From the Preface to the Discourse:

"The Scheme of a Public Hospital for the Reception of the poor Sick of this Government and City [of New York], is a Subject, which for a long Time past, has employed the Attention of many charitable and benevolent Inhabitants; particularly of those Gentlemen engaged in the practice of Psychic, and Offices of Religion, whose Professions afford them the most frequent Opportunities of knowing the great Necessity there is for such an Institution....

Such an Occasion now presents itself, and the Warmth and Zeal, which his Excellency the Governor, and most of his honorable Council, have expressed for it, and the Liberality, with which they have subscribed towards it, induce them to think the present, the fittest Time, for recommending it, to the serious Consideration of the Public."