in the condition in which I have found it; and such exhibitions as are deemed necessary by many of the wise and good, for the promotion of virtue.

6

I have heard, indeed, that a very genteel lady, of one of the most respectable families, said, concerning my former publication," I wonder if Mr. Ely thinks that a religious book which is nothing but a history of ****** and beggars?" To this extremely delicate person, and to all who corre spond with her in sentiment, LORD BYRON may say,

Let those who imagine that they stand, take heed lest they fall; and let all sinners have compassion on such as are out of the way; yes, let us all be grateful, who enjoy the pleasures of a good conscience, of reputation, and abundance; for who hath made us to differ?

That this little volume may give no offence to reasonable and candid men; may furnish in many cases a practical application of scriptural doctrine; may warn the wicked; and encourage those who show unto sinners the way of salvation, is the sincere wish of the reader's friend,

EZRA STILES ELY.

VISITS OF MERCY,

OR THE

SECOND JOURNAL.

January 1, 1813.

"It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting." .”—ECCLESIASTES vii. 2.

DURING the year of our Lord 1812, I continued to preach and visit in the hospital and alms-house, as I had done the year before, but kept no Journal, because I was weary with writing the history of human miseries. The suggestion, however, that those who contribute to my support, will expect some account of my future services, and the counsel of my friends, have constrained me to resume the pen. If any thing may be recorded by it, which will contribute to the edification of the saints, or which will prove a solemn warning to the wicked, the writer will be abundantly compensated for his labour, and will have additional cause for gratitude to that God who "careth for us."

It will be a matter of course for the writer to preach in the hospital once, and in the alms-house twice, weekly, and therefore the reader need not expect any particular

VOL. II.

notice upon this subject. He will also visit these places weekly, and some sketches which appear most interesting will occupy the following pages.

January 6th.

"Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life."-PROVERBS Xiii. 12.

EACH of these cases the writer may say that he understands from experience. Long, indeed, has he hoped for the formation of a society which should support the gospel among the poor in this city. It certainly is a matter of more immediate moment to this metropolis, than any institution which has been organized, or could be founded, for the propagation of Christianity in foreign regions of the globe; for, if any religious community, or evangelized city, provides not the bread of life for the indigent members of its own family, it has denied the faith, and exhibits the worst kind of practical infidelity. But the desire has come, and "it is a tree of life." Yes, "the desire accomplished, is sweet to the soul." Should any one say, that my rejoicing is the effect of selfishness, I can only say, that it would gratify me more to resign my place to some one who would attend to its duties, than to retain it: but as circumstances are, I bless God that he has induced many of his friends to unite themselves in a "SOCIETY for supporting the Gospel among the Poor in the City of New York;" and that they have thought fit to employ me as one of their stated preachers. Any man, who deserves the name of Christian, must desire a comfortable maintainance, and the encouragement of pious friends. The few struggles which I have endured from my own

pride, and from involuntary indigence, are more than compensated by the assurance, that I shall be enabled in future, while I preach to the poor, to live without being constantly under pecuniary obligations to some benevolent individual. It is a source of much felicitation, also, that some provision has been made for the Rev. JOHN STANFORD by the same society. He has laboured, in the estimation of the world, in vain, because he has preached without any pecuniary compensation, at least one sabbath in each month, at the State's prison; but God has given him an abundant reward in the spiritual welfare of some "prisoners of hope."

It seems that the Lord is pleased, in various ways, to make provision for my wants of a temporal nature, while I am attempting to administer to the necessities of some of the poor saints, and of others that remain miserable sinners. To-day a letter came to hand, which I record with my best thanks to the venerable writer, of which the following is a

66 REV. SIR,

COPY.

"January 4th, 1813.

"Having read your Journal, while preaching and visiting at the hospital and alms-house in the city of New York; and being informed that you have not been reasonably supported in this very important labour of love to the souls of the depraved and miserable of our race; permit me, sir, to cast in my mite towards your support, that you may not be discouraged in a work, which, though unprofitable in this world, will, most assuredly, produce you inconceivable riches in the world to come. Remember that he who counts the hairs of your head, and without whom

a sparrow cannot fall to the ground, will never suffer you to want, while engaged in so glorious a cause. You are in the service of the best of Masters; I pray you, therefore, hold out to the end. If you have, ere this, been reasonably provided for by a stated provision, you may devote this to the common cause, in the way that you think best.

"Be so good as to draw on the Cashier of the bank of Newark, in your own name, for fifty dollars. I have taken care that it shall be duly honoured.

"I am, Rev. Sir, with the most ardent wishes and prayers for your success in the Gospel,

"Yours, most affectionately,

"Rev. E. S. Ely.”

"SENEX.

The letter contained the post-mark of Burlington, in New-Jersey. Before I consigned it to my file of honour, the back of it was endorsed with the following

NOTE.

"When I opened this letter, not recognising the hand, I expected an insult, like many which I have received on the subject of THE CONTRAST; but, behold! the Lord has given me another benefactor. I know by experience, and have often rejoiced in the truth, that none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate. Psalm xxxiv. 22."

January 9th.

In compliance with the order of Senex, I drew a check on the bank of Newark, and gave it to a gentleman, to whom I communicated the reason of my drawing it, that he might forward it for acceptance. He presented it to the Merchants' Bank of this city, with his own name on