THE means of safe keeping by bars and bolts, and cords and chains, are abundant, and easily obtained; but it should be the supreme object of those who have assumed the responsibility of governing the insane, to restore to their reason, and to society, the greatest possible number of these afflicted beings: and we have no hesitation in believing, that this will be the most certainly accomplished by strict attention to a moral regimen. The greatest improvements in the treatment of madness have been of this nature; and the most approved physical agents of modern times were familiar to our remotest ancestors. With such views, the recovery of the deranged is not to be forgotten in the mazes of abstract research, nor in those wild speculations on the nature of the reasoning faculty, under the influence of which it is often difficult to determine, where the greatest degree of mental alienation exists, whether in the patient, or in him who has the care of him.

The period is not remote, when a variety of circumstances conspired to render the very name of a mad-house a subject of terror and dismay. The prevailing opinion of the friends of its unhappy tenants was, that they were placed within its walls, not as in a situation where they might, by lenity and kind treatment, be restored to the blessings of health and reason, but as in a place of safe keeping, disabled from injuring themselves and others; where, from the supposed nature of their disorder, they neither deserved, nor would receive the compassion of their keepers, and where they would inevitably languish and die. Thanks to the wisdom and humanity of the times in which we live, lunatic asylums have not only excited the attention of the benevolont every where, but have also been a subject of legis

lative investigation in one of most enlightened countries of Europe. It was on inquiry discovered in England, that the contributions which had been made with a liberal hand towards their support, both in town and country, were shamefully misapplied, and lavished on those who, by neglect and cruelty, had merited and received the severest reprehensions of an abus ed public. Under their former structure, every thing that met the view of the exiled sufferer, about to enter them, was suited to convey the idea of confinement and restraint, and that he was to be immured in, and subject to the hardships of a prison; an impression of lasting and pernicious tendancy. He was, indeed, there shut up from the world, separated from his friends, and covered from the light of day; and, amidst the aggravated horrors of a dungeon, the chains which rivetted his gastly figure to the ground, bound also in everlasting night the distinguishing attribute of his being. In such a situation, without an effort to revive the suspended energies of his mind, with nothing to awaken him to a sense of his human nature, without a ray of consolation, of affection, or of sympathy to beam upon him, he remained a neglected, forgotten, and abandoned prisoner. Thus forlorn, the whole plan and system of his custody were of a nature to drive him to despair, and to the hopeless, the awful condition of irremediable madness. Asylums for the insane ought no longer to be viewed as places of personal security merely, but the temporary abode of a class of fellow beings, having the strongest claims to our sympathy and regard; furnished with the means of comfort, amusement, and employment, adapted to the circumstances of their condition, and the nature of their disease.

In the superior and general superintendence of such an institution, I would take the liberty to recommend, for the most obvious reasons, permanency of appointment, when justified by the qualifications of the elected. The appointed should be reasonable, humane, moral, and religious, possessing stability and dignity of character;

mild and gentle in their temper and deportment, but resolute in their purposes, and of great self-command; never attempting by ill directed efforts of superior strength, to subdue the unconscious violence of their charge; of just and sagacious observation, and endued with clear and unclouded minds; so compassionate, and of such intelligence, as not only to take an interest in the unhappy lot of the objects of their trust, but to be able to assist them in the recovery of their reason. In their ordinary visits, they should approach the insane with an air of gentleness and kindness, expressive of concern for their unhappy condition, a deportment which will not fail to augment their respect and confidence, on occasions requiring a more stern and distant intercourse. They should watch, with discriminating and unwearied attention, those favourable moments of drawing them from their hallucinations, their fantasies, and wanderings, which frequently occur in the intermissions of many cases, both of madness and melancholy. The blunders of the ignorant and unskilful in the treatment of bodily disease, are generally of rapid effect, and may soon end in the death of their victim; but in the management of the insane, they are of slow, deep, and lasting consequence.

A convalescent should at all times be separated from the more insane. While permitted to see, in the countenances and conduct of those who surround him, multiplied examples of the deplorable state from which he is emerging, what can be more adapted to overthrow his feeble and yet tottering intellect?

The furious maniac, who from occasional, but remote acts of violence, may have required the most rigid restraint, ought at times to be released from his chain and his cell, to be led forth to the refreshing influence of an untainted air, and the liberty of such exercise, as may promote so free and equal a circulation, as shall counteract that morbid structure and disorganization, whatever their nature, which confirm and prolong his disease, and finally render it incurable. When

released, it is advised that he should not associate with the deranged, but continue under the eye of an attendant, both capable and willing to improve every advantage of his meliorated condition. It is only by thus extending the freedom of the violent, that we can ascertain the changes their małady may have undergone. Neglect in performing so imperious a duty, is a negative act of unpardonable cruelty, which, there are strong reasons to believe, has often doomed to immeasurable suffering, many a wretched inmate of a lunatic asylum. What must be the feelings of that being, who, month after month, and year after year, fettered with chains, and shut up in darkness, yet possessing the powers of

intellect, is incapable of rousing the sympathy of his keepers, and can contemplate in the grave only, the termination of his suffering? With what an aggravated sense of horror must we view his forsaken condition, if at the same time, he is cut off from the cheering light and consolations of the Gospel, the blessed refuge of the afflicted? It is stated, that at the House of Correction at Kendal, in England, a maniac, who had lucid intervals of nine or ten months duration, was confined in a solitary cell for ten whole years, without occupation, and without seeing a human being but those who brought him food.

In the arrangements of the new asylum, it is presumed that considerable advantage would be derived from an exclusive appropriation of two large apartments for the sick of the two sexes, having allowed to each an attendant, who should remain with them during the night as well as the day. With such a provision, the sufferer, in whose mind the light of reason had been long extinguished, might, during that gleam of intellect, which frequently attends the closing scene of life, be made to know that he is a human being, meriting and receiving the compassion and kind offices of his fellows. Without such accommodation, many do, and must unavoidably die unseen. The expediency, propriety, and utility of public worship, cannot be too strongly inculcated, under proper

regulations and restrictions, in every building appropriated to the reception of persons labouring under mental disease.

1

With respect to the amusements and various occupations of the deranged, as a means of arresting their wanderings, and thereby contributing to their recovery, many useful remarks may be found in some of the publications on insanity. I would recommend, that in all their recreations, whether of labour, of skill, or amusement, they should be separated from each other, and classed, as far as circumstances will admit, with the sane, engaged in similar amusements and pursuits. It has been found that such employments and recreations as require the most bodily exertion, have been the most beneficial,

Protestant Episcopal Tract Society, Pursuant to public notice, the "Protestant Episcopal Tract Society" held its annual meeting in Trinity Church, on Tuesday evening, Feb. 9, 1819.

The annual Report of the Board of Trustees, prepared by Mr. DUFFIE, was read by Mr. SMOTH; whereupon, on motion, Resolved unanimously, that the Report be accepted.

Resolved, that the publishers of the Christian Journal be requested to insert the Report just read in the next number of that work.

Resolved, that the Board of Trustees be requested to have 500 copies of the Report printed in a cheap form, for the use of the members of the Society.

The Society then proceeded to the election of a Board of Trustees for the ensuing year; when the following gentlemen were elected, viz.

Right Rev. John H. Hobart, ex officio

President.

Rev. Benjamin T. Onderdonk, 1st Vice-President.

John Watts, M. D. 2d Vice-President. Rev. William Creighton, 3d Vice

President.

Cornelius R. Duffie, Treasurer. William E. Dunscomb, Corresponding Secretary.

Edward W. Willkings, Recording Se cretary.

Thomas N. Stanford, Agent.

Trustees--John J. Lambert, D. Murray Hoffman, Luther Bradish, William Onderdonk, jun. William H. Harison, Floyd Smith, J. Smyth Rogers, David Austin, Charles Nichols, Lloyd S. Daubeny, William Tripler, Benjamin Haight, Cornelius S. Bartow, Anthony Bleecker, Cornelius Oakley, William S. Popham, Isaao C. Jones, Henry Floyd Jones.

REPORT.

THE ninth anniversary of our Institution finds us assembled to review our past efforts for the diffusion of moral and religious truth, to celebrate the goodness to which we are indebted for their success, and to provide such means as will most effectually contribute to our further usefulness.

In so good a cause it is well to strengthen each others hands, and mutually to excite our hearts, by renewing those considerations of duty and benevolence which first prompted this union of our exertions. We will find the necessity of this charity not diminished, nor its value impaired by the occurrences of the few years which have marked our association. On the

contrary, new sources of encouragement are constantly developed, and the events of every succeeding year illustrate more fully that an important period has arrived, in which we are bound by new and increasing obligations to be forward in every work of Christian love.

The time has passed by, when it was thought prudent to withhold from the mass of the community the sources of religious knowledge, and to restrict to a few those tidings of peace and good-will, which were intended for the whole human race. With this reign of pernicious error, has also fled away that of indifference and indolence. The Christian world is no longer insensible of its privileges, nor unjust to its obligations, and now, though late, is emulously engaged in conveying to all classes of men the blessings of knowledge and religion. The distribution of Tracts, the obe ject of our Institution, may be productive of a powerful influence in promoting these great objects, and if we consider how many there are thoughtless and ignorant, who may, by our aid, be informed of their duty, and guided into the ways of obedience and safety, we shall perceive ample scope for our most industrious benevolence. In this work, we set out few and feeble, and throughout this extensive diocess, we continue, to this day, to form the only Society in our Church with these particular objects in view. The field before us is, therefore, as ample as it is inviting; and every one who is desirous to show his grateful sense of the lights of Christian knowledge which he enjoys, and every one who is ambitious of promoting the spiritual welfare of his race, may here prove his sincerity by faithful co-operation. We are happy to concedes that, though alone in this particular path of religious duty, we are not without rivals to excite our exertions, We have competitors in the race of charity and usefulness, and they so ardent, so adventurous, so successful, that it becomes us to arouse to the inquiry, whether we have not permitted them to exceed us in exertion and

zeal.

The sacred volume of Inspiration, the source of all spiritual light, and the inestimable book of Common Prayer, which reflects so faithfully its rays, these have been placed into every hand which has been extended to receive them: while, at the same time, the hearts of those who carry glad tidings have been sustained, and their hands firmly and nobly upheld by societies more recent than our selves. The patronage they have received was due to the magnitude of their objects, and the strength of their exertions. Let us rejoice in their success, and emulate their earnest efforts, remembering that our motives are the same with theirs, and that the means we employ, though perhaps less imposing, are yet directed to the same common object.

It is believed that the great body of men, even with the Bible in their hands, do not inquire into the truths of VOL. III.

religion from an innate and settled conviction of their importance. If there be such a conviction, the influence of pleasure, and the cares of worldly pursuits, most frequently suppress all rational consideration, or defer it to the uncertain moment of future convenience. Some accidental appeal, some unlooked for suggestion, excites inquiry and reflection, and these can by no other means be so well conveyed as by a compendious Tract. Unobtrusive and silent, it is a confidential monitor, whose faithful counsel is received without prejudice, and without impatience. Taken up in an idle moment, its perusal al may awaken the first faint desire of instruction and amendment, may strike upon the mind the first impression of serious thought, and, before it is laid aside, a favourable bias may be given to a character vaccilating between virtue and vice, or haply inclined, by previous habits, to the latter. This being the object of our exertions, are we not justified in indulging the belief, that among the many thousands of Tracts we have distributed, some have been productive of their desired effect? That by our instrumentality many have been induced to search the sacred Scriptures, and by their diligent use, “ have embraced, and will ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life." If any considerations can cheer and animate us, they are these. The performance of this duty is rich in its consolations, and permanent in its rewards: and from the eminence of such virtuous purposes, we may look down upon all the schemes which terminate in mere worldly results for charity never faileth.

It would have given the Board great pleasure to report any new operations during the past year, but the depressed state of our disposable fund, and the claim upon it which has been but recently discharged, are facts well known to the members of this Society, which rendered it unjustifiable to issue any new Tracts. We have, however, distributed of our former stock, 9506 Tracts; of which about 6000 have been given to the Clergy for distribution in various parts of the country, and the remainder have been divided amongst Sunday Schools and other Charitable Institutions, Military Establishments, and Sailors going to sea. Above 10,000 still remain on hand, which may be had gratuitously, or at the fixed rates of the Society, by applying to the Agent, at No. 160 Pearl-street.

We report, with grateful feelings, that an eloquent and forcible appeal made in our behalf by the Rev. Mr. Brownell, at St. John's Chapel, on the evening of Sunday, the 13th of December, was answered by a liberal addition to our funds. The debt of the Society to Messrs. T. & J. Swords, which had been long standing, has been satisfied, and it is due to those gentlemen to acknowledge, that notwithstanding the delay of payment, they declined receiving the interest to which they were fully entitled.

Since the state of the funds has put it in the power of the Board to re-commence their operations, they have determined to evince to the friends of the Society, the sense they entertain of the importance of their obligations, and to make an adequate return for the patronage which has been received. Six thousand copies of Bishop Hobart's Catechism on Confirmation have been ordered to be printed, and will be shortly ready to distribute. The Committee of Selection is now engaged in revising our former Tracts, and has been requested also to report such new ones of the narrative form, as may be thought most worthy of publication. Our correspondence with similar Societies in other States, is likewise systematically progressing, and is expected to be productive of valuable results.

The accounts of the Treasurer show a balance of $697 18 in the permanent, and $173 41 in the disposable fund.

The amount of annual subscription being small, and a large part of it absorbed in its collection, the Board have resolved to propose to the Society, that it be raised to two dollars. They hope that the increased effect which will be given to the operations

of the Society, will be sufficient to outweigh any objections which might be alleged against this measure.

In conclusion, the Board fondly anticipate that the brightest days of this Society are about to commence, and that the best hopes of its members will soon be realized. They see great reason to proceed with confidence in this honourable task of preparing in the desert a highway for our God. The labours of this Society, though minute in their application, will be extensive in their results. Gently and imperceptibly, like the dews of Heaven, they will soften and improve the soil of men's wayward hearts, and through the blessing of him who giveth the increase, they will produce the fruit of an abundant harvest.

Johnstown Auxiliary Bible and Common Prayer Book Society.

Ar a meeting held in St. John's Church, in the village of Johnstown, Montgomery county, on Monday, the 18th January, 1819, the Rev. ALEXIS P. PROAL was called to the Chair, and Mr. TOBIAS A. STOUTENBURGH, appointed Secretary. It was then resolved, that this meeting form itself into an Auxiliary Bible and Common Prayer Book Society, auxiliary to the Bible and Common Prayer Book Society of Albany and its vicinity, and adopt the following Constitution.

Art. 1. This Society shall be known by the name of the "Johnstown Auхiliary Bible and Common Prayer Book Society," auxiliary to the Bible and Common Prayer Book Society of Albany and its vicinity.

Art. 2. The objects of this Society shall be to distribute the Bible and Book of Common Prayer gratuitously, or otherwise, together or separately, as need may require.

Art. 3. Every person who shall pay into the treasury the sum of one dollar annually, shall be a member of this Society, and shall receive one Bible, and one Book of Common Prayer, or in proportion to the amount subscribed; Bibles at the rate of 621 cents, and Common Prayer Books at