own satisfaction, had any been prescribed: but I did the very best that I could. "I soon perceived the plan, and indeed the institution itself, to be utterly incomplete, as far as the female patients were concerned. "Amidst all my difficulties, therefore I formed the plan of an asylum. It often appeared to me that it must be given up for want of money to defray the expenses. For a long time the only return I met with for my assiduity was censure, even from quarters from which I least expected it: but I trust several immortal souls have been, and will be saved by means of the institution. I cannot doubt that the very opposition at first made to it by some friends of the Magdalen, who afterwards favoured it, occasioned some important improvements in the management of that charity." For several years he attended daily (without any remuneration,) to conduct family worship, and give religious instruction in the house; and he constantly had a servant in his family taken from the asylum. The reports, drawn up by him, detail many instances of those who were not only reclaimed and restored to society, but evidently converted to God by the means thus used; and who shewed this by a long course of consistent conduct,-terminating, in seyeral cases, in a Christian and happy death-An useful hint to more than one description of persons, It should be remembered that it comes from one, who had ample opportunity of knowing the truth of what he asserts. "By no means let come to London, if you can help it. I look upon the young women who come to London for places, (a few prudent and clever ones excepted,) just in the light I do upon the cattle that come to Smithfield market: they come to be a prey to the inhabitants. I wonder any of those who have not very prudent and friendly connexions escape prostitution. At every offence, girls are turned out of doors with a month's wages, often in the evening, and at an hour's warning. They have lodgings to seek: a set of wretches let lodgings, who make it their study to betray them into situations from which few escape. Often their clothes are stolen: if not, they are pawned for money to pay expenses and in a few weeks they are thus stripped of apparel and can go to no place at all. In short, dangers are innumerable, and the number that, without any such previous intention, are seduced and become prostitutes and perish without any regarding it, is incredible. It is shocking to me beyond expression and I think I should leave London with pleasure, for this single circumstance, did not a sense of duty at present detain me: but perhaps that will not long be the case. But all will be well, and will end well, for them that trust in and serve God. "I can form no manner of conclusion whether this removal will be an advantage or disadvantage to my secular interest. However I have acted according to my judgment and conscience,and find no difficulty in leaving the event to him who says, seek first the kingdom of God, Sc. The Sunday morning congregations are large, and many of them persons of rank and fortune, who yet approve of our unfashionable doctrines. I preach likewise every other Wednesday evening, and every Friday evening to considerable numbers, at stated times in the week I visit the patients, explain the scriptures and pray with them. They are in general of the most wretched and abandoned of the human species, many of them common prostitutes yet remembering that Jesus himself disdained not to preach to such, and told the proud pharisees, that the publicans and harlots entered into the kingdom of heaven before them, I take pleasure in this work,and expect much good from it; and I find the poor wretches exceedingly attentive, and very much affected. Jesus Christ is able to save to the uttermost all them that come to God by him; and him that cometh unto him, he will in no wise cast out. Nothing is wanting but to convince them all of their need of such a Saviour. "I am surrounded," he says, "daily with pretty much the same sort of company that my Master was, Luke xv 1. The Lord grant that I may behave among them in some good measure as he did, and speak to them with the same success! Most people here are very unbelieving about it, and think no good can be done: but I am enabled to expect great things from the power, mercy, and love of Christ. I would believe, and hope to see the glory of God in their conversion. Indeed I do see some good fruits; and though there are many disappointments, and I am often ready to be discouraged, yet upon the whole I think I may confidently say, good is done : and, if God help me to persevere, and neither faint in, nor grow weary of, nor act inconsistently with, my work and office, I trust may expect a good harvest at last.” I If the Directors will substitute the phrase "Penitent Female's Refuge" for "Lock Hospital" they will find many appropriate and useful remarks in the preceding extracts from Dr. Scott's journal of his labours at that institution. And the friends of missionary exertions in this city may, also, find much to support and encourage them in the work in which they are engaged; and to convince others that it is not a low and disreputable thing to do good to the wretched and miserable portion of any community. We would also, remind our brethren that Paul says, on one occasion, I magnify mine office-not myself. So ministers and Christians, while they glory to suffer reproach for the sake of Christ, should not be indifferent to the estimation in which their standing and labours are viewed by their brethren and the world, for the sake of their office and profession. We value the good opinion of others, but when that desirable object comes in competition with duty to the young and rising generation and the immortal interests of dying sinners around us, no one can hesitate a moment, as to the sacrifice.-A well bred family are surrounded with opulence,literature, and every external accomplishment which could render them happy at home and respected abroad -the children are very numerous and beautiful; the joy and delight of their parents-the promise and hope of their country-they are remarkable for their amiableness, urbanity and even religious deportiment. But a poisonous reptile makes his appearance in the house! What would be the sensations of the whole family at the sight of such a monster? Horror! horror! And yet the creature is suffered to live, and crawl from room to room about the house. He is even caressed and admired, especially by the children and younger members of the family. By and by his imperceptible, deadly bite is seen in the odious sickness and shocking deaths of several of the household. This creates no alarm! An awful delusion takes place and a great majority become fascinated with their own destruction. A few, however, see the danger, lament the crime and calamity, and endeavour to effect the destruction of the monster. But how shall it be done ?-See that anxious father-that agonizing mother-that affectionate brother—that amiable sister covered with shame and astonishment at the disgrace and misery of their own relations. They cry aloud for help: Who will answer? Let the rulers of the people the Ministers of religion-the pious of all denominations and every citizen of respectability promptly and effectively answer, there is no " Hill !” These crimes and calamities exist to an alarming extent. And I hope that it will not be thought indelicate, if the mother in her overwhelming distress should cry even to her bitten children to flee from the face of so horrible a serpent! And unceasingly exhort and persuade them to repent, and apply by faith to the Balm of Gilead and the Physician there, whose precious blood cleanseth from all sin! This remedy has been proved and found efficacious in a number of cases, precisely of the character of those here referred to. Indeed, the charge of indelicacy rests upon those whose indifference can suffer such a state of things to exist among us, and not upon those whose anxious cares and persevering labours are directed to the removal of them. The evil exists-that it should be suffered by any civilized community, I acknowledge is indelicate-It is cruel!-It is horrible! Every feeling of humanity recoils at the sight! But so long as it does exist, and so long as compassion and benevolence can interest the feelings of the human heart, those who cannot bear the evil should at least be exonerated from reproach on account of their efforts to remove it. I hope therefore no civil magistrate, no minister of the Gospel, no professor of Religion, no citizen of respectability and influence will rest easy, so long as ONE SUCH HOUSE is suffered to remain in this city. |