Twelve individuals were presented at the first meeting as worthy of relief, and for the first four years the pensioners were accommodated in a building on the North river, known as "Woodside."

In 1842, Mr. Horsburgh made a liberal donation of $2,000, which formed the nucleus of a fund for the erection of a permanent building.

In 1843, the Society purchased the property on Fortieth street and Fourth avenue. On this purchase there was left standing a mortgage of $1,000, which was paid off during the year 1845, through the liberality of Mr. Horsburgh, the former donor.

The Society was incorporated by the State Legislature in 1845, under the title of "The Society for the Support of the Colored Home." A petition was also made to the Legislature for a repeal of certain acts passed March 11, 1839, and May 26, 1841, which appropriated $10,000 for a State Hospital in the city of New York. The petition asked for a transfer of the money named in the said acts to the Colored Home. The acts were repealed, and the money appropriated was transferred to the managers of this institution, "to be applied to the erection of a permanent building on the real estate belonging to the said Colored Home in the city of New York, for the support and relief of disabled colored sailors and other destitute and infirm colored people."

During the same year, a large number of paupers were received from the Almshouse, and in 1848 an agreement was made with the Commissioners of the Poor to receive at a very low rate all the colored paupers of the city, reserving the right to "reject such applicants as the resident physi cian should medically pronounce unfit patients for the Colored Home."

In 1847, Maria Shatzel, widow of Jacob Shatzel, bequeathed property estimated at about $10,000, to be appropriated for the support of a Lying. in Department.

In 1848, the Society purchased forty-four lots of ground on First avenue, between Sixty-fourth and Sixty-fifth streets, and began to erect more commodious buildings, which were completed in March, 1849. These are the buildings at present occupied. The following fall the inmates were transferred to the new Home.

In the year 1858, the number of inmates having greatly increased, the room used for religious service was found entirely inadequate for the purpose. A committee was accordingly appointed to devise and carry out a plan for a chapel. The building was erected under the supervision of the late chaplain, Thomas McFarlane, who kindly offered his services. This devoted minister, after ten years faithful labor among a people he loved, died in the summer of 1866. The expenses of erecting the chapel were defrayed chiefly by private contributions.

This building fronts on Sixty-fifth street; from either end of it extend, at right angles, the male and female wings, capable of accommodating one hundred and twenty persons each. These wings (four stories high) are

connected in the rear by another building of two stories, which is divided into small apartments containing from five to eighteen beds each. The lateral wings consist of four wards each, extending the whole length of the building. Each ward contains twenty-eight beds. The basement of the chapel is occupied by the Physicians and Matron. The buildings form a hollow square, in the center of which is a flower garden. There is also, on each side of the wings, a plot of ground, one of which is used as a vegetable garden, and the other affords pasturage for a cow.

The wards are heated by means of stoves, and, until recently, the only ventilation has been that afforded by the windows and doors. This was found so entirely insufficient that the Board of Managers introduced, during the past summer, at the expense of about $1,000, a system of ventilation which has thus far given satisfaction. Neither the condition of the treasury, nor of the buildings, would warrant an expensive outlay.

Within the past two years, two very much needed improvements have been made the introduction of baths supplied with hot and cold water, and the establishment of a complete laundry. To two members of the Board the Managers are indebted for these additions.

The Society began its work in 1839, with 12 pensioners; now 800, more or less, are cared for annually in the institution. The average number in the "Home" is 215, fluctuating from 150 in the summer to 300 during the winter. The Home" consists of four distinct departments-Hospital, Home for the Aged and Indigent, Nursery, and Lying-in Department. The number of admissions to the "Hospital" is greater than to the other three divisions combined.

In the "Home" are many who have been with us for a number of years; one, especially, has been in the institution nearly twenty-four years.

The "Lying-in Department " has admitted to it, annually, fifty females, who leave, when able-some for places of service among respectable and Christian people; others, it is feared, for their old haunts of misery and vice.

The "Nursery" consists of children over three years of age, who can not be admitted into the Colored Orphan Asylum. The average number in this department is about twenty. While all is, doubtless, done for these children in the way of mental and religious culture that could be expected in an institution of this kind, they have not all the advantages that could be desired.

Many touching scenes could be drawn from the lights and shadows of the different departments, showing at once the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the wonderful power of divine grace upon the regenerate heart.

The charity is designed for the colored poor of the city and county of New York. These are received on application to the Superintendent of the Out-door Poor, George Kellock, No. 1 Bond street. All others must apply to the Resident Physician at the Home, and pay a stipulated price in advance, as agreed upon at the time of admission. Under these regula

tions, all who apply are admitted, provided they be needy, and willing to comply with the rules of the institution.

No special denomination is represented in the government of the "Home." The right hand of fellowship is extended to all. The greater number of the inmates being, however, of the Methodist persuasion, the services are generally conducted after their manner by a chaplain of their own church, John Arrell. Ministers and missionaries of all other religious denominations are, nevertheless, at full liberty, under the authority of the chaplain, to administer spiritual instruction agreeably to the desire of the seeker and in accordance with their own peculiar views.

The Reading Committee of the Board of Managers, and others, visit the sick frequently, and endeavor to comfort them during their sojourn with us, and to prepare them for whatever change may await them.

The Chaplain, Resident Physician, Steward, and Matron, receive a salary for their services; with these exceptions the aid is taken from the more able inmates, who are paid a pittance (fifty dollars monthly in the aggregate for their industry.

The institution is supported in part by the liberality of private individuals, and in part by a monthly revenue from the Commissioners of Public Charities and Correction. These gentlemen pay a stipulated price for the board of the pensioners admitted under their direction, but it is not much more than half sufficient to meet the necessary expenditures. The Legislature of the State appropriated $10,000 in 1845, and about $12,000 in 1866. No further aid has been received from this source.

The Managers have also received from the estate of Chauncey Rose, through J. Corning, $16,000, paid at different times.

Although many individuals have been very liberal in times gone by, and others still contribute nobly to this worthy charity, it is a subject of sad regret that this institution is so little known, and so little aided by the affluent of our city. Appeals, modest but earnest, have been made from time to time for help, but still the treasury is favored by few such donations and legacies as flow into the coffers of no more deserving, though more public charities. The responsibility of these deficiencies rests not with the Managers, but with those who have heard, yet refused to obey the just appeals in behalf of these obscure and much neglected people.

An effort was made in 1850 to give light employment to the more ablebodied inmates. A workshop was established, in which simple and useful articles were made by those having a mechanical turn. The resident physician reported subsequently that the plan worked well and was highly valued by the patients, who received trifling rewards for their industry. In consequence, however, of the necessary expense, the operations were suspended. It is a great mistake to judge of the success of such labors by the amount gained or lost in dollars and cents. With proper facilities and management, no pecuniary loss need result: but if it should, the incalcu

lable advantage of employment to the mental and physical health of the inmates is more than a compensation. Many diseases are aggravated by, and others consist mainly of mental hallucinations, and in such cases diversion for the mind is absolutely essential to a cure.

Dr. James D. Fitch held the position of Resident Physician for twentysix years. In 1866, he was compelled, by enfeebled health, to resign the duties of his office. The reports of the Managers make frequent mention of his zealous labors in behalf of the temporal and spiritual welfare of those over whom he was placed.

In the year 1864, Mrs. Mary A. Wells, for eighteen years the faithful First Directress, resigned the duties of her office.

"Her failing health rendered her retirement from all active labors at the 'Home' necessary; but her absence is deeply lamented by those who have been long associated with her in this work of love, and who have leaned upon the arm of her strong faith in many dark and trying hours." She was succeeded by the present First Directress, Miss C. L. Westerlo.

We would also mention in this place the name of Mrs. Samuel J. Beebee, who has been connected with the "Home" from its earlier days, and who has, for twenty-one years, filled the office of Second Directress. In this capacity, at a ripe old age, she still takes a lively interest in the work.

Such, in brief, is the history of the Colored Home, the first and only institution of its kind in the country. During the twenty-eight years of its existence it has become one of the most important of our city charities. Its life has been a checkered one. It has had to contend against more than the usual obstacles that are incident to works of charity. Popular prejudice has, for a long time, been turned against the down trodden race for whom the ladies here associated have labored. In the summer of 1863, "the rage of a lawless mob threatened the safety of the 'Home' and the lives of its inmates; but the eye' which neither slumbers nor sleeps' was upon us, and delivered us from our peril, and to Him, whose everlasting arms have been round about us, we would render our humble and grateful acknowledgments." It is also a just cause of thankfulness that these people at last are lifting up their heads in hope; that the dark clouds which have environed them appear to be broken.

The object of this charity is to meet every want, temporal and spiritual, of those who apply for assistance. Striking incidents could be culled from the reports, of those who have come to this institution from the lowest, vilest haunts, but have left it, washed and redeemed. Many do not end thus favorably. Some die without hope; others, with or without temporary convictions, go back to their evil ways, to return, after a time, to the Hospital, laden with the fruits of their iniquity. During their stay in the "Home," many of these give unmistakable evidence of sincere repentance, but being removed from religious influences, they yield to the enticements of their companions in crime.