To you, my hearers generally, who have assembled in honor of the anniversary of our Institution and to encourage it in its pious labors, would I address a few words in conclusion. We doubt not your benevolence, we know that the orphan can never plead to you in vain, we believe that your hearts will ever be enlarged in proportion to the urgency of the claims of the Institution. Its necessities must of course increase with our rapidly increasing population, and be assured it can well and judiciously employ all the bounty you will bestow upon it. Should it be possible for any one here present to feel cold and indifferent to the claims of this Institution, I would say, realize the pitiable condition of an orphan infant. To you who are parents and are watching over your growing offspring, and can imagine how bitter would be your distress at the thought of being torn from them--remember, that these are destitute of a father's protection and a mother's anxious love. Be ye then their comfort and their stay. As you look upon your own offspring, and reflect with gratitude that you are yet preserved to watch over their tender infancy and dependant youth, and as you pray that you may still shelter them until they can withstand the storms and adversities of life, think how you may repay your Almighty Benefactor in the persons of those, who are also his children; think also, how deep will be your ingratitude, if while so blessed, you can "despise these little ones." Your children are yet around you, and you watch over them, but you cannot pierce into the solemn darkness of futurity--they may yet be helpless, parentless, friendless,--_as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise_.[16] Ye also, who have experienced, and perhaps still enjoy, the watchful care and affectionate caresses of devoted parents, forget not that there are those, who have never rejoiced in the sound of a father's voice, or a mother's gentle embraces. And can you, who have known such delights refuse your sympathy to these children of the most cruel privation? No. You will remember those, who have been for ever cut off from the sweetest pleasures of life; whose lips have never learned to say--"father"--"mother,"--and to behold the countenances of these dearest friends lighten up with joy at the sound, and their arms extended for the fond embrace. You will,--yes my brethren,--will you not all,--all here present,--remember them? The _bountiful eye_, which looks upon their sad condition, and relieves them, shall be blessed--blessed of men in their full applause--blessed in its own soothing approbation, and more than all, and above all, blessed of the God of all blessing, now and for ever more. Amen. FOOTNOTES: [1] Proverbs xxiii. 6, 7. [2] Proverbs xxviii. 22. [3] Deuteronomy xv. 7-10. [4] 1 Timothy vi. 18.