mentioned in the memorial, and desirous at the same time to do nothing contrary to the principles and usage of the Presbyterian church, determined to specify distinctly the condi

tions on which they would agree to take Mr. Eastburn under their patronage. These conditions were the following

"1. That he adopt the Confession of Faith, catechisms, government, and discipline of the Presbyterian church, (the article of baptism alone excepted) and agree to walk by them as the rule of his faith and practice.

"2. That he be willing to engage, and do engage, that on the subject of baptism (retaining his own sentiments) he will leave those with whom he may have intercourse, in the undisturbed possession of their creed and opinions; and that whenever applications shall be made to him in regard to baptism, he will direct the applicants to some regularly ordained minister.

3. That in receiving from this Presbytery authority to teach, he do not consider himself a candidate for the pastoral office.

"4. That he agree to submit, in the discharge of his duty, to the directions that shall from time to time be given him by Presbytery.

"5. That the authority to teach which may be conferred, shall cease whenever the Presbytery, or Mr. Eastburn, shall judge its continuance to be no longer expedient.

"6. That in the execution of the trust that may be conferred by Presbytery, it be understood that he will in all respects endeavor to avoid giving offence, by taking care not to violate unnecessarily the sentiments and opinions of those among whom he may be called to labor, and by the exercise of an exemplary humility, prudence, and condescension.

"Mr. Eastburn was then introduced to the Presbytery, and the above conditions were twice read, and he fully agreed to each and all of them as reasonable and proper, and as forming the system by which he would act in the execution of the trust which the Presbytery might commit to him, in consequence of the prayer of the memorial. "Presbytery then conversed with Mr. Eastburn on his experimental acquaintance with religion, and questioned him on some of the leading truths and doctrines of the

Christian system, and having obtained entire satisfaction on these subjects, came to the following resolution, viz. "Resolved, That Mr. Joseph Eastburn be, and he is hereby authorized, to explain and discourse on the sacred scriptures, to catechise and exhort in the Gaol, AlmsHouse, and Hospital, of the city of Philadelphia, and also, as occasional opportunities may offer, to speak to collections of people in other places, on the concerns of their souls.

"Ordered, that the stated clerk furnish Mr. Eastburn with an attested copy of the preceding memorial, and of the subsequent proceedings of Presbytery relative to him. "Extract from the Minutes of the Presbytery of Philadelphia.

"GEORGE C. POTTS, Stated Clerk.”

CHAPTER V.

His license entirely satisfactory to himself—his fidelity and success in the Hospital, Alms-House, and Prison of Philadelphia-his labors, various and incessant, and acceptable to different denominations—he is principally instrumental in forming a congregation-death of his wife, and entire relinquishment of his mechanical business becomes stated preacher to the Mariners.

THE resolution of the Presbytery of Philadelphia already recited, formed the license, or conveyed the ecclesiastical authority, under which Mr. Eastburn performed his ministerial services to the end of his life, a period of about four-and-twenty years. The conditions on which he accepted the office of a religious teacher, imposed on him no irksome restraint; for it is believed they were not different from those which he would have chosen, if the choice had been wholly left to himself. It is not known that he ever desired to sustain the pastoral relation, or to administer the sacraments, or to share in the government of the church, or to change the sentiments of an indivi

dual on the subject of baptism. To proclaim the messages of salvation to impress the momentous truths of the gospel on the hearts and consciences of careless sinners, to guide inquiring souls to the Saviour, and to edify the people of God by private, as well as by public discourse, appears to have comprised all that he wished, and all for which he considered himself as qualified; and as this was a field of usefulness as ample as he probably had any inclination to enter, so it is certain that in this he labored with a most exemplary diligence, and a most unusual success.

His first special designation was to those who were confined in the three public establishments which are mentioned in the memorial presented to the Presbytery; and the assiduity and tenderness could scarcely be exceeded, with which he endeavored by every mean in his power to promote the spiritual welfare of these children of poverty, misfortune, or crime. He visited them often ; he instructed and counselled them; he reproved some and encouraged others; he was found at the bedside of the sick, the maimed, and the dying; he sympathized with all, and as frequently and fully as opportunity would permit, he united with them in social worship, and preached to them with zeal and fidelity. All this will best appear from some of his own statements.

The following connected narratives were found among his manuscripts.

"I am requested to keep in writing the case of a woman that had been confined in one of the cells of the Pennsylvania Hospital-which is as follows. As I was passing the place, I heard the most plaintive voice, crying Oh! my burden is too heavy for me to bear! My sins are too great to be forgiven.' I called aloud to her-'if your burden is ever so heavy, Jesus invites you to come to him, and he will give you rest; and if your sins are ever so great, he can freely pardon them all.' She immediately called me by name, and desired me to open the door (which I could not do) but inquired where she had known me. She said it was when I kept meeting in the Northern Liberties, and had many children about me-that she was one of them, and that those were her happy days.