190 LETTER TO MR. W. S. gratitude afford conclusive evidence, that young persons especially, might often derive great assistance under their temptations and other trials, by seeking the counsel of age and experience. The affecting case referred to in the following letter, may serve as a commentary upon the adage-"Youth wants a guide." It is not to be controverted, that where sentiments of piety are early impressed upon the human mind, they generally form the basis of respectability in the present life, and greatly tend to prepare for the consummation of bliss in the world to come. But it is equally indisputable, that thousands of unsuspecting youth of both sexes, who leave the paternal roof, fortified by habits of industry and early religious instruction; and followed by the prayers of anxious friends, have nevertheless become the victims of those multiform temptations which, in a populous city, assail them, almost at every step. In many instances they might have been delivered from evil, if, when coming to the city, they had been specially introduced by a letter from their parents, or from the clergyman of the village, to the attention of some pious friend, who would have watched for their good. Letter to Mr. W****** S*****. "DEAR SIR, "New-York, July, 1814. "That man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward, is not only a fact recorded in the scriptures, but it stands inscribed upon the history of the world. Those afflictions which may be denominated peculiar, sometimes arise from our social connections, and never fail to be doubly severe to the heart of a parent, on witnessing the disobedience of a favourite child. Though, perhaps, unknown to you even by name, I esteem it a duty to offer my condolence on the painful LETTER TO MR. W. S. 119 information you may have received of the misfortunes of your grand-son, BF. E. "The circumstances which led to my first interview with the truly unhappy youth, was, my visiting a dying woman in the City-Jail; at which time the keeper informed me that he had a lad of respectable connections under his charge, who, on his own confession, was in a few days to be sentenced for forging a note of fifty dollars. On expressing my regret, and a wish to see him, the keeper kindly brought him to see me in the front office. The interview was affecting. He, with many tears, gave me a general account of his transgressions, justified his prosecutors, and condemned himself, as deserving the expected punishment. The apprehension that information of his conduct would be communicated to his father and grandfather, added to the keenness of his sorrow. Indeed, Sir, I could not refrain from weeping over the misery of one so young, so fallen and miserable. I informed him that I was the chaplain of the State-Prison, and gave him my best advice how to conduct himself, should the sentence of the law consign him to that dreary abode; for which he appeared to be thankful. "The day before the sentence, I mentioned the expected arrival of Benjamin, to the agent, the keeper, and to two physicians, expressing my wish, that as the health of the youth required medical aid, he should not immediately be put to labour. "The next day the Hon. De Witt Clinton, the Mayor of the City, pronounced the sentence, for the term of seven years only; the shortest period of which the law admits in his case. "On the following Lord's day, I saw your poor Benjamin in the chapel. My heart yearned over him. For his sake, as well as others, I preached a sermon from Psalm lxxix. 8, 9. "On this peculiarly painful event, I am disposed to say: From your knowledge of human life, you are 192 LETTER TO MR. W. S. convinced of a superintending Providence, and that God not unfrequently glorifies the riches of his grace by reclaiming the prodigal son. Benjamin, I presume, had gone great lengths in folly, considering his tender years. His errors must deeply afflict the feelings of his friends; yet, as he remarked, his present suffering may eventually preserve him from rushing, if possible, into more fatal snares. So far as it relates to myself, I shall endeavour to afford the unfortunate youth my best advice during his confinement. As to yourself and family, this afflictive event, I hope, will teach you that there is no rose without thorns; and that the interruptions which take place in our social connections, painful as they may be, should lead us to desire that substantial felicity, which alone is to be found in the bosom of the God of mercy. "Children and friends are blessings too, If God the Lord will make them so.' "It cannot be presumed that you will altogether abandon your unfortunate grandson. Our benevolent Saviour forbids it. I was sick, and in prison, and ye visited me.' Whether you do this in person, or by any of your family, or neighbours; if such will call upon me, and my engagements permit, I will conduct them to the dreary abode. If it be preferable to write, I have no objection to hold an occasional correspondence with the family, in reference to the lad; for unless by particular favour, he will not be allowed paper to write more than once in six months. However, should you, or any of the family write, while just reproof may be given to your disobedient child, let justice be blended with compassion. "With sincere sympathy, "I am your's in the gospel, “JOHN STANFORD." A review of the labours of Mr. Stanford during the RIOT IN THE STATE-PRISON. 193 year past, although only a few short extracts have been given from his diary, presents so far as his ministry is concerned, one uninterrupted scene of prosperity. Souls were converted through his instrumentality-public confidence in his piety, abilities, and diligence, became more and more establishedand the spiritual interests of the various institutions committed to his care, were greatly promoted. It is an interesting fact, stated by Mr. Roome, the keeper of the State-Prison, that such was the influence which the evident piety, and patriarchal dignity of Mr. Stanford gave him over the minds of all the prisoners, that during the riot which occurred in 1818, the appearance of Mr. S. at one of the windows, produced a greater effect on the minds of the rioters, than the appearance of the soldiers upon the prison walls. One of them was heard to say, "Let Father Stanford come out into the yard; there is not a man of us who would not stand between him and a bullet." When other ministers preached in the chapel, the prisoners frequently discovered great uneasiness; and the more hardened among them, would sometimes disturb the speaker by rattling their chains, and coughing, or scraping their feet on the floor; but when "Father Stanford" occupied the pulpit, no congregation could behave with greater propriety. They seemed to hang upon the lips of the speaker, delighted and instructed, penetrated and awed, by his simplicity and evangelical pathos. The same may be said in relation to the inmates of the Bridewell, Blackwell's Island, and other places, where the vicious and profligate heard him preach the gospel. Those who were not brought under the saving influence of the grace of God, were constrained to assume, at least while in his presence, a decent exterior. This probably arose from the fact, that, in no small degree, like the pious Mr. Shepherd, he could say, "I never preached a sermon which did not cost me prayers and tears 194 MR. STANFORD IN THE PULPIT. in composing it; and I never went up to the pulpit, but as if going up to give an account of my conduct." Mr. Stanford was indeed a man of prayer, and its hallowing influence was felt by the congregations to whom he preached. When we have beheld him in the pulpit, the words of Cowper have always seemed to be peculiarly applicable. "There stands the messenger of truth! there stands His office sacred, his credentials clear. By him the violated law speaks out Its thunders; and by him, in strains as sweet |