that the Most High will smile on our efforts, furnishes the sole ground on which my conclusion rests to continue in the city one week more. I believe the Lord calls on the churches of this city to lead forth their united forces against the common foe, whose entrenchments are so strong they contemptuously frown on assault.

But, blessed be God, that one mighty host of noble warriors, ere one year is past, may be presenting their fearless front and blood-stained banners of redeeming love where Satan now hath his imagined impregnable bulwarks. Cheering thought! But if this is attained, I must for the present go to the Penitentiary, and bend the energies of my mind to the thorough investigation of the whole subject.

I must write and publish. The public must be informed, or they will do nothing; and moral disease must continue preying on the vitals of the community until the whole mass of society is corrupted as Sodom, and fallen as Gomorrah.

My path of duty is plain-I must walk in it. I must attend the Thursday and Sabbath evening meetings at the Five Points, and have an able man to visit from house to house immediately in that place.

Thursday.—Added one paragraph to the first number of my communication on vice, and handed it to the editor, after I had visited the Five Points, where I counted one hundred and forty places or tenements, many of which were entire buildings where ardent spirits are sold. One hundred and four are notorious places of lewdness. The other thirty-six places are almost more than dubious. This district in which these places are found, are, first-between Five Points and Chatham; second-between Five Points and Leonard; third-between Five Points and Broadway, through Anthony; and fourth-between Orange and Centre, through Leonard. It will be seen this does not include all that passes under the name of Five Points. Suppose each place to contain five females, though some con

tain, perhaps, three times that number, and in the 104 places there will be 520 lewd women. This number may safely be doubled. Then we shall have 1040 females in the sixth ward-at and in the vicinity of the Five Pointswho are among the most notorious prostitutes the city affords.

Admitting there are but one thousand-a very humble estimate, it is believed, for the sixth ward-we have data, not very satisfactory, it is true, by which we can estimate the number in the city. Admitting, also, there are in each other ward one-fourth as many as there are in the sixth ward, the thirteen other wards would give us 3,250; which, added to the 1,000 for the sixth ward, gives us 4,250 public girls. To these add 400 usually in the Penitentiary, and the result is 4,650; just 350 less than the Alderman computed one week since. He reckoned them at 5,000, and the city could not produce a better judge. To these public girls you are to add those females that reside in houses of higher reputation, and domestics, and young females who take lodgings in private families and boardinghouses of respectability. These are doubtless more numerous than the girls abroad on the town.

Placing them at the same number, we shall have 10,000 in this city, being 5,000 less than the number estimated by a physician who had been four years resident at the Alms-House. Now there can be no doubt but there are more than twenty-five men to each woman,-10,000 by 25 equals 250,000 men. This result astonishes the mind.

But those who know the most about these places can readily believe it. But there are not so many men in the city; yet there are a great multitude of men in it. Moreover, seamen, foreigners, and country people are numerous, and thousands and thousands of them visit such places, and glory in it. This is an adulterous and sinful generation. Keep me by thy grace, O my God. Let me never fall.

CHAPTER XIX.

Weariness-Walk in Broadway-Interview with two girls-Advice and kindness-Persuaded them to go home-The next day called on them-Learned their situation-Visit to the Asylum-Trouble among them amicably settled-Meeting in the Penitentiary-Visits at Anthony and Chatham-streets-Meeting at the Five PointsReflections-Further visits-Visits to twelve wards in the Alms

House.

In the afternoon of this day my strength was so completely exhausted I laid and slept on the sofa, too weary almost to take rest there. Sitting in my chair at the fireside, I fell asleep; indeed I was unable to prevent it. At tea-time revived. Attended a meeting, but few were present. Prayed and parted. Took my usual exploring tour. In Broadway a girl looked me in the face-I bowed. She instantly turned and followed me. So, to try the thing, I turned the corner, and she very obsequiously did the same. Poor thing, she had little anticipation of the lesson that awaited her. We walked to a house in Anthony-street. She said she was a servant girl; that another servant girl had persuaded her to go out, by telling her she should get money and fine clothes-live well; that she had been leading such a life but a short time. When we came to the door, and she was about ascending the steps, I told her I feared God and should not go in. She was amazed. I told her I would give her some money if she was in need of it. She said she was. I gave her two shillings, and walked with her to Broadway. I told her I was the agent of a society which designed to overthrow this system of iniquity, and if she went out again she would be turned off and sent down to the Five Points. I gave her a lesson on the seventh commandment. She said she knew it all, she was well acquainted with the Bible-promised she would go out no more.

In one minute after I saw a young man coming out of Broadway with two girls of more than usual splendor of dress. I halted, and lingered, and looked. They stoppedthey separated-one going off with the man. I crossed, and followed, and overtook the other. She turned and looked me full in the face for a moment. She gave me her hand, and wished me to accompany her to an oyster cellar. On refusing, she said she would go with me to a house, but apologized for carrying me to such a house because it was no better furnished. She led me to that door at which I had stood a few minutes before with the other girl. I told her I feared God and dare not go in. I remarked if she needed money I would give it to her. She told me she had not one cent to buy her breakfast. I gave her a dollar, on condition she would go home and commit no crime; fearing she would, I accompanied her to the door of her house, but did not enter. In passing along she told me her history. I pitied the girl-I told her I looked upon her as on my tender and beloved sister, and if she would return to a virtuous life I would be her friend. She said she desired to do it, but the way was closed against it.

Before I returned to my lodgings the clock struck eleven. I retired to rest at a quarter before three in the morning, deeply impressed with a grateful sense of the goodness of God to me, and thankful I had the opportunity of preventing crime, and bringing truth to bear on the consciences of some.

Friday, 17th.-Called on the two females I had seen the preceding evening, and found them in confusion. It was one o'clock, and they had but just finished their breakfast. The one with whom I had not conversed before is beautiful; her eye intelligent and penetrating; her form comely, and countenance benignant. She has a little child.

"O woman! how can you consent to live on the wages of iniquity? how can you support that child by prostitution ?"

"Sir, necessity compels me; I do not love the course I pursue; in the winter I and my child were suffering." "Why did you not go to the Alms-House?”

"No-never, sir, will I go to that place; I will suffer first." "Will you abandon vice and go to the asylum ?" "O don't mention a prison."

"It is no prison-if you are willing to go we are will. ing to receive you. No female is received into our Refuge who does not go of her own choice, forsake her evil way, and resolve to break off her evil habits. You can have the privilege of visiting the asylum before you decide."

They were pleased. On asking them if I should pray with them,

"Well, I don't know. We don't pray. We don't do such things."

They soon consented, and I prayed. They had no Bible, but said they would read one if I would give them one. On parting, I took them by the hand and spoke to them as to sisters. The mother broke away and rushed into an opposite room, her feelings were too intense to admit of further expressions of regard and sorrow for her condition. Poor woman! Before this she asked if she could take the child to the Refuge.

"You can take it to the poor-house."

No, no; my child does not leave me. I think more of it than that. If my child cannot go to the Refuge, I shall not go."

I told her I could not answer her now, but when the case was brought before the directors, they would possibly admit her and her child.

This female had lived as a domestic in the house of the Alderman. Her husband is dead. The history of the other is too dark for record. She pleads for her course, that she may get money to assist a poor father and mother in Brooklyn. Saturday, 18th.-Waited on Mr. Hallock, the Corresponding Secretary of the American Tract Society, who requested an address from me before the Tract Society,