Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-11-17
From the Indies Companion for October.
EVENING PRAYERS IN A PRISON,
AT wETHERSFlELD, CONN.
nv ms. LYDIA II. sIoovRSrr.

nv MRS. LYDIA II. sIGoURNEr
All researches into the history of earle
ages, result in giving prominence to prisons
as among the strongest engines of tyranny
Despotc princes found them convenient re
treats for the conquered foe--the noble
whose estates they wished to coniscate-o
the rival whose eye was upon their throne
The legends of baronia dungeons, sleep ia
the darkness of feudal times In every ave
the oppressor hath, at his will, "beld the
body bound !" and none may compute the
number OF the souls whose only liberator wa:
death Though the progress of civilization
and refinement mitgated the savage feature:
of these penal institutions, yet ii was long ere
humanity dreamed of making their discipline
salutary. Disregard TO the moral health oil
those who as a gangrene had been divided
from society, still prevailed, and promiscu-
Gus association rendered the novice in guilt,
as hardened as the hoary offender
For the praise Of modern times, and FOR
the mild nature of our government, has
been reserved that benevolence, which, in
sequestrating the criminal, keeps before his
eyes the bright image Of returning virtue,
aud baptizes his place of punishment with
the hope of heaven. If to appease the an
ger OF an offended community, justice must
purge, as it were, with fire, the soul that
hath sinned. Mercy forgets not TO sit by as
a retiner, pronouncing when the dross is full
ly separated, aud in the sacred words Of in
spira,ion, "counieth the law as schoomas-
ter unto Christ" How would Howard have
/ rpInIcad IN ad such
him, while hazarding his life, to 'diye into
the depths OF dungeons, to plunge amid the
infection of hospitals, to survey the man
sions of sorrow and pain TO lake the gaze
Of misery, depression anu contempt, TO re-
member the forgotten, 10 attend TO Inc neg-
lected, to visit the iorsaken, to compare and
collate the diStresses Of all men in all coun-
tries"
The pens of some Of our distinguished
writer's have enforced the feasibility of ma
king prisons adjuncts in the reformation of
vice, and IN several OF our States buildings
have been erecting on this principle, aud
theories in some measure reduced TO prac-
tice. Among these institutions, that at
Wethsrsfeld stands conspicuous in the opin-
ion OF foreigners, as well as natives, for the
its policy, and the results of its discipline.
IL was at the close of long, cloudIess
summers day, when first attended, with a
small party of strangers aud friends, It's hour
of evening prayer. The richness of the
surrounding landscape, the beauty of the
prospect from its elevated, mural promenade,
the broad, quiet river, the distant gliding
sails, the waving foliage, the halowed
spire, embosomed amid graceful elms-al
seemed to sooth the mind into calm delight,
rather than prepare it for painful contempla-
ton. But the harsh sound of locks and
bolts, convinced us that guilt was near, guilt
which defaces both the fair creature, and
the immortal soul.
A bell struck, and the convicts came from
their respective workshops, and arranged
themselves IN lines IN the spacious, and
strongly enclosed area. There they under
went strict examination from the guard,
who ascerained that none had secreted
about his person, any weapon of destruction
and offence. 1t was humliatng TO see
powerful and athletic men, holding out their
arms for their search, with the subdued look
of helpless child. Melhought salutary
lessons might here be gathered for the young
and tempted, aud they be taught to wage a
6rmer warfare with Vice, after thus wit
Messing its degradation and misery.
Then, each prisoner placed his hands up
on the shoulders of the one who preceded
him. and all marched rapidly, with the lock-
step toward the chapel. There, seated side |
by side, were seen the man of full strength,
the boy of fourteen summers, and him of
hoary hairs, who, sentenced for life, survey
ed, motionless and passionless, objects to
which his dim eye and scared heart had
been long Injured. l bent scrutinizing
glance upon the mass of heads and faces in
this prison-home, to discover il possible,
some indication of talent, or nobIeness for
we know, that the whirlwind Of passion hath
too often driven into crime, those whom ma
iure and education had fitted for higher
destiny. But there was an absence Of those
lineaments which reveal the higher develop
ments of intellect, or the promptings of
heavenward soul, Sin had been there with
its levelling process, elfacing mental eleva-
ton and spiritual beauty.
Every brow was raised to The chaplain,
as he simplifed portion of that Book,
which is light to them that sit in darkness"
and lifted up his prayer to him who "bloueth
out transgression." In that prolonged gaze,
was there not some shadow Of hope, that
"where sin had abounded, grace might
much more abound ?" How impressive