American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1814-1822, 1822-01-22

and not to Judge and condemn. Wien she was a.
bout to depart, the women throDged round her, as
Iif TO detan her-"You will never come again,
said they--but she, who never broke her word
promised to return. She soon paid second visit
to this oathsome gaol, where she intended to pass
the whole day--the doors were closed upon her,
and she was left alone with the prisoners. "You
cannot suppose, "said she, addressing them, 'that
| have come here without being commissioned: this
book, Ishe held Bible in her hand) which has been
the guide of my life, has led me to you--it directed
me to visit the prisoners, and to take pity on the
poor and the affected am willing to do all that
lies in my power but my efforts will be vain unless
met and aided by you" She then asked whether
they would not like to hear her read few passages
from the book. They replied they would. Mrs.
Fry selected the parable of the Lord of the Vine
yard, St. Mathew, chapt. 20--and when she came
to the man who was hired at the eleventh hour, she
said, "Now the eleventh hour strikes for you-the
greater part Of your lives has been lost but Christ is
come to save sinners!" Some asked who Christ
was others said, that he had not come for them
that the time was passed. and that they could not
be saved.-Mrs Fry REPLIED that Christ had suffer
ed, that he had been poor, and that he had come to
save the poor and afflicted in particular.
Mrs. Fry obtained permission 10 assemble the
children ia school established within prison, for
lehS utPOoS VI PiOhOAiuS NhSi
The female prisoners, in spite of their prohgate and
vicious habits joyuly embraced the opportunity OF
meliorating the condition Of their children. Much
was already effected, by restoring these women to
the first sentiments oil nature; namely, maternal
affection
woman denomnated the matron, was eRtrus.
ted with the control of the prisoners, under the su.
pernendance OF the ladies Of the society OF Friends
composing the Newgate committee.
So. r
duct for the prisoners day was fixed and the lord
mayor and one the aldei men being present, she
read aloud the articles and asked the prisoners whe.
Their they were willing to adopt them-they were
directed to raise their hands a sign Of approval
Mrs Fry's constitution was received unanimously
so sincere were the sentiments OF respect aud con.
hdence she had inspired.
Thanks to her perseverance, and the years she
has devoted to her pous undertaking, a total change
has been effected in Newgate prison; the influence
OF virtue has softened the horror OF vice, and New.
gate has become the asylum Of repentance
Fridays are the public days on which strangers
are permitted tc visit the gaol, where Mrs Fry
reads and explains passages OF the bible the prison
ers Her voice is extremely beautful-its pure,
clear tones are admirably calculated to plead the
cause OF virtue.
The late queen expressed wish to see Mrs. Fry,
and in the most t1aering terms testified the admit
ration she felt for her conduct The thanks Of the
city of London were voted to her--and, in short,
there is not an Englishman who does not bless her
name
Mrs Fry, who is as useful among the members
OF her own sect as size has been in Newgate, exer-
cises in her evangellc mission that charitable ndul.
gence which arises from sincere piety and pure
conscience. Her eloguence penetrates the sou---no
one can hear her without becoming more virtuous
or at least without feeling convinced that he may
become so-she is not feared but loved--and she
is herself the example Of what she breaches. How
many affecting anecdotes might relate? But here
shall close this notice, happy in rejecting that
Mrs Fry is still young, and that, in all probabili
ty, she may yet live long, for the happiness of her
family, her friends and the poor.