CHAPTER XXIV.

Grand Jury-Moral Reform Society-General Refuge on the banks of the Hudson-Stranger's Home-New-York Election-NewYork Observer-Obscene Prints.

What next? Be patient, reader; you are now in the outer court. When we shall have digged through the wall, and found the door that goes into the inner court, the sanctum sanctorum, you will "see greater abominations than these."

"The Grand Jury present the monthly publication, entitled 'M' Dowall's Journal,' as a nuisance, which calls loudly for the interference of the civil authorities.

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The New-York Observer endorses the character of the Grand Jury, and prefers against me the following additional charges:

"1st. That I have been sadly lacking in a sense of christian delicacy and propriety.

"2d. That the Journal, to the whole extent of his investigations, is calculated to promote lewdness.

"3d. That the Grand Jury's presentment expresses the sentiment of all his religious acquaintances with whom he has conversed on the subject.

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My efforts in this cause have called out the virulent opposition of the vile rabble and the libertine press; and last, but not least, Messrs. S. E. Morse & Co. who charge me with a sad lack of christian delicacy and propriety. Will Mr. Morse tell the public what is the standard of christian delicacy and propriety? If he answer the Bible, then will he be kind enough to prove, by comparison, my statements with Bible facts? I challenge him to a comparison.

"In conclusion, it is but an opinion expressed by twenty

or twenty-five individuals, some of whom confessed that they have chanced to see but one or two numbers, and more have probably seen none; and this opinion is urged against the opinion of thousands of intelligent and pious christians, ministers, laymen, and ladies, who have regularly read each number, and who have, and who continue to support it, by their funds and by their prayers.

"Let the New-York Observer, the Courier and Enquirer, Grand Juries, and the Five Points say on: they have already done much for the Journal, by adding greatly to its list of subscribers, and why should I complain ?"

Yes; well might he respond, "Say on "-Go on. What could they do? They could express an opinion. So could a company of tipplers meet in an ale-house, and if haply they could find a professed Christian, who would take a drop with them, sit down sociably together, and express an opinion "that it would be much better for the community of dram-drinkers, if temperate, virtuous females would cease to speak or act against husbands keeping late hours abroad, and brothers tarrying long at the wine; consequently virtuous women are a nuisance, and call loudly for the interference of civil authorities."

This presentment of the grand jury is not named as one of the "swellings of Jordan" in M'Dowall's sad history, but simply to show the reader that every portion of his life was filled with some vexatious impediment to divert him from the grand object. One might well nigh conclude, by reading his private journal, that there had been one grand sitting in the court of Pandemonium; and that an edict had been issued that "the temple of Janus should be shut" throughout the world; that to every nation, kindred, and tribe, universal peace should be proclaimed, till by skirmish or battle, siege or fire, they should demolish this ill-fated man.

It would seem that the physical strength of Samson, together with the intellect of Paul, would be requisite to

hold mind and matter together under the constant roaring of thunder, the rattling of hail, or the spitting of sleet, to which he was alternately exposed.

It is not possible to rehearse one half the story in a volume like this; and few are prepared to believe what his energetic mind planned and his industry accomplished in a few short years, replete as they were with opposition and scorn. The world did not know him; his friends did not know him. One of his brethren remarked of him, "he was the crookedest stick that ever grew on mount Zion." Crooked indeed to every time-serving, slothful professor, to every hater of holiness. "He was a root out of dry ground." To such he had no form or comeliness whereby they should desire him.

"April 4th, 1834. Rev. C. Hall, of New-York city, called on me to-day. He wished to have a private interview, to give me a statement of his views respecting the Journal, wherein it might be improved, and how a reconciliation might be effected between me and the New-York Female Benevolent Society. Agreed to meet him at six, at his office. Mr. Hall is the first man who ever came to me for such a purpose, and in a christian, kind, and affectionate manner. I was surprised; but most sweetly I thanked him, and told him I was pleased. This fact I write down, as it may be of essential service to me in time to come."

About this time he writes, (1834,) "I have allowed cares, anxieties, and persecutions to divert me from keeping a regular journal. The Lord pardon his servant, for now I feel the loss. There is no remedy. I am afflicted. Even rulers in the house of God take advantage of me to oppress me and ruin my character. These come not to my help. Lord, give me grace and I will conscientiously seek thy glory."

Again his finances were exhausted, and he saw no way to publish another number of his Journal. He had re

ceived a year's subscription from some thousands of people, whom he was not able to supply with the last four numbers for the year. He was well nigh giving up, fearing he must stand before the public as a dishonest man.

At this, to him distressingly trying time, some five or six persons, who well knew his worth, offered him assistance, and assured him he might call on them in all times of trouble.

Mr. Fanshaw pledged himself to continue his Journal through the year gratuitously, if the public should not supply him with funds.

At this time the woman who had been an agent for the Journal from the beginning, was in the western part of New-York on the same business. She had passed a fatiguing day; had procured but few subscribers, nor gathered any donations. As the day was drawing to a close, she called at a house, and solicited the lady to become a subscriber or give a small donation to Mr. M' Dowall. She refused, but directed her to a neighbor's, not far distant, who was rich and benevolent. Discouraged, she passed the gate and returned; thrice she did the same, resolving and re-resolving, till at last she reached the house and delivered her message. The lady joyfully welcomed her, adding,

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I have reserved fifty dollars as an offering to the Lord, and have been waiting to know where best to bestow it, and Providence has kindly sent you to tell me where it is most needed." She then subscribed for the paper, and prevailed on another lady to do the same.

With this donation, together with what she had previously collected, she returned to New-York and presented it to Mr. M'Dowall: he hastened to Mr. Fanshaw to cancel the debt, but he generously told Mr. M'Dowall to keep it for his family. This unexpected favor was gratefully received, for Mr. M'Dowall acknowledged he was wholly destitute of the means of subsistence.

Thus did God, when assistance from usual sources failed, send to him supplies in a manner that the public knew not of; by opening the hearts of some whose memory M'Dowall cherished till his latest breath; among whom was William Brown, Esq. one whom God had blessed with a liberal heart, an independent mind, and an abundance of this world's goods; and he was ever ready, when all other sources failed, to offer his aid in behalf of one whose merit he well knew, and from whose side he was not to be driven even by the threatening of that odium which was certain to fall upon the avowed friends of the injured M'Dowal.

Moral Reform Society.

May, 1834.-A Female Moral Reform Society was formed auxiliary to the American Seventh Commandment Society.

Some of the leading members of this Society were members of the New-York Female Benevolent Society, and withdrew for the following reason: there had been published in the Courier and Enquirer, and the New-York Observer, something derogatory to the character of Mr. M'Dowall, and these ladies presented a resolution, that they had no agency or responsibility in regard to any such publications. The Board refused to act upon it.

These ladies therefore said,

"We protest against employing the name and influence of this Society to destroy or injure Mr. M'Dowall, and do now feel in duty bound to withdraw from all further connection with this Society." "MRS. WM. GREEN, Jun. "MRS. D. C. LANSING."

This Society took a decided position in regard to the doings of the Benevolent Society, and have from the beginning been unshaken in their fidelity to Mr. M'Dowall and his cause. Mr. M'Dowall rejoiced, though, he had