the world, it is absolutely necessary to seclude them from the world. It is an object of the highest importance, that while their resolutions are only half consolidated, and their minds hovering in the twilight, between good and evil, that they should be kept away from their antient companions in guilt, which they certainly cannot, if, as at present, they are compelled to attend the public service in churches at a considerable distance from their residence, provided for them by the Society. This has given birth to the idea of erecting a chapel within their own precincts: the building is now nearly completed, and has involved the Society in expenses very far above their means; or rather, I should say, it would involve them in expenses far above their means, if one of their means and one of their resources, were not that inexhausible spirit of doing good, and contributing to those who do good, which so proudly characterises this country. But it is not merely its beneficial effects upon the morals of their children, which has influenced the directors of the Philanthropic Charity in their plan of erecting this chapel. They look to it, and very rationally look to it, as a source of revenue. They have the experience of many other charities in this metropolis who, by similar methods, have effected similar ends; and rendered the devotion of Christians subservient to their alms. Nor is it, indeed, at all to be wondered at, that such places of worship have always been eagerly resorted to by good Christians; it animates and confirms religious feelings, to see what religion does. The extent of human miseries and crimes is believed when it is beheld; the power of conversion is allowed when it is proved; indolence and timidity are the most effectually put to shame, when intrepid zeal can exhibit the living fruits of its toil. That That you will hear in that church, which we are connecting with the rest of the establishment, Christianity defended and taught as it is in all Christian churches, we do not doubt; but if you enter it denying

the word of Christ, we can do more than any ordinary place of worship can ever do, we can at least show you that it bids his disciples lessen human misery; we will show you all the wretchedness we have gathered together from prisons, and hovels, and gaols, and every den of sorrow and guilt; and when you look on the decent, and pious, and orderly band of children which we have made them, you shall pause to think what manner of faith that is, which seeketh for wretchedness wherever it can find it, which bringeth back the lost sheep of Israel, and turneth the heart of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.

I conclude by commending most earnestly to your charity this great and interesting plan of reform. Remember the poor! Remember the forsaken poor! Remember the painful spectacle of childhood polluted by crime! We do not ask you to participate in our labours, but to show that you approve them, that you support them, that you do not turn away from the cry of the wretched, when you hear it in the house of God! Who is there here present, that does not reproach himself in his secret heart for neglecting the poor and the needy? Who is there that does not feel he might have ministered to more anguish than he has ministered to? that he has not done all the good which he might have done? that he has suffered some miserable creature to perish brokenhearted, whom he might have comforted, and lifted up, and saved? These are the periods (trite and common as they are) when you may reconcile yourself to your own heart; and by giving some trifle from your abundance, return with the consciousness of a well-spent hour! And be sure of this, that no man was ever bountiful to misery, but that it repaid him even in this world; repaid him in pleasant feelings, repaid him in the time of pain and sickness, at the loss of children, in the hour of death, at every period of life (and very numerous those periods are), when nothing can console a man

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but the recollection that he has been kind-hearted to his fellow-creatures in distress. And now, my brethren, if you listen to my advice, who will thank you, and upon whom are you conferring obligation? Not upon the rich, or the powerful, or upon those who can make you any return. You will be thanked only by a hundred deserted children, without parents, without friends, without one human being in the whole world who loves them or cares for them! If I know any thing of the goodness of heart, for which this country is distinguished, you will not despise such thanks as these. You well remember that Christ loved little children, and put his hands upon them and blessed them; and you will also love them like Christ, and be kind to them, and be to them the tender fathers and the nursing mothers, which Providence intended for the protection of every child; but which these unhappy children have never known.

SERMON VI.

FOR THE WIDOWS' CHARITY.

JAMES, i. 27.

Pure religion, and undefiled, before God and the Father, is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.

WITHOUT depreciating the claims, which other species of misfortunes may have upon your compassion, I may fairly say that our charity has selected one which has the strongest title to your kind notice and assistance. It is for women, but for women overtaken with deep and sudden calamity, - for women whose joys are fled, whose hopes are destroyed, who see before them a long cheerless life, who would often die willingly, if God would let them, and follow to the grave him whom they followed to the altar. Not mere words these: one of our common difficulties is to reconcile these wretched women to life; to teach them that it is their duty to live-and why should it surprise you? Do we live for air? do we live for food? Why do we live on at all, when all hope is gone, and every affection is lost, but because God Almighty has bid us to endure, and our blessed Saviour has bid us say to the great Author of all things, Thy will be done? Beautiful and just submission!-homage from man to God!-wise and pious dependence! But remember that the orphan says it; that the mourning mother says it, whose child has just perished; that the widow says, Thy will be done, whose inward soul that will has smitten, who has just now

buried all her earthly blessings in the grave. If while you repeat these words yourself, you should hear a sob from her who is praying by your side, if the words are faintly uttered, if there is a short agony, or tears are mingled with this prayer, pity the unhappy widow, forgive this weakness, and feel as a Christian ought to feel for the wretchedness of human life.

There is no picture in this wide extent of human misery more cruel than that of the widow wakening to life and recollection after the burial of her husband a young and inexperienced woman, with children looking up to her for protection and support! Where is the arm in which I trusted? Where is the provider of bread? Where is he who toiled before the sun for his children, and after the sun, who never reproached us for his labour; who gave us all, and who loved us with all his heart and soul every hour and every minute of his life?

Unhappy woman! Attend to her helplessness. I just give you the case as it has often struck my own feelings when I have been engaged in these kind of scenes. Consider the helplessness of this poor creature. When the husband lived, and he lived yesterday, there was a trade, there was skill, there was activity; there was the means of combating the difficulties and procuring the comforts of life. No noise to-day, no cheerful noise of the artificer; there lie the tools, and there is the unfinished task! And what can the poor creature do but fling herself down upon the sad remains, and call for help to God?

The first consideration which urges us is, that the person upon whom the evil falls is so totally inadequate to meet the evil. She can know nothing of trade; she can have no pretensions to mechanical skill; she is ignorant of the frauds of the world; she is eminently exposed to its temptations; she is occupied with the care of children; and, above all, is in a state of agitation