8. Increasing in number and strength, they extended their views, and began not only to repress _profane swearing_, but to remove out of our streets, another public nuisance and scandal of the Christian name, _common prostitutes_. Many of these were stopped in their mid career of audacious wickedness. And in order to go to the root of the disease, many of the _houses_ that entertained them, have been detected, prosecuted according to law, and totally suppressed. And some of the poor, desolate women themselves, tho’ fallen to
“The lowest line of human infamy”
have acknowledged the gracious providence of God, and broke off their sins by lasting repentance. Several of these have been placed out, and several received into the _Magdalen Hospital_.
9. If a little digression may be allowed, who can sufficiently admire the wisdom of Divine Providence, in the disposal of the times and seasons, so as to suit one occurrence to another? For instance. Just at a time when many of these poor creatures, being stopt in their course of sin, found a desire of leading a better life, as it were in answer to that sad question, “But if I quit the way I now am in, what can I do to live? For I am not mistress of any trade; and I have no friends that will receive me:” I say, just at this time, God has prepared the _Magdalen Hospital_. Here those who have no trade, nor any friends to receive them, are received with all tenderness. Here they may live, and that with comfort, being provided with all things, that are needful _for life and godliness_.
10. But to return. The number of persons brought to justice, from _August_ 1757, to _August_ 1762 is
9596 From thence to the present time: For unlawful gaming, and profane ♦swearing, 40 For sabbath-breaking, 400 Lewd women and keepers of ill houses, 550 For offering to sale obscene prints, 2 ────── In all 10,588
♦ ‘swering’ replaced with ‘swearing’
11. In the admission of members into the society, no regard is had to any particular sect or party. Whoever is found upon enquiry to be a good man, is readily admitted. And none who has selfish or pecuniary views, will long continue therein: not only because he can gain nothing thereby, because he would quickly be a loser: inasmuch as he must commence subscriber, as soon as he is a member. Indeed the vulgar cry is “These are all _Whitfelites_.” But it is a great mistake. About twenty of the constantly subscribing members, are all that are in connexion with Mr. _Whitefield_. About fifty are in connexion with Mr. _Wesley_. About twenty, who are of the established Church, have no connexion with either: and about seventy are dissenters, who make in all an hundred and sixty. There are indeed many more, who assist in the work by occasional subscriptions.
II. 1. These are the steps which have been hitherto taken, in prosecution of this design. I am in the second place, to shew, the _excellency_ thereof, notwithstanding the _objections_ which have been raised against it. Now this may appear from several considerations. And first, from hence: That the making an open stand, against all the ungodliness and unrighteousness, which overspread our land as a flood, is one of the noblest ways of confessing Christ in the face of his enemies. It is giving glory to God, and shewing mankind, that even in these dregs of time
“There are, who faith prefer, Tho’ few, and piety to God.”
And what more excellent, than to render to God, the honour due unto his name? To declare by a stronger proof than words, even by suffering, and running all hazards, _Verily there is a reward for the righteous; doubtless there is a God that judgeth the earth_.
2. How excellent is the design, to prevent in any degree, the dishonour done to his glorious name, the contempt which is poured on his authority, and the scandal brought upon our holy religion, by the gross, flagrant wickedness of those who are still called by the name of Christ? To stem in any degree the torrent of vice, to repress the floods of ungodliness, to remove in any measure those occasions of blaspheming the worthy name whereby we are called, is one of the noblest designs it can possibly enter into the heart of man to conceive.