Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-06-20


resolution.
Resolced, That Houses of Reformation and Farm
schools are blessed instrumentality for the pre-
Vention of crime.
Dea.s g. said he wished to correct an
erroneous impression that might have
been made on the minds of some, in fela-
ton to the boys before them. They were
from the Boston Asylum and Farm
School, -boys who have been accused of
no crime, but who have been saved from
a woful exposure to crime, by their recep-
ton at that institution. With the assist
ance of their superintendent, Capt. Chan
dler, they do most of the labor on farm
of $50 acres, besides making their own
shoes and clothes. When OF suitable age
they are apprenticed, chiefly to farmers at
a distance from the city, and thus far they
have done well. He read two letters
from boys who had been apprenticed,
showing the great change wrought In
short time in boys taken up in the street,
almost friendless, vicious and unmanagea-
Die. The following is one of the letters
", June 5, 1887.
Oar Sir:-I arrived here on Wednes-
day last n the morning, in wagon. 1t
was pleasant dav. When first came,
I found MIR. D., very clever man.
You asked me to tell you what the text
was on Sunday. will tell you: it was
in St. Matthew, 18th chapter, and from
the 36th to the torty-third verse. The
family are all very kind, and consist of
Mr.. D., Mrs. D, and two other
people. 1t is a very pleasant place. Mr..
D. has two large lots of onions, and
helped to hoe them. like the trade OF
sail-making very much. | sewed seven
teen yards of canvass on Saturday last. 1t
was The first time l ever sewed any until
Friday. evening. We live onl y one mile
from the ocean, and we can see the great
waves roll high in the air. like the
place very much. l am master of a
class at the Sunday-school. l am treated
we'll, and | like to live here.
f. B..
Dea. G. remarked that if the means
could be furnished to carry out the prin
ciples of this institution, receiving anc
taking care of all idle and vicious boys
whose parents, if they have any, canno
or do not manage them, in a few year.
there will be no need of PRISONS Blu
the society needs funds; and if any on'
wishes to make a profitable Investment, h
can find no better place than this.
Robert Waterson, Esq. of this city, of
cred the fifth resolution.
Resozved, That there is much, very much, il
the circumstances Of prisoners and their friends
to awaken Christian sympathy and benevolen
effort
Mr.. w. spoke of the importance O
doing something to assist released con
victs, who appear we'll when in prison
and come outwith the intention of doing
well, and becoming good citizens. There
appears to be deep pref udice against any
one who has been imprisoned for crime
and however good their intentions, they
find it difficult to get employment or sym
pathy. E1e related several anecdote
showing the good effects of the exhibition
of Christian sympathy and encourage
ment in restoring convicts to usefulness
The prejudice was probab V caused by tn,
old system of prisons, which were little
else than schools of vice, where a mar
with any inclination to wickedness would
be sure to come out confirmed villain
Many Of those confined in prisons are ig
norant, and have been neg lected, anc
taught bad habits by depraved parents
They are made criminals, not by fate, bu
by circumstances and nothing but the
grace of God has made US to differ from
them They are therefore deserving anc
greatly in need OF Christian sympathy
and encouragement in their efforts at ref
Ormatlon.
Rev. Mr.. Curtis, chaplain Of the
CharIestown State Prison, seconded the
resolution, and stated that he was acquaint
ed with many cases where convicts hac
received assistance in well doing, and hac
become respectable members of society
and good members of Christian churches
He also read a letter from one who haC
been a convict and another from a wife
to her husband now in prison.
The exercises we've closed by singing
the hymn commencing, my country, its
of thee" which was performed by the
boys from the Farm School in very cred
ible style.
Infraction upon the Liberty of the
= ~- Churches.
i Baptist churches boast of republican
principles which they cherish and defend
They never have, as body, created any
religious aristocracy, so justly abhorren,
to every liberal, generous, Robe feeling O
the soul. No Assembly, no Synod, nc
Presbytery enact laws for their govern.
ment or with an authoritative voice declare
TO them the measure of their duty, or the
manner Of discharging their responsible
ties toward God and man. They &C
kno Wedge noPope, no Cardinal, no Bish
ops right to regulate matters of conscience
AMONGST them. Intheir view every church