He was the author of The Journal of the Stated Preacher to the Hospital and Almshouse, in the City of New-York, for the Year of Our Lord 1811, otherwise known as Visits of Mercy, and, of Conversations on the Science of the Human Mind (Phil.

Ely, through his work in the New York Almshouse (1811, 1813), was credited as being "one of the first in America to face openly the problem of prostitution and to deal sympathetically with its victims.

"[4] His sympathy for the poor he served, however, was reflected in lines such as: asking if it would be lawful "to confine in work-houses some of the clamorous and diseased persons, who are a nuisance to the city?

"[5] He also called for the banning of the procreation of the poor by separating families in the Almshouse: "No sort of connexion [sic] should exist between men, women, and children.

[9] The poverty-stricken were believed to be in their state, not due to external forces such as economics, war, or famine, but because they have made poor life choices, or are too insufficient as humans to be prosperous.

This is an important concept to consider as events such as the War of 1812, trade embargoes, and numerous market fluctuations during the era had severe, and negative consequences, on the problem of poverty.

Although Ely described his written work about the poor as: "My journal is of necessity the record of wretchedness,"[10] he nevertheless maintained a positive outlook regarding his ministerial role.