Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-01-06

loved but erring sons "Bo Of good
heart, my poor lads" said he "you
can retrieve this one false step, u you
will but make the effort. Ii Is still M
your power to become respectable and
useful men. | will help you all ! can" "
He then gave particular directions
that they should br placed in room by
the mselves, apart from the coniagion Of
those more hardened in vice (; and to pre-
vent Improbable conversation, they were
employed in the noisy business Of head
ing nails.
From time to time, the humane in
specior spoke soothing and encouraging
words to them, and commended their
good behaviour. When the Board Of
I Inspectors met, he proposed that the
\ lads should be recommended To the Gov
ernor for pardon. Not succeeding in his
efforts, he wrote an article on the impro-
pririy Of confning juvenile OFFENDERS with
old convicts, and published il IN the dat
ly papers. This had the desired effect.
When the Board again met, lsanc J..
Hopper aud Thomas Dobson were ap-
pointed to wait on the Governor, to obtain
pardon for the lads, If possible. Aiier
considerable hrsitation, the request was
granted on condition that worthy men
could be found who would take them ~
apprentices. Isaac i. Hopper agreed
to find such persons, and kept his word.
One of them was bound to respectnbl :
turner, and the other To n carpenter.
But their excellent friend did moi lose
si.kt of them. lie told them they we're
now going among strangers, and their
I happiness and success must depend mann
ly on their own conduct. They might
perhaps, at times, be exposed to unproft.
able company but il they should at
any time get into difficulty, he begged
them to come to him, as they would to q
considerate father lie invited them to
spend all their leisure evenings at his
house ard for long time it was their
constant practice To take tea with him on
Sabbath evening, and join the family in
reading the Scriptures, and other instruc'
tive books.
At the end Of the year, they expressed
a strong desire 10 visit their father
Some fears were entertained lest his in
huence upon them should prove injurious:
and that, when once freed from restraint,
they would not willingly return to con-
stant industry and regular habits. They,
however, promised faithfully that they
would and Isaac 7. Hopper gave bonds
for them, merely for the sake of strength
ening their good resolutions by 'ho ad-
ditional claim Of their warm gratitude to
him. They returned punctuaiIy, at the
day and hour they had promised and
their exemplary conduct continued to
give entire satisfaction to their employers.
A short time after the oldest had be-
came free, the turner with whom he
worked, purchased farm and sold his
stock and tools TO his former apprentice.
Dressed in his new suit of freedom
clothes, Isaac T. Hopper took him to
the Governors house, and introduced
him as one OF the ladswhom he had par
doned several years before, tcsiifying
that he had been faithful apprentice,
and much respected by his master. The
Governor was much pleased to see him,
shook him by the hand very cordially,
and told him that he who was resolute
enough TO turn back from vicious ways
into the paths of virtue and usefulness,
deserved even more respec, than he who
had never been tempted.
lie alterwnrd married worthy young
woman, with a small property, which en-
ahled him TO tuild neat two-story house.
They lived in great comfort and respec-
liability he always retaining the charac-
ter of sober, Industrious man.
The other brother passed through his
apprentic eship very creditabIy and a!
twenty-one ears Of age was likewise
introduced to the Governor, with testi-
monials of his good conduct. lie was
united to very respectable young wo-
man /; but died six or seven years after
his marriage.
Both the young men always retained
strong attachment, and lively gratitude
for Isaac +. Hopper and never failed
to attend, regularly, the meetings Of the
Societ, of Friends.
While my honored friend was lnspcc-
tor Of the prison, he was the means of
aiding and encouraging about fifty young
culprits, by means similar to those have
mentioned /; and only two out Of the
whole number turned out badly.
To have saved even one fellow-being
from ruin, is worth living for! Would
that our prison inspectors might read the
les sson and take It to their hearts! Not
.ill sympathy and kindness take the place
Of harshness and coercion, shall we see
any perceptible diminution Of crime in