She addressed to them the language of peace, and afforded them a glimmering of hope. She spoke NOT OF THEIR CRIMES; the minister of an all-merciful God, she came there to _comfort_ and to _pray_, not to _judge_ and _condemn_. When she was about to depart, the women thronged around her as if to detain her. "You will never come again," said they. But she who never broke her word promised to return. She soon paid a second visit to this loathsome jail, where she intended to pass the whole day; the doors were closed upon her, and she was left alone with the prisoners. "You cannot suppose," said she, addressing them, "that I have come here without being commissioned. This book--she held the Bible in her hand--which has been the guide of my life, has led me to you. It directed me to visit the prisoners, and take pity on the poor and the afflicted. I am willing to do all that lies in my power: but my efforts will be vain, unless met and aided by you." She then asked them whether they would not like to hear her read a few passages from that book. They replied they would. MRS. FRY selected the parable of the lord of the vineyard, and when she came to the man who was hired at the _eleventh hour_, she said; "Now the eleventh hour strikes for you; the greater part of your lives is lost, but Christ is come to save sinners!" Some asked who Christ was; others said he had not come for them; that the time was past, and that they could not be saved. MRS. FRY replied that Christ had suffered, that he had been poor, and that he had come to save the poor and the afflicted in particular. MRS. FRY obtained permission to assemble the children in a school established in the prison, for the purpose of promoting their religious instruction. The female prisoners, in spite of their profligate and vicious habits, joyfully embraced the opportunity of ameliorating the condition of their children. Much was already effected by restoring these women to the first sentiments of nature; namely, maternal affection. A woman denominated the _matron_, was entrusted with the control of the prisoners, under the superintendence of the ladies of the Society of Friends, composing the Newgate Committee. MRS. FRY having drawn up a set of rules of conduct for the prisoners, a day was fixed on, and the lord Mayor and one of the aldermen being present, she read aloud the articles, and asked the prisoners whether they were willing to adopt them; they were directed to raise their hands as a sign of approval. This constitution was unanimously adopted; so sincere were the sentiments of respect and confidence she had inspired. Thanks to her perseverance and the years she has devoted to her pious undertaking, a total change has been effected in Newgate prison; the influence of virtue has softened the horrors of vice, and Newgate has become the asylum of repentance.