would be at the head of affairs, but here throw their moral and
mental weight into enterprises of religion and philanthropy.

The effects of these Meetings were exemplified by many striking changes
of character, and instances of resistance to temptation among the lads,
which greatly encouraged us.

The building seemed so admirably adapted to our work, that, emboldened
by our success with the Eighteenth-street House, we determined to try to
purchase it. Two of our Trustees took the matter in hand. One had
already, in the most generous manner, given one-third of the amount
required for the purchase of that building; but now he offered what was
still more--his personal efforts towards raising the amount needed here,
$18,000.

No such disagreeable and self-denying work is ever done, as begging
money. The feeling that you are boring others, and getting from their
personal regard, what ought to be given solely for public motives, and
the certainty that others will apply to you as you apply to them, and
expect a subscription as a personal return, are all great "crosses." The
cold rebuff, too; the suspicious negative, as if you were engaged in
rather doubtful business, are other unpleasant accompaniments of this
business. And yet it ought to be regarded simply and solely as an
unpleasant public duty. Money must be given, or refused, merely from
public considerations. The giving to one charity should never leave an
obligation that your petitioner must give to another. These few
gentlemen in the city, of means and position, who do this unpleasant
work, deserve the gratitude of the community.

No other city in the world, we believe, makes such liberal gifts from
its means, as does New York towards all kinds of charitable and
religious objects. There is a certain band of wealthy men who give in a
proportion almost never known in the history of benefactions. We know
one gentleman of large income who habitually, as we understand from good
authority, bestows, in every kind of charitable and religious donations,
$300,000 a year! As a general rule, however, the very rich in New York
give very little. Our own charity has been mainly supported by the gifts
of the middle and poorer classes.

In this particular case, the trustee of whom we have spoken threw that
enormous energy which has already made him, though a young man, one of
the foremost business men of the city, into this labor. With him was
associated a refined gentleman, who