New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-12-30

extensive and benefcent changes have already
taken place in Massachusetts, though much re-
mains TO be done. She has recently returned
from a similar tour of duty in Canada, and Is
nov travelling through New FORK. In some re-
specs, she thinks the prisons IN this State are IN
better condition than those OF Massachusetts;
particularly as the insane are rarely found "ilhiii
their walls. But she SAYS If the civilized "orlo
affords spectacle more painful than the insl''u-
tons provided in Albany for the poor ana VICIOUS
she trusts it will never be her lot to witness IT,
Ienoured whether the amount OF good accom-
plshed had, so far, equaled her expectations.
She said it had and that her faith IN the power
Of kindness, over the insane and VICIOUS had
been more than confirmed Among the hundreds
of crazy people, with whom her sacred mission
has brought her into companlonshIp, she has not
| found one individual, however fierce and turbu-
lent, that could not be Gained by Scripture and
prayer, uttered in low and gentle tones. The
power of the religious sentiment over these shat
tered souls seems perfectly miraculous. The
worship Of quiet, loving heart affects them like
voice from heaven. Tearing and rendlng,
yelling and stamping, singing and grooming,
gradually subside into silence, and they fall on
their knees, or gaze upward with clasped hands,
| as if they saw through the opening darkness
golden CLEAN from their Fathers throne Of love.
| On one occasion this missionary of mercy was
earnestly cautioned not to approach ravlng
maniac He yelled frightiully, day and night,
rent his garment, plucked out his hair, and was
so violeni that it was supposed he would murder
any one that venturcd within his reach. Miss
Dix seated herself at a little distance, and with
out appearing to notice him, began to read, with
serene countenance and gentle voice, certain
passagcs of Scripture filled with the spirit OF ten
derness His shouts gradually subsidized, until at
last he became perfectly still When she paused,
he SAID meekly," Read me some morel does me
good" And when, after prolonged season OF
worship, she said, 81 must 60 away now" he
eagerly replied, No, you cannot go. God sent
you to me; and you must not co. by KIND
words, and promise to come again. she finally
obtained permission TO depart. "Glve me your
hand" said he. She gave it, and smiled upon
him. The wild expression of his haggard coun-
tenance softened to tearfulness as he said, " You
treat me right. God sent you"
On another occasion she had been leading
some twenty or thirty manlacs into worship, and
seeing them all quiet as lambs gathered INTO the
Shepherds fold, she prepared TO 60 forth to other
duties. In leaving the room, she passed an III
sane young man, with whom she had several IN
terviews He stood with hands clasped, and
countenance of the deepest reverence With
friendly smile, she SAID Henry, are you well
today" "Hush hush! !" replied he, sinking
his voice to whisper, and gazing earnestly on
the space around her. Hush there are angels
with you! They have given you their voice."
But let not the Journalist suppose that he can
work such miracles as these, in the professcd
name of Jesus. Vain is the Scripture or the
prayer, repeated by rotc. They must be the meek
utterance of heart overlooking with love, for
to such only do the angels lend their voice.
THE Present. for December. L. NJ CHILD