Scorrmel "RwAcev 
 
 Charity to Chl\ Are* E^ovceci 
 

 FROM THE LIBRARY OF 
 REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D. 
 
 BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO 
 
 THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 
 1¥V' 
 
CtjrattP to CinUutti 
 
 ENFORCED, 
 
 
 IN A 
 
 DISCOURSE, 
 
 DELIVERED IN TRINITY CHURCH, 
 
 BOSTON, 
 
 BEFORE THE SUBSCRIBERS TO THE 
 
 BOSTON FEMALE ASTLUM, 
 
 SEPT. 23,180;:, 
 
 AT THEIR THIRD ANNIVERSARY. 
 
 by Samuel parser, d. p. 
 
 JReclor of Trinity Church. 
 
 BOSTOX, 
 
 PRINTED BY RUSSELL AND CUTLER. 
 
 l8o^ 
 
At a Meeting of the Managers of the BOSTON FEMALE ASYLUM, 
 on the Evening of the 23d Sept. 1803. 
 
 Voted, That the Thanks of this Board be prefented to 
 the Rev. Dr. Parker, for his devout and appropriate Prayer, 
 and his animated and excellent Difcourfe, delivered before the 
 Members of the Society, on the Third Anniverfary ; and that 
 Mrs. Hubbard and Mrs. Greene be a Committee to wait on 
 him, in behalf of the Board, to requefl a copy of both, for the 
 prefs. By Order, 
 
 . " ELIZABETH THURSTON, Secretary. 
 
 TO THE MANAGERS OF THE BOSTON FEMALE ASYLUM. 
 LADIES, 
 
 The frequent occafions for Sermons upon Charity, have 
 fo far exhaufted the fubject, that nothing new is left to be faid 
 upon it, and fcarce can even the novelty of the vehicle be ex- 
 pected. If the following Difcourfe, delivered at your requeft, 
 has had, or will have, any tendency to promote the caufe of 
 your benevolent Inftitution, it will be a fource of gratification 
 to your very humble fervant, 
 
 SAMUEL PARKER, 
 
OCCASIONAL PRAYER. 
 
 THE EVENING SERVICE OF THE CHURCH WAS READ, AND THE 
 FOLLOWING OCCASIONAL PRAYER INTRODUCED. 
 
 GLORIOUS and Eternal Lord God ! the 
 Almighty Creator, the beneficcntPrcferver 5 and the 
 risrhteous Governor of the Univerfe — We bow be- 
 fore thy Sacred Majefty, and adore thee for thy 
 univerfol Love difplayed in all thy Works of 
 Creation, Providence and Redemption. We 
 thank thee for thy diftinguifhing mercy to us 
 thy dependent offspring, whom thou didft create 
 in thine own image, capable of thofe fublime 
 pleafures, which refult from the knowledge, the 
 imitation, and the favour of God our Maker. 
 That thou didft make us fufceptible of fuch im- 
 preflions as are fuited to all the focial, ufeful and 
 benevolent purpofes for which we were created. 
 We thank thee for the pure light of the glorious 
 Gofpel of Jesus Christ, by whom thou haft re- 
 conciled the world to thyfelf, and who has fet us 
 an example of every benevolent and focial virtue. 
 We admire, with gratitude, the great defign of 
 the Chriftian Religion, to beget in us the fublime 
 difpofitions of reverence, love and gratitude to 
 God, — of righteoufnefs, friendihip and benevo- 
 
lence towards one another — and of humility and 
 purity of heart, whereby we may, in fome mca- 
 fure, be fitted for the man (ions of eternal blcfled- 
 nefs. Enable us to practice the duties of our fe- 
 veral ftations, by an uninterrupted courfe of pro- 
 bity, generofity and mercy. Remembering tliat 
 we were born not folely for our own good, but 
 for the good of others, may we be led to the ex- 
 ercife of Charity and Benevolence, towards all our 
 fellow-creatures, and confider ourfelves as indif- 
 pcnfibly obliged to contribute all in our power to 
 their happinefs. We thank thee for every op- 
 portunity, with which thou art plcafcd to in- 
 dulge us, of celebrating thy glorious perfections, 
 ?.nd of being animated to an imitation of that per- 
 fect example thy Son has fet us in the Gofpel. — 
 We humbly implore thy blefling upon all Charit- 
 able Societies and Inftitutions, which have for 
 their object the alleviation of thole miferies to 
 which human nature is incident. In a particular 
 manner, we alk thy direction and blefling upon 
 rhc Society, at whofe requeft we are now aflem- 
 bled in this Houfe of Prayer. — Imprefs upon the 
 rninds of all its Members thofe charitable and 
 companionate principles, which our Divine Re- 
 PeemePv inculcated by his precepts, and enforced 
 by his example. Make thislnflitution a blefling 
 to the community, and the means of relieving 
 i taking bv the hand the female Or- 
 
7 
 
 phan, whofe fathers and whole mothers, by thy 
 providence, have forfaken them, of prefer ving 
 them from the mares and temptations of a vicious 
 world, of inftructing their ignorance, leading 
 them in the paths of virtue and religion, and 
 making them uieful members of fociety. Grant 
 thy aid and afiiftance to the Managers and other 
 Officers, and enable them to perform their feveral 
 duties with prudence and fidelity. And O Thou \ 
 in whom the fatherlefs find mercy, we com- 
 mend to thee thefe female Orphans ; take poiTeC 
 fion of their hearts by the influences of thy 
 grace ; may they early know thee the God of 
 their fathers, and ferve thee w T ith a perfect heart 
 and a willing mind. Inftil into their tender 
 minds the principles of virtue and true religion ; 
 as they increafe in years, may they increafe in e- 
 very ufeful accomplishment ; make them thank- 
 ful for the provifion made for them, by this So- 
 ciety ; may they be prefer ved from the marcs 
 and temptations of a vicious world, be made 
 bleflings in their generation, and finally obtain 
 the mercy of the Lord Jesus unto eternal life. — 
 Sanctify to them, and to this Society the lofs they 
 have lately met with, by the deceafe of a prudent, 
 tender and difcreet Governefs,* who led them in 
 the paths of virtue,— fet before them an example 
 
 • Mrs. Baker, the Governed cf the Afylum, died a for weeks ! 
 • liis Anniversary. 
 
of piety, and inftructed them with kindnefs and 
 •ificction. — May her Succeflfor be enabled to per- 
 form her duty with fimilar fidelity and difcretiom 
 Blefs, we befecch thee, this town, and all orders 
 and degrees of citizens in it, — may the rifing ge- 
 neration be a feed to fervc thee, and remember 
 their Creator in the days of their youth. We 
 thank thee for the great meafure of health en- 
 joyed by us, while thou art pleafed to vifit other 
 cities with the fevere ftrokes of thy rod. Do 
 thou, who art the Lord of life and death, of 
 ficknefs and of health, whofe power no creature 
 is able to refift, regard our fupplications in behalf 
 of thofe places, which thou art pleafed to vifit 
 with great ficknefs and mortality. In the midft 
 of judgment, O Lord, remember mercy. Com- 
 mand the deftroying Angel to ceafe from punifh- 
 ing, and withdraw from them the grievous fick- 
 nefs thou haft been pleafed to inflict. Prevent, 
 we befecch thee, the further fpread of thofe ma- 
 lignant diftempers, and may the lives and the 
 health of thy people be precious in thy fight. — 
 May thy fatherly correction have its due influ- 
 ence upon us all, by leading us to confider how 
 frail and uncertain our life is, that we may apply 
 our hearts unto that heavenly wifdom, which, in 
 the end, will bring us to evcrlafting life, through 
 Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN. 
 
<yl QDucourdt* 8fc. 
 
 PSALM, XXVII, 10. 
 
 When my Father and my Mother forfake me, then the lord 
 will take me up. 
 
 1 HIS day, my refpected auditors, is this 
 fcripture fulfilled in your fight. You behold be- 
 fore you a number of female Orphans,* the moll 
 helplefs of our fpecies, whofe fathers and whofe 
 mothers, by the providence of God, have forfak- 
 en them, thro' the inftrumentality of a recently 
 organized Inftitution jtaken up, by that benevolent 
 Being, who is good to all, and whofe tender mer- 
 cies are over all his works. 
 
 In behalf of this infant Inftitution, I am now to 
 become the advocate, and we are allembled to pro- 
 mote the caufe of our moft holy religion, by pro- 
 moting the exercife of its leading duty. We are 
 affcmblect topractife the god-like virtue of Charity ; 
 to fhow our love to the Almighty, by our love to 
 
 * Twenty-fire of the Orphans, belonging to the Afylum. were pre 
 and placed in a confpicucus place before the audits 
 
 B 
 
histreaturei. ambled toprovidcforthofe 
 
 whofe fathers and whofe mothers arc gone down 
 t o the Blent grave ; who have no father but God, 
 who has put it into the hearts of the Members of 
 this Inititution, to refcue thefe Orphans from a 
 ftate of abject poverty ; to prcferve them from the 
 devious paths of fin, by inftilling into their ten- 
 der minds the principles of virtue and religion, 
 and to inftruct them to be ufeful members of fo- 
 cicty. Objects thefe, worthy of our higheft en- 
 comiums, and which do honour to the female fex. 
 
 In their bofoms, indeed, we are taught to look 
 for all the milder virtues of humanity, and thofe 
 endearing fympathies from which the chief com- 
 forts of life originate. Formed by nature, per- 
 haps, for entering into the joys and griefs of 
 others with a more exquifite fenfibility than men, 
 we expect ixom them the willing tribute of a 
 tear, whenever calamity or misfortune calls for 
 it ; and tho' a heart, capable of lively affections, 
 requires the ftricteft difcipline, and is fometimes 
 in danger of mifcry and guilt ; yet it fhould not 
 be forgotten, that it is often alfo the fource of 
 10ft difinterelted and benevolent actions, that 
 
 i dignify and adorn human nature. 
 
 Numerous tcftimonies might be collected from 
 the f.icrcd volume, to warrant and confirm this 
 m. The great Jewilh Legiflator was Glved 
 
1 1 
 
 from deftiuchon by the generous compaflion or a 
 woman. By the crafty and inhuman rj 
 Pharoah, King of Egypt, he, as well as every other 
 male child of the Hebrews, was ordered to be call; 
 into the river ; but his daughter fee ing him thus 
 expofed, had compaiTion upon the weeping babe, 
 tho' one of the Hebrew's children. But her com- 
 paiTion was not a tranllcnt feeling, that vanifhed 
 with the fight of the object -, it was not a tear of 
 pity, that flarted involuntarily from her eye, and 
 was then wiped away without any further remem- 
 brance ; for we find that fhe nurfed him at her 
 own expence \ and as he grew up, becoming flill 
 more pleafed with the object, of her charity, fhe 
 adopted him for her fon. It was the protecting 
 power of fenfibility that Oieltered the helplefs in- 
 fant, nurfed him thro* his childhood, and enlarg- 
 ed his mind with fcience. The Old Teftament 
 will furnifh us with many more inftances of the 
 fame kind and fympathizing difpofkion in the 
 female fex. 
 
 The New Teftament alfo,is not wanting in ex- 
 amples of the fame kind. St. Paul, tho' perfecu- 
 ted from one corner of the world to another, tho' 
 nothing but cruelty, dangers anddiftrelles follow- 
 ed him, wherever he went, was not deftitute of 
 fome few friends, who fhared all his forrows, and 
 ferved to mitigate all his calamities. But of thefe 
 friends, fome of the mofl remarkable were women. 
 
12 
 
 But there is a further inftance of Divine com- 
 panion recorded in the Gofpel, which claims the 
 gratitude of the whole world. When the blef- 
 fed Saviour of mankind wanted even the necef- 
 faries of life ; when he was defpifed and reject- 
 ed of men, and fo poor that he had not where to 
 lay his head, we read in the plain and unaffected 
 language of the Apoftles, and we ought ever to 
 remember it with gratitude, that certain good 
 women miniftered to him of their fubftance. 
 Andtho' Judas betrayed him, and Peter, after all 
 his paffionate vows, both forfook and denied him, 
 — yet the fidelity of the few pious women who 
 attended him, remained firm and unfhaken to the 
 laft ; for three of them, St. Mark tells us, went 
 to perform the laft melancholy offices to his mem. 
 ory, and difcovered that friendfhip and devotion 
 for their Lord, after his death, which diftinguifh- 
 ed their fer vices to him while he was alive. Before 
 any of his other difciples attended, they fought 
 his fepulchre, and with the rich fpices of the Eaft, 
 meant to embalm the facred corpfe. This was 
 the laft duty that piety could difcharge. It fprang 
 from the foft emotions of the heart, when deep- 
 ly impreffed with forrow, and warmed with the 
 fervor of devotion. It was the duty which the 
 awful and affe&ing occafion feemed to require, 
 and which well fuited the gentlenefs of their na^ 
 ture to perform. 
 
*3 
 
 I might adduce other inftances, but inflead of 
 enlarging upon this topic, an apology is necefiary 
 for having deviated from my fubject.. It is not 
 my intention to utter an Eulogy on female fenfi- 
 bility, nor to be the Encomiaft of this Aflbciation, 
 but to intereft your feelings in behalf of their In- 
 ftitution, and to plead the caufe of childhood, 
 hclpleis poverty, and misfortune. If I have been 
 rather diffufe upon this pleafing fubject., it has 
 been from an indulgence of the hope, that by ex- 
 hibiting a few inftances of the fex's virtue, they 
 would not, on the prefent occafion, be unmind- 
 ful of their dignity - y but like the perfons now 
 mentioned, find a blefiednefs in giving ; and 
 efpecially, like the amiable daughter of Pharaoh, 
 feel for the diftreffes of childhood. 
 
 Numerous are the arguments in favour of 
 Charity, which crowd from every quarter. Wav- 
 ing the beautiful and forcible leflbns to be drawn 
 from nature, as leading into a field too extenfive 
 for the plan of this difcourfe, and as unneceflary ; 
 permit me to adduce a few arguments from Re- 
 velation in favour of this virtue in general, and 
 particularly for that fpecies of it, which now calls 
 for your attention, — Charity to Children. 
 
 The morality of Chriftians mull reft chiefly on 
 the authority of Revelation; to them it is fufficient 
 
to mention, that this is the leading virtue of the 
 written law of God % 
 
 In the firft place then, let us confider that riches 
 are the gift of God, and afk ourfelves why he has 
 been pleafed to bellow them upon us7 Surely not 
 to feed our vanity, nor pamper luxury. They were 
 not given for covetoufnefs to hoard, or for prodi- 
 gality to fquander. — No, as they are the gifts of 
 God, they were intended for our good, for the ex- 
 ercife of virtue, to furnim liberality, to make us the 
 inftruments of his mercy, the channels thro' which 
 his provilion for the poor mould pafs, and enrich 
 us with good works, by relieving their indigence. 
 The poor we have always withus, anditis by means 
 of their poverty, that we may make our riches, 
 bleffings indeed ; as we have thereby an opportu- 
 nity of employing them to the beft purpofes, the 
 comforting our brethren, and of exhibiting that 
 honor and love, which we always owe, and ought 
 always to be paying to the bountiful giver of 
 them. 
 
 It is from no defect or failing of the incx- 
 hauftible ftores of divine goodnefs, that pover- 
 ty exifts among the children of men. Had it 
 been as agreeable to infinite wifdom, as it was eafy 
 to almighty power,GoD might have made the fame 
 abundance and plenty common to all mankind, 
 and left no room for the foolifh cavils againft 
 Providence, from the prcfent unequal diftribution 
 
of the good things of this world : Or, fincc it 
 hath pleafed Him to make the world confift, as it 
 docs, of rich and poor, he, who thro' the whole 
 fcripture, declares fuch a tender regard for the 
 poor, might fupply their necefftties with his own 
 hand. He that fed the Ifraelites in a barren wil- 
 dernefs with angels food, and bread from heaven, 
 and preferved their garments from wearing out 
 or waxing old : He that fed his Prophet by rav- 
 ens, and blefled the poor widow's handful of meal 
 and crufe of oil fo that neither of them wafted 
 or failed, could ftill, if he faw fit, without calling 
 in the help of the rich, relieve all the wants of his 
 creatures himfelf ; but he chufes to fufpend his al- 
 mighty power, and to fend man to man for re- 
 lief and fupport, not only that he might make 
 trial of our faith and affection to him, but that he 
 might endear us alfo to each other, and diffufe 
 continually, thro' the whole intelligent creation, 
 a divine principle of mutual love. 
 
 " That induftry which keeps the world in 
 
 " motion, that fociety, which, by mutual wants, 
 
 " cements mankind together ; and that charity 
 
 " which is the bond of perfection, would never 
 
 " have a place nor a name, but from the prefent 
 
 " ftate of things. Thus the enjoyments of life 
 
 " are grafted upon its wants ; from natural evil 
 
 " arifes moral good, and the fufferings of fome 
 
 Ci contribute to the happinefs of all." 
 
i6 
 
 Such being the flate of human affairs, charity, or 
 that difpofition which leads us to fupply the 
 wants, and alleviate the fufferings of the unfortu- 
 nate, as well as bear with their infirmities, muft 
 be a duty of capital importance. Accordingly, 
 it is enjoined in our holy religion, as being the 
 chief of the virtues. Nay, it is afligned as the teft 
 and criterion, by which we are to diftinguifh the 
 difciples of Jesus, and it will be felected at the 
 great day, as being that part of the character, 
 which is moft decifive of the life, and according 
 to which the laft fentence will turn. 
 
 Secondly — Acts of kindnefs to our fellow crea- 
 tures in diftrefs, are the moft fuitable returns of 
 gratitude, that we can offer to that Almighty 
 Benefactor, who is conftantly fhowering his bleff- 
 ings upon us. Innumerable are the benefits 
 which flow to us from his bountiful hand. He 
 daily loadeth us with benefits, and crowneth us 
 with loving kindnefs and tender mercies. All 
 that we have, and all that we hope for, are folely 
 from his free goodnefs. For our lives, our liber- 
 ty, our property ; our health of body, and found- 
 nefs of mind ; thofe private and domeftic com- 
 forts which are, in a great meafure, the lot of 
 every one ; but above all, for the means of grace, 
 and the hope of immortal glory, we fland indebt- 
 ed purely to his undeferved mercy and grace, who 
 
'7 
 
 is our preferver, our conftant bcncfa&or, our kind 
 and loving father. And what Jh all we render to the 
 Lord for all his benefits ? Our goodnefs extendeth not 
 to him. We cannot be profitable to God, as he that is 
 wife may be profitable to himfelf — No : but he is gra- 
 cioufly pleafed to transfer his claim to the poor 
 and diftrefTed. Bounty to them he is pleafed to 
 confider as beneficence to himfelf. He accepts it 
 as gratitude ; he views it as a return for his fa- 
 vours. Nay, the Scripture carries the idea far- 
 ther, and reprefents giving to the poor as lending 
 to the Lord. The Almighty condefcends to 
 confider himfelf as laid under an obligation, by 
 our a&s of charity, by imparting, at his com- 
 mand, and in gratitude to him, fomething upon 
 our poor brethren, of what he has bellowed upon 
 us. How good and gracious is our heavenly Fa- 
 ther in thus caring for the diftrefTes of his crea- 
 tures, and drawing us by fuch endearing ties to 
 their relief! — Praife him, ye fons of men ! — Praifc 
 him, ye angels above ! — For his mercy is bound- 
 lefs as his power, and his love tranfeends heaven's 
 higheft heights. 
 
 A third argument, for this duty, may be 
 drawn from the near relation which fubfifls be- 
 tween us, and the objects of our charity. Are 
 they not our brethren or fifters ; of the fame ne- 
 ceflities to which we ourfelves are fubjecl: - 7 chil- 
 c 
 
28 
 
 . of the fame common parent ; the workman - 
 fhip of the fame hands, and in the elTential ingre- 
 dients of our nature the fame. For did not he that 
 we, fays Job, make him, and did not one fajhion 
 us in the womb ? — In the ftrong and elegant lan- 
 guage of the prophet Ifaiah, we may fay, that to 
 deny bread to the hungry, lodging to the outcaft, 
 and covering to the naked, is hiding a man's felf 
 
 his ciunjlejh. Are not the objects of our cha- 
 rity alfo, the profeiTors of the fame common faith, 
 and heirs of the fame common hope ? — Are they 
 not alfo, partakers of the fame glorious promifes, 
 and been purchafed and purified by the blood of 
 the fame common Saviour ? — Is he a man then, 
 who can be unconcerned at the neceflities of a 
 fellow-traveller upon the fame road ? The ties of 
 family, of kindred, of country, ought all to have 
 their demands firft fatisfied as they ftand firft in the 
 order of nature ; after thefe,the common connec- 
 tions of humanity put in a claim, which requires 
 to be heard. As men, then, we are obliged to 
 pay attention to thofe of our own fpecies. God, 
 who hath made of one blood all the nations of 
 the earth, expects from us, that we mould not 
 hide ourfelvcs from our own flefh. 
 
 Fourthly — The precepts of our holy religion 
 enjoin this duty upon us in the ftrongeft manner. 
 But having premifed thefe few, but forcible ar- 
 
guments, in favour of Charity in general, 1 fhali 
 confine myfelf, in the feleclion of texts under this 
 head, to that particular kind of Charity, which 
 comes more immediately under our prefent con- 
 sideration, I mean Charity to Children. 
 
 In the writings of Mofes, we fee repeated in- 
 junctions of liberality to thole in want. Hear 
 how that faithful oracle of divine truth inflrucls 
 and commands the Ifraelites. — " Thou fhalt not 
 " harden thy heart, nor ihut thy hand from thy 
 " poor brother. For the poor {hall not ceafe out 
 " of the land ; therefore, I command thee, faying, 
 " thou fhalt open thy hand wide unto thy broth- 
 " er, to thy poor, and to thy needy in thy land. 
 " Ye ihall not afflict any widow, or fatherlefs 
 " child. When thou cutteft down thy harveft, 
 " and haft forgotten a fheaf in the field, thou 
 " fhalt not go and fetch it, it fhall be for the 
 " flranger, for the fatherlefs and for the widow. 
 " When thou beatefl thine olive tree, thou fhalt 
 " not go over the boughs again ; it fhall be for 
 " the flranger, for Khz fatherlefs, and for the wi- 
 " dow. When thou gathered the grapes of thy 
 " vineyard, thou fhalt not glean it afterwards ; 
 u it fhall be for the flranger, for the fatherlefs, 
 " and for the widow." 
 
 No lefs urgent are the holy Prophets in re- 
 commending this virtue. 
 
10 
 
 In the 2d book of Kings, we have an affecting 
 defcription of the diftreffed fituation of an afflict- 
 ed widow, addreffed to the prophet Elijah. A 
 tender mother, oppreffed with grief, expecting 
 every moment to be deprived of two fatherlefs 
 children, by a mercilcfs creditor, accofts the hu- 
 mane prophet, with the unaffected language, which 
 naturally flowed from a heart overwhelmed with 
 forrow, and broken by misfortunes. Thefe were 
 her pathetic words : — " Thy fervant, my huf- 
 " band, is dead, and thou knoweft, that thy for- 
 " vant did fear the Lord, and the creditor is 
 " come to take unto him my two fons for bond- 
 " men. And Elijah faid, what mall I do for 
 " thee ?" 
 
 The good prophet, no doubt, at the fight of 
 fo moving an object, was fenfibly touched with 
 the moft tender fentiments of companion, and we 
 may reafonably fuppofe his aged eyes were bath- 
 ed in tears. For who could behold an affectionate 
 mother, with her innocent children fondling 
 round her, ignorant of her diftrefs, the devoted 
 victims to a mercilefs creditor, without fhedding 
 a fyn.pathetic tear : — Look, then, my refpected 
 friends, upon thefe Orphans, whofe fathers and 
 mothers have both forfaken them, not, indeed, 
 the devoted victims of a mercilefs creditor, for 
 
21 
 
 our laws allow no fuch inhuman practices,* but 
 deflined to poverty, diftrefs and temptation, per- 
 haps, worfe than bondage, and afk yourfelvcs, 
 as the good prophet did the diftreffed widow, 
 What JJo all we do for you f — It is not in your power, 
 as it was in the prophet's, to work a miracle for 
 their afiiftance, nor is it neceflary ; but it is in 
 your power to aid and aflift this Inftitution to 
 fupply their wants, and thofe of others in fimilar 
 circumftances. 
 
 In the prophet Jeremiah, we fee the Almighty 
 himfelf, in the midft of the fevereft denunciations 
 againft a rebellious people, relenting in mercy to- 
 wards the fatherlefs and widows. — " Leave thy 
 " fatherlefs children, I will prefervc them alive, 
 and let thy widows truft in me." 
 
 Job, in his own practice and example, has 
 fhewn us, — " That the rich fhould not withhold 
 " the poor from their defirc, nor caufe the eyes 
 ** or the widow to fail — fhould not eat their mor- 
 " fels themfelves alone, and the fatherlefs not eat 
 " thereof — fhould not fee any perifh without a 
 " cloathing, or the poor without a covering — but 
 tc order their bounty fo, that being warmed by 
 " the fleece of their fheep, his loins fhould blefs 
 
 # The Jewifh law confidered children as the goods of their 
 parents, who had a right to fell them for feven years, to pay 
 iheir debts, and their creditors could compel them to do it. 
 
V 22 
 
 %t them/' — I might adduce many other texts, 
 would the time allow. 
 
 I would only obferve here, That if, under the 
 Mofaic difpenfation, which breathed a fpirit of 
 fervility more than love, — of juftice more than 
 mercy, God required fo much companion and 
 benignity, efpecially to children, how much itron- 
 ger muft be the obligations of this nature from 
 the free, the mild, and the benevolent genius of 
 the Gofpel ? 
 
 Permit me, then, as briefly as poflible, to en- 
 force the practice of Charity to children, on a 
 more facred ground, and appeal to you as Chrif- 
 tians. 
 
 Our bleffed Lord, on this occafion, as on moll 
 others, has taught us our duty, both by precept 
 and example. He knew the wants of childhood ; 
 he knew their helplefsnefs, and that they could 
 neither recommend themfelves to notice and fup- 
 port, by contributing to mens* pleafures, or pro- 
 moting their interefts. Innocence is their claim 
 to protection 4 and ftrong as it is, at all times, is 
 notwithstanding doubly fo, when threatened with 
 danger, or furrounded with diftrefs. The Savi- 
 our of mankind knew this, and though he, who 
 had not where to lay his head, could neither mi- 
 ^nifter to them food or raiment ; yet to manifeft 
 his affe&ion for them, he did that which was 
 
«3 
 
 much better ; he took them up in his arms, put 
 his hands upon them, and bleffed them. Still 
 further to make known his love, and to incul- 
 cate this divine principle of Charity, he recom- 
 mended them to the kindnefs of all the world, and 
 that in the ftrongeft manner, when he told man- 
 kind, that " whofoever received one fuch little 
 child in my name, receiveth me." Again, he gives 
 us to underftand, that even the fmaller bounty to 
 children (hall not pafs without an ample recompenfe 
 from heaven, for, fays he, " Whofoever (hall give 
 " to drink unto one of thefe little ones, a cup of 
 " cold water, in the name of a difciple, verily I 
 " fay unto you, he fhall in no wife lofe his re- 
 « ward." 
 
 And it is a remarkable circumftance, that 
 wherever we fee the divine law abridged, and 
 religion fammed up, in a few main particulars, 
 the duty of companion and beneficence conftant- 
 ly forms a part. He hath fhewed thee, O man, 
 what is good, and what doth the Lord require 
 of thee, but to do juftly, to love mercy, and to 
 walk humbly with God. St. James's fyftem of 
 pure religion and undefiled before God and the 
 Father is this : — To vifit the fatherlefs and the 
 widow in their affliction, and to keep himfelf 
 unfpotted from the world. 
 
24 
 
 To ftretch forth the hand of pity to your icU 
 low creatures in diftrefs, to ftrengthen the feeble 
 hands, to take by the hand the helplefs female 
 Orphan, and to lead her forth through the fnares of 
 youth, into the path of ufefulnefs and virtue — 
 this is the godlike office, my brethren, which the 
 resectable Aflbciation, at whofe requeft we arc 
 now aflembled, call upon you to aflift them in 
 executing. Can you poflibly reluct in generoufly 
 aiding fo benevolent a work ? 
 
 The Directreftes of the Bofton Female Afylum, 
 have lately publifhed a full account of the rife, 
 progrefs and prefent ftate of their infant Inftitu- 
 tion, with the rules and regulations they have a- 
 dopted for its management. This account, I 
 truft, is, as it ought to be, in the hands of every 
 one, and precludes the neceflity of my reciting 
 them in this place. They have there expofed to 
 public infpection an exact ftate of their Funds ; of 
 all the monies they have received, and in what 
 manner it has been expended. The Subfcribers 
 to the Inftitution, as well as other Benefadtors, 
 mud be convinced by the Treafurer's accounts, 
 that their Charity is faithfully applied, and pru- 
 dently expended. 
 
 The Act of Incorporation, which the Legifla- 
 turc of this Commonwealth has granted to this 
 novel Inftitution, will enable the Managers to fe- 
 
cure their Funds, and tranfact their affairs under 
 the function of law. And every one, who reads 
 the plan adopted for the education, and inftruc- 
 tion of the objects of this Charity, muft fee, that it 
 is wifely devifed, constructed upon the moft ceco- 
 nomical methods of training Females to virtue 
 and ufefulnefs ; and the end muft be acknowledg- 
 ed the moft benevolent and important that can 
 be conceived. 
 
 To delineate this plan, and to recite the me- 
 thods adopted by the Managers for carrying it 
 into effect, I have already obferved, as they are 
 before the public, is unneceffary, and would be a 
 mifapplication of the prefent time. To inculcate 
 upon you the benevolence and humanity of the 
 defign, and how neceffary fuch an Inftitution is, 
 in this populous town, is equally unneceffary; and I 
 fhouldthink,that the understanding andfeelings of 
 this audience, require no further recommendation. 
 
 If additional motives to the exercife of your 
 benevolence are wanting, permit me to obferve, 
 that it is the object of this Society, to raife a Fund 
 for the permanent eftabliftiment of this Charity, 
 to extend its ufefulnefs, and to enable them, with- 
 out an annual Subfcription, which is precarious, 
 and at prefent almoft its only fupport, to continue 
 its exiftence ; and therefore, for thefe purpofes^ 
 D 
 
implore your aid by an annual contribution. 
 
 hold the objects of their benevolence, and fay, 
 can you rcftife your afliftanceto promote this work 
 and labour of love. Remember this call to chari- 
 ty and kindnefs, is not the importunate cry of the 
 mendicant, but the obfervation of female diftrefs. 
 And while lubject to be impofed upon by the va- 
 rious and complicated arts of diffimulation, which 
 are daily praclifed in the world, in what furer chan- 
 nel may the • rich tide of your benevolence flow, 
 than by eafing the anguilh of a widow's heart, 
 by alluring her, that an Afylum is provided for 
 helplefs Orphans, whomlhe is about to leave, 
 without any provifion for their future fupport, 
 and for whom ihe fuffers more than for herfelf. — 
 Such is the fituation of the objects before you. — 
 Their fathers and their mothers have forfaken 
 them. You know them to be poor, you know 
 them to be helplefs ; and you alfo know, that no 
 vice or fault, on their parts, brought them to want, 
 but their only crime is, that they were born to po- 
 verty and misfortune. On fuch occalions, the 
 generous fpirit of chriftian love may diffufe its 
 benevolence, unchecked by cautious prudence, 
 and unreftrained by fufpicious fears. 
 
 What an heartfelt fatisfacYion mult arife to a feel- 
 ing mind, from giving food and raiment to help- 
 poverty, from guarding innocence from dan- 
 
*7 
 
 ger, and leading infant virtue into the bleflcd path* 
 of godlinefs, ufefulnefs and ibcial duty. How 
 great the gratification to fee thefe hclplefs little 
 one?, who now partake of your charity, thrive and 
 flourifh under its benignant influence, " as the 
 " tender plants and flowers of the fpring are fof- 
 " tered by the mild virtues of the morning heat, 
 " and the kind refreshment of the evening dews." 
 Hereafter, perhaps, you may have the happinefs, 
 of feeing them bufied in the ufeful occupations of 
 life, of beholding them affectionate and induftri- 
 ous wives, virtuous and exemplary mothers, feel- 
 ing for the diftreffes of others, and endearing the 
 hours of focial life. 
 
 Ye Daughters of Ifrael ! — ye fond and indul- 
 gent Mothers ! behold the diftrefs to which your 
 fex is liable, and the wants and misfortunes of in- 
 nocent Orphans. Do you wifh and pray, that 
 your tender offspring may never experience fimi- 
 lar miferies — Embrace the happy occafion of be- 
 ing charitable, with a certainty of being ufeful. 
 Here you will find enjoyment, united with duty. 
 For nothing can afford a more pleafing fatisfaclion 
 at all times, arjd efpecially in the clofing fcene of 
 life, than the reflection that we have endeavour- 
 ed tofupply the wants, and alleviate the diftrefles 
 of our fellow mortals. Thefe muft be pronounc- 
 ed among the purcft pleafures, of which human 
 
28 
 
 nature is fufceptiblc. Thefe are holy fatisfaclions 
 that will never defert us. Though " tongues 
 " fliall ceafe, and knowledge fhall vanifli away, 
 " yet Charity fhall never fail" — fhe will never fail 
 to comfort us, when this world, and all its en- 
 joyments, begin to fade away. 
 
 "When the mind, deftitute of all other fupport, 
 but what is derived from Religion, and the re- 
 trofpecl of a well fpent life, looks forward to the 
 certain approach of death, then mall the hope that 
 our prayers, and our alms have gone up for a me- 
 morial before God, be the fource of our greateft 
 comfort. Then bleffed, forever blefled, fliall be 
 the merciful, for they fhall obtain mercy. 
 
 That this felicity may be ours, may God of 
 his infinite mercy grant, through the merits of 
 Jesus Christ, to whom, with the Father, and 
 Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, might, ma- 
 jefty and dominion, now and forever. AMEN, 
 
19 
 
 ORDER of PERRFOMANCE, 
 On the Third Anniverfary of the Bofton Female 
 
 Asylum^ at Trinity Church, Sept. 23, 1803. 
 
 The Mufical part of the Performance, by the 
 Franklin Society. 
 
 ODE, 
 
 INTRODUCTORY TO A SACRED CONCERT. 
 
 HARK ! what diftant Mufic melts upon the ear ! 
 So fweet the tones, the fymphonies fo clear, 
 Some feraph fare has touch'd his golden lyre, 
 And praife refounds thro' all die heavenly choir. 
 Ye mortals catch the foul commanding found, 
 Learn the beft theme, and chaunt the chorus round, 
 O ! could our drains the rap'trous notes combine, 
 Then fhould our grateful anthems pour along, 
 The foothing, fwelling, harmonies of fong, 
 And ev'ry bread would glow with love divine. 
 Molt, gracious God ! thy humble fuppliants hear, 
 Accept the tributary lays we bring, 
 Thy power we own, thy majelty revere, 
 Thy goodnefs celebrate, thy glories fing, 
 And oh, may all in one grand concert raife 
 To thee Hofannahs of unceafing praife. 
 
 2d. Pfalms Read, after which 
 
 3d. The Glory in Excelfis^ Chaunted. 
 
 GLORY be to God on high ; and on earth peace, Good 
 will towards men. We praife thee, we blefs thee, we worfriip 
 thee ; we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great 
 glory, O, Lord God, Heav'nly King ! God the Father Al- 
 mighty ! O Lord ! the only begotton Son Jefus Chrift ! O 
 Lord God ! Lamb of God ! Son of the Father ! who takeil 
 away the fin of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that 
 takeft away the fin of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou 
 that takeft away the fin of the world, receive our prayer. — 
 Thou that fitteft at the right hand of God the Father, have 
 mercy upon us : For thou only art holy, thou only art the Lord ! 
 thou only, O Chrift, with the Holy Ghoft, art moft high, in the 
 Glory of God the Father ! AMEN. 
 
 
4th. Collects for Evening Service. 
 
 5th. ANNIVERSARY HYMN. 
 
 Bv the Rev. Mr. HARRIS. 
 
 With cheerful notes begin the flrain, 
 To Charity fo juftly due ; 
 And gratulate this Orphan train, 
 On the bed hopes they ever knew. 
 
 No more complaining fills the ftreet, 
 Of Children who deierted roam, 
 For here the houfelefs vagrants meet, 
 A Benefaclor and a home. 
 
 And Girls, defencelefs, wretched, poor, 
 Snatch'd from the haunts of vice and care, 
 From ill examples here fecure, 
 Instruction and protection (hare. 
 Train'd foon in wifdom's pleafant ways, 
 And taught to be dilcreet and good, 
 Virtue will be through all their days, 
 From habit and from choice, purfu'd. 
 Then, as they praife each Patroncfs, 
 Who bounty and afMance lends, 
 Join them in prayers that God would blefs, 
 The injlituikn and its friends. 
 
 6th 
 
 An occafional Prayer, and the general Thankfgiving. 
 -th. ODE, 
 
 Written for tit Occafton, Br Mr. J. HOMER 3 Ji'S. 
 
 I. 
 
 WITH hope the founding lyre 
 
 The brt^aft may oft infpire, 
 And roufe to ecftacy the raptur'd foul ; 
 
 But notes of purer kind 
 
 Invite the feeling mind, 
 Enlivening iticams of blifs for Orphans roll 
 
 2. 
 
 Oft hath the mother trae'd, 
 With every beauty grae'd, 
 Its father's image on her infant child ; 
 
JLL 
 
 But angels mud approve 
 The far fuperior love, 
 ;ch Iheds on Orphans its effulgence mild. 
 
 3; 
 
 Immortal pow'rs ! rejoice, 
 
 Raife your applauding voice, 
 Thro' Heaven's high arch of female kindnefs fing * 
 
 Departed faints, defcend, 
 
 Here with your offspring blend, 
 Borne from celedial climes on feraph's wing. 
 
 4- 
 
 The golden age, renown'd, 
 
 With halcyon blifs was crown'd, 
 Each field with yellow bending harveds (hone ; 
 
 No widow's plaintive figh, 
 
 No helplefs Orphan's cry 
 Didurb'd the cottage, or approach'd the throne. 
 
 5- 
 
 But, in Bostonia's days, 
 
 The nobleft meed of praife, 
 Flows from the honed and the grateful poor ; 
 
 Here woman foothes defpair, 
 
 She hears the Orphan's prayer, 
 And thro' the paths of virtue fliall allure. 
 
 6. 
 
 Now fancy takes her flight 
 
 To azure realms of light, 
 Where love divine enthron'd fliall ever reign ; 
 
 Thence (lie will e'er impart 
 
 Her blelBngs to the heart, 
 Which feeks the wretched, and allays their pain. 
 
 7- 
 
 Cherubic choirs proclaim 
 
 Their poeans to the name 
 Of Charity, the friend of human kind ; 
 
 Who, like the orb of day, 
 
 Illumes the ftar-pav'd way 
 To thrones etherial, and to joys refin'd. 
 
 8th. SERMON by the Rev. Dr. Parker. 
 
3* 
 
 
 Hl'MN. 
 
 i. 
 
 See, Ifracl's gentle Shepherd (land, 
 With all engaging charms; 
 Hirk, ho-.v lie calls the tender lambs 
 And takes them in his aims ! 
 
 2. 
 Permit them to approach, he cries, 
 Nor i'corn their humble name ; 
 It wa? to blcfs fuch fouls as thefc, 
 The Lord of angels came. 
 
 3* 
 
 Webring themLord, with grattful hearts, 
 And yield them up to thec ; 
 Rejoic'd that we ourfelves are thine, 
 Thine let our offspring be. 
 
 4- 
 Ye little flock, With plcafure hear ; 
 Ye children, feek his face ; 
 And fly with tranfport to receive 
 The blcfTmgs of his grace. 
 
 5- 
 If Orphans they are left behind, 
 Thy guardian care wc truft ; 
 That tho"t fhall heal our bleeding hearts, 
 When weeping o'er their duft. 
 
 nth. INVOCATION TO CHARITY. 
 Come, Charity, with goodnefs crown'd* 
 Encircled in thy heavenly robe ; 
 Diffufe thy blcflings all around 
 To ev'ry corner of {he globe. 
 
 See where fhe comes with power to blefs> 
 With open hands and tender heart ; 
 Which wounded it at nun's diftrefs, 
 And bleeds at every human fmart. i 
 
 12th COLLECTION, and ivbUe making 
 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE, read. 
 
 ODE. 
 
 xoth. CONCLUDING PRATERS. 
 
 13th. 
 
 Child of the fummer, charming Rofe, 
 No longer in confinement lie , 
 Arife ! to light thy form dirclofe, 
 Rival the fpangles of the fky. 
 The rains are gone, the dorms are o'er, 
 Winter retires to make the way, 
 Come then thou fweetly blufhing flow'r, 
 Come lovely flranger, come away. 
 
 The Sun is drefl in beaming fmilcs, 
 To give thy beauties to the day, 
 Young Zephyrs wait with gcntleft gales, 
 To fan thy bofom as they play. 
 
 i 4 th.— The BLESSING. 
 
Uliiuor 
 
 I Gaylord Bros., Inc. 
 
 Makers 
 Syracuse, N. Y. 
 
 PAT. JAN 21, 1508