kept from all those temptations to wliich they would otherwise be exposed ; and have their conduct watched over, their tem- pers corrected, their habits restrained, their principles improved, their whole deportment brought into subjection to good in- struction and to well-ordered authority. They are insensibly taught, by the example of others, what could not have been infused into them by mere abstract precept ; and they acquire, by imitation, habits of order and docility, which they could not by any other method have obtained. Now, then, who shall estimate the value of this to the children themselves ? or who shall say. What benefit shall, in a course of years, ai'ise to the whole community from such institutions as these, if they be generally established and well supported? I have not spoken respecting religious advantages accruing to the children, because it may be supposed that they are not at that early age capable of religious instruction. But is it nothing, to prevent the soil being overrun with briars and thorns, and to have it improved by the infusion of moral principles ? In fact, a child's religion consists chiefly in the fear of God, and in an habitual regard to his all-seeing eye : and this is implanted in their minds to vast advantage, by the entire system of discipline to which they are subjected, as well as by the distinct instructions which are given them. And though it is but too probable that they may afterwards lose the impressions which are then made upon their minds, yet they can never forget the general idea, that it was well with them when they were so disciplined and so instructed. Nor is the influence which they may carry home into their do- mestic circles, a trifling matter : for when their parents hear them giving an account of the lessons they have learned — les- sons of meekness and patience, of truth and honesty, of purity and love — they may themselves be put to shame, and acquire very important hints for their own improvement.]
I beg leave, then, to recommend to your support this important institution — I would recommend it, [First, for the sake of the risiyig generation, on whom it
will confer so great a benefit Next, for the sake of those
zvho have set on foot this henevolent plan.. None but persons of very enlarged minds could ever have devised such means of benefiting the poor. To instruct such infants would, to any common understanding, have appeared as hopeless a task as that of " casting bread upon the waters." Yet experience has proved its vast utility ; and shewn, that if such institutions were to prevail in every town, a most extensive benefit would be conferred on the whole community. Shall, then, persons ca- pable of adorning and instructing the highest ranks in society not meet with support, when they employ their talents in