Others, after years of grossest error and shame, gave evidence that the moral sense was not entirely obliterated, that there remained still a spring that responded to the touch of human kindness. In the melting atmosphere of Christian tenderness, nourished by saintly example, and encouraged by the voice of religious instruction, in many instances the latent seeds of early culture have budded into a life of blessed fruit and promise. In some instances melancholy victims of drunkenness, bloated, loathsome, friendless, and apparently hopeless, after spending a "term" in the cell, have returned to this "Home" for amendment. The kind appeal has brought the irrepressible tear, the encouraging smile, the blush of animated hope; reproof and caution have been responded to with confession and promise of amendment. The boisterous tone is subdued to mildness, the defiant eye quails before sympathy and interest, a tide of pent-up emotion and affection bursts out to gladden the deliverer, who feels it infinitely "more blessed to give than receive."

But there have been also many lamentable failures. Some ran well for a time and then relapsed into old habits, to pass-through the same processes of arrest, trial, and commitment, and then to plead successfully again at the "Home" for opportunity of amendment. Some have been so positive in evil courses that more restraint was necessary to preserve the order of the Home than the managers were willing to exercise, and so have been dismissed. It is confidently believed, however, by those longest connected with the Institution, that over sixty per cent. of all sent out from it have done well. Many have married and now fill respectable stations in society, sending frequent and grateful communications, and sometimes donations of money, to the Home.

For several years after organizing, the society carried on its operations in a hired house, trying to raise the means to build. Failing in this, it finally purchased the house it had occupied at No. 191, now No. 213 Tenth avenue, for $8,000 paying down only one-fourth of the amount. The building was sadly out of repair, and about $8,000 more have been expended in improvements. It is now a commodious, four-story brick, with brown-stone basement, with accommodations for fifty persons. The Common Council has made them a few small appropriations, but the society claims, and we think justly, that these have been most meager; since their whole labor and expenditures have been for those who would otherwise have been a permanent pest and expense to the city. There are no special tests for admission. All are received on trial, and if sincere in the matter of reformation receive every encouragement. If faithful and contented for one month, the society pledges to provide them a situation and furnish them with comfortable apparel. If refractory they are dismissed, but taken at the next application, for another trial. Scores are sent away to service every month, and as many more received from the prisons. Many remain connected with the Home, and go out as seamstresses by the week or month. These spend their Sabbaths at the Institution, where their washing is done for them, and pay fifty cents per week to the society, and retain the residue of their wages.

Those in the Institution are employed at sewing and laundry work, which always gives the best satisfaction to customers, and which the managers make renumerative. In 1852, when 154 were received, the receipts from labor amounted to $1,090. In 1866, when 286 were received, the receipts from labor amounted to $1,155.47, and in 1869, when 408 were admitted, the receipts from labor amounted to $1,996.77.

Since the organization of the Home, in 1845, the society has received 4,897 persons, an annual average of 187, the larger number of whom, notwithstanding all their discouragements, have gone out to lead virtuous and useful lives.

The expenditures of the Institution now amount to from six to eight thousand dollars per annum, and the income is about able to balance them. Prudent management has enabled the managers to cancel all their indebtedness. In 1865 the Home received a legacy of $50,000 from Charles Burrell, Esq., of Hoboken, New Jersey; and during 1869 a bequest of $500 was received from Miss Louise C. Parmly of this city, daughter of Dr. E. Parmly, one of the originators of the Men's Prison Association. The interest only on these sums is used. The Institution is preëminently Protestant, though the largest number by far who have shared its benefits have been Roman Catholics. One evening in each week is devoted to a general prayer-meeting, and two public services are conducted every Sabbath by the city missionaries, the pastors of the vicinity, or by theological students from one of the seminaries. The managers, physicians, and clergymen, have always served gratuitously. An evening school is also conducted in the Institution by a competent instructor, with very good results.