OUT-DOOR PATIENTS. 205 the old Alms-House, and prayed with the sick and dying in several rooms. By particular request, he rode to Bellevue, where the new Alms-House was then being erected, in one of the outer buildings of which, a number of sick soldiers were placed; among whom he found the man he was requested to visit. This unfortunate individual had been shot, by the accidental discharge of a musket, loaded with two bullets. He was composed in mind, and no stranger to the grace of God. To him, therefore, the visit of a clergyman could not be otherwise than agreeable ; and after conversation and prayer, he expressed his unfeigned gratitude. Thursday, 20th. "This day," says Mr. Stanford, "I enter my sixtieth year. I was assisted to indulge some serious reflections on the mercy and goodness of God to me, the most unworthy of his creatures, and to offer myself in prayer at the throne of the Lord, for any future services which the Saviour may require. Preached four times this day, and made an agreeable visit to the sick soldiers of Colonel Colden's regiment." Friday, 21st. Early in the morning he rode to Bellevue to visit the soldiers, and particularly the man who had been so severely wounded. The bullets having been extracted, he gradually recovered, and lived to praise God for his sparing mercy. Lord's day, 23d. On invitation of General Mapes, Mr. Stanford preached to his regiment, in a field near the East-River. Afternoon to the church in Fayette-street, and in the evening to a large assembly in the Alms-House. Thursday, November 2d. In the morning he visited a poor sick woman in his neighbourhood. Although his more immediate duties in the public institutions rendered it extremely difficult for him to visit outdoor patients of any description, yet when they were poor, and not attached to any particular congregation, we find him always willing to attend them; and it appears that his visit to this poor dying creature, was not in vain in the Lord. From this chamber of affliction, he walked to the Magdalen-House, and at ten o'clock delivered a discourse to a number of attentive females. At twelve o'clock he preached in the United States Military-Hospital, and afterwards visited the sick in Colonel Colden's camp. The afternoon was spent in the State-Prison, visiting the sick, and preaching two sermons, in different parts of the building; after which he walked home, and retired into his chamber to praise God for the mercies of the day. Lord's day, November 6th. At eight o'olock in the morning, he preached in the City-Hospital, and at ten in the State-Prison chapel. This being the season when the governor of the state usually confers a pardon upon such of the prisoners as are recommended to his clemency, Mr. Stanford gave a discourse to the criminals at two o'clock in the afternoon, on Jeremiah's deliverance from the dungeon; and closed the day with his accustomed services in the Alms-House. Lord's day, 13th. In the morning, he preached at the City-Hospital, and in the State-Prison chapel. Returned immediately to the City-Hospital, for the purpose of visiting two dying men who were earnestly concerned for their salvation. In the afternoon he preached in the chapel in the Debtor's-Prison, and in the evening to a large company in the Alms-House. "This," he says, "was a day of mercy and lovingkindness from the Lord, especially in the StatePrison. It was observed by the visitors in the gallery, that a number of the prisoners were in tears. The subject was- The last enemy that shall be destroyed, is death.' Thursday, 24th. This day, though very unwell, he walked to, and from Greenwich; visited the sick, and # SERMON ON THE DEATH OF ELIJAH HUNTER. 207 preached four times. In the State-Prison he had the satisfaction to hear, that J. D- informed the head keeper, that eighteen months ago the Lord had blessed one of Mr. Stanford's discourses, as a means of guiding him to the Saviour. This prisoner had been the head gardener, conducted himself with propriety, and died trusting in the Lord Jesus. Such instances of mercy to the miserable, demand the most devout gratitude, and form strong encouragement for persevering in the good work of the Lord. Wednesday, December 1st. This day he visited twelve wards in the Alms-House. He found several of the paupers near death; some of them insensible to their situation, and others praying and hoping for mercy. One very aged person, who had seen days of affluence, was rejoicing in the hope of eternal life through Christ, and waiting for the coming of the Lord. Another poor creature was in great agony for the salvation of her soul. Tuesday, 7th. Mr. Stanford walked to the Magdalen-House, in company with some of the managers, and performed divine service. He then visited the United States Military-Hospital, and after sermon conversed with a sick soldier, only eighteen years of age. This youth was under very strong convictions of his sinfulness, and need of a Saviour to prepare him to meet death. While prayer was offered for him, he shed many tears, and it is hoped that in the Lord he found mercy and peace. In the hospital of the State-Prison he found two criminals earnestly engaged for the salvation of their souls. After the labours of the day, he remarks:-" As I walked home, I was assisted sweetly to rejoice in the Lord my Saviour." On the first Monday in January, 1816, though much enfeebled by the labours of the preceding Sabbath, he performed the mournful service of preaching a funeral sermon on the death of his long-tried friend, 、 208 TWO MEN UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH. Elijah Hunter, Esq. The text was, "I have finished my course." Although this is one of Mr. Stanford's ablest productions, yet, like many other excellent sérmons, essays, &c. must be omitted, to prevent this volume from swelling beyond the prescribed dimensions. On Wednesday, the 10th, he performed his usual services in the Alms-House; and in the afternoon attended the Bridewell, in company with the sheriff, at which time the parents and relatives were permitted to converse with two coloured men, who were under sentence of death. The meeting was truly affecting. So great was the interest which he felt in their case, that he considered it a duty to postpone his visits to the other public institutions, and, during the four days prior to their execution, to devote the whole of his time to promote the interests of their souls. The following statement presents another instance of his indefatigable labours, as the minister of the poor. On Thursday, the 25th, he walked to the OrphanAsylum, and heard two classes recite. Presented to each of the monitors a grammar, with which they were highly pleased. He then delivered an address on the death of a pious child; after which, he walked to the State-Prison, and preached two sermons; then visited the sick, and walked home; but so much fatigued, as to be incapable of doing any thing in the evening. The dawn of the following day found him again at his post, in the active discharge of his duties. For his constant and faithful labours in the OrphanAsylum, he received the following letter of thanks from the directresses of that institution. "REV. SIR, "The Board of Directresses of the Orphan-Asylum, sensible of your active benevolence in promoting the LETTER FROM HON. RICHARD STANFORD. 209 interests of their institution, have requested me to express, the warm acknowledgments of their gratitude. "Your unwearied attention to the improvement of the children under their charge, in that knowledge which maketh wise unto salvation,' and your continual efforts to extend the usefulness of their Asylum, are duly appreciated; and they sincerely hope, your excellent advice may be so cherished by the orphans, that it may be the means of reclaiming the vicious, of preserving sound principles, and of making their future lives, useful and happy. "The address you delivered before their orphans, on occasion of the late afflictive event in Philadelphia, when the Orphan Asylum in that city was destroyed. by fire, the board are desirous should be published; and they beg you will allow them to defray the expense. "I remain, Rev. Sir, "With sentiments of great respect, your's, The following is a letter from the Hon. Richard Stanford, to our venerable friend, "DEAR SIR, "Washington City, February 19, 1816. "Our mutual friend, General J. Swift, being here, I use the opportunity, by him, to make to you my grateful acknowledgments for your favour of last summer, by the Rev. Dr. Allison, with the several presents to my family accompanying it. They all reached my family since I left home, and Mrs. Stanford has transmitted to me your letter, enjoining it upon me, when I should write you, not to forget the tender of her particular respects and remembrance. "By the General, I have also sent you a small pocket Bible, which I must request you to accept, as |