Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1843-03-18


! She entered an apartment Of the prison. ID
which were confined abou, one hundred and sixty
frOraen, the condemned and those who were
waiting trial, being all hujdied together, viii
many children, who were thus brought up In the
school Of vice. The cries and curses OF these
poor little victims of their parents crimes addeC
the darkest shade the dreadful picture which
met the puyinr eyes Of this angel Of mercy
The as,onished inmates Of the prison gazed OF
her, though she indeed angel. The
pure and tranquil expression OF the beautiful
tenance, soon softened their ferocity. 1t has
been remarked that If virtue could be rendered
visible, II would be impossible 10 resist iis inhI-
ence. In Mrs. Fry, virtue seemed indeed en-
bodied lovely and attractive was the manner
Of her benevoence, and this may account for the
influence she at once gained over this host Of
abandoned creatures, ho had seemed worse than
savages.
She addressed them in the most gentle accents.
you seem unhappv,7' said she: "you are in
want Of clothes; would you not be pleased If some
one came to relieve your misery"
"CertaIuly," SAID one, "we need clothes. But
BODY cares for US, and where End
fricnd?" sa;d another.
81 am come 10 serve you. II you will allow me, -
said Ellzlbe IN Fry. She then went on 10 express
her sympathy for them, and offer them hope that
they might improve their condition. She did not
say a word about the crimes they had committed,
condemn. When she was about TO depart, the
women thronged around her
You leaving u.s." said they, "an1 you will
never come again"
Yes, will come again, if you desire it, she
replied.
awe do. we do.' was echoed around the apart.
ment.
10 a short time Mrs. Fry made her second Wis
il. and intended pass the whole day. The
doors closed and barred, and she was left
alone with tho prisoners. "1ou must not sup
pose" SAID she TO them, "that have come here
without being commssioned.' Shc raised The
Bible which she had brought in her hand and
continued, This book, hich has been the guide
of my life, has brought me 10 You. Il directed
me to you. 1t directed me TO visit he prisoners;
to take pity the poor and afflicted ] am wal
ling to do all IN my power to relieve yen. bat all
my etfor;s will be VAN unless you heip.-Are
on willing TO hear me read a few passages from
this book?7'
They assented and she read from Matthew
,hnp Xxx the parable Of the Lord Of the Vineyard,
When she came 10 the man who was hired al the
eleventh hour, she Panaed momeat. aud then
said in gentle but impressive tone, 'he eev-
enrh hour now strikes for you, my friends. The
greater part OF your lives has been lost but Christ
has come - save sinners"
Some asked who Christ Oilers said that
,e had not come for them; that the time was pass
ed, and they could not be saved
Mrs. Fry replied that Christ had died 10 save
inners; the poor and afflicted in particular be IN
tied TO come to han, for he had been poor and
ilcted.
She passed the whole day with them, and du-
ing this visit. laid the foundation of most hap
y change in that gloomy prison. She soon OBJ
aimed permission TO establish school for the
hlldren of these poor women; and when she saw
ow ioyfully their mothers accedea 10 the proPo-
al Of giving religious instruction 10 their Iilte
mes she felt sure Of success. The female whose c
Maternal affection is warm and sure, canno, be
holly lost TO virtue. And thus she went on,
ofening by her words of peace and arts Of love, !
ne mos, turbulent and perverse tempers, and e |
en- tanning the violence OF the unruly tongue;
,hich it would seem, only miracle conid have 9
The reform most astonishing; u
nd, thanks to her perseverance, and the years =
Re devoted 10 this pous undertaking, total Q
hange has been effected in the female depart Z
ZEN, Of this prison. The Influence of virtue has
revaled, and many wre;ched beings have found a
eWgate asylum Of repentance and heavenly Z
0pe.