Thoughts on the plan for a Magdalen-House for repentant prostitutes / [Anon].

  • Hanway, Jonas, 1712-1786
Date:
1758
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Thoughts on the plan for a Magdalen-House for repentant prostitutes / [Anon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    [ 5+ ] every moral obligation, and accordingly we find them fo loft to a fenfe of their duty to God, as hardly to know that there is one. If fuch charity fhould be found ufeful and expedient, you will, I prefume confider the young vagabond female orphans alfo, if any number of them are found in the eaftern quarters of the town, where there is the mojl Jhew of police. This I apprehend to be your defign : but your firft attempting the Magdalen Charity, is a proof of your diflin&ion : if this is not the mod effential, it is the mofl difficult undertaking, and will require the mod fkill and circumfpe&ion. And for the fame reafon that the cure of a difeafe, feems to be more intending, in a diredt view, and fometimes more certain in the operation, than the prevention of it, there is the utmofi: reafon for you to continue fieady to your intentions, in the purfuit of which, it is probable, you will have bufinefs enough on your hands, though you were never to take up the other objeft. After all that can be faid on the fubjedl of your undertaking, it mud Hand on piety : real repentance is the only true foundation which can fup- port it, and much will depend on your vigilance, and goodfenfe. I make no doubt but that every precaution will be ufed; and if your officers enter with zeal and fpirit into your ideas, and endevor to make reflexions on their ex- perience, and to furmflifuch hints as may be drawn from it, you can hard¬ ly fail of fuccefs. — No body doubts of your fincerity or abilities} and, it may be prefumed, the propriety of the defign will every day merit the attention of our fellow-fubje&s, more and more, and engage them to fubfcribe to it with an open heart, and a literal hand, as well knowing that, in the mojl direa view, they will fave the wretched from perdition. j ■■ ■ *• * * ' -v ' Before