This godlike proposal of giving an opportunity of repentance to guilt and shame met with a suitable encouragement, and many were willing to afford them the means of recovering themselves from their otherwise lost state; and instead of being pests, becoming useful members of society.
Influenced by such noble motives, a set of gentlemen, distinguished by their humanity and generosity, entered into a private subscription, making themselves at the same time accountable for such benefactions as should flow in from the public. Numbers liberally contributed, and in about three or four months time, the sums advanced by the subscribers amounted to 3593 l. 19 s. while a great number of these unhappy guilty objects of commiseration solicited for admission.
At a general meeting of the subscribers, a committee was appointed, and it was determined to take the house in Prescot street which had been lately the London infirmary; which being done, it was fitted up in the manner above mentioned; and at another general meeting on the 28th of June 1758, the several officers of the house were chosen, and the rules, of which the following are an abstract, were ordered to be published.
Rules and regulations of the Governors and Officers.
I. That a President, four Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, and committee of twenty-one, be annually chosen the last Wednesday in June, and that seven of the committee go out yearly.
II. The general courts shall consist of at least ten Governors, the President, or Vice-President, and the Treasurer. These general courts shall be held quarterly, viz. on the last Wednesday in March, June, September, and December. The annual general court, in which is to be examined all the transactions of the year, and the general state of the hospital, and at which time the officers shall be chosen, is to be held on the last Wednesday in June.
III. The general committee is to consist of twenty-one, five of whom shall constitute a quorum, and the President, Vice-President, and Treasurer shall be always of this general committee, one of whom shall be Chairman, when present; but if none of them be present, then the said committee may chuse their Chairman. They are to meet once a week, or oftener, as they shall think proper: when they shall have power to receive the persons petitioning for admittance, and to dismiss those already admitted: to give orders in relation to the manner in which the persons admitted shall be employed: to inspect the cloathing, furniture, and provisions: to examine into the conduct of all the officers and servants: and every week a sub-committee of three are jointly to visit the wards, and make their report.
IV. A subscription of twenty guineas shall be a qualification for a Governor for life: and an annual subscription of five guineas shall be a qualification for a Governor for that year; this subscription, when it shall amount to twenty-five guineas, shall be a qualification for a Governor for life, and every such subscriber be intitled to one vote only: but if any annual subscriber shall be more than two years in arrear, his power as Governor shall cease till such arrears be paid. And every lady subscribing as above, shall be intitled to vote personally, or by proxy, provided that proxy be brought by a Governor: but no Governor to be possessed of more than one proxy. Any five Governors shall have power to require a general meeting, provided they address themselves to the Treasurer by letter, expressing the business for which that meeting is required, and signed by them respectively. All elections to be by holding up of hands, except a ballot be required, and if there shall be an equality of votes, the Chairman is to have the casting vote.
V. The Chaplain is to read prayers morning and evening; to pray and preach twice every Sunday, and to administer the sacrament every month; to attend the sick and ignorant, and to instruct them in the principles and duties of the protestant religion. He is to attend all committees, and make reports of what he thinks necessary for the good conduct and benefit of the undertaking.
VI. There are two Physicians, two Surgeons, and three Apothecaries, who are required to behave with the utmost humanity and prudence. One of each is to attend the committee, and make weekly reports. They are all to attend in their own persons, and no pupil, apprentice, or servant, shall at any time be admitted into the wards; and even when the Physicians, Surgeons, and Apothecaries visit the wards, they shall be attended by the matron.