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is allowed the guilty for meditation, repentance and resolutions of reform, and in which also the young, and, the comparatively innocent, are under the moral necessity of learning and practising the arts of sin.

Such has been the wretched condition of those who have been incarcerated, not in infidel and uninformed nations, as those of the Barbary States, of Turkey, and of the most ancient and heathen countries; but of the two most christianized and enlightened nations of the earth in modern times. These furnish sad instances of wretchedness enough to excite the compassion of the hardest heart, and induce to the most self-denying, assiduous labors, and the most liberal charity. Nor in delineating this picture of suffering, are we compelled to exhibit instances of a few individuals only, whom greater guilt, or an unusual train of circumstances, or uncontrollable necessity has rendered more conspicuous in misery; it is a whole system of wretchedness which duty compels us to represent, devised by what has been regarded the wisdom of legislation, -a system which has included, till the late benevolent ef forts of the Prison Discipline Societies, the whole class of prisoners; the guilty of every degree, those only suspected of guilt, the poor, the lunatic, the old and young, male and female.

III. The duty of exercising compassion towards prisoners will now be considered.

This compassion should not be a latent principle merely, but an active glowing principle, carried out in deeds of . mercy.

1. Here let it be remarked, that prisoners are capable of being reformed.

The experiments made in some of our prisons satisfactorily prove this. Where prison discipline has been properly maintained, there have been the fewest recommitals.

This is in consequence of the reformation of those, who are discharged, as may be seen by recuring to facts. Of one hundred and sixty, who had left the prison at Auburn within a certain period, one hundred and twelve are “. described as decidedly steady and industrious, or very greatly improved, and twelve as somewhat reformed." In the State Prison of New Hampshire, where discipline has been strictly observed, and religious instruction given, the number of the prisoners was reduced, in the year 1828, to 48. This encouraging fact is attributable no doubt, in a good degree to the wise and religious government of the prisoners. It has now become a familiar remark, that none are too bad to be reformed, and daily observation confirms this truth. Some remarks contained in a Report of the Rev. Jonathan Dickerson, Chaplain of the prison at Sing Sing are in point. "During the past year, the power of divine truth has evidently seized the minds and consciences of not a few, in a signal manner, and made them to tremble, in view of obligations which they never before realized, and to feel as convicts before God, condemned at the bar of Infinite Justice. In cases of this kind, the attention has not only been called up to the particular crime for which they stand convicted, but perhaps to a thousand of equal and some of greater guilt; the whole life is brought up in array before the mind. It may readily. be conceived that here is presented an overwhelming scene as matter for repentance, and much to be forgiven." Some of them it. is remarked have entertained a hope, professed religion and maintained a consistent. deportment..

2. The temporal and spiritual welfare of prisoners urge to the duty of exercising compassion towards them. Their wretchedness, bodily and mental is deplorable, and their prospects for eternity most awful. They are

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miserable within and without. How true the declaration of the Prophet Isaiah, "The wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt." "There is no place, saith my God, to the wicked." This unhappy class of beings are exiled from society, and deprived of social endearments and enjoyments. While unreformed, there is nothing to render them happy in body or mind, either for time or for eternity. They have no spiritual joy or hope in life, no refuge. in affliction, no present help in trouble. And remaining in their sins, they will have no rod and staff to comfort them in death, no faith to give them the victory, no surety at the bar of judgment, no Almighty Saviour to deliver them from hell and raise them to Heaven. So far as they have any just views of their future state, there is to them a" certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries."

Such is the dreadful condition of prisoners, and it is the part of compassion to seek their reformation. Their temporal and spiritual well-being, the good of society and the glory of God demand efforts on their behalf. And there is the greatest encouragement to make efforts. Success has attended every exertion to promote their spiritual benefit. Says Dr. Butler in a letter written by him, while in the Penitentiary in Georgia, speaking of himself and the Rev. Mr. Worcester, "When we came here the most universal opinion among the convicts was, that no one could maintain a Christian character in the Penitentiary. And those who appeared very friendly towards us said, that our attempt to instruct their fellow prisoners was like casting pearls before swine. Profaneness and filthy conversation were on the lips of every one. Our seasons of evening worship were generally disturbed by talking and laughing. But now how changed! Comparatively speaking, there is but little profanity, and our seasons of evening worship are now as solemn as the awakened worship of the conference room. Those who said a religious character could not be maintained here, stand aghast, though some of them revile. Two weeks ago Dr. Brown and Mr. Hoyt preached to us, and Dr. Brown again the Tuesday morning following. Much feeling was manifested by the preacher and hearers. To-day a Christian class was organized-not for Methodist, Presbyterian or Baptist purposes, but for the purpose of serving the Lord. All who ⚫were determined to serve the Lord, were requested to come forward and have their names registered. Twentyfive, including Mr. Worcester and myself, came forward and there publicly engaged to serve the Lord; others with deep feeling kept back, thinking they had not sufficiently considered the subject. The individu...ls of that class will probably be conversed with separately, and the feelings of each ascertained. Nearly one third of the convicts belong to the class. Surely it is a day of wonders. The Lord can bring good out of evil, light out of darkness; make the wrath of man to praise him and restrain the remainder."

3. The duty of exercising compassion for prisoners is taught in the Scriptures.

"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," said the Saviour to his disciples. It is duty then, to impart Christian instruction to all men. Prisoners must be embraced in this comprehensive injunction: In compassion to their souls, the word of life should be faithfully dispensed to them. "Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble." The Psalmist here extolleth that disposition of mind, which leads a person to relieve suffering and distress. Job could confidently affirm, in commendation of himself, that "when the ear heard him, then, it blessed him, and when the eye saw him, it gave witness to him, because he delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him." He attested that it was a principal object with him to redress the wrongs and grievances of the widow, the orphan and the destitute; by which he caused many a heart to sing for joy; and for which he received their benediction. Thought in this passage of Scriptore, Job may have had reference to another class of sufferers, yet the disposition here manifested should be exercised towards prisoners in their wretchedThese should experience the compassionate regard of those who can feel for another's wo.

ness.

IV. Some methods, in which prisoners may be benefited, will now be mentioned.

Improvement should be made in the construction, ventilation, and cleanliness of prisons. Much evil may be remedied in this way. Experience has shown, that the bodily sufferings of prisoners may be mitigated consistently with the infliction of a punishment justly deserved, and sufficiently to be dreaded. Our prisons should be so formed, that the inmates may occupy separate cells, and be secluded frour all associates, during the night. "The great principle of solitary confinement, at least by night, is now adopted in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Tennessee, Louisiana, Illinois, and great efforts are making to adopt it in New Jersey and Ohio, and appropriations are made for carrying the same principle into effect in the County prisons of Boston, New York and Philadelphia." It is highly beneficial to prisoners, that they be engaged in some laborious employment. This will be productive of health. While suffering the sentence of the law, criminals may do much to support themselves. Besides, idle

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