and good food raised by themselves — Asylums 
of young females or Widows, so much required 
with us, instead of the Nunneries of Europe, 
would also be best in farms or small villages? 
where food is cheap, and their fabor at the nee- 
dle or otherwise would amply support them: nay 
they might become excellent female Schools. 
72, All such useful Institutions should be pul 
on the safe footing of security by good perpetua* 
deeds, so as to insure their perpetuity and con- 
stant useful purposes for ages to come, for the 
use of those wishing to avail themselves of their 
benefits at any time, without ever refusing any 
one , but forming branches when too crowded. 
Altho’ we cannot foresee futurity nor prescribe 
laws for very late generations, yet we can effect 
the good contemplated to last until our designs 
and Institutions may be merged into something 
better, brought on by the lapse of time. We 
shall have the gratification of seeing the good 
performed, the merit of overcoming the difficul- 
ties of the outset, and be able to say — We have 
not lived in vain on this Earth , since we have 
done some good , and tried to mate it perma- 
nent. 
73, If piously inclined, we may base our In- 
stitutions upon the religious commands, but 
without exacting superfluous tenets, since chari- 
ty does not acknowledge them — If otherwise in- 
clined, we may base them on the universal Be- 
nevolence of correct minds, or even upon the 
mere cold system of utility ; but let us beware 
to intrude therein the delusion of fanatical Sects, 
whether religious or anti-religious. It will al- 
ways be vain to act against the human nature of 
self interest as some propose, and still worse if 
