The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-06-06

hisoN DISCIPLINE SOCIETY. The eX-
erclses before this Society, convened at
Park Street Church on Monday evening,
were of highly interesting character
We venture to say that no one came away
from the meeting, without heing convinced
OF The great practical and benefcent oDer-
alton of this Society upon Prisons, and
without gratitude to all engaged in this no.
bile Christian enterprise. The Prisons OF
our land, 10y means of the reports of this
Society, are opened TO the inspection of the
public, and an interest awakened for the
poor prisoner, who has too often been treat
ed merely as beast of prey, and about his
moral and religious improvement, little or
no concern has been manifested.
John Tappan, Esq, President of the So
ciety, presided at the meeting. and the Rev
Messrs. Farchid and Bagden performed
the religious services. Hon. A. H. Everett
and The Rev. John Pierpont addressed the
large and attentive auditory with much ef-
feet, the former passed high encomium on
the Hon. Richard M. johnson, for his SER
wees IN the cause of abolishing Imprison-
ment tor Debt, from whom, rs well as from
the Hon. Henry Clay, letters had been re-
ceivcd by the Secretary OF the Society,
speaking of the favorable result produced
~ the total abolition of Imprisonment for
Debt in Kentucky, during the last seven
years. He also alluded to the great and
noble slate of New York, and of her doings
on this subject, ami at the close of his re-
marks, spoke of the recent report in Eng.
land, in favor of the abolition of Imprison-
ment for Debt in that Nation, and of the
services Of Lord Brongham, and other dis
tinguished men Of his country, in this and
other plans for melorating the condition Of
mankind, and Of the reaction upon the Uni
ted States, saying how much more worthy
of commentator, to be thus reciprocally
aiding in great plans for public improve
ment, and cheering each other onward in
noble emulation, than TO he INDUCING in in
vectve and recrimination.
The Rev. Mr.. Pierpont was even more
than usually effective and eloquent, and in
simple, unstudied harangue of nearly q
half an hour, chained the attention of a
GREATNESS auditory, by the utterance of hu-
nane, generous, and noble sentiments; the
poetry of simple truth, which though en-
riched, was not encountered, with the or.
naments of glowing fancy. He spoke OF
The human form divine, us held of less mo-
ment than the Offering dust, and of the
temple of Mammon, rising upon the ruins
of crushed hearts and blighted affections
During residence of twelve years in this
city, the hinges of the Debtors Prison had
turned upon upwards of $4,000 human
beings, rs appeared from the reports of the
Society. In this respect he compared Bos-
ton to picture by great Master, in which
the lights and shadows were strongly and
deeply Marked and adverted 10 the fact
that the liberty of the citizen was less Sc
cure here than in any other place where
the power of Legislature was aeknowl-
edged; and asked, if here, in sight Of
Bunker Hill, was to be the last spot where
this crnel oppression should linger? The
cause of Temperance was adverted TO as a
coadjutor in the good work, reeiprocallv
aiding it; every blow that was struck in favor
of the one, benefited the other the demoli-
ton Of every distillery took stone from
the arch Of the debtors prison; the doors
of the one should be locked, and the doors
of the other unlocked.
The Rev. Louis Dwight, Secretary of
this Society, deserves the highest commend
alton for his industrious research and his
fearless exposure of the dark features of
our prisons. His qualifications for this Of
flee ran hardly he surpassed, and we fear
it his services should he withdrawn, it would
lie difficult to supply his place. 1t is graft
flying to observe that the labors of the So
ciety are appreciated abroad, and thai:
about fifty pages of the London Discipline
Soclety's Report are occupied by selec-
tons from our Society's Reports.
Boston Courier.
From the St, Johnsbury ". Herald, 3Oih alt.
KILLING, We learn from an authentic
source, that Mr.. Dan Grout, son of Theophilus
Grou', Esq. was killed in Canaan, the north
easternmost town in this state on the morning
of the 2lsi of May. The circumstances were
Theses The father is revenue officer, ana
with the deceased and another son, was resd
ing in Canaan A Mr.. Stearns, who for sever
al years past has been notorious for his bold ad.
ventures as smuggler, was ascertained TO be
in the house of widow Beach. Ii had become
the duty of Esq. Grout if possible TO apprehend
him. For this purpose company, consisting
of himself, his two sons and others, surrounded
the house in the night and quietly waited fol
the coming day. In the morning Stearns espi
ed them through his window. Two young
men, sons Of the widow, who were in the house
united with Stearns to assist him in effectinp
MS csS"pV' Ioi u IOuucu tiiuske
, was repeatedly pointed from the windows n
Grout and his company threatening them will
death unless they departed. While these
things were gong on, S,earns with the gun il
his hand leaped out at window and made for ,h,
woods. The unfortunate Grout pursued him
and having nearly overtaken him, he tnrnet
and fired. The whole contents of the muske
entered his thigh near the hip tearing tho flesl
and shatterng the bone in n horrid manner
He survived about Is hours Stearns continu
cd his fight. and the surviving brother pursue,
nfier and when near overriding him, Siearn
drew pistol, threatening him with instaD
death, unless he returned. The pursuit wa
then abandoned, and Stearns escaped. TIL,
Beaches, taking advantage Of the confusion an,
distress, fled also. We have not learned tina
either of the three has been taken.
AMHERST COLLEGE. Indications warran
the belief that this young seminary will over
come its pecuniary difficulties. About 500 00t
dollars have already been subscribed by indi
viduas Of the State. Among the liberal do
nors, are Messrs Bartlett Of Newburyport
Smith Of Sunderland, and Tappan of Boston.
Montreal on the 23d ult 3, was alive will
shipping, sailors and einigfans: about 5000 o
the latter, generally Of a good class, full of mo
ney, had arrived, and 10000 more were expect
ed all OF whom would probably bring ca, 0O6,0OU