the heathen nations abroad, and also to promote Sunday Schools and Itinerant Preaching at home? "The writer of this paper would most sincerely regret if he were to say or do any thing that should, in the smallest degree, tend to the injury of these truly important operations. It is, however, needful to be on our guard, that, whilst we are suitably occupied with these great objects, we do not forget other duties, which, though of much less magnitude; are in some measure connected with them; and in regard to which it may be said-These ought ye to have done, and not have left the other undone. While our ministers have taken a most active and liberal share in these works of faith and labours of love, and some even beyond their ability; it is evident to the writer, that something is needful to be done towards supplying their necessities and lightening their cares. Many of them have already spent, and others are cheerfully and laboriously spending, their time, their strength, and their talents, for the cause of God and the advantage of their fellow men, whilst the interests of their own families are not adequately provided for. "The advocate of this new object has long had his eye and his heart fixed upon this work of mercy; but the time and labour required to nourish and bring to maturity his first and darling child have hitherto prevented. Providence having now accomplished that object far beyond his most sanguine expectation, he has determined, by the assistance of the Almighty, to devote all the time and strength which can be spared from other necessary and G important avocations, to the formation of an institution to be denominated the Congregational Asylum to embrace, first, the educating and boarding (and clothing, if possible,) of eighty or one hundred children of ministers of the above denomination; and, secondly, to provide a comfortable retreat for ten or twelve aged ministers, worn out in the honourable and arduous service of the Christian sanctuary. "In proportion as the exertions in favour of religion increase and prosper, and the churches of course are multiplied, the number of our public teachers must also increase; and it is a fact too well known, that the pecuniary circumstances of the generality of our ministers are such as to give them no surplus to lay by, to meet the peculiar necessities of old age, or decently educate their children. "The children of dissenting ministers are shut out from all those schools which are under the influence of the Establishment. Is it not then much to be regretted, that as yet there has been no better provision made for them among their own denominations? As to dissenting ministers teaching their children themselves, that is impossible, owing to the multitude and variety of their avocations: and to provide them with suitable private schools is nearly as difficult, arising, in general, from the smallness of their incomes. "Although the individual, who, in an humble dependance upon God, has taken upon himself the laborious task of raising and establishing this temple of mercy, and on whose exertions and zeal it must materially depend, at least for some time, is a minister of that denomination for whose advantage it is formed; yet he feels great satistion in being able to say that Providence has placed him out of the reach of deriving any advantage from it himself, either now or in future: he is of course necessarily exonerated from even the suspicion of having any interested motive in devoting himself to this needful and important service. "In making this appeal to the liberality of Christians, the writer thinks he may especially and most confidently reckon upon the zealous co-operation, not only of the ministers and officers of congregational societies, but he also hopes that the rich and affluent among the laity in general will show a prompt zeal, (as they have done upon so many other occasions,) not merely by their own individual subscriptions, but by endeavouring to influence all within their neighbourhood, to whom Providence has afforded the means of doing good. What may be done by strenuous exertion and persevering application, and that in a short period of time, has been so abundantly demonstrated to the writer, in the case of the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, that he feels no hesitation in persuading himself that ample and growing success will attend this work also. Jamaica Row, Bermondsey, JOHN TOWNSEND." A thousand copies of the above, were printed and circulated in London and in the country. The result of such circulation did not equal the wishes. and expectations of Mr. Townsend, whose sympathising nature was distressed by the receipt of letters from numerous and respectable men, suffering under the chill grasp of poverty, whilst, from the affluent, he received little encouragement of success. To urge on the rich and wealthy, the necessity of the projected Institution, he published some of these letters* with one he had received from a minister, who was anxious to contribute his mite, though his congregation and income were small.. TO THE REV. JOHN TOWNSEND. . "Dear Sir,-So cordially do I approve of the benevolent object which occupies your time and your thoughts to a very great extent, that, with my whole heart, I wish you success; and I will, from this day, pray that the hand of God may be upon you; and that he may prosper, beyond the largest desire of your enlarged mind, this pious and laudable undertaking. That I may not seem like those who say to a destitute brother-Be ye warmed and filled, without supplying his necessities, I have enclosed a one pound note, which may, perhaps, purchase one stone. Could I send you enough to purchase one hundred, I am sure it should be done as cheerfully. I am, Dear Sir, Yours, very respectfully." In the Evangelical Magazine of February, 1811, Mr. Townsend gave notice of his intention to call a general meeting of those persons who had given him their names as friends to this new * One minister stated his income to be 50l. per annum, and the number of his children 5: another, with the same sum, had to bring up and educate 8 children, 6 of whom were sons: a third individual wrote, that he had 6 children under 11 years of age! object, from whom he hoped a committee might might be formed, and such laws and regulations proposed, as should be likely to promote the good government and permanent prosperity of the Institution. On the 18th of April this general meeting was held, when it was not found practicable to unite the two objects, as contemplated by Mr. Townsend. The Asylum for Aged Ministers was for the present laid aside, and it was proposed, that children belonging to other denominations should be received; this was also negatived, as being too extended and indefinite. Various resolutions were discussed and modified; the final result of which was, a decision to elect six children, and place them for tuition with a respectable minister, till funds should be secured for a more efficient plan. Our friend, seeing the machine put into motion, placed his shoulder to the wheel, to accelerate the movement; which, alas! was slow and heavy. He travelled and preached, soliciting others to like exertions. Many ministers kindly assisted him, and the following letter, similar to several received at this period, will attest the feelings excited. My dear Sir, I lose no time in replying to a letter which, by this day's post, I have received from you, on the subject of the Congregational School. The Institution has my most cordial wishes for its increasing support and prosperity. Through the overflowing goodness of God, I am placed in circumstances which render me happily independent |