venue D Mission;
one in King Street, near Hudson, from which came the Cottage-Place
Mission; and another in Greenwich Street, near Vandam Street.

CHAPTER VIII.

A NEW ORGANIZATION.

All those who were engaged in these efforts felt their inadequacy and we
resolved to meet at different private houses to discuss the formation of
some more comprehensive effort. At length, in 1853, we organized, and,
to the great surprise of the writer, his associates suggested that he
should take the position of executive officer of the new and untried
Association. He was at that time busied in literary and editorial
pursuits, but had expected soon to carry out the purpose of his especial
training, and to become a preacher. He never dreamed of making a
life-pursuit of it in the beginning, or during a number of years; but
"the call" of the neglected and outcast was too strong for him, finally,
to listen to any other, and the humble charity at length became a moral
and educational movement so profound and earnest as to repay the
life-endeavors of any man. He has never regretted having cast aside
whatever chance he may have had for the prizes and honors of life, for
the sake of the forgotten and the unfortunate, and, above all, for HIS
sake to whom we owe all. Indeed, he holds himself most fortunate in his
profession, for it may be said there is no occupation to which man can
devote himself, where he can have such unmingled happiness, as when he
is assuaging human misery and raising the ignorant and depressed to a
higher life.

THE TRUSTEES.

One of the most energetic members of this new body, in the beginning,
was a nephew of Dr. Channing--a Unitarian, Mr. Wm. C. Russell--a man of
singular earnestness of character, now Professor of History and
Vice-President in Cornell University. With him was associated a friend,
Mr. B. J. Howland, of peculiar compassion of nature, whose life almost
consisted of the happiness it shed on others-he also being a Unitarian.
Then, on the other side, theologically, was Judge John L. Mason, one of
the pillars of the Presbyterian Church, from an old and honored
Presbyterian family. His accurate legality of mind and solidity of
character were of immense advantage to the youthful Association, while,
under a formal exterior, he had a most merciful heart for all kinds of
human misery. He was our presiding officer for many years