Saviour, and the fruit of the Holy Ghost, the sent of the Father and of the Son, to set up a kingdom of righteousness in the hearts of the redeemed.  Let me, as a sinner saved by grace, to whom thou hast been pleased to give the exceeding great and precious promises—­let me, under the sprinkling of the blood of the covenant, and in entire dependence on my surety-righteousness—­let me draw near and present my petition, in the name and for the sake of Him whom thou hearest always.  O Lord God Almighty, by this very thing, build up thy Zion.  Lay hold of these young creatures, and while they are in the way of thy providence, bring them to the house of our master’s brethren.  O thou great Teacher, teach thou teacher and taught.  Be found of them who seek thee not, and say with power, ‘Behold me, behold me,’ to a people not yet called by thy name, and out of this small thing in thy providence, bring revenues of praise to thy name as the God of grace.  Amen.

“And now, O Lord, for myself, I pray for deep humility; I ask, for His sake who was meek and lowly, to be kept where my place really is, at the feet of all thy servants; and if it be thy pleasure to make me a useful instrument, in proportion make me a humble soul.  Let me ever remember my ways and be ashamed, and never open my mouth any more because of my shame, when thou art pacified towards me for all that I have done.  O keep me in this contrite frame of mind.  In all that to which thou callest me, give me a willing heart, and furnish me with every necessary for thy glory.  And now prepare me to speak to these young women good and acceptable words.  Save me from sacrificing truth, or departing, in any respect, from Christian duty; give me such wisdom as maybe suited to the occasion:  in all things mine eyes are to the Lord; from thee let my fruit be found.”

“FEBRUARY 17, 1804.

“Saturday, the 11th, twenty-nine young ladies met with Mrs. Hoffman and myself, at Mr. O. Hoffman’s, Wall-street, on purpose to receive instructions respecting the school; and having paired themselves according to their mind, I delivered what I had prepared for them:  they all seemed hearty in their engagement; and on Monday, the 13th inst., Miss L——­t and Miss L——­n attended at the school-room and commenced teaching thirteen children; four have been added since.

“Again, O Lord, let me request thy blessing on this institution; put thy seal upon it, and mark it for thine own.  Gird the teachers for their work, and open the minds of the scholars to instruction.  And O, Lord, in thine own time, and by means of thine own devising, provide spiritual instruction for teachers and taught.  Is it thy pleasure, Lord, that I attend the children on a day appointed for the purpose?  Wilt thou accept of me as an instrument by which thou wilt do good to the souls of these children; and wilt thou keep me humble and contrite in my own soul?  Bless also Mrs. L——­’s school; there too let thy work appear; deal with her soul as ‘thou dealest with thy chosen;’ teach her the way of salvation, and make her a teacher by thine own Spirit.  If it be my dear Master’s pleasure to use me, I would also attend that school as his instrument.  ’Search me, O Lord, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’”