Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-09-25
TIE POWER OLE LOVE.

The dungeon and the scourge were formerly
considered the only effectual way Restraining
manacs, but experience has proved that love is
the best controlling power. When Pinel, the
humane French physician, proposed to try this
experiment in the BedIam at Bicetre, many sup
posed that his life would fall sacrifice But
he walked iearessly into dungeons where ravng
manacs had been chained, some ten years, some
forty years; and with gentle words, he convinced
them that they were free to 90 out into the sun
shine and open air, if they would allow him to
remove their chains and put on straight waist
coats. At first they did not believe it, because
they had been so often deceived, When they
found it true, nothing could equal their gratitude
and Joy They obeyed their deliyeier with the
utmost dociIity, and finally became very valuable
assistants in the management Of the establish
ment.
Dorothea L. Dix, our American Mrs Fry, the
God-appointed missionary to prisons and aims
houses, told me that experience had mere than
confirmed her faith in the power of kindness, G.
yer the insane and vicious.
Among the hundreds of crazy people, with
whom her sacred mission has brought her into
companionship, she has moi found one individual
however fierce and turbulent, that could not be
Gained by Scripture and prayer, uttered in low
and gentle tones. The power of religious SEN
timent over these shattered souls seems perfectly
miraculous. The worship of quiet, loving heart,
affects them like voice from heaven. Tearing
and rending, yelling and stamping, singing and
grooming, gradually subsidies into silence, and
they fall on their knees or gaze upward with
clasped hands, as if they saw through the open
ing darkness golden CLEAN fro-a their Fathers
throne of grace,
On one occasion, this missionary of mercy
was very earnestly cautioned not TO approach a
raving maniac He yelled frghtfully, day and
night, rent his garment, p.ucked out his hairs
and was so violent, that it was supposed he would
murder any one who ventured within his reach
Miss Dix seated herself at little distance and
without appearing to notice him, began to read
with serene countenance and gentle voice, Ger.
tain passages of scripture filled with the spirit o.
tenderness His shouts gradually subsidized I'M
til at last he became perfectly STILL When she
paused. he said meekly, 'Read me some more
it does me good And when, after pro
longed season Of worship, she said, must g
away now he eagerly replied, mo, you canno
CO. God sent you to me; and you must not go.
BY kind words, and promise to come again, she
finally obtained permission to depart Give mt
your hand, said he. She gave it, and smiled
upon him. The wild expression of his haggarc
countenance softened to tearfulness as he said
you treat me right. God sent you.
On another occasion, she had been leading
some twenty or thirty manacs into worship, ant
seeing them all quiet as lambs gathered into tn,
Shepherds fold she prepared to go forth to 9th
er duties. In leaving the room, she passed al
insane young man, with whom she had ha'
several interviews He stood with hands clasp
ed, and a countenance of the deepest reverence
With friendly smile, she said, Henry are yo
well to-day! 'Hush!-hushp replied he, sink
ing his voice to a whisper, and gazing earnest
on the space around her, Hush there are an
gels with You They have given you thei
voice