some time in labouring among his coloured brethren in this city. Mr. Cornish commenced his labours the first sabbath in October, under the patronage of the Evangelical Missionary Society of Young Men.

The day previous to the church being opened, Mr. Cornish knew of only one person that was to be a worshipper with him, or that would attend on his ministry. January 13th, 1822, Mr. Cornish had so far suc ceeded in his efforts, that after conversing with the Rev. Dr. Romeyn, Rev. Dr. Spring, and others, on the subject, he requested the Rev. Mr. Cox to organize as many as might come forward for that purpose, into a Presbyterian Church. Seventeen persons presented themselves, and a church was organized. In the month of April, Mr. Cornish was regularly dismissed from the Presbytery of Philadelphia, received under the care of the Presbytery of New-York, and ordained. The first sabbath in May, at the second communion service, the church had increased to thirty-four members. Prospects were very flattering. The missionary society and the churches entertained pleasing hopes for this long neglected and degraded people. The affliction of the last summer scattered and drove this infant society from their little Zion, and apparently militated against them. On the second sabbath in November, Mr. Cornish resumed his labours with renewed vigour ; and on the second sabbath in December, the Rev. Mr. Whelpley administered the Lord's Supper for him to sixty-one regular members of that church; and there are at present eight or ten waiting to connect themselves with that body on the next sacramental occasion. The number of stated worshippers (children included) is little short of five hundred, and Mr. Cornish concurs with the trustees of his society in the conviction, that if the corner-stone of a church was laid for them, before the building would be completed they could dispose of every pew. This infant and prosperous church is peculiarly situated. Its prosperity depends much on the success of the contemplated efforts, and the acquisition of a house would at once double their congregation, and their means to support the ordinances of the Gospel.

Mr. Cornish, in the last report to the Executive Committee of the United Domestic Missionary Society, under whose patronage he is now labouring, writes thus: "We have from two hundred and fifty to three hundred stated worshippers.-Had we a church, and church property, in a convenient situation, I doubt not for a moment, that in the course of a year or eighteen months we should have from five to eight hundred seatholders. Without a church of our own, we cannot expect any great increase; our worshippers are not, nor cannot be permanent, while we have no pews to let; now they cannot hold any claim to our institution, consequently they do not feel at home. We never can calculate on them until we have a church, as other denominations have; something to gratify their feelings, excite their zeal, and render them permanent. O! ye that dwell in ceiled houses, who have your temples, your altars, and your priests, think on us who have no temple, no money, no influence, nor means by which we can erect the Lord's House.

"Placed under circumstances which will for ever prevent any great increase of numbers or means, subjected to various peculiar and affecting grievances, which I am not at liberty to mention, (Mr. Cornish continues,) dear brethren, I appeal to you, and ask, can these things be suffered ? is it not in your power to do something for us? Cannot the United Domes tic Missionary Society, together with the presbytery and classis of New

York, build a house for our accommodation? You are doing much for the heathen abroad; we are heathen at home! Remember us, consider our poor, degraded ignorant state, and let your pity and your benevolence be excited. Can you not devise some plan by which you can come forward in our behalf? Dear friends, must our harps be unstrung and hung upon the willows, and we denied the privilege of singing our Lord's song, for the want of a few hundred dollars ?"

The Executive Committee of the United Domestic Missionary Society unanimously sympathized with Mr. Cornish and his people, and concurred in appointing a committee to inquire into the expediency of erecting a church for his people, and the best means for accomplishing that desirable object. The Committee, in their report, recommended.

1st. That the trustees of the congregation engage the site which they have in view.

2nd. That this statement be published for the purpose of bringing the subject before the public, with the names of such ministers and others who are willing to recommend the object, and to hold subscription lists, and receive donations.

3rd. That this publication be read from the different pulpits, and an appeal made to all who are disposed to call on the ministers and others to subscribe to this interesting object.

4th. That the Rev. Mr. Cornish preach and take up collections in all the congregations disposed thus to patronize the object.

The Executive Committee have great pleasure in stating, that this people are not idle but doing all in their power to remove their present difficulties, and to aid in advancing the kingdom of the Redeemer. And it is the peculiar pleasure of the Committee to report the formation of a missionary society among the Rev. Mr. Cornish's people, to be auxiliary to the United Domestic Missionary Society, which already numbers upwards of one hundred members. The Committee believe this will ultimately prove one of the most efficient of our auxiliaries.

In conclusion they would state, that they have no doubt, as soon as this people have a church erected they will be able to support themselves, and thus relieve our funds by paying their own minister. The Committee earnestly, yet respectfully, request the Rev. Clergy, and others, who are favourable to this object, to give their aid and their names, recommending the same to the benevolent of all denominations. New-York, 10th February, 1823.

On behalf of the Executive Committee of the United Domestic Missionary Society— JOHN D. KEESE, Chairman.

ELEAZER LORD, Corresponding Secretary.

The undersigned, knowing the facts stated in the preceding reports, do cordially recommend to the Christian public, the object which it contemplates.

JOHN B. ROMEYN,

P. M. WHELPley,
T. MCAULEY,
Gardiner Spring,
WM. PATTON,
M. BRUEN,

STEPHEN N. ROWAN,
JONATHAN LITTLE,
BENJAMIN STRONG,

Z. LEWIS,
JOHN ADAMS.

So far as I am acquainted with the character of Mr. Cornish, my impressions respecting him are altogether favourable, and I am disposed to regard him with confidence. I sincerely wish him such encouragement from the Christian community as will place him in circumstances best calculated to advance the immortal interests of a greatly neglected people. JOHN KNOX.

The object of establishing such a church as is contemplated in the foregoing statement, meets with my hearty approbation. New-York, 11th February, 1823.

J. M. MATHEws.

As far as I have been informed on the subject, I view the plan proposed above as of great importance, and meriting the attention of the Christian public. WM. M MURRAY.

New-York, 12th February, 1823.

The character, history, and ministerial qualifications of the Rev. Samuel E. Cornish, are well known to me, and ought to be better known to the Christian public. The providence of God, in casting him among us, has conferred a blessing, and an obligation too, upon our churches, in view of their local and social relations to the coloured people of this city. These people, in the kitchen, the nursery, the parlour and the public streets, are associated with our children, and exert an uncomputed influence in the formation of their principles and habits! These people are in other respects connected with us so as to make it our interest, in an eminent degree, as it is more eminently our duty, to evangelize them, and through the blessing of God, to make them Christians! And who, that understands the matters of fact in the premises, can doubt the incomparable superiority of the measures above proposed for accomplishing this end, perhaps to any other in our power, certainly to those hitherto pursued so indirectly, so inappropriately, and so negligently with respect to them -the despised and injured brethren of our species! In a word, I regard the movements of Providence in the enterprise connected with this statement, as peculiarly marked, and auspicious, and requiring the prompt and united co-operation of our general Zion to carry it into the complete and easy success which at present gilds the prospect of its benevolent projectors. SAMUEL H. Cox.

New-York, February 12th, 1823.

The following gentlemen having consented to serve as a Committee to take charge of the funds, and also to act as a Committee of Consultation, were duly appointed by the trustees of the Rev. Mr. Cornish's Church.

SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF PAUPERISM.

On Friday evening, February 7th, the sixth anniversary meeting of the Society for the Prevention of Pauperism was held, pursuant to public notice, in the great room of the City Hotel. The audience was highly respectable, and considering the inclemency of the wea

her numerous.

The chair was taken by the Rev. CAVE JONES, Vice President, at half past seven o'clock, and the annual report of the society was read by JAMES W. GERARD, Esq. This able and interesting document we intend to notice in a future number.

In moving for the acceptance of the report, THOMAS FESSENDen, Esq., addressed the audience in a neat and highly appropriate speech. After some introductory remarks on the character of the report, and the utility of such meetings as the present, in disseminating correct views on so important a subject, this gentleman observed, that in order to the correction and removal of any public evil, one of the first and most important steps was, to obtain distinct views of its origin. He was persuaded that the reason why the systems hitherto adopted for the removal of pauperism had proved so inefficient was, that the systems themselves proceeded on mistaken opinions, as to the origin and nature of that evil. On the general subject he should not at this time enter-it was too wide a field, and had, besides, been extensively and ably discussed in various directions. He would only offer a few collateral remarks, which appeared to him to have some general bearing upon the subject.

Among the most deeply seated, most operative, and most incontrollable sources of pauperism, as well in this country as every where else, was to be found in the vanity of mankind—that irrepressible desire which every man feels to appear in the eyes of the community as a person of consequence and respectability. This was a feeling very different from that which possessed a man with a high conception of his own worth and dignity, and a proportionate contempt for the opinions of others--still more did it differ from that high and honourable feeling which inspired its possessor with an invincible determination to obtain the public respect by deserving it-The principle to which he alluded led its possessor to exult as much in borrowed or in stolen plumes, as in those which were legitimately his own-it scrupled not at means, but sought only the end-which was the respect of its neighbours Now in the actual state of human society, respect is always attached to wealth-and where the appearance of wealth is found we generally presume that wealth itself exists. Hence, the vain man must, at every hazard, assume that appearance-no matter though the means of doing so are wrung from the hands of the weeping widow, or the destitute, defrauded orphan -no matter though the loan he has so often pledged himself to pay, remains still unreturned—no matter though he has the absolute certainty that poverty must at last come at present he must make an appearance. At length the necessary results ensue-step by step the miserable victim sinks toward ruin-the tide which is carrying him away has acquired an ocean's strength-all efforts at resistance are vain-and he ends his course in absolute pauperism. Let it not be said that this is an imaginary picture-facts give it but too melancholy confirmation. Many of our paupers once moved in the circles of fashionable life, and enjoyed all the respect that such a life can command.

After some farther remarks, to the same general purpose, the gentleman, in illustration, continued. How many a father, for example, looking round upon his group of numerous children, and feeling his inability to support them, will condescend to send some, or perhaps all, of them to the Alms House, but would consider the putting of them out to service an indignity not to be endured. How many articles are purchased in this city, not because they are necessary-not even because they are desired, but because others possess the same; and it cannot be endured that another should possess what I am unable to purchase-The speaker observed, that it was a part of the bankrupt code of Napoleon, that every merchant should keep a daily record of his expenses; if he afterwards failed and applied for the benefit of the bankrupt law, his register of expenses must be produced, and if on inspection it should appear that he had been prodigal in his living, the benefit was denied him. Oh, sir, what would become of our entire pauper system if such a rule were applied to all who seek its benefits?

Another source of the pauperism which surrounds us was to be found, the gentleman observed, in the unreflecting levity, or the deliberate selfishness, with which those who have patronage to give, distribute it among the poor. When employment was to be given, there was always competition for it-and how was the choice usually made? in favour of the ostentatious and forward petitioner, VOL. IX.

79

against the modest and the lowly man. Cast your eye for a moment into that shop-it is thronged with customers-you see it fitted up in the most dazzling and splendid manner-the occupant is dressed with as much taste and elegance as any of those who come to buy his wares. Poor man! his expenses, in the mean-while, are far in advance of his receipts-in a few months becomes embarrassed-in a few more insolvent-dishonest-in want-a pauper. If he had been stopped in the outset of this career, if his first efforts at this display had failed, they would have been his last-he would have learned a salutary lesson, and learned it in time-he would have been driven to depend on steady industry, on persevering and honourable toil-This would have gradually produced competence, and in the end would have led to solid and substantial wealth. In the closing part of his address Mr. Fessenden observed, that it might be objected that the evil is beyond the reach of legislation-no laws can touch it. Sir, we grant this but because this enormous mischief lies without the range of legislation, does it therefore follow that there are no other means to be employed? Daily experience proves the contrary. In every community there are resources of action without law, and independent of it. There is an immense weight of motive which may be made to sway the public mind where no law can touch it at all-there is a power in public sentiment-in the interchange of thoughts and opinions at the fireside-in the dissemination of general views through the community, in the combined conclusions of intellect, and the energies of awakened passion, which is mightier than all legislation It is to these springs of human action that I would work my way-it is from these that I would draw those purifying streams which must cleanse the evils of our social condition. These, sir, are the true, the real sources of social happiness and misery-if these can be reached, all that we seek may be effected-but until these are touched, all other attempts will terminate only in disappointment-you may heap law upon law, and try system after system, but till you can rouse and move the general mind, the evils of pauperism will never be materially diminished.

Mr. Fessenden was followed by THEODORE SEDGWICK, Esq., of Albany, who addressed the meeting in a speech of some length, enlivened with occasional passages of brilliant effect. He was heard with attention, and cheered with repeated applause.

After a modest introduction, in which he asked for indulgence to the remarks of a stranger, in freely presenting the impressions of his own mind, as they had occurred he proceeded by cominending the ability of the report-with all the views of which, however, he could not concur. After some remarks on the happy institutions of the country, he referred to the objections which some persons cherished against the designs of this society as visionary. Sir, said Mr. S., we did not think thus when the first guns were fired at Lexington. With some, indeed, it was then a vision that we should ever accomplish our independence—it was a vision that we should ever be able to unite under a wise, free, and happy government: it was a vision, too, that under such a government this nation should have attained a population, wealth, power and reputation, such as it this day enjoysthat was a vision and many wise persons predicted that it would fail-but, sir, those visions are now realities. Mr. Sedgwick then went on to comment on the measures proposed by the report-In speaking of the Stepping Mill, he said, that no doubt similar hopes had been entertained at the introduction of every new punishment in society-and we had had punishments of almost every description. We had had cropping, and whipping, and branding; and even females had been dragged through the streets of this city at the cart tail.--We had lately heard of several pirates, whose bodies had been boiled in oil. This was very shockingbut had we any the fewer pirates? These things were not to be presented as any effectual remedy of pauperism. For himself, he was of opinion, that the only efficient remedy was to destroy the whole system of provision for the support of paupers and in support of his opinion referred to the 5th report of this society," and to the opinions of the late mayor-on whose character he pronounced a deserved eulogium. Our present magistrate had informed us that he had found, in visiting the Alms House, sixteen hundred persons, all of whom he verily believed were proper objects of the charity of the institution. He did not doubt this was true and the effectual way to make poor people was to provide for poor people

*See Review of this Report, C. H. vol. VIII. pp. 527, 552.