Page images
PDF
EPUB

CHRISTIAN OBSERVER.

No. 250.]

OCTOBER, 1822. [No. 10. Vol. XXII.

RELIGIOUS COMMUNICATIONS.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer,

IT

T is with much pleasure that I have observed the friendly tone of writers in your miscellany towards their fellow-Christians in the United States of America; as, for example, in the late review of Bishop Dehon's sermons, and in the observations of your excellent tourist who has communicated so much useful and authentic information on various points interesting to the religious public on both sides of the Atlantic. With a view to strengthen this aspect of regard among Christians in the two countries, and especially among the members of the Episcopal church, I send for your insertion the following memoranda of the late Mrs. Sarah Hoffman of New York; a lady whose exemplary piety and benevolence rendered her a bright ornament to society; and whose name possibly is not unknown to some of your readers in Great Britain, as well as America, particularly in connexion with that of her excellent friend the late Mrs. Isabella Graham, whose memoirs have been printed in both countries. Mrs. Graham, though herself a Presbyterian by education and conviction, lived in habits of endeared intercourse with her episcopalian friend, and with her contrived and executed those schemes of Christian benevolence which rendered both of them a public blessing to the community in which they resided. Mrs. Hoffman is mentioned as follows in the life of Mrs. Graham. The latter part of the passage has been fully verified. "It was often Mrs. Graham's custom to leave home after breakCHRIST, OBSERV. No. 250,

fast, taking with her a few rolls of bread, and return in the evening about eight o'clock. Her only dinner on such days was her bread, and perhaps some soup at the Souphouse, established by the Humane Society for the poor, over which one of her widows had been, at her recommendation, appointed. She and her venerable companion, Mrs. Sarah Hoffman, second directress of the Widows' Society, travelled many a day and many a step together in the walks of charity. Mrs. Graham was a Presbyterian, Mrs. Hoffman an Episcopalian. Those barriers, of which such an unhappy use has been made by sectarians to separate the children of God, fell down between these two friends at the cry of affliction, and were consumed on the altar of Christian love. Arm in arm, and heart to heart, they visited the abodes of distress, dispensing temporal aid from the purse of charity, and spiritual comfort from the word of life. One [Mrs. Graham] has already entered into rest; the other must shortly follow. Amidst many comforts, and many afflictions, the life of Mrs. Hoffman has been a life of faith and resignation: her end will be peace; and then she will join her beloved and attached friend, in singing the praises of that Divine Redeemer whose footsteps on earth they humbly endeavoured in his strength to follow."

The writer of the following memoir has only to add, that he has availed himself of the general outline of Mrs. Hoffinan's life appended to her funeral sermon by the Rev. John Stauford, A. M. of New York, the indefatigable chaplain of 4 L

the "Society for the Support of the Gospel among the Poor" in that city. L.

BRIEF MEMOIR OF MRS. SARAH

HOFFMAN OF NEW YORK.

One of the peculiar excellencies of religious biography is, that while it preserves the memory of the just, it insinuates itself, by a sort of irresistible impulse, into the breast of a pious reader; and, while it inspires him with admiration of the goodness and grace of God in the characters which it exhibits, it produces an anxious solicitude to copy after their example. This species of writing, therefore, is calculated to effect valuable impressions upon the heart, to be followed up in the future practice. To promote so valuable an object, the following sketch of the virtues and active life of Mrs. Hoffman is presented to the public; and although the incidents are not nunerous, yet they so strongly exhibit the charms of piety and benevolence, that they present an admirable example for imitation, especially by every female.

Mrs. Sarah Hoffman was the daughter of David Ogden, Esq. one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the then Province of New-Jersey; and also a Member of his Majesty's Council. Her mother's name was Gertrude Governeur. Mrs. Hoffman was born at Newark, New-Jersey, Sept. 8, 1742, and was married to Mr. Nicholas Hoffman, Nov. 14, 1762, by whom she had four children, two of whom, with twenty-four grand - children, and nine great-grand-children, survive her. It is not known when Mrs. Hoffman first received her religious impressions. It is however certain, that in the more early part of her life, she passed through many scenes of disappointment and affliction; and that, under all these, she enjoyed such religious support and consolations as made her Christian character shine with great brilliancy. Nor were these afflictions without a benign influence on her

latter days; for while they taught her the evils to which humanity is subject, she learned the art of feeling for another's woe; and of stretching forth the hand of kindness to relieve it.

The numerous domestic duties of Mrs. Hoffman, rendered more urgent by the protracted illness of her husband and her daughter-inlaw, confined her charities to private objects till the death of those beloved relatives, when she was enabled to express the benevolent feelings of her heart on a larger scale. Shortly after the establishment of "the Society for the Relief of poor Widows with small Children," she became an active member of it, and was chosen Second Directress, and she continued to fill this worthy station till the year 1806. Her name stands enrolled, with others, in the charter granted by the Legislature in favour of the institution. It was a happy trait in the constitution of this Society, that objects of distress are relieved by it without regard either to colour, or national distinction, or religious persuasion. This Society was not only the first of the kind established in America, but is stated to have been the first in the world. Information of its establishment soon reached England, and produced in some ladies of distinction a desire to form a similar institution in London, which was effected under the patronage of the Duchess of York. The dreadful ravages made in New York by the yellow fever in the year 1798, which arrested the hand of industry, interrupted the course of trade, and swept away more than two thousand persons, leaving many a destitute widow weeping over her helpless infants, called urgently for the humane exertions of this Society; and in consequence, the several ladies connected with it formed themselves into little bands, purposely to explore the habitations of distress, which opened an extensive though melancholy field for Mrs. Hoffman

to evince the sympathy and benevolence of her heart. Mrs. Isa bella Graham was her chief companion. The temper, condescension, and perseverance of these humane ladies, furnished an edifying comment on the Apostle's admirable description of active charity, 1 Cor. xiii. 4-7. An aged lady, of a different religious profession to either of them, who accompanied them in their benevolent walks for two successive winters, states that they would meet at 10 o'clock in the morning, and continue their visits till the dusk of the evening, in search after objects of compassion. They were to be seen in garrets, cellars, and other places of obscurity, forgetful of their own comfortable homes, and, by a condescending address, making them selves familiar with the distressed, instructing the ignorant, leaving religious tracts behind them, and, by every possible mark of sympathy and attention, convincing the objects of their bounty that they were the servants of a compassionate Saviour. The Widows' Society still exists, and perseveres in its humane and generous efforts. During the winter of 1820 it fostered 254 widows, with 687 small children, under ten years of age.

The Orphan Asylum of New York took its rise from the Widows' Society. Several of the Managers of that Society, particuJarly Mrs. Hoffman and Mrs. Graham, in the course of their benevolent visits, found indigent helpless children whom death had deprived both of father and mother. For succouring these unfortunate infants, the Widows' Society, according to its constitution and charter, could make no provision; and the necessity of attempting something in the shape of an Orphan Asylum, was first suggested to the benevolent mind of Mrs. Hoffman, by visiting a family of five orphans, immediately after the decease of their mother by the yellow fever,

1805. These children, of whom

the youngest was only a few months old, were boarded at the expense of Mrs. Hoffman, until an Asylum could be provided. Upon this subject, she frequently conversed with Mrs. Graham and others, who also had children of their widows in similar circumstances. After much anxious deliberation and prayer, Mrs. Hoffman and her friends determined to risk the enterprise; and an institution was accordingly formed for the object in May 1808. The door of this Asylum was open to receive all destitute orphans, without restriction to any religious denomination or distinction of nations. During the first six months, twelve orphan children were received by the Society. Till this institution was formed, the real value of Mrs. Hoffman's benevolent and Christian character was comparatively unknown. Her acuteness and the solidity of her judgment in forming her plans, her mild and amiable manners, and her unwearied perseverance amidst every discouragement, contributed a large share towards its subsequent prosperity. In January, 1807, she laid before the Board, the plan of a constitution for the Society, which, after a due examination of all its parts, was unanimously adopted, and published. Soon after, a petition was presented to the Legislature of the State, praying for a charter of incorporation; which was readily granted. The hired house, occupied as a dwelling for the orphan family, being too small, a building was erected sufficiently commodious for the accommodation of more than one hundred children. The corner stone was laid by the ladies of the Board, on the 7th of July, 1807. As the funds of the Society were expended in purchasing the materials only, the master builders paid the workmen, without rendering their account until the building was roofed. Several ministers and churches favoured the Society by collecting for its aid. The Legislature made a donation of 5000

dollars to it, besides a grant of 500 dollars annually, which the institution still enjoys. The building was gradually completed, and a succession of orphans have been received. The faith and pious zeal of its Managers have indeed frequently been tried to the last extremity; but, in ways least expected, or not expected at all, the merciful hand of God has produced the necessary supplies. Once, for example, at a time when the funds of the Society were almost expended, and money immediately demanded, a young gentleman, who had just received a share of a paternal estate, sent to the treasurer the sum of five hundred dollars. It may gratify the reader to be informed, that the Asylum is now entirely freed from debt, and that there is gradually forming a fund for its future support, by means of legacies. The annual expenditure for the household amounts nearly to 5000 dollars, exclusively of repairs to the building. Since the establishment of the Society, in May 1806, there have been received 440 orphan children; 243 of whom have been placed with respectable employers: the others are still resident or under probation, with the exception of 15 who have died. It was a cause of sublime pleasure to Mrs. Hoffman, that while the providence of God thus mercifully protected and supported this orphan family, several of the children, both male and female, who are now arrived at the age of maturity, have exhibited their sense of his mercy, by maintaining a truly Christian character.

In the year 1817, Mrs. Hoffman, bent beneath the infirmities of age, and afflicted by a severe rheumatic affection, was compelled to retire from these scenes of active exertion, and to spend her remaining days in devotional exercises, awaiting the pleasure of her Lord to call her to the blissful regions of immortality. Let us follow her to the chamber of retirement; where it was her

high privilege to cultivate communion with God, by meditation and prayer. Such was the estimation in which the Orphan Society held her virtues and past services that they would not permit her to resign the office of First Directress to the Asylum. When favoured with a mitigation of her pain, the Board of Direction met in her room; where her counsels were listened to with the highest veneration. Her own clergy of the Episcopal Church made her frequent visits, which she received with great delight and affection: she also took much pleasure in conversing with pious persons of all denominations who visited her chamber. Until her right hand was literally clenched by the violence of her rheumatic complaint, she would indulge herself in epistolary correspondence with her friends: and as such familiar letters usually express the feelings of the heart, and strongly mark the character of the writer, I shall take the liberty of presenting the reader with one of them, without much selection, by way of specimen. To Mrs. S.

"My beloved Friend―

"While you are comfortable and happy in the pleasant habitation of your friends, I trust it will add a mite to your stock of pleasure, to receive assurances of the mending health and strength of an old pilgrim by the way-side, whom you left a suffering prisoner in a sick room. From the many and lively expressions of your regard which I have experienced for years past, I am fully confirmed, that while absent, you still remember me with a heart of anxious inquiry, desiring to know of my comfort and wellbeing. Considering this, I wish to anticipate your good friendship, and rallying all my strength, I send you this little page with my own hand, assuring you that I am somewhat better than when we were last together; and I think the trial I have made of cotton applied frequently to my limbs, has proved

greatly beneficial, both in miti gating my sharp pains, and increasing my strength. For all this may we praise Him together, who is the God of all comfort! But my most peaceful experience is, that as run the promises to Israel In the latter day he will lengthen out her cords, and increase her dominion, and at even-tide it shall be light.' Even so, as He increases the cords of my life, he seems to enlarge my place; and though I am hedged in the body by pains and trouble, yet these seem to set the spirit at liberty. I cannot but dwell with delight on the words of our Divine Master, which are so expressly applicable-If the Son make you free, ye shall be free indeed.' As to the increasing brightness of my sun, I trust I may say, it seems shining towards the perfect day, as I live to behold more and more the light of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ: he indeed is light, and in him is no darkness at all. But I am forgetting my crippled hands, and fear you will not be able to read what I have already written.-I suppose you have heard of Mrs. Williams' leaving 500 dollars to our little orphans. I say from her; but we may look higher-from above, and add, He openeth his hand, and filleth all things plenteously.' I have been much gratified by a friendly visit from our beloved Mrs. H. Our dear friend Miss O.'s health is very infirm: she has had pressing invitations from the bishop and Mrs. B. to pass the winter with them: change of air may have the desired effect, and she may return a bless ing to her friends, as she has been to our little orphan flock. Mrs. J. O. H.'s health continues very weak and infirm: the event must be left to him who only knows what is best for us. I feel a very particular pleasure in telling you of the good health of all the numerous family. Mrs. H. appears to enjoy perfect health; her kind and unremitted attentions have doubly endeared

her to my heart, and are numbered among the other many blessings which God has given me through a long, and, I may with truth say, a painful confinement. Kiss our dear little R. for me; remember me with sincere love of Christian fellowship and good wishes to Mrs. A. and every branch of her family. And now, my dear friend, may I be kept stedfast in the true faith; and may the promises of God be my hope, his providence my guard, and his grace my strength, till in his own good time I may be received, through the merits and all-sufficient atonement of a blessed Redeemer, to a happy eternity! Receive my warmest thanks for your past favours, and my prayers for your peace and comfort through life; and believe me,

"Your unalterable friend," &c. Thus did this excellent woman pass away three long years in her chamber, exercising faith, hope, and patience, until the appointed time of her departure arrived, when she bad adieu to all that is mortal, and, like a faithful servant, entered into the joy of her Lord. That spirit of Christian benevolence which, for many years, Mrs. Hoffman had so warmly cherished towards the poor and needy, did not decline with her age. To the last she would make earnest inquiries respecting the general state of the public institutions; adding, "My time and ability to visit the Asylum are expired, and all that I can now do for them is, to present them in my prayers to the orphan's God and Father. It is however a delight to me still to hear that they do well, and that the Lord blesses them."

Mr. Stanford, gives the following particulars of her last days:"July 6th, 1821, I made Mrs. Hoffman a visit. She was confined altogether to her bed, and endured severe pain. With much feeling she adverted to the fifth chapter of Romans- We glory in tribulation also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope.'

« PreviousContinue »