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OF THE LATE
JOHN MURRAY,  Jun.
READ BEFORE THE GOVERNORS OF THE
b»w«y<wbibl »»ams^
NINTH MONTH, FOURTEENTH, 1819,
BY THOMAS EDDY.
PUBLISHED EY ORDER OF THE GOVERNORS.
          NEW-YORK :





I'HINTED BY E. CONRAD, NO. 4, FRANKFORT-STREET.





            1819.
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MEMOIR,  &c.
  THE character of a private individual, who has been re-
markable through life for exalted piety,  and acts of purest
benevolence,  is a pleasing subject to contemplate 5  and the
conduct of the man who has zealously laboured to benefit
his  fellow creatures, and to increase the general slock of hu-
man happiness, must ever form a useful lesson to mankind.
[t marks the  good way for others to follow,—the example
becomes an incentive to virtuous action, and may also be the
means of encouraging many among the rising generation, to
employ their  time and  talents in such a  manner, as most
likely to be acceptable to God, and useful to mankind.
  These considerations appear to warrant the author of this
memoir, in offering to  the Governors of the New-York Hos-
pital, some account of the  exemplary life of our late most
excellent and valuable friend and associate, Joiih Murray,
jun. who is now translated into that " better world," where
our praises, or our opinions, cannot in any degree affect him.—
Hut to us, who knew and loved him, and to his fellow citi-
zens at large, the recollection of his amiable character,  the
review of his well-spent life, and the testimonies we can truly
bear to his many virtues, must prove both interesting and
consolatory.  And it may be  hoped, that the loss we have
sustained, may impress our minds with a due consideration
of the truth, that Divine Providence  has apportioned to eve-
ry one some peculiar duties to perform, in order to prepare 
                      [    4    ]
u-9, when every part of the great business of life is over, for
an admittance " into that city,  whose  walls are salvation,
and its gates praise."
   John Murray, Jun.  was born in this  city,  on the 3d
of the 8th month, in the year 1758.  He was the son of Ro-
bert Murray, the principal of the highly respectable commer-
cial house of Murray, Sansom  & Co. of London and New-
York; and brother to Lindley Murray, of the city of York,
in England, whose literary character is well known in Eu-
rope and America.
   When about twelve years of age,  he  was a  scholar  with
myself at Friends' Grammar School, in Philadelphia; the
remainder of his education he received  in England.
   In his youthful days he was remarked as being of an un-
commonly active and lively disposition.
   Early in life he commenced business in this city with  Mo-
ses Rogers, was very successful in his commercial pursuits,
and, after a few years, withdrew himself from this  concern.
   His mind for sometime had received deep religious impres-
sions, and under the power of the mild  and humanizing
principles of the Gospel, his natural feelings wire controlled,
and, in a good degree, subjected to  the  benign influence of
divine  grace.   From this time  he became zealously en-
gaged to  promote every measure,  that would conduce to
ameliorate the condition  of mankind, without distinction of
sect or colour. But, that he might be rightly qualified, under
the guidance of the divine spirit of his Lord and Master, lie
considered, that  a sense of religious duty should precede
his actions for promoting  benevolent  purposes, and thus
secure the divine blessing on all his  undertakings.
   About this period his father proposed to him, to admit  him
as a partner in the house of  Murray, Sansom & Co., which
flattering offer he declined, from a sense of religious obliga-
tion. 
                      [     5    ]
  Having acquired, as he conceived, a competent  share of
this world's goods, he apprehended it to be his duty, as a faith-
ful steward, to show his gratitude to his Creator, in giving up
a due portion of his time and substance, towards assisting the
poor and indigent, by encouraging them in habits of industry,
and in promoting the means of bestowing upon their chil-
dren the benefits  of education.  In order to accomplish this
purpose, he gradually relinquished all mercantile  pursuits.
  How rare it is  to meet with a person,  in the course of a
prosperous business, to stop short, and say:—I have enough—
hereafter I will consider, what Providence has put into my
hands, as a trust for the good of my fellow-creatures !
  It would extend this memoir to an improper length, to at-
tempt exhibiting  his various pursuits in advancing the great
cause of universal philanthropy,  which, at different periods
of his life, engaged his attention.  I will therefore confine
myself to some prominent features, that may serve to illus-
trate the general character of our late excellent and valua-
ble friend.
  The  first public engagement of benevolence  in which he
embarked, was, as a Governor of this Hospital, to which he
was first elected in 1782, and  successively afterwards to the
present year,  a period of 37  years.  During this time, he
rendered this institution many essential and  important ser-
vices, by his uniformly kind and affectionate attention to the
sick, and in advancing the general interests of the Hospital.
He was remarked for his punctual and  regular attendance,
(when  bis  health permitted,) of the monthly and special
meetings of this  Board.
  In the year 1785, he was sedulously engaged in  the  for-
mation  of the  « Society  for promoting the manumission of
Slaves, and for protecting such of them as have been or may
be liberated." At this period, the minds of most of our citizens 
                      L    6    3
were not enlightened on the great subject of African Eman-
cipation, and their deep rooted prejudices Mere  so violent,
that the friends of humanity, in asserting the rights of the
people of colour, had to encounter innumerable and serious
difficulties;  an enmity, accompanied with a bitter  spirit,
was excited  in the minds of those, whose selfish interest in-
duced them  to consider the acts of the Society as an inter-
ference in their  personal  rights—the members therefore
were constantly exposed to personal insult.  But, knowing
the integrity of their motives, and convinced  of the justice
of the cause, no difficulties could deter John Murray from
contributing largely, in a pecuniary way, a"nd uniformly, and
zealously, by personal exertions, in support of a cause, that
he conceived, was sanctioned by the principles and genuine
spirit of Christianity.  From the first formation of the  So-
ciety, a great portion of his time was devoted, not merely
to obtain the liberty of those who were  by law entitled to
their freedom, but to ameliorate their condition, by promot-
ing their religious and moral improvement, and to afford to
them the blessing of education.   "With these views he  pro-
posed to the Society the establishing of a school, exclusive-
ly for the  education of coloured children,  in the super-
intendance of which, much of his time  was bestowed ,• for,
although it  was under the  care of a board of trustees, yet
for many  years he was particularly  occupied in  advancing
its interests  as a trustee, and as treasurer, in which latter
capacity he  served the Society from its first establishment
in 1785, to the termination of his life.
  The distressed  situation of the aboriginal  inhabitants of
this country, excited much of  his attention and sympathy.
About the year 1795,  he was instrumental, with several of
his friends,  in endeavouring to improve and  ameliorate
the condition of the Indians,  residing  within the  limits 
                      [    7     1
of this  State, by instructing them in agriculture and  the
useful arts, and  in  having their children taught the com-
mon  branches of sehool  learning,  and thus to  prepare
their minds for the reception of a knowledge of the Chris-
tian  religion.   He   performed several interesting  visits
to the tribes of Brothertown, Stockbridge, Oneida and  On-
andago, and had to encounter in the course  of these jour-
nies, considerable hardships and inconvenience, at a time
when the roads were extremely bad, and the accommodations
for travelling very  indifferent.  Directed by  an ardent  zeal
for promoting the best interests of humanity, he spared no
effort, to aid the religious and moral improvement of this af-
flicted and neglected portion of the human family.
  The penal laws of this State, prior to 1796, were extremely
imperfect, inflicting  penalties  very disproportionate to of-
fences.  In many instances the punishment of death  was
deemed indispensably necessary, to expiate  certain crimes.
Believing that these laws were k^uan^Wu-s-tttiiee* alike op-
posed to humanity, to justice and to policy, as well as to the
mild spirit of the religion we profess,  our worthy colleague
united with some others of his  friends,  in an application to
the leading members of our Legislature, in proposing an en-
tire repeal of the then existing  penal  code, for the purpose
of introducing the  present  penitentiary system.   In conse-
quence of  this application, and principally owing to the
friendly aid and exertions of Gen. Schuyler, and the present
Chief Justice Spencer, then distinguished members  of the
Senate, a bill was introduced by the latter gentleman, and
passed into a  law, by which the former penal laws  were re-
pealed, a more mild eode established,  and a  state prison di-
rected to  be built in the vicinity of this city.   To carry this
law into effect, our deceased friend was appointed one of the
commissioners, and he also  voluntailry accepted the appoint- 
                      [    8    J
meat of one of the Inspectors of the prison. The fir&t Board
of Inspectors had an arduous task to perform, in organizing
a plan  for  establishing cleanliness, order and  regularity
amongst the convicts, and devising for  them various modes
of employment. During this period the affairs of the prison
were greatly benefitted by the zeal of John Murray, and
the Board derived considerable  aid from his mild and con-
ciliatory demeanour, which very much contributed to soften
the minds of the prisoners, and  to  improve their moral ha-
bits.
  There is perhaps no  benevolent institution  in the  city,
that has been more  productive of real usefulness, than the
New-York Free School  Society.—It has now under its care
four schools, that educate near  2000 poor children.  Of this
Society, it may almost be said, John Murray was the found-
er. On  its  first establishment he was elected Vice President,
and continued as one of its most active trustees, as long as
his health permitted.  ...9*
  In the year 1811,  he  was  appointed by  Governor Tomp-
kins, one of the Commissioners  to report to the Legislature,
a plan for the " better  organization  of common schools
throughout the State of New-York," intended to he support-
ed by  a fund,  denominated «  the common school fund,"
which  is  yearly  increasing, and  now  yields about 80,000
dollars  annually.   The report  of  the  commissioners was
adopted, and a law  passed, 1812, appointing a person  as su-
perintendant of common schools, and otherwise perfecting a
system, which  is likely to produce incalculable benefits to
the present and future generations.
  But  in his  career of  usefulness he,  was  not confin-
ed to such institutions as may strictly he denominated bene-
volent—he felt an  interest in whatever had a tendency to
oxalt the character of his native state.   His name is recog- 
                      C    s    3
nized among the first members of the New-York Historical
Society, and on its formation, he made a handsome donation
to its funds.
  The yearly increase of paupers in our city, notwithstand-
ing the great assistance afforded them by the numerous pub-
lic and private institutions, induced John Murray to unite
with several of  our citizens, to establish " the Society for
the  prevention of Pauperism."  Among  many important
public advantages produced by the efforts of this Society, h
the " New-York Savings Bank," incorporated by a law pass-
ed on an application from the Board of Managers.  Perhaps
no similar occasion  served  more to call  forth the anxiety
and energies of our deceased friend, than the success of this
undertaking.  In  the  act of incorporation, John Murray
was named as the first Vice President, and the Directors
also appointed him treasurer—a name that peculiarly served
to render the institution popular amongst all  ranks of our
fellow citizens.  He was prevented by  his last  sickness from
rendering it any personal  services, but the  last  enquiry,
which  it is  believed  he made, after any  of  the numerous
public charities with which he was concerned, was " how
does the  Savings Bank get on?"—on  being told of its unex-
 ampled success, he was too weak to say more, than that "it
afforded  him great  satisfaction."  Soon  after his decease,
 the following entry was made in the minut* s,  and published
by order of the  Directors of the Savings Bank :—
   " At a meeting of the Board held  in the B nk this day,
 « Duncan P. Campbell, was unanimously  elected to fill the
 " office of Treasurer, vacated by the lamented death of
 " John Murray, Jun.  Esq.
   " The Board, take this  opportunity of expressing their
 » deep regret, at the loss sustained by this institution, in the
 " death of so distinguished a philanthropist as Mr. Murray.
                               B 
                     [    io    ]
<• In doing it, they but join in the general sympathy of all
" who have witnessed his long and active course, in every
" thing which could meliorate the condition of suffering hu-
il manity, or  promote  moral improvement among every
" class of his fellow-men.  He now rests from his labor, and
" his works follow him."
                  By order of the Directors,
                     JAMES EASTBURN, Secretary.
   Bank for Savings, lllh August, 1819.

   "The  Society for promoting Industry," established in this
city in 1814, under the management of a number of our most
respectable and pious females, has been productive of incal-
culable  benefit; but for want of adequate funds, to carry
into effect the views and wishes of the managers, they were
often embarrassed and discouraged.  At these periods John
Murray came forward, and by advancing money, and using
his influence to prevail  on others to make similar advances,
the Society was enabled to continue its extensive usefulness.
The following extracts from the minutes of the managers,
will serve to show how highly they esteemed the character
of their  late friend.
   " While many  able  pens are engaged in deploring the
 « loss, and commemorating the worth, of the late friend of
 « suffering humanity, John Murray, jun. « the Society for
 '•' the promotion of Industry,' would raise their voice, how-
 « ever feebly, in the general regret; and gratify their fecl-
 (t ings, by enumerating a few of the benefits they received
 " from  their late friend, who might justly be styled their
 " best friend.
   " The Society was  instituted in  1814,  and at its  coni-
 " mencement  was honoured  with his countenance, by ex-
 •• pressed  approbation, and a liberal donation  to its funds, 
                     [    11     ]
" which was  afterwards increased to double the amount."
The minutes  then detail the aid received from him,  by his
personal influence with the City Corporation, in order to ob-
tain from them pecuniary assistance, and also of his address-
ing a meeting of citizens, called for  the purpose of sup-
porting and extending the plan proposed to  be pursued by
the Society.  In the  commencement  of the present year,
being informed that the Society were again without funds,
and had no other prospect but closing the House of Indus-
try, John Murray addressed them by letter, in which he
expressed his anxiety for  the  advancement of «« the good
" work they  were engaged in," and offered to advance them
S100, to be taken out in work, and to  loan them §500 for
one year,  without  interest.  This, with other assistance,
enabled them further to prosecute the design of the establish-
ment.  The  minutes  then close  in the following words—
" When the last enemy to be encountered,  gained the vic-
" tory over John Murray,  jun.  it is much to be feared
» that this institution received a mortal blow.   The mana-
« gers would still  continue to  raise their prayers,  to  that
« God who seeth not  as man seeth ; and while the kind of-
« fices of their deceased friend, can never be effaced  from
« their memories, they  would humbly pray, that others may
» be induced to follow his example, and go and do likewise.
« Then may this institution still be a blessing to the public."
  It would be unnecessary to detail more of the many pub-
lic  concerns, that engaged the attention of our late  worthy
colleague.   During the  last thirty years of his life, his time
was mostly devoted to the service of  the religious  Society
of  Friends (of which  he was  a member, and for many years
a distinguished Eld/r) and to the various objects of public
and private benevolence.  The income of his estate was con-
siderable, and he more than once mentioned to me, that he 
                     [    12    ]
did not wish to reserve more than sufficient for his com-
mon expenses; the overplus was spent in promoting the be-
nefit of his fellow creatures.  His humility and self-denial,
were manifest in  his  plain manner of living, scrupulously
avoiding any kind of extravagance, lest he might expend, in
useless objects, what he conceived ought to be  reserved for
the use of the poor and needy.  In his manners he was
courteous, kind,  and charitable ; evincing a readiness on all
occasions, to  devote  his  time and talents  to the best of all
causes, the good of mankind. His private charity was great,
and generally unknown to  his most intimate friends.  He
was a member of a greater part of the charitable societies
in this city 5  each  of whom, received from him a yearly
anonymous letter,  enclosing from  50 to 100 dollars.  His
delight seemed to be, to clothe the naked,  to feed the hun-
gry, and to  visit the sick  and distressed ;  or,  to adopt the
language  of an eloquent writer, "  to survey the nunsions
" of sorrow and pain ; to take the  gage and dimensions of
" misery, depression  and contempt; to remember the for-
« gotten j to  attend to the neglected, and  to visit the for-
" saken."
   In 1812, whilst  attending, at Albany, a meeting of the
Commissioners appointed to consider the subject of improv-
ing the state of Common Schools, he  left his lodging one
evening, to have an interview with a Committee of the Le-
gislature, to whom was referred a communication  made  by
the Governor, proposing to  substitute some mode of punish-
ment for that of death.  The streets of Albany were at this
time covered  with ice, which rendered walking extremely
hazardous j our  lamented friend had not proceeded  far  on
his humane errand, when he fell, and was so  seriously in-
jured,  that notwithstanding the care  and solicitude of his
 friends, he was confined to his room some weeks, and never 
                     [    13     ]
recovered from the  injury he thus  sustained.   This  ac-
cident  subjected him to almost constant,  and frequently
excruciating pains; and, without doubt, hastened his death.
But he  endured all  his sufferings with  christian patience,
and submission  to the divine will;  and  when in company
with his friends, generally exhibited a disposition remark-
ably cheerful.  About the commencement of the present
year, he became more seriously indisposed, and on the morn-
ing of  the fourth of last month, he died, whilst in the  act
of supplication to  that Lord whom he so faithfully served.
His body was interred in Friends burying-ground, after a
solemn  meeting in their meeting-house,  attended by a con-
siderable number of his friends, who, it is believed, will long
remember the solemnity of the occasion.
  The religious character of John Murray, jun. was highly
estimated by his fellow members of  the Society of Friends,
and also by those of other religious denominations, to whom
he was  personally known.  He was by no means contracted
in his  opinions, but  of a disposition liberal  and  enlarged.
He often expressed his sincere desire, that Christians might
more and more avoid unnecessary disputes about non-essen-
tials, and unite  in promoting the  common cause, in which
they all profess to  be engaged; that, for his own part, he
knew of no  distinction of sect or party; but that  the one
true church is composed of individuals of all religious de-
nominations ; who, possessed of the spirit  of Divine Love,
are faithfully endeavouring to know  and to perform the di-
vine will concerning them.  These, he would often say, are
united  in one head, even Christ, and in the fellowship of his
gospel; they feel that they are all brethren.  In his inter-
course with mankind, he seemed  to have adopted for his
motto, that saying of Luther, « Inquo aliquid Christi rideo
" ilium diligo." « In whomsoever I see any thing of Christ, 
                      [    14    ]
 " him I love."  Possessed of these sentiments, it afforded
 him the most heart-felt satisfaction, to meet with a consi-
 derable number of highly respectable and pious men, of va-
 rious religious denominations, who  convened  in this city,
 from almost every state in the union, for  the purpose of
 forming a National Bible Society.  He was a member of the
 convention, and frequently expressed his having enjoyed
 great satisfaction in witnessing its proceedings, conducted
 as they were, in remarkable  condescension and harmony,
 and in the  spirit of gospel  love.  He was appointed a mem-
 ber of the  first board of managers, and twice contributed to
 the general funds of the Society.  He  often remarked, that
 one of the most evident designs of divine Providence, in es-
 tablishing tills highly important Society, was, to bring toge-
 ther those  of all denominations, by which  means sectarian
jealousies may be removed, and peace and love established
 brivcen christians.  These considerations, so congenial with
the mind of John Murk ay, and his solicitude to witness the
diffusion of the Holy  Scriptures, amongst the poor and neg-
lected, in every part of this widely extended continent,  in-
duced him, during the remainder of his life, to continue to
be an ardent and active member of the American Bible  So-
ciety.  His sentiments of the importance and  usefulness of
that Society, were fully evinced, in a speech he made, at its
anniversary meeting,  in the fifth month, 1818 ; an extract
from which, as it  serves further to illustrate  his general
character,  will, I presume, be considered as an acceptable
and appropriate termination of the present very brief sketch
 of the life  and labours of our  deceased friend :
  " In rising to speak on  the  present interesting occasion,
 I Teel my mind solemnized,—and it is  with diffidence I at-
tempt to offer  a sentiment before this very respectable  as-
 sembly.  In  making the motion which I have done, I have 
                      [     15    ]
two considerations in view;  the  one is, to  approve of the
proceedings of the Board of Managers,  the other to  avail
myself of  the opportunity  of communicating a few senti-
ments, in relation to the highly important  nature  of this
Society, formed for the express purpose of promoting a ge-
neral diffusion of the Holy Scriptures—a work of stupend-
ous magnitude, contemplating incalculable good  to  the hu-
man family j more especially when we connect with it a
practical  observance of those moral and  religious duties
which they enjoin, and  with which the Scriptures of the
Old and  New Testament are  replete.  Hence it is, in a pe-
culiar manner, obligatory on  the members of a society,  so
noble and dignified as this,  to be careful and solicitous  to
square their lives and conduct, by the precepts contained in
the book they are so  assiduous and  zealous to circulate ;
as it must  be granted,—«« that example speaks a  louder lan-
guage than precept."  I rejoice in the hope, that the efforts
of Bible Societies, and other associations and means for en-
lightening the human understanding,  and improving the
heart, will be blest in an eminent degree, not  only in our
own country, but in regions far  more remote.   I  also in-
dulge the consoling hope, that they will tend to dispel pre-
judice and bigotry, and to batter down that wall of partition
which ignorance and illiberality of sentiment, has raised  up
between  the different  religious denominations.  I  am glad
in believing that I am no bigot,  and that I can with  great
sincerity adopt the  language of the apostle Peter, whose
mind, like many others,  had been biassed and warped by the
prejudices of education, and the force of tradition  ; but,
when his understanding became enlightened by the rays  of
Divine Light, he could then bear testimony to the universal].
ty of the love of God, uttering the following memorable ex-
pressions, « Of a truth,  I perceive that God is no respecter 
                      C    16     ]
of persons, but that, in every nation,  they that fear him,
and work righteousness, will be accepted of him."  There
is no doctrine more clearly and  fully inculcated in the Ne\Y
Testament than that of charity, or in other words " Divine
Love." « God is Love,  and they that dwell in him, dwell in
Love:" and by this, said  our blessed Saviour, shall all men
know " ye are my disciples, if ye love one another."
  " The  Apostle Paul,  in the 13th, Chap, of the first Epistle
to the Corinthians, describes the excellency of this virtue in
a peculiar  and striking point of view.   His illustrations go
to prove  that it is  the prominent feature in the Christian
character.  Let us therefore, my friends, cultivate this hea-
venly principle ; let us, by the tenor of our lives and con-
duct, evince that we are the disciples and followers of Jesus
Christ.   I am thankful at feeling my heart glow with love
to all  my fellow-creatures, and  that I meet with those of
every Christian denomination, to whom I can give the right
hand of fellowship."
  " When I reflect, my friends, on  the solemnity of the oc-
casion, which has drawn together so large and respectable an
assemblage of our fellow-creatures, all of  whom, I trust,
are arraigned as candidates for  an immortal and glorious in*
heritance, I hope  we may feel renewedly animated, in a cause
which is  calculated to promote  the  present  and the future
happiness of mankind."
  " I do not wish to trespass either on the time or patience
of this assembly; but, I do not know  that  I can close my
communication with sentiments more appropriate, or with
language better adapted, than  was used by my late friend
Henry Tuke,* at a meeting of the Bible Society of York,
in England, of which he  was a  distinguished member."
* An eminent Minister of the Society of Friends. 
                      t    1*    ]
  " I feel," said he, " disposed to express the gratification
which I experience,  on seeing so large and respectable a
meeting of my fellow-citizens, on the present occasion, and
particularly with the  union of Christians of various deno-
minations, in the support of this great cause.  May we not
compare the various sects of Christianity to the different tribes
of ancient Israel ? We, like them, may have some different
views, and separate interests; but, we acknowledge one God,
and one Lord, even our Lord Jesus Christ.   We profess to
be governed by the same laws, which are contained in the
Holy Scriptures, and  though we may not unite in the con-
struction of some of these laws, yet, when we consider in
how large a proportion of them the professors of Christiani-
ty are agreed,  and consequently  how small is the part in
which we differ, there is much cause  for us to feel as bre-
thren, and  to unite, as has frequently been the  case, in de-
fence of our common faith ; and I can truly say, it affords
me no small pleasure  to believe, that if it should ever be my
happy lot to gain an  admittance into that city whose  walls
are salvation, and its  gates  praise, I shall there, as well as
here, have many  fellow-citizens, and I trust, no small por-
tion  of those who now hear my voice; who, though I may
differ from them on some points of Christian doctrine, or
rather, perhaps, of Christian practice, I feel no difficulty in
believing, will finally be added to that innumerable multitude,
which the divinely eagle-eyed apostle, saw standing before
the throne, clothed in  white robes, and having palms in their
hands; but, who, though possessed of these emblems of
righteousness and of victory, were far from claiming any
merit to themselves, but ascribe  their salvation wholly to
the Lord God, and the Lamb."
                           C 
\ 
APPENDIX.
The following Communications are taken from the
  Daily Advertiser of the 2d and ^th of October,
  1819.


    TO the numerous friends of the late John Mur-
ray, jun. and to the humane in general, the information
will probably be very gratifying, that by his Last Will
and Testament, filed in the Probate's office, it appears,
that his charities did not end with his useful  life.  To
a number of worthy individuals he has bequeathed
from fifty to two hundred and fifty dollars each.  To
the  Manumission Society, five hundred dollars.  To
the  Female Association  for the Education of  Poor
Children, &c. five  hundred  dollars.  To the Society
for the support of Poor Widows, two hundred dollars.
To the Orphan Society, two hundred dollars.  To the
Humane Societv, two hundred dollars.  To the Dis-
pensary, two  hundred  dollars.  To the  New-York
Hospital, to purchase books for the use of the patients,
one  hundred dollars.  The income arising  on lands,
valued from eight to ten thousand dollars, are set apart
for the education and cloathing of children of" Friends'"
                     7) 
                   [     2    ]
in lowr circumstances.  The amount of  four thousand
dollars, vested in stock, is left to trustees,  who are an-
nually to apply the interest for the use of poor persons
not members of the Society of Friends.   To two wor-
thy females, one hundred dollars, to be  distributed, at
their discretion, among the needy.
   IT having pleased Almighty God,  in his infinitely
wise and righteous providence, to remove by death, on
the 4 th of the  last month,  John Murray, jun.  Vice-
President of this Society, it  was resolved to make the
following brief memoir respecting him :
  That we highly appreciate that uniform line of Chris-
tian and philanthropic conduct, which has pre-eminent-
ly distinguished his useful life.
  He was one of the first who originated the plan of
this institution, and he has faithfully laboured to pro-
mote its  interest—being Vice-President from the time
of its establishment, until the day of his death.
  The institution is much indebted to him for  direct
pecuniary aid,  and  much likewise for what it has de-
rived from his influence.
  Although from his great devotion to the cause of phi-
lanthropy, his avocations were numerous,  he was never-
theless punctual in his  attendance at  this  Board, and
greatly desirous that we should bestow liberally and 
                    [    3     ]
economically—doing the greatest possible good,  with
the means in our power—invariably enforcing by his ex-
ample, the principles he wished to  inculcate upon his
associates.
  Being a practical christian, he devoted the last thirty
years of his life, to  the  service of God, and the good
of his fellow men; and has at length, we trust, retired
to everlasting rest,  in the bosom of his  gracious Rer
deemer.
   Sensible of the  loss sustained by  his death, we will
cherish his  memory with deep sensibility, and humbly
endeavour to emulate his virtues.
    Published by order of the Board of  Trustees of the  New-
         York Free-School Society,
                   GEORGE TRIMBLE, Sec'y Pro  Tern.
9th Month, (Sept.) 24th, 1819. 
 
 
 
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