Recollections of Windsor Prison;: Containing Sketches of its History and Discipline, with Appropriate Strictures and Moral and Religious ReflectionReynolds, John, of Vermont
History
Recollections of Windsor Prison;: Containing Sketches of its History and Discipline, with Appropriate Strictures and Moral and Religious Reflection
Reynolds, John, of Vermont
Vermont State Prison
Strangers are permitted to visit the jail on Thursday, when MRS. FRY
reads and explains passages of the Bible to the prisoners. Her voice
is extremely fascinating; its pure, clear tones are admirably
calculated to plead the cause of virtue and humanity.
The late queen expressed a wish to see MRS. FRY, and in the most
flattering terms testified the admiration she felt for her conduct.
The thanks of the city of London were voted to her; and, in short,
there is not an Englishman who does not bless her name."
How worthy of all admiration is such conduct in a female! But if the
principle which DR. CHALMERS has stated with so much beauty and force,
and which has been so fully and delightfully exemplified by the
seraphic spirits of a HOWARD and a FRY, is correct, how humbling to
the christian community are the inferences which follow.
Why are our prisons such scenes of cruelty and such schools of crime?
Because christian churches and christian individuals are destitute of
the practical good will, and the expansive benevolence of the gospel
of Christ. When christians begin to _act_ on the principles of their
profession, prisons will begin to grow pure; and when all christians
fully perform their solemn duties to the erring and the wretched,
prison walls and prison vices will be no more. In a purified society
they cannot exist; and the degraded condition of the prisoners in our
country, and the rapid increase of their numbers, are sure indications
of the want of piety and godliness in the land.
I might spin out remarks to an indefinite length, but it would be to
no useful purpose. I can weep over the evils which I am unable to
cure. I do not expect any great improvement _in_ our prisons, till I
see great reformations _out_ of them. From the society of the free all
our prisoners are taken, and till that society is purified it will
continue to furnish its annual victims to the penitentiary; but when
that is done, the fetters and dungeons of the captive will crumble to
dust, and the improvement of prisoners will be simultaneous with the
reformation of the free. These two classes act and react upon each
other, and they must ultimately wear the same moral complexion. If
vice is to triumph over virtue, then all will be just fit for a
dungeon; but if virtue is to become universal, then will the bond and
the free be equal sharers in the bliss. But as the prey _is_ to be
taken from the mighty, and as all flesh _is_ to see the salvation of
the Lord, I am sure that "in the dispensation of the fulness of
times," the vices and crimes of prisoners will cease, and the voice of
the oppressors be heard no more.
REV. JOHN ROBBINS' VISIT TO WINDSOR PRISON.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account