THE ASSISTANT MATRON.

May 23d.

169

I HAVE to-day, preached three times, and visited several sick persons. My poor charge are probably more attached to me than any other people will ever be. They welcome me with smiles, tears, and prayers.

May 25th.

THE Rev. Jacob Broadhead, whose plainness and ardent zeal my poor people love, made an exchange with me this evening. He preached in the Almshouse, and I in the North Dutch Church.

May 27th.

LAST night, after ten o'clock, I was called to visit Mrs. A——, an assistant matron of the Almshouse, who was, as she thinks, converted, through my instrumentality, about two years ago. For some time she has been a member in full communion with the Reformed Dutch Church I found her on one side motionless, and much shattered in mind; but all her conversation was about Christ and his people. Her attackment to the writer is very great. She calls for him at frequent intervals, and although she has children, yet proffers him, in her partial, but momentary delirium, all that she possesses.

This morning I found her more composed in mind, and more at rest in body, from the progress of her dis

170

THE SPOTTED FEVER.

ease. She said, alluding to the communion in the Dutch church, which is approaching, 'I hoped to break bread with you soon, dear Sir, but I am ready to depart. I hope he will take me soon.' A pious woman came to see her, and she desired that she might be raised up "to talk with one of the people of God." In the Hospital too I visited many, and particularly the blind sailor, who is my own son in the faith, He is certainly a signal monument of divine grace.

On the last Sabbath, Mr. C— listened to my discourse, and in one part of it, I could perceive, that he was very deeply affected. To-day I found him thoughful and tender. The spotted fever left some extravasated serum in the thorax, as it did in the case of the vigorous H- H-, which becoming puss, produced ulcerations in the lungs. One of the lobes of the lungs of H- H- was found, on examination after death, to have been wholly consumed. Mr. C— seems to be in the same situation: but he flatters himself that he has no serious pulmonary complaint.

To state to him my own opinion, and that of his physician, I find very difficult; but I prepared the way this morning by prayer and conversation, as well as I could.

May 30th.

AFTER concluding my third public service, I visited three rooms in the Almshouse, and prayed in each of them. The conversation with many was very similar to that which has been related on former occasions.

THE SICK IRISH MOTHER.

171

While I was preaching to night, a man muttered, so as to be heard by all, "O d-n the stuff! I don't want to hear any more of it!" After a short pause, I said, "It is iny duty to preach Christ, whether men will hear, or forbear." After this he was still; and during the greater part of the discourse attended to the speaker.

May 31st.

By request, I went to No. 26, Harman Street, to visit a sick woman; and behold I found the Irish mother, of whom some account has been given in my first Journal. She has three small children living; and about a month since left the Almshouse, to live by her own industry. She obtained a comfortable room, and was doing well; but one day last week, worked harder than her strength would allow, got wet in the rain, and now has a violent fever. Some of the Lord's poor seem to be doomed to perpetual afflictions. May not the person who enjoys almost uninterrupted prosperity, ask, in astonishment," Why am I exempted? Gracious God! Why hast thou made us to differ?

June 2d.

PREACHED in the Almshouse, and visited as

usual.

TO-DAY I have preached three times, but I begin to think that the labour is more than I can bear in the warm season. In a hymn-book which I used in the Almshouse, during public worship, and which I gave to a pious woman not long since, I found this inscription, which she had procured to be written, I believe by her little son :

"MARY BRASHER'S BOOK ;

SACRED

To the Memory of

THE REV. E. S. ELY."

It was intended for respect; and I was not ashamed to read this concise monumental praise: I would not wish another word added to my future tomb-stone.

June 8th.

PREACHED in the Almshouse.

June 9th

DELIVERED the discourse at the Missionary Prayer

Meeting.

VALEDICTORY DISCOURSES.

June 13th.

173

TWENTY-SEVEN years ago to-day, I was brought, a feeble infant, with a polluted nature, into the apostate family of Adam; but the grace of God has put me into the Christian ministry.

I have preached my valedictory discourses in three places to day; and was principally grieved, on the occasion, by the loud wailing of the poor people. Never would I wish to be more beloved by any people; never would I wish again to have my departure from any place so deeply regretted, as the present has been, by the aged men and women, in the Almshouse.

It was necessary for me to get away from them as fast as possible, for I wept, and they were likely to deluge me with tears.

May God bless the poor, and provide for them; and to his name shall be all the praise for ever!

Those who may wish to know why I left New York, and whither I went, will find their curiosity gratified, by consulting" History of Ecclesiastical Proceedings relative to the Third Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia,” which has been given to the public by GENERAL JOHN STEELE, Collector of the Port of Philadelphia, and Mr. WILLIAM M'CORRE, Editor of the Freeman's Journal."