THE benevolent of New York have been much engaged during the last fifty years providing asylums and homes for orphans, half-orphans, the aged, blind, deaf, and for many otherwise afflicted. The morally fallen have received recently such attentions as were hitherto unknown. But amid these multiplied charities a numerous and interesting class of virtuous persons, much in need of care and help, was long overlooked-that class of girls and young women, who, by the death of parents, the reverses of fortune, the loss of a situation, or of health, are either thrown suddenly upon their own resources or the uncertain charities of a calculating world. In large cities, where fortunes are suddenly lost, and where most of the casualties of society occur, this class of persons is always unpleasantly large. In November, 1858, a number of Christian women, representing several different denominations, convened for the purpose of forming the "Ladies Christian Association of the City of New York," their special object being; "the temporal, moral, and religious welfare of women, particularly of young women dependent upon their own exertions for support."

In May, 1860, the first "Home" in America for virtuous "Young Women" was opened by this society in a hired dwelling at No. 21 Amity place. Here it continued two years, when it was removed to No. 160 East Fourteenth street, where three more years were spent, when it was removed to Nos. 174 and 176 of the same street.

The act of incorporation passed the Legislature April 5, 1866, under the name of "The Ladies Christian Union of the City of New York." The need of a permanent building, larger and better arranged than any hitherto occupied, had been long felt. The importance of the undertaking had been demonstrated from the first; more had thronged the doors than could be admitted. During the first four years one hundred and sixty-one had been admitted. During the fifth year seventy-five persons were admitted. An earnest appeal for funds to purchase or build a suitable edifice, published in the report for 1866, brought the noble response of $1,000 from an unknown friend, with a pledge for $4,000 more, afterwards increased to $9,000 more, on condition that $50,000 should be procured within a given time. The amount was finally subscribed, though owing to some reverses it has never all been collected. On the first of May, 1868, the Home was removed to its present location, on the northeast corner of Macdougal street and Washington square. The managers purchased two four-story brick houses, with a front of fifty-five and one-half feet, the lots being one hundred and twenty-five feet deep (containing brick stables in the rear), for the sum of $50,000. The buildings front on Washington Square park; they are substantially built, with high ceilings, are well arranged and ventilated, and for convenience of access, purity of air, and pleasant surroundings, could scarcely be excelled on this portion of the island. The basement furnishes a fine kitchen and laundry, a dining, and a sewing room. The first floor contains two fine parlors, a committee room, the apartments for the superintendent, and others for transient boarders. The upper stories are devoted to lodging-rooms, with baths on each floor. The carpeting, bedding, and furniture all display neatness and taste; the walls are ornamented with pictures and various specimens of art wrought by the inmates. The ladies contemplate adding another story, with Mansard roof, as soon as their funds will admit of it. A small debt still remains on the property. The Home at this writing contains eighty-seven inmates, and is always, except in the extreme heat of the season, full.

It is not purely a charitable Institution. Each inmate pays a weekly board of from $3.50 to $6, according to her circumstances and the room she occupies. A relief fund has been established to assist those who through sickness, loss of employment, or other causes, find themselves unable to pay their board. When the buildings are owned and furnished the income from the boarders will about pay the expenses. The girls are all of an interesting class. Many of them are the daughters of clergymen and other distinguished gentlemen. Every inmate is required to be either engaged in, something useful or fitting for it. Of 29 inmates, in 1865, 18 were artists, one a copyist, three were teachers, eight dressmakers and seamstresses; 203 different inmates were received during 1869, of whom 19 were artists, 33 teachers, 70 seamstresses; the remaining 81 were saleswomen, book-keepers, copyists, etc. Many young ladies tarry here while completing their education. Some teach in private families, some in the public-schools, some are pupils in the school of design, others work at embroidery or some other species of ingenious handicraft. There are hours for receiving company, when both sexes are admitted, but all are required to depart at ten in the evening. The Home is well supplied with books and periodicals. The house committee holds a meeting every Friday from twelve to one o'clock, when applications for admission are received and acted upon. Satisfactory testimonials of character are required in all cases, and valid reasons for their remaining in the city. Unmarried women only are received, preference being given to the younger class. The Institution being an outgrowth of the great awakening of 1857, and the third article of the constitution making advancement in active personal piety the first duty of the members, it is not surprising that the religious element has always been a marked feature in the movement. Family prayer is daily conducted. Every Thursday evening a Bible class is taught at the Home, and on Wednesday at eleven A.M. a ladies' prayer-meeting is held at the social parlors, over the chapel of the Broadway Tabernacle, corner of Thirty-fourth street and Sixth avenue. Sectarianism is ignored, all attend the churches of the neighborhood on the Sabbath, and many of the young women teach in the Sunday schools. The Home has been the spiritual birthplace of many thoughtful young ladies, and from its well-ordered circle some have ascended to the "House of many mansions" on high.

The superintendent, Mrs. S. F. Marsh, formerly the wife of a clergyman, a lady of rare executive and social qualities, with a nature too kind to be soured and too brave to be discouraged, has presided over the Institution with very great success for the last eight years. May she, with that association of pure spirits which established this model and pioneer Home, and who have so long and successfully toiled to elevate the young women of our day, reap the richest fruit of Christian toil on earth, and an imperishable crown beyond the grave.