Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1854-09-02
!; POWER OF THE BIBLE

Ne have seldom been more impress
ejt7bi,h the power Of the Bible than
ii Fading some passages in the lie OF
III benefactress Of hor race, the late
III Fry, Of England. When this d de-
n a woman first visited the female fell
n RI Newga,e prison, she found them
NJ most deplorable condition. With
J, )belding, sleeping on The floor, al
most naked, filthy to excess, hey pre-.
Isntsd.a most appalling and disgnstful
6ec,acle. She'found nearly allcrowd-
u together in four rooms, without clas'
s1caIion, without employment. She
them drinking spirits, purchased as q
hthe presents Of visitors, out OF a
MAR tap:room kept for their accom-
iaiion, and heard them uttering the
most terrific impreca,ions. The whole
Sssre was indescribable. Could the
bible do any good here3 We shall
After her lsbors hu,liproved eminent
successful among these poor degra'
sa creatures, and the result became
|sub;ect ,of investigation by the gov
!, knment. Mrs. Fry was culled before o
mmi,tes Of the House Of Commons
give hsr evidence upon the subject
lfter relating the course Of herproeeed'
Is, and explaining the causes OF her
.,ence over them, which were entire
hose Of Christian kindness aud faith
hess, she suil:-"Our habit is con
INV to read the Scriptures to them
lac q day-many of them are taught.
IA can read q little themselves. 1t
4 anSastenishig effect; | never saw
] Scriptures received in the sumo
w. When l have sometimes gone,
a said ii was my intention to read /,
IN would flock up stairs after me as if
was d great pleasure had to afi'rd
hem .c
A Whom asked by the committee il tho
)adies confined themselves to the read
|np Of the Scriptures, without inculea-
linz any peculiar doctrine, NlrsS Fry
|splied: 1--WE consider, from the sltua.
lion we fill, as it respects the public as
we'll as the poor creatures themselves.
I'M it would be highly indecoraus TO
impress any peculiar doctrines OF any
kind, thing beyond tho fundamen-
tal doctrines of Scripture"
b To the same effect is also the follow
p.lhe remarkable Transformation eff.
fsc,ed in Ncwgatc and tho interesting
scenes so often witnessed. were the
,heme of conversation in all circles, and
induced strange variety Of persons to
attend Mrs. Fry's readings. How ma
Nv Of tho number were actna'ed by
high and holy feelings could not De de-
,ermined; but all acknowledged the
to be deeply solemn aud i'm,
/, ,rsss;ys. Persons Of distinguished
fank-uo. only English but from OH
II co,,n,riesEoften mingled with the
multitude on those occasions.
q a near rclatiyo ol',hoD Duke Of Wei,
,;nr.on sail The was amazed at the rev
yrsnce Of Mrs. Fry.in reading ll,e SCRIP, Y
s.,ros, and at the attention ot ti'e pms
liners. His heart melted into tender ! :! : g.
,,ess while he listened TO her ia l'al y
4 ID compassionate addresses 70 'er s e
,ous congregation: lie Ind never /. soe
I no seen anything likeit. lte was =. ~
.Ficer ia the royal navy, and IT was 'as,,l " =
marked by zone whowssiprese sli; y.
Ma Fry knee'ed down, aud. o', y! !,
',,.a YER III the nameiof our Great l1'g (!
! i,.st Jesus Christ, as our only s y :
,.,.r and Advocate ~iththe Father, ~ y.
Divine mercy andpataop,s and gr :, .
,sAt npo,gall present. fYr ttelr 'ta'sa y
81 H ~ "A. file liant CAP