Of the Bellevue establishment, consisting of the Alms-house, the Penitentiary, the Bellevue Hospital, with the chapel and school attached to the Almshouse, a general view is taken; and a comparison is drawn of the number of inmates in different years. In 1815, the Alms-house contained 1050 paupers; and in 1826 it contained, paupers and maniacs, 1704; showing a difference in eleven years of 654. In 1817 the Penitentiary contained, criminals and vagrants, 189; and in 1826 it contained of the same classes, 326; showing a difference in nine years of 137. The House of Refuge, a new institution, contains inmates, which but for this retreat would have been occu

pants of the Penitentiary or the Almshouse, 13. Thus the whole number of criminals and paupers supported by the city and county of New-York, independent of the State Prison, is seen to be 2188. The increase, which is evident from these facts, can be accounted for by the great and rapid increase of population.

Mr. Stanford gives in detail an account of his services at the various institutions, viz. the chapel at the Almshouse, the Bellevue Hospital, the Penitentiary, the Bridewell or City Prison, and the Debtors' Prison. In the first he says he has performed divine service every Sunday, morning and afternoon, throughout the year, with but two exceptions, occasioned by storm. He adds

"This service is not only in accordance with the requisition of the benevolent Saviour, that the poor should have the Gospel preached unto them, but here, in the performance of social worship, they can approach the throne of mercy, unbosom their cares, implore the reception of divine faYours under the variety of their cases, and equally listen to the voice of instruction and consolation. This is esteemed an inestimable privilege by many pious persons among them, who, in their better days, were accustomed to worship in their own respective churches; and now find, that in the shades of poverty they are not deprived of this chief means of mental enjoyment."

Of his services at the Bellevue Hospital Mr. Stanford remarks

"At 10 o'clock on the Friday morning, the more tranquil maniacs are assembled VOL. XI.

in the hall; the women are seated on one side, and the men on the other; usually about 60 in number. With them prayer vered; and sometimes a feeling attention is offered; a soothing discourse is deliis perceived to be expressed by many of them; and very seldom do any of them show any thing in the shape of discomposure. If no other benefit is derived by tainly produces a change of scenery, rethem from this religious service, it cer lieves the depression of the mind for the moment, and gives it leave to take a fresh spring. All subjects of a sentimental, or of an alarming kind, are avoided; and nofect upon them, than the choice of a piece thing appears to have a more salutary efof Scripture history, from which I can draw a few instructive, consoling, or ani mating lessons. I state this, not only for your information, but for the use of any ing such a forlorn class of human beings, who hereafter may succeed me in address.

that they may go and do likewise. For, the question is not so much, whether maniacs are proper subjects of religious instruction, as the manner how the duty should be performed; else more evil than good may be derived from it, and the mad become more furious."

He then states his visits to the sick, and after that proceeds to the main building, of whose occupants he thus speaks:

"Among the numerous occupants of this extensive range of apartments, there are always found very many aged, infirm, and crippled people, who claim my sympathy and advice. Lest these should complain of neglect, I once in the month borrow a morning from the hospital department, for the purpose of visiting as many of these rooms as possible. Here I have frequently occasion to contemplate a sort of world in miniature! Some, by talent and education, once possessed a strong mind; but now, under the pangs of age and misfortune, represent a stately castle fallen in ruins; while others, collected from the dregs of society, lie as a useless and cumbrous load upon the public bounty."

He then details his visit on Sunday morning, after service in the chapel, to the Penitentiary, where he delivers a discourse and performs other minis✩ terial duties. And at two o'clock on Friday afternoon, the female criminals and vagrants are assembled in a large ward to his religious services. In both cases he speaks favourably of the general conduct of the unfortunates.

Of the school in the Alms-house Mr. Stanford speaks in very flattering terms.

10

There are 208 boys and 61 girls. His visit to them he calls " one of his most pleasing duties," and adds-" I sincerely hope that the Lord, who has been the guide of my youth, and who is now the support of my old age, will so smile upon these efforts, as to make these children virtuous and useful members of the community."

Mr. Stanford visits the Bridewell or City Prison every Thursday, for the purpose of attending any of the inmates who may require his instruction. His chief duty, however, is in the apartment allotted for females, to whom he "delivers a discourse, in the hope that while it may be consoling to some, others may. be convinced of the impropriety of their evil courses.'

Of the Debtors' Prison the following short and unpromising account is given :

"This prison to me may be called a blank; for, through the unhappy disposi tion of the debtors, I have not had an op portunity this year to perform a single religious service within its walls, notwithstanding my frequent calls for the purpose, and my disposition to promote their instruction and consolation."

This venerable servant of the Lord

Jesus in his closing paragraph acknowledges with pious fervour "the kindness of his heavenly Master, who hath supported and assisted him through another year, in performing such a variety of duties in favour of the poor and miserable, especially at his advanced years, and under many increasing infirmities."

For the Christian Journal.

that the plan which has been devised of forming auxiliary societies in various parts of the diocese, will ultimately be crowned with success, and afford ample means for increased usefulness. of the missionary stations and mission ary exertions the report speaks as follows:

"The missionary stations of the society have always been objects of paramount interest with the board; but their means have been so limited, that their wishes have greatly exceeded their ability to acsired. The happy effects which have, un complish as much as they anxiously deder God, already resulted from their la bours, bespeak what might be done with greater resources. Three new congrega tions have been collected and organized, and as many churches built, through missionary exertions; some old parishes, which had fallen into decay, have been revived, and the public worship of God restored. These cheering facts have been noticed in former reports, and they are now only repeated to show that the board "have not laboured in vain, and spent their strength for nought;" that the means which have been placed at their disposal, ployed in promoting the Redeemer's kinghave been faithfully and successfully emdom; and that Episcopalians, seeing these happy fruits of their small contributions to the society, will increase in activity and zeal for its prosperity. It is painful, however, to remark, that the board of trustees have seen, with deep solicitude, the many spiritually "waste places" in the diocese, which they are unable to fill; and have heard the cry, "Come and help us," from many a destitute parish, which Although they are unable to relieve. much, very much remains to be accomplished, they have at least the satisfaction of knowing, that they have gone to the full extent of the funds. They have made the best selection of missionary stations which circumstances permitted, and they hum

Advancement of Christianity in

South-Carolina.

SEVENTEENTH ANNIVERSARY.

THE printed report made at this anniversary, held on the festival of the Epiphany, (January 6, 1827,) has just reached us. As usual, it is full of interest to churchmen; but it is painful to notice, as is at times the case with all institutions of the kind, a falling off in the number of its members and in the means of its usefulness. This we hope and trust is but temporary, and

them to extend their future operations more to his glory and their own satisfaction."

The report then speaks of the amount of funds ($1550) supposed to have been at the disposal of the board for missionary purposes during the past year, and details the parishes to which aid had been given. It then gives extracts from the reports of some of the soeiety's missionaries; and after stating that the board had, in the early part of last year, passed a resolution recom> mending that "in every settled parish

or church receiving support from the society, a sermon be preached and a collection made, once in every year, in aid of the funds of the society," it presents the following strong appeal:

"The board of trustees are willing to believe that there are, even in the smallest parishes, some persons who love their Saviour and reverence his church, and who are both able and willing to promote the objects of this charitable institution, if their attention were occasionally drawn to the subject. The board would ask, What Episcopalian, professing to be a sincere disciple of the Saviour of the world, could remain indifferent to the claims of a society, whose duty it is made by the constitution "to distribute copies of the Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, useful religious tracts, and other works of approved reputation; to send forth missionaries to those places where there is ground for expectation that their labours will be successful in spreading the truths and cultivating the virtues of the Gospel to take by the hand youths of genius and piety, who need the fostering aid of benevolence, and are meet to be trained up for the ministry of the church, and see that they are properly educated for the sacred office?" The board believe these claims to be of paramount obligation upon every member of the church. The objects of the society are peculiarly interesting to Christians. The society in fact comprises within its organization a missionary society, an education society, a Bible society, a Prayer Book and a tract society, and a library society."

Of the library the report states

Divinity of Christ, by Simpson; and Jerram's Conversations on Infant Baptism."

An account of the gratuitous distribution of books and pamphlets during the same period is then given, amounting in the whole to 2298.

We shall close our extracts with the account of a pious act in an eminent layman, whose death is recorded in our vol. ix. page 351, and whose example we cannot too warmly recommend to Episcopalians in behalf of the General Theological Seminary, and of other institutions of the church. We have no fear for the charity of our females: the example of the Dorcas Society will not want followers.

"The board have the pleasure to state, that the legacy of $500, left to the society by the late pious William Clarkson, esq., chairman of the vestry of St. Paul's church, has been paid by his executors. They have likewise to state, that a dona tion of forty dollars has been received from the Dorcas Society, a female working society of the same church; and that a subsequent donation of a similar sum has been placed in the hands of the bishop for missionary purposes."

At page 386 of our last volume we inserted from the Christian Guardian for September, Mr. John Fairly's account of his trials from a country house. In reference to that interesting paper, the same publication for December contains the following article, which we have deemed well worthy of being transplanted to our pages.

SIR,

House.

Of the publications of the society during the last year the following account is given :

"The book committee, under the direc tion of the board, have published, since the last report, the following tracts:The second edition of a Familiar Exposition of the Church Catechism, recommended by the bishop and clergy of this diocese; Bishop Horne's Sermon on the Duty of Contending for the Faith, with his Discourse on the Trinity in Unity; an Account of the Unitarian Scheme, by Dr. Magee, with a Scriptural View of the

I read with much interest the paper in your number for September, entitled Trials,' perhaps I should rather have called them Evils, arising from a country house.' If any of your readers should not have noticed the paper, I shall be glad to draw their attention

to it for let them be assured that it describes evils by no means confined to the possessors of country houses,

or

even country lodgings, but extending to numbers who do not so much as visit a watering place in the summer season. Indeed I fear they are so widely diffused in the present day, that hardly any class is exempt from them. I have no intention to go over the ground which your correspon

dent has so well trodden, nor to describe afresh the evils which he has so strikingly depicted. All that I aim at is, to draw forth a little more distinctly, in some particulars, the admonitions which his story furnishes, and to keep attention fixed upon them till they may, by the blessing of God, produce a salutary impression.

His object evidently is to warn persons against being drawn away, perhaps imperceptibly, and in the first instance unintentionally, or even with regret, from a régular attendance on the ministrations of a sober faithful pastor, from which they have derived benefit. The consequences of this may soon prove more fatal than they at all apprehend. These are described by your correspondent in a manner at once most natural and deeply affecting to the thoughtful serious mind, as they respect personal religion-domestic comfort-family religion-the character and conduct of children-and, in short, all that must form the object of hope and desire to the Christian mind.

And yet how easily, and without suspicion of harm, do persons of the best intentions slide into that which is so productive of fatal results. The case which your correspondent exhibits, is one which we may most readily suppose to occur. In other instances, the same effect may be produced from an apparently good cause— e-the desire only to add to the number of those 'means of grace,' which are found to be sources of enjoyment and of benefit. Then this may gradually decline into a curiosity to hear new and popular preachers; who seem to be regarded and treated with the religious world,' just as actors and public singers are in another class of society. And thus the effect described may be produced in its full

extent.

And here let me observe what your correspondent points out as becoming the attraction in the new place of worship, in contradistinction to the old one. There was more originality and more animation'— more 6 anecdotes,' more philosophy'-in short, more to excite and more to amuse-- than I had been used to.' Hence, when the family returned to their accustomed

place in town, all was dull,' cold," heavy, and the sermon, though praised by those who were yet in sound spiritual health, as eminently faithful, experimental, and useful,' was disrelished as having 'little in it but what had been heard before.'

Certainly, Mr. Editor, both the services and the preaching should be so managed as that they may tend to rouse the torpid, and to awaken Christian feeling; but to the appetite for excitement and for the gratification of curiosity, there is no end. It is ever craving something of yet higher zest, and higher still. But that is no healthful appetite which can relish none but highly-seasoned viands. It is to be feared that it will nauseate and reject "the sincere milk of the word."

But this is not all, Sir; your correspondent judiciously notes another circumstance which the discerning observer will commonly trace in those who thus supplant sober faithful ministers of God's word in the esteem of their people. His sermons did not come so close home as those of our own pastor.' And again, The sermon of the latter'stirred up some fears and anxieties in my mind, which I had not felt under the preaching of our country minister. Ah, Sir, there I fear is the true cause, perhaps unperceived, or at least not very distinctly perceived, by those on whom it operates, which often commends some or other of the new preachers with whom wandering hearers meet, and creates a distaste for their old pastors. The "strait gate" is made a little wider; the "narrow way" a little broader, and a little smoother; unpleasant duties are not enforced in so uncompromising a manner; the fancy, perhaps, is amused, the conscience left undisturbed. 'I found,' says your correspondent, (what I fear great numbers might find, if they would honestly examine,) that we had sought amusement in sermons, rather than edi. fication: and I no longer wondered at the close and heart-searching sermons. of our faithful pastor appearing harsh and severe, after we had so long been accustomed to smooth and entertaining preaching.'

I will only notice one more point,

which seems generally either overlook ed or disregarded-perhaps is wholly unconceived by the parties concern ed; I mean, the effect of cases like this on the minds of faithful ministers themselves. 'Our old pastor,' says your correspondent, (after he is himself restored to his flock,) though he cannot but know that my wife and children are not the stated attendants they once were, never alludes to the painful subject.' Whether it is right thus to pass it over in silence I feel by no means so well assured, as I do that the delicacy of many a wounded minister's mind leads him thus to treat cases of this kind. But, though he may never allude to the painful subject,' a 'painful' one assuredly it is to every one who "watches for the souls of men as one that must give account," he mourns in secret, and gives up his account to God "with grief," and not with joy-even in cases in which he might perhaps apply the apostle's words, "Though ye bave ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers." And thus, perhaps, have such persons to answer besides all other things-for discouraging the hearts, for weakening the hands, and for crippling the ministrations of those whose "joy and crown" they ought to have been.

H.

of God, assured that he would do all things well, and, if it were his pleasure, could easily lessen our sufferings. Nor have we been disappointed in our hopes; for, in his own time and way, we have been extricated from all our difficulties, and are now safe and happy under British protection.

Knowing your interest in the Burman mission, and assured of personal sympathy and regard, I will endeavour to give you, in my usual way, a general relation of events for the last two years.

In my last to you, I mentioned that every thing had a warlike appearance. The Burman government, however, had no idea that the English were in earnest in their communications; consequently they heard the report that Rangoon was taken, with surprise and amazement. No preparation had been made at that port, for the reception of strangers; and even the viceroy was absent. An army was immediately raised, and ordered to march under the command of the Khgee-Woongyee, who was to be joined on his way down by Schagah-Woongyee, he having been recently appointed viceroy of Rangoon. The only fear and anxiety which the king and government then manifested or expressed, was lest the English at Prome should hear of their approach, and precipitately leaving the country, deprive the Burmese grandees of the pleasure of employing in their service, as slaves, a few of the white strangers. "Send to me," said one of the ladies of a woongyee (minister of state,)" four kalarpyoos (white strangers) to manage the affairs of my household, as I hear they are trustworthy."" And to me," said a gay young sprig of the palace, "six stout men to row my boat." The army, in their gayest attire, danced and sung down the river; but few, if any, ever danced back again, and the Khgee Woongyee found other commissions to execute than those just given him.

As soon as the first force was des patched, the government had leisure to look round, and inquire into the cause of Rangoon being taken, and the probable intentions of the arrival of those strangers. It was at once concluded that spies were in the country, who had communicated the state of