erally under the direction of decidedly re- Besides effecting this great reformation ligious men. Judicious and faithful preach-in the State penitentiaries and prisons, the ers have been appointed as chaplains in Society has directed much of its attention many of them; and in the others, neigh- to the Asylums for the Insane, and to bouring pastors have been invited to county or district prisons for persons compreach the Gospel, and visit the inmates mitted for trial, for convicts sentenced to as often as they can. Bible-classes and short terms of imprisonment, and for debtSunday-schools have been established in ors, in states where the law still allows several instances; and in all, pains are ta- imprisonment for debt. In all these various ken to teach prisoners to read where they establishments the American Prison Discihave yet to learn, so that they may be pline Society is exerting much influence, able to peruse the Word of God. and gradually effecting the most important ameliorations. It has also discussed in a very able manner many questions in criminal legislation; such as those of imprisonment for debt, capital punishments, &c., and its labours in this department have not been in vain. Yet the Society has but one agent-its excellent secretary, who devotes, as I have said, all his time and energies to the cause-and its whole receipts scarcely exceed 3000 dollars. With these limited means, it has accomplished an immense amount of good.

A great blessing has rested upon these efforts. In many prisons very hopeful reformations have taken place; and in many cases, it is believed, after long and careful examination and trial, that convicts, who were hardened in their sins, have submitted their hearts to that adorable Saviour who died to save the very chief of sinners. Taken as a whole, in no other country in the world, probably, are the penitentiaries and prisons brought under a better moral and religious discipline. This great result has been brought about, first, by the erection of new and more convenient buildings, and, secondly, by committing their direction so generally to decided and zealous Christians. This has brought pure Christianity into contact with the minds of convicts to an extent unknown in former times in America, and still too little known in many other lands.* It may not be generally known that two different systems of discipline are to be found in the prisons of the United States, each having its ardent admirers. There is, first, the Philadelphia system, according to which the prisoners are entirely separated day and night, so that they are unknown to each other, and live in separate chambers or cells. And next there is the Auburn system, so called because

I know nothing that more fully demonstrates how favourably disposed our Government is to Religion, and to all good objects, than the fact that the Legislatures of so many of our states, as well as Congress itself, have been so ready to second every feasible plan for ameliorating the condition of mankind by moral and religious means, as far as they can do so consistently with their constitutional powers. Indeed, they are ever ready to adopt measures suggested by good and judicious men, as likely to benefit the public interests and to promote Religion, provided they fall within their sphere of action.

I may conclude this chapter by referadopted in the prison for the State of New-York, ring to the encouraging fact, stated by the at Auburn, a town in the central part of that state. According to it, the prisoners are separated from secretary in his yearly Report, presented each other at night, but work together in companies at the public meeting in May, 1842: That during the day, under the eye of overseers and guards, crime has been for some years decreasing but are not allowed to speak to each other. They in the country, at the rate of from two to are assembled, also, morning and evening, for prayers; three per cent. per annum. This statement, and on the Sabbath they meet in the chapel for public worship, conducted by a chaplain or some other from one whose position and means of inminister of the Gospel. Each system has its advan- formation constitute him the highest possitages and disadvantages. For health, facility in ble authority on the subject, is the more communicating religious instruction, and the saving encouraging, when we consider how many of expense through the avails of the labour of the prisoners, the latter, in my opinion, has evidently the difficulties have to be encountered in a new advantage. The former furnishes greater security, country, and what a mighty stream of emenables the prisoners to remain unknown to their fel-igration from foreign lands is continually lows on leaving the prison, and more effectually breaks down the spirit of the most hardened criminals. But the difference in point of expense is immense: nor are the moral results of the more expensive plan so decidedly superior as to compensate for this disadvantage. It is a singular fact, that the Auburn system has been decidedly preferred by the Prison Discìpline Society, and by our citizens generally, for it has been adopted by all but four of the penitentiaries in the country; whereas the Philadelphia plan has been preferred by the commissioners sent from France, England, and Prussia, to examine our prisons. For myself, I apprehend that sufficient time has not been allowed for a due estimate of their comparative merits. After paying considerable attention to the *And even one of these has abandoned it for the Auburn

system.

that, with the right sort of men to manage a prison-subject, as far as I am able to judge, I should say religious men of great judgment and self-controlthe Auburn plan is the better. But if such men cannot be had, the Philadelphia system is safer. The former demands extraordinary qualities in the keepers, and especially in the superintendent, whose powers, as they must be great, are capable, also, of keepers under either system. I may add, that for the being sadly abused. Much, indeed, depends on the ignorant, the rude, the sensual, the Auburn system is far more salutary than that of Philadelphia; for to such, entire solitary confinement is sadly destructive to health and happiness. On the other hand, the Philadelphia system is more tolerable and useful to the better educated and the more intellectual classes.

bringing over new settlers who have had, selves in what are called anti-slavery solittle proper moral culture, and not a few cieties, and have been endeavouring, for of whom are almost desperately depraved. several years past, to awaken the public Nor is it less gratifying to think that this to a sense of the enormity and danger occurs by a process in which brute force of slavery, and to the disgrace which it is superseded to such an extent in the re- entails on the whole country. By means pression of vice and crime by means essen- of the press, by tracts and books, and by tially moral. the voice of living agents, they aim at the destruction of this-the greatest of all the evils that lie heavy on our institutions. I say nothing at present of the wisdom of their plans, or of the spirit in which these plans have been prosecuted. I only mention these societies as a farther proof of the wide application of the Voluntary Principle, and of the manner in which it leads to associated efforts for the correction of existing evils.*

CHAPTER XXV.

SUNDRY OTHER ASSOCIATIONS.

I SHALL now include in one chapter a notice of two or three other instances, in which the variety and energy of action possessed by the Voluntary Principle are remarkably illustrated.

Societies for the Promotion of a better Observance of the Sabbath. Although the Sabbath is recognised, and its observance enjoined by the laws of every state in the Union, and although that sacred day is observed in the United States in a manner that strikingly contrasts with its neglect in Europe, and particularly on the Continent, yet in certain quarters, and especially in places that are in some sense thoroughfares, the violation of it is distressing, nay, alarming to a Christian mind. Hence the formation of societies for the better observance of that day.

Peace Societies. And so in relation to the evils of war, and for the purpose of preserving good men especially, and all men, if possible, from thinking lightly of them, Peace Societies began to be formed as early as the year 1816, and a national society was organized in 1827. The object must be admitted to be humane and Christian. By the diffusion of well-written tracts, by offering handsome premiums for essays on the subject, and their subsequent publication, and, above all, by short and pointed articles in the newspapers, a great deal has been done to cause the prayer to ascend with more fervency from the heart These are sometimes of a local and lim- of many a Christian, "Give peace in our ited nature; sometimes they embrace a time, O Lord," and to inspire a just dread wider sphere of operation. By publishing of the awful curse of war. To many, such and circulating well-written addresses and efforts may appear ridiculous, but not so tracts-still more by the powerful appeals to the man who can estimate the value of of the pulpit, they succeed in greatly di- even one just principle, when once estabminishing the evil, if not in removing it al-lished in the heart of any individual, howtogether. By such measures they strength-ever humble. Who can tell how much en the hands of the officers of justice, and such efforts in the United States, and other give a sounder tone and better direction to public opinion, greatly to the diminution, if not to the entire remedy, of the evil sought to be cured. What is best of all, this result is obtained most commonly by the moral influence of Truth-by kindly remonstrance, and arguments drawn from the Word of God and right reason. I may state that I have myself seen the happiest influence exerted by these associations.

countries, may have contributed, in God's holy providence, which often avails itself of the humblest means for the accomplishment of the greatest purposes, to prolong that happy general peace which has held Europe, and all the civilized world, in its embrace during more than a quarter of a century?

The American Peace Society employed four agents last year, and issued 5000 copof its periodical. Its receipts were 3000 dollars.†

* The receipts of the American Anti-slavery Soof the American and Foreign Anti-slavery Society ciety for last year were about 10,000 dollars; those were probably greater, but have not seen the amount stated. A few years ago, before the division took place in the American Anti-slavery Society which led to the formation of the American and Foreign Anti-slavery Society, its income was 40,000 dollars, and the number of its agents was forty or fifty.

Anti-slavery Societies. And so with re-ies spect to slavery, an evil which afflicted all the thirteen original colonies at the epoch of their declaration of independence, and which still exists in half of the twenty-six states, as well as in the District of Columbia and the Territory of Florida, though no longer to be found in the six New-England States, or in New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and the Territories of Wisconsin and Iowa. With a view to its extirpation in the states to which it still adheres, many of the inhabitants of the Northern, or nonslaveholding states, have associated them

The late William Ladd, Esq., of the State of Maine, was the founder of the American Peace Sowas an excellent Christian. His heart was absorbed ciety, and for many years its worthy president. He in the objects of the society over which he presided. Through his exertions a prize of 1000 dollars was

CHAPTER XXVI.

INFLUENCE OF THE VOLUNTARY PRINCIPLE ON
THE BENEFICENT INSTITUTIONS OF THE

COUNTRY.

NOR is the voluntary principle less operative in the formation and support of beneficent institutions than of associations for attacking and vanquishing existing evils. But these present too wide a field to be fully gone over in this work; besides, they do not come properly within its scope. I shall therefore glance only at a few points, showing how the voluntary principle operates in this direction for the furtherance of the Gospel.

善

sive, only because there is no extensive call for their being made. Created by circumstances, when these disappear, the associations also cease to exist. But where the sufferings to be relieved are perpetually recurring, as well as too extensive to be alleviated by individual effort, these benevolent associations become permanent. Their objects are accomplished, in most instances, by the unaided exertions of the benevolent, who voluntarily associate for the purpose; but if these prove insufficient, municipal or state assistance is sought, and never sought in vain. Accordingly, the stranger who visits the United States will find hospitals for the sick, In efforts to relieve the temporal wants almshouses for the poor, and dispensaries and sufferings of mankind, as well as in for furnishing the indigent with medicines all other good undertakings, Christians, gratuitously, in all the large cities where and those, too, with few exceptions, evan- they are required. There is a legal progelical in their faith, almost invariably vision in all the states for the poor, not take the lead. Whenever there is a call such, however, as to do away with the nefor the vigorous exercise of benevolence, cessity of individual or associated effort proceeding from whatever cause, Chris- to meet extraordinary cases of want, estians immediately go to work, and endeav-pecially when it comes on suddenly, and our to meet the exigency by their own ex- in the train of disease. The rapid and ertions, if possible; but should the nature wide-spreading attacks of epidemics may and extent of the relief required properly demand co-operation on the part of municipal and state anthorities, they bring the case before these authorities, and invoke their aid. It naturally follows that, when this is given, it should be applied through the hands of those who were the first to stir in the matter; and this wisely, too, since who can be supposed so fit to administer the charities of the civil government as those who have first had the heart to make sacrifices for the same object themselves? Such alone are likely to have the experience that in such affairs is

necessary.

demand, and will assuredly find benevolent individuals ready to associate themselves for meeting such exigencies, before the measures provided by law can be brought to bear upon them.†

It is with great pleasure that I have to state that the Gospel finds admittance into the establishments for the relief of pover

* The manner of providing for the poor differs greatly in different states. In the West, where there is but little extreme poverty, the inhabitants of each township generally look after their poor in such a way as best suits them. Money is raised, and by a "commissioner of the poor," appropriated to the support of such as need it. Those who have famiAll this I might illustrate by adducing lies live in houses hired for them; single persons many instances, were it necessary. In board with others who are willing to take them for this chapter, however, I shall notice a few, there are more poor who need assistance, the same In the Atlantic States, where the stipulated sum. and take these collectively. course is pursued in many cases. In others, "poorhouses" are erected in such counties as choose to send their quota of paupers, and pay for their board, have such establishments, and to these the townships clothing, &c. In the cities on the seaboard, the municipal authorities make abundant provision for the poor who need aid, a great proportion of whom are foreigners.

There is not a city or large town, I may say, hardly a village, in all the country, which has not its voluntary associations of good men and women for the relief of poverty, especially where its sufferings are aggravated by disease. These efforts, in countless instances, may not be exten

44

offered for the best essay on the subject of A Congress of Nations, for the termination of national disputes. Four or five excellent dissertations were presented, and the premium was divided among the authors by the judges appointed to make the award; one of whom was the Hon. John Quincy Adams, formerly President of the United States. The evils of war can hardly be exaggerated. In peace," said Croesus to Cyrus, "children bury their fathers; but in war, fathers bury their children." "War makes thieves," says Machiavelli, "and peace brings them to the gallows." "May we never see another war," said Franklin, in a letter which he addressed to a friend, just after signing the treaty of peace at the close of the American Revolution, "for in my opinion there never was a good war or a bad peace."

M

nature of individual and associated charity during †There were many illustrations of the expansive the prevalence of the cholera. In all our large cities, associations, comprising the very best Christians in them, were formed with the utmost promptitude, and zealously sustained as long as needed. I saw myself, and often attended their meetings, an association of Christian ladies formed in Philadelphia, as soon as the pestilence commenced its ravages in that city. They hired a house, converted it into a hospital, gathered into it all the children whom the plague had orphanized, both white and black, whom they could find, and day after day, and week after week, washed, dressed, and took care of those children with their own hands, and defrayed all the expenses of the establishment. Two of the children died of the cholera in their arms! These ladies belonged, many of them, to some of the first families in that city in point of respectability.

Nor are the aged poor neglected. Asylums for widows are to be met with in all our large towns, where they are, in fact, most needed; and old and infirm men are also provided for.

At the same time, that "charity which

ty and disease, which have been created and maintained by the municipal and state authorities; and that I have never heard of any case in which the directors have opposed the endeavours of judicious Christians to make known to the inmates the blessings of religion. Prudent and zeal-seeketh not her own," but the good of ail ous Christians, both ministers and laymen, are allowed to visit, and ministers to preach to the occupants of such establishments; and in several of our cities, one or more excellent ministers of the Gospel are employed to preach regularly in them as well as in the prisons. With rare exceptions, they are in the hands of Protestants, though Roman Catholic priests are nowhere forbidden to enter and teach all who desire their ministrations.

others, no matter what may have been their character or what their crimes, has not forgotten those unfortunate females who have been the victims of the faithlessness of men. Magdalen asylums have been founded in all our chief cities, especially on the seaboard, where they are most needed, and have been the means of doing much good. It is only to be regretted that this branch of Christian kindness and effort has not been far more extensiveOf all the beneficent institutions of ourly prosecuted. Nevertheless, there are large cities, there are none more interesting many hearts that are interested in it, and than those intended for the benefit of chil-in the institutions which they have erected dren. Orphan asylums, well established and properly conducted, are to be found in every city of any consideration throughout the Union. Nor are these asylums for white children only; they are also for the coloured. Indeed, it cannot be said with truth that the poor and the sick of the African race, in our cities and large towns, are less cared for than those of the white race. Nor are those children only who have lost both parents thus provided for. In some of our cities, asylums are in the course of being provided for what are called half-orphans-that is, who have still one parent or both, but are not supported by them. I may state it, however, as a fact of which I am perfectly certain, that there is not a single Foundling pital in the United States.

the glorious Gospel of him who said to the penitent woman in Simon's house, “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace," is not only preached, but also received into hearts which the Spirit of God has touched and broken.

CHAPTER XXVII.

INFLUENCE OF THE VOLUNTARY PRINCIPLE ON

THE BENEFICENT INSTITUTIONS OF THE
COUNTRY.-ASYLUMS FOR THE INSANE.

THE utmost attention is now paid in the United States to a class of the unfortunate which, of all others, presents the strongest claims on our sympathy-I alHos-lude to the insane. For these very much has been done in the course of the last

In some of our cities we have admirable institutions, called Houses of Refuge, for neglected children, and such as are encouraged by their parents to live a vagabond life, or are disposed of themselves to lead such a life. In these establishments they not only receive the elements of a good English education, but are instructed also in the mechanical arts; and with these religious instruction is faithfully and successfully combined. All of these institutions were commenced, and are carried on by the voluntary efforts of Christians, though they have been greatly assisted by appropriations in their favour, in the shape of endowments or annuities from some of the state governments.*

* One of the best conducted of these establishments is at Philadelphia. It stands at the distance of one mile from the city, occupies a beautiful site, and has a number of acres of ground attached to it. There are here usually between 100 and 200 youth of both sexes, who occupy different apartments, and are under the care of excellent teachers. The ma gistrates of the city have the power to send vagrant, idle, and neglected children to it. Very many youths have left this institution greatly benefited by their residence in it. It has fallen to the lot of the writer

twenty years, by the establishment of suitable places for their reception, instead of confining them, as formerly, in the common prisons of the country. In this the Prison Discipline Society has exerted a most extensive and happy influence, never having ceased, in its Annual Reports, to urge upon the governments of the states the duty of providing proper receptacles, to which persons discovered to be insane ble, with a view to their proper treatment. might be conveyed as promptly as possiThe Society showed this to be an imperative duty on the part of the states, and its voice has not been heard in vain.

There are now twelve asylums supported by the states, and some of these are on a large scale. That near Utica will conto preach often to its inmates, and never has he seen a more affecting sight. If a man wishes to learn the importance of the parental relation, and the blessings which flow from a faithful fulfilment of its duties, let him visit such an institution, and inquire into the history of each youth whom it contains. The "Farm Schools" for orphans and for neglected children, in the neighbourhoods of Boston and NewYork, are excellent, and have been the means of doing much good.

sist, when completed, of four buildings, | imperfections, if they will not admit their each 446 feet long by 48 wide, and placed delusions; and they feel the importance one on each side of a beautiful quadrilat- of good conduct to secure the confidence eral area, which assumes an octagonal and esteem of those whose good opinion form by the intersection of its corners, they value." with verandahs of open lattice-work. It is intended for the insane poor of the State of New-York, which state is at the sole expense of its erection, and the cost upon the completion of the whole will amount, it is supposed, to about $1,000,000. It is calculated to receive 1000 patients.

Besides the twelve State Asylums, there are two belonging to cities, namely, those at Boston and New-York; six to incorporated bodies, and one is the property of an individual, making in all twenty-one. One or more state asylums may possibly have been opened since the publication of the interesting work to which I am indebted for my information on the subject.†

Nearly all of these asylums are constructed on the most approved plans. Almost all are beautifully situated, have a

According to Dr. Earle's statements, the deaths in the European institutions for the insane vary from thirteen to forty per cent. ; while in the American asylums none exceed ten per cent.*

While the State governments have been doing so much for the establishment of hospitals and asylums for the insane, much has also been done by individual munificence. Even some of the State institutions have been assisted by donations from private citizens. Thus two benevolent gentlemen in the State of Maine have given $10,000 each towards founding the asylum for that state.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

light and cheerful aspect, and are surround-INFLUENCE OF THE VOLUNTARY PRINCIPLE ON

ed with ample grounds, tastefully laid out in fields and meadows, pleasant gardens, and delightful walks. After visiting many such institutions in Europe, I can truly say that I have seen none more pleasantly situated, or better kept, than the Massachusetts State Asylum, at Worcester, the Retreat at Hartford, in Connecticut, and the Asylum on Blackwell's Island, near New-York.

THE BENEFICENT INSTITUTIONS OF THE
COUNTRY. ASYLUMS FOR THE DEAF AND
DUMB.

OUR asylums for the deaf and dumb owe their existence to a series of efforts on the part of a few Christian friends.

The late Dr. Cogswell, a pious and excellent physician in the city of Hartford, Connecticut, had a beloved daughter who I would particularly call attention to the was deaf and dumb. For her sake he profact that religious worship is kept up in posed to a devoted young minister of the all of these twenty-one institutions but Gospel, the Rev. Mr. Gallaudet, to go to four. Some have regular chaplains attach- Europe, and there to learn, at the best ined to them; in others, Divine worship is stitutions, the most approved methods of conducted for the inmates by clergymen teaching this unfortunate class of people. or laymen in the neighbourhood, who vol. The mission was cheerfully undertaken. unteer their services in performing this im- Mr. Gallaudet returned in 1816, after havportant and interesting duty. In almost ing spent above a year in Paris, where he every case it is done by men of evangel. studied the methods of instruction pursued ical sentiments. Nor is their labour in at the Royal Institution for the Education vain, ample experience having demonstra- of the Deaf and Dumb, under the Abbé ted that such services, when performed by Sicard, the pupil and friend of the Abbé judicious, calm, and truly spiritual men, l'Epée. Thereupon an effort was immeexert a highly beneficial influence on the diately made to found an institution at insane. The Gospel, when presented in Hartford. An act of incorporation was the spirit of its blessed Author, is admira- obtained in 1816, a large sum was contribbly fitted to soothe the mental excitement uted by the people of Hartford for the erecof the poor deranged lunatic. tion of the requisite buildings, and Con"Regular religious teaching," says Dr. gress granted a township from the national Woodward, the superintendent of the asy-lands, consisting of 23,040 acres, towards lum for the insane at Worcester, Massachusetts, "is as necessary and beneficial to the insane as to the rational mind; in a large proportion of the cases it will have equal influence. They as well know their

Dr. White's, at Hudson, in the State of NewYork.

"A Visit to thirteen Asylums for the Insane in Europe, &c., to which is subjoined a brief Notice of similar Institutions in the United States," by Pliny Earle, M.D. Published at Philadelphia in 1841.

the endowment of the institution. It was opened, ere long, for the reception of pupils, and from that time to this has been going on most prosperously. It is the oldest establishment for the purpose in the

* The number of the insane in the asylums in the United States is about 2500; in 1840, the whole number of the insane in the country, of all ages and conditions, was, according to the census, 17,434, being about one to every 979 inhabitants. Of these 17,434 insane persons, 5162 were maintained at the public expense, and 12,272 at that of their friends.