The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-05-21

Magdalen Female Benevolent Society.
meeting Of this Society was held at the York
VILE Institute yesterday II was attended by some
of our most respectable citizens There were also
number OF highly respectable ladies' present, who
appeared as if only one wish prevailed, which was
to be foremost in the ranks of this great project
and indeed the laudable object of such society can
not be too highly appreciated in community where
coersve measures have hitherto signally failed to
check vice, and produce that moral reform which
every exemplary christian must desire. The deplor-
able magnitude of crime in the heart of our city,
has frequently called forth the indignant commentary
has been said lies at the door of the Corporation,
whose lax administration Of the law, through in
efficient police force, cloak for vice. The open
and disagreeablc exhibitions in the thoroughfares OF
city, fully justify these opinions; but no matter
how etfectually the laws may be carried OUT there is
something in the human mind where vice and the
worst of passions OF nature get the better OF our
Judgment, that cannot be controlled by high-handed
measures, either of law religion. The operations
Of the above Society afford practical illustration Of
the correctness Of these opinions, and must hail
its efforts in the fullest spirit Of pure philanthropy
But to our work. Shortly after IL o'clock, Mr..
ISAIAH CARY of Twenty-fourth street, calledgto
the chair The meeting was then opened ". with pray
blage sung the S7th hymn" Return, 0, wanderer"
The Treasurer then read the twelfth annual report
Of the association and also the Secretarys report,
by which it appeared that donations to the amount of
6l9 A, had been forwarded to the institution. The
Treasurer then begged leave to offer few remarks,
before he would resume his seat namely that ma
ny of the inmates of the institution had, after a
lapse of some months from the time they entered
the asylum become pious, reformed characters, and
the Society had traced the steps of many of them
whoSafter they had been permitted to 60 at large,
found that they had received such impressions that
the result had been truly gratifying, Many Of these
females, who had been sent to Blackwe's Island, at
the expiration Of their time in that locality, had
come to the Magdaen Asylum seeking refuge, which
hos at all times administered to them. We visit
all the places of infamy, and when we meet with
and they, in many cases, feel we have made an inn
preston. Many of them have been restored to their
parents and relatives-others have been married,
and that respectfully, and there has been instance
of one of them being placed at the head OF Sab
bath School, and is going on admirably. One Of
our present inmates sometime since, was In such
state of mind that she repaired to the Battery strip
ped and in the of throwing herself into the
river when she rescued, and brought to this In
stitution There has been various other which
could be laid before our hearers, which would prove
the great benefit this Society has been to those poor
s at mot g
will, at all tmesIno matter whether the number be
few or many pay the same attention, and keep pro-
per person in the establishment, which is open to
ceve these destitute females, and administer to them
sadwr am sorry for the absence Of 0 gentleman
20 IN Un 81 S
this Society is progressing in the good work AT
rst when the abors Of this and similar institutions
breast Of every forcbiy was that It would be
hopeless and vain attempt of the Institution and that it
never would succeed-but much has been done-much
and we find il has succeeded and that beyond the most
right to neglect SO Incumbent dutymwe should make
every effort in power to establish a secure system
for the preservation Of possiblc) Of unfortunate 70
should be made-we should do spiritual as well as
physical good and we are certain our exertions
sr aid hS a
of reapng a plentiful benefit for so doing The outlay
sDo and that has been ;ss IN @
been done by It. we cannot complain Almost in eyery
country they are working on this system but more os
house Of refuge for those unfortunate victims and in
London alone there no less than eight This shows
now the working OF the system Is thriving every where
sorv n saa s9 ,. WnsH We ns
the cupdtv ana viIainv Of the other sesI will not for
one moment ATTEMPT TO depct the msnv cases which
have in several instances come under our knowledge
but when we know the malicious and wicked attempts
that are made to draw females to deeds of infamy be-
comes our oounden duty az ministers 70 lend all the
r. = 1 ~ "a Iur power 70 INC 81 ns ;oen.
The cnnemnu s ss - n ra anu nd iaO.
about from place to pace seeking the retreat Of these
creatures, and, if possible; have them provided
for in way suitable to gain for them, by
their repentance, salvation for their everbeng and
everlasting souls Let us not be deferred from probing
INTO the depths OF society No! we shall go forward
anu Proceea WIN I;a our grea. moral DUTY. those
are this Gay 70 this good cause
socety ought are host Ten ;psnsed fswa,s. woud
do more good than tenfod that number in the Ordinary
way It is true that many who have given themselves
10 leading this system of those females lost hut