case with the celebrated orphan house which professor Franck established at Hall in Germany. He began with a trifling sum the erection of buildings, and was prospered in the undertaking. Oft times, according to his own account, he had nothing at the end of the week, to defray the expenses incurred. But by faith he obtained the assistance he needed. In his necessities he resorted to God, his covenant Father, and found relief, the relief he desired. As the establishment was completed by the interposition of providence in an extraordinary manner, so was it continued. The means of support, like the manna on which Israel fed, was the immediate work of God. Not unlike the motive which prompted the godly Franck to venture on his good work, was that which produced the establishment of the Orphan Asylum Society of New-York. With its history you cannot but be acquainted, since the Board of Direction have, from time to time, published their proceedings. They now solicit your aid to carry on their purposes of mercy, to the orphans whom God shall cast upon their care. Though no circumstance of special importance," (such is the language of their last Report,) "has marked the last year, "they cannot deny themselves the pleasure "of declaring, that, during its course, a kind "Providence has led them through many "difficulties occasioned by the want of "funds, and brought assistance to them in ways entirely unlooked for. Often in the 66 past winter, when the Board were uncer"tain where the next dollar was to be found, care, some generous and unexpected friend has "risen to furnish comfort to the little father"less under their group who are now "clothed in garments thus procured. Their present circumstances," thus they conclude, “are so embarrassed, that the Trus"tees would sink into despondency, were "not their trust firmly fixed in that Almigh ty Friend, who has made it a part of his glory, that he relieveth the fatherless.' "Under the influence of this trust, they cast "themselves upon the bounty of the public "for the support of their fatherless chil"dren." That public which has so generously assisted them in past years, will not now forsake them. The aspect of the times, though apparently unfriendly to their petition, is really favourable to it. They ask of your bounty, for helpless children; for orphans. Parents, in the course of Providence, your children may become orphans, and from the state of the world, orphans dependant upon the mercy of others. You know not the issues of events; but the Lord makes known to you your duty, whatever these issues may be. He calls himself "a father of the "fatherless," and has left upon record this precious truth, that "in Him the fatherless "findeth mercy." Do you not desire to imitate his example, and by your aid to become, in your sphere, "fathers of the "fatherless?" Stronger claims, Men and Brethren, there cannot be upon your benevolence, than those of children deprived of both parents, and left in a wide world without food to eat, and raiment to wear. They cannot be considered as vagrants or idlers, until the trial to fit them for usefulness has been made. But how shall they be fitted, if such institutions as the Orphan Asylum do not meet with encouragement? The estimable members of this society, could they dispense with such applications as the present, would cheerfully do it. Their character is the pledge, both for the necessity of the application, and the proper distribution of your alms. Benevolence in any form is delightful; in a female form peculiarly so; but most of all, in a female form soliciting aid for friendless infancy. In that form she appears before you, and asks of you to give something of your worldly substance, to help her in feeding and clothing orphans. Shall she return empty-handed? Shall she say to her orphans, I applied to those who live under a dispensation of mercy, in your behalf, but they would not be merciful to you? I trust in God, who has revealed his grace to you, that you will not suffer her to make such a report. Have any of you, being fatherless as sinners, felt the influence of divine mercy in your souls? Remember, that you are bound to prove it, by extending your compassion and relief to the fatherless among your fellow men. Have any of you, in temporal matters, being fatherless yourselves, found mercy in God, by the supply of your wants? Extend your care and compassion to the fatherless around you. Since God has manifested mercy to you in the word of grace, and through that, in the dealings of his providence, display your gratitude, by relieving the fatherless. his Suffer me to introduce Orphans themselves to your notice, that they may state their own case. They were found, by female benevolence, ragged, and seated on a grave with grass scarce overgrown. "A piece of bread between them lay, And yet they looked so much a prey "Before my father went away Such is their tale of wo, told by a boy "Before my father went away, "And then poor mother did so cry, |