domestic felicity. They leave indelible impressions on the mind, impressions which exalt the moral character, and render us better men, better citizens, and better Christians. It is wisdom, therefore, and duty, not to frustrate the benevolent constitutions of Heaven, by dissolving the salutary connections of sickness, and transporting into a public asylum those who may, with a little aid, enjoy in their own homes, benefits and consolations which, elsewhere, it is in the power of no one to confer. (t) But numerous are the sufferers under sickness and poverty, to whom your hospitable doors may be opened, with the highest moral benefit to themselves and to the community. When admitted within these walls, they form one great family, of which you are the heads, and consequently responsible for all due attention to their present behaviour, and to the means of their future improvement. Withdrawn from the habitations of penury, sloth, and dirtiness; from the conversation of the loose and the profligate; and from all their associates in vice, they may here form a taste for the sweets of cleanliness; learn the power of bridling (t) See Notes and Illuftrations, No. XXI. their their tongues; and be induced, by this temporary absence, to free themselves from all farther connection with their idle and debauched companions. Let it be your sedulous care to foster these excellent tendencies: Encourage in the patients every attention to neatness: Tolerate no filth or slovenliness, either in their persons or attire: Keep a strict guard on the decency of their behaviour: Urge them to active offices of kindness and compassion to each other: Furnish the convalescents with bibles, and with books of plain morality, and practical piety, suited to their capacities and circumstances; and which will neither delude the imagination, nor perplex the understanding: Oblige them to a regular attendance on the public worship of the hospital, or of their respective churches: And, agreeably to your laws, neglect not to make provision for the stated and frequent administration of the holy sacrament. There is something in this office peculiarly adapted to comfort and fortify the mind, under the pressure of poverty, pain, and sickness. In the contemplation of that love, which Christ manifested for us by his sufferings and death, all the consolation is experienced which divine sym pathy can afford. We have a high priest touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and who holds forth to us this soothing invitation; Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Promote the celebration of an ordinance, adapted thus to fill the mind with gratitude, and to alleviate every woe. And let the example of our Saviour's resignation to the appointments of God be enforced by it, who in his agony exclaimed, Father, if it be thy will, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless not my will, but thine be done. III. I doubt not the cordial and entire concurrence of you, my REV. BRETHREN, the CLERGY who officiate in this hospital, in the recommendation of the holy sacrament, not only as a stated, but as a frequent ordinance of the institution. With you it will rest to obviate every objection to the rite, and to give it the full measure of spiritual efficacy. Enthusiasm and superstition cannot be dreaded in the offices of rational piety, conducted by those who are rational and pious. And you will neither betray men into false confidence, nor alarm them, when languishing under sickness and pain, with unseasonable terrors. The spirit spirit of a man will sustain, his infirmity, but a wounded spirit who can bear? Under such circumstances, vain will be the aid of skill or medicine, without the supports and comforts, which it is your sacred function to afford. You can "minister to a mind diseased; "Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow, SHAKESPEARE. Being thus the Physicians of the soul, you are essential constituents of this enlarged system of philanthropy. Apply, therefore, with diligence and zeal, the spiritual medicines which it is your office to dispense. Here you have a wide field for exhortation, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. Convalescence peculiarly furmishes the mollia tempora fandi, the soft seasons of impressive counsel. The mind is then open to serious conviction; disposed to review past offences with contrition; and to look forward with sincere resolutions of amendment. Many diseases are the immediate consequences of vice. And he who has recently experienced the sufferings of guilt, will deeply feel its enormity; and cherish those precepts, which will secure him from relapse, and convert his past misery into future blessings. IV. But this large aggregate of good, which it is the design of the present anniversary to commemorate, depends, for its support. and extension, on the GENERAL BODY OF CONTRIBUTORS to the charity. How deeply interesting, then, are the claims, which your fellowcitizens have to make on your philanthropy ! How important is it to the health of thousands, in rapid succession, that you should persevere in beneficence, and continue unwearied in well doing! Ordinary bounty terminates almost in the moment when it is bestowed. The object of it being withdrawn, solicitude and responsibility are no more. But in this noble institution, charity exerts itself in steady and unceasing operations. It is a stream ever full, yet ever flowing; and through the grace of God, I trust, will be inexhaustible. From your zeal, your concord, and liberality, these SACRED waters of life proceed. Be watchful that they are not poisoned in their source, nor contaminated in their progress. Let your zeal be |