imitate our blessed Redeemer in going about doing good, and distributing their superfluous wealth in relieving their poor unhappy fellow travellers to the grave. We all know when the wheels of commerce stop, ten thousand industrious hands are immediately inactive, and wretchedness and poverty are the result.

I do not solicit the benevolent citizens of New York to bestow their charity on common street beggars. The persons for whom I feel the most sympathetic commiseration, would perish in their wretched retirement sooner than expose their wretchedness before the public eye. I would, therefore, most respectfully entreat benevolent rich persons, who may peruse these lines (in order to avoid imposition) to send their donations to two super-excellent societies, who are ready to be their almoners, and who are now greatly retarded in their labour of love for want of adequate funds: I mean the Male and Female Assistance Societies of New York. As next Thursday is appointed as a national fast day, may the source of benevolence put it into the hearts of all the benevolent clergymen of New York to remember the sighing of the poor, and forthwith preach charity sermons on the evening of the aforesaid fast day, to aid the funds of the above blessed institutions. For

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the fast that the Lord approves of, Isaiah lviii. 7, "Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house-When thou seest the naked that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from thy own flesh."

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Much might be said in commendation of these amiable societies; but limits com. pel me to be brief in my remarks. I would, therefore, recommend each humane reader to Thomas Carpenter, who is President of the Male, and Mrs. Strong, 323 Greenwich street, who is first Directress of the Female Assistance Society, for farther information relative thereto. And may, Heaven incline their hearts to take their offerings with them in cash or old clothes, or religious tracts, for the instruction as well as nourishment of the poor.

In pleading the cause of the poor we avoid generalities, as too horrible for the eye of philanthropy to behold. We will not even glance at the miserable thousands, but only confine our commiserating glimpse to one wretched family, the father of whom is at this moment either fighting his country's battles, or perhaps

"Now sleeps in death upon a foreign shore, "And hears of war, destructive war no more,”

The mother being deprived of her chief support, has to sell her apparel to procure food for her children-her cruel landlord sells her furniture for rent. Winter finds her destitute, unable to work, ashamed to beg, afraid to make her wants known to the overseers of the poor, for fear of being separated from her poor children, her heart almost broke, and nearly expiring with cold and hunger, reserving the little food she has for her weeping children. The recollection that the trimmings of her rich unfeeling neighbour's wardrobe, and the offals of his kitchen, would be more than sufficient to preserve her from perishing, enhances her mighty woe. Methinks the compassionate mother who reads this tragical but true relation, presses her happy child to her breast, while an unbidden tear drops upon it. Her fancy catches at all I would describe: and she will, I hope, join me in reechoing the following distich in the hearing of her associates who solace themselves in luxurious plenty, to wit:

Hungry and cold the wretched mother died;
Her woe-worn face her babes will view no more;
When you are seated by your own fire-side,
Then think upon and help the shiv'ring poor.

Would it not be good policy as well as charity for the proprietors of the New

York Museum to appropriate the profits of one day to aid the funds of said societies, giving previous notification thereof: for by this means, many who would be inclined to view the museum only by this medium, will be often stimulated afterwards to go with their friends to this innocent and instructive place of amusement. And surely the recent preservation of the New York Theatre should stimulate the managers thereof to contribute their mite also for the relief of the poor, as a token of gratitude for divine protection when danger was so near.› Let them remember the conflagration of the Richmond Theatre, and shew their thanks by deeds that more than speak. The visitors of these societies distribute their charity with a discriminating and economical care. I will beg leave to transcribe a few of the rules of the Female Society, as a specimen of its utility and disinterested generosity, to wit:

Article VII. Assistance is to be given in necessary articles, and never in money, excepting when relief cannot be otherwise effected.

Article VIII. The committee shall use their utmost endeavours to ascertain the real character and true situation of every person they visit, by closely questioning them; and if they think necessary, by inquiry of the surrounding neighbours.

Article IX. The committee shall relieve no person whom they have not previously visited.

Article X. The committee shall, according to the best of their abilities, and as opportunities may offer, endeavour to impress on the sick the necessity and importance of religion.

Article XI. The committee shall relieve the sick committed to their charge with the strictest impartiality, and without any reference to their religious denomination.

May the Almighty Sovereign of the universe shed his choicest benedictions upon the lovely women and benevolent men who compose these philanthropic societies. May. their fellow citizens never let them solicit pecuniary assistance in vain. May their death beds be to them the gate of endless blessedness. O citizens of New York remember that

By heav'n the helpless and the poor are sent
To try your hearts: relent then, friends relent.
God will repay an hundred fold and more,
On earth and on the blest celestial shore.
While those who view the widows' sore distress
Without kind pity, nor their woes redress,
Shall after death, when time shall be no more,
Receive such mercy as they gave before.

"Ah turn your eyes to yonder shed,
Where once in happier days were found

A blooming group with plenty fed,

With health, peace, and contentment crown'd.