support of correct principles and practices; and we ask the sympathy and assistance of every man who believes that moral and religious influences may operate beneficially in the restoration of fallen humanity, and who feels that he has a duty to perform for those who may truly be called the most wretched of our population. Thousands of dollars are given annually in this city to send missionaries among the heathen of distant lands, while our own heathen-those who are living without the knowledge or fear of God, without any definite idea of their duties here, or hope of happiness hereafterare in our midst, deserted and neglected. Let us then unite in this work, and by every means in our power assist in the reformation and regeneration of that unfortunate class, who, like the intemperate, may be redeemed by kindly influences, and become new beings.

We solicit your assistance, therefore, in funds, or in goods of any description, which we can either use or sell, and in giving employment to the family in dressmaking and tailoring. Our institution must be a House of Industry. Our motto is, "You shall support yourself honestly by the labor of your own hands.'

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MANAGERS OF THE ROSINE ASSOCIATION.

April, 1848.

A year has elapsed this day, since we met, and agreed to unite together as a Society, to promote by our efforts the cause of virtue, and prepare a home and asylum for unfortunate females, who,

having yielded to habits of licentiousness, had found the ways of sin to bring shame, disease, poverty, remorse, and unhappiness, and who might be induced to enter an institution where reformation, employment, and instruction should be combined in such a manner that they would be convinced that a right path is preferable to a wrong one, and a life of virtue and industry produce more happiness than a course of idleness, vice, and depravity. We met, not to ask in the spirit of judgment why our sisters had erred; not to cast upon them the term of reproach because they had deviated from propriety and virtue; but to acknowledge that the customs of society, the small remuneration for female labor, and the frequent neglect of the proper cultivation of the moral and religious sentiments of the youth of both sexes, and of all classes, had produced in a great degree the evil we lamented, and to endeavor, as far as might be in our power, to apply a remedy.

We then associated ourselves together, hoping the Divine blessing might rest upon our efforts, and, being regularly organized, we assumed the name of the Rosine Association, in honor of a poor but estimable young woman, of the name of Rosa Govona, who founded several establishments in Italy, where the destitute and unfortunate of her own sex were enabled to earn a decent and respectable living.

The Society being thus formed, considerable exertion was needed to collect funds to enable us to get into operation. This required a great sacrifice of time, labor, and feeling; but we have been cheered on our way by the consciousness of the rightfulness and importance of the great work we had undertaken, and the sympathy and benevolence

which encouraged and assisted us. A house was rented, repaired, and altered to suit our convenience. Mechanics of various kinds gave us their aid, so as considerably to lessen the expenses we should otherwise have incurred. It was opened in the early part of October, 1847. We have now been six months in operation, and feel that much has been accomplished considering the apparent hopelessness with which many viewed our enterprise, and the working by faith alone of our members. We were all inexperienced in the labor we had undertaken, and every department seemed to claim able heads and hands; but we believed in the righteousness of our cause, and what we lacked in ability, we gave in heartfelt devotion to it.

A suitable Matron, Tailoress, and Mantuamaker were engaged, and a small store opened, hoping it might be a source of profit and convenience.

Our Institution is yet in its infancy. The Managers themselves require a training to fit them for their important duties; and the arrangements of the family have been, and must be varied, according to circumstances, and as experience determines their wisdom and necessity. When our house was opened, we had in view the general outline presented in the address at our first meeting, and we have endeavored to pursue the plan devised there, only increasing our regulations as occasion seemed to demand them. Considerable exertion was made to procure employment for the inmates, that they might be instructed in the most important and profitable branches of female labor; and, as soon as the number in the house seemed to warrant it, our school was commenced, and they have received instruction in orthography, reading, writing,

arithmetic, grammar, geography, and physiology. These branches have been taught by our members, and we have been highly gratified by the interest that has been shown, both by teachers and scholars; and also by the industry in the work-room. These facts are very cheering, as they prove clearly to us that an institution so conducted, must produce incalculable benefits, as the knowledge and habits of industry acquired in the house must be productive of advantage to every individual throughout their whole lives. Owing to our inmates having been so short a period employed at the trades they have been learning, we have not had an opportunity of testing the benefits to be derived from the stimulation of working for their own pecuniary advantage; but we believe, as they increase in competency, and profitable business flows into the house, we shall find it a powerful assistant in adding to the happiness of our pupils, and increasing their moral and industrious propensities, by convincing them that they can procure an honest and respectable living by their own labor, and that the capacity for enjoyment and usefulness is much increased by added knowledge. By the introduction of trades into the house, we do not contemplate making all mantuamakers and tailoresses, but to give such as have the capacity and inclination the opportunity, and to qualify all to do the usual sewing in a family, in addition to a knowledge of housework and cooking, so that, when they leave the Institution, they may be enabled to enter into a life of general usefulness wherever they may be located. We are fully aware of the importance of making our work-room as lucrative as possible, so as to assist in bearing the expenses of the family; but we must remember

that the majority of those that come under our care are ignorant, and unaccustomed to restraint or application; that, in their former mode of life, amusement was the great business, and excitement the daily necessity. The change, therefore, must be great, and we feel the importance, while we cultivate habits of industry, also to appoint intervals of recreation, and introduce modes of amusement. Battledoors and graces have been furnished, and innocent cheerfulness encouraged. We desire, in the round of business and instruction of their present life, the memories of the former one may be dimmed and fade away, and better, brighter, and happier images fill their minds, and banish the sad past with its harrowing reminiscences. Nor have we been unmindful of endeavoring to cultivate their higher and holier feelings and sentiments. The Scriptures are read daily in the family; they are encouraged to learn and sing hymns; and, as opportunity presents, the importance of striving to live in the spirit of prayer, that they may be strengthened and assisted in their desires to lead a better life, is impressed upon them, and an endeavor made to awaken feelings of gratitude towards Him who hath opened a way for their deliverance from a course of sin and misery, and given them an opportunity to atone for the errors of the past, by the well-spent present and future. We have also been sensible that the best mode to banish evil or unpleasant thoughts, is to present to the mind others that may be instructive and amusing. We have, therefore, been endeavoring to collect a library of suitable books, in which we have been kindly assisted by several contributors, and also by the Bible Associations, who have furnished Bibles and Testaments.