The total amount expended for the relief of discharged prisoners from the Eastern Penitentiary and County Prison during the year was $3,364.03. As the Legislature has for many years failed to make any appropriation for furnishing clothes or tools to those discharged, the whole burden of doing this rests upon our Society. Our income is entirely inadequate to do even a tithe of this large expense. We could only accomplish it by the liberality of our donors, for which we thank them, and desire their continued aid. As for my own especial work at the Eastern Penitentiary, I visit there daily in addition to the many other duties I have to perform in connection with my office as General Secretary. I feel as time rolls on solemnly impressed with the magnitude and importance of the work in which I have for many years been engaged. No person leaves that prison without my visiting him several times previous to discharge, ascertaining their needs, and providing them with suitable clothes, that they may make a respectable appearance in looking for work; pleading, too, with them to give up all their sinful ways, and give their hearts to the Lord--for there are no joys comparable to the “Joys of God’s Salvation.” As I visit from cell to cell, not only at the time of discharge, but long previous to that, a feeling of awe comes over me as I realize that here is a soul to be saved or lost, one who has had no thought or concern for his soul’s salvation, and the query arises, have I, have we as visitors, done our duty, our whole duty, in telling him there is the promise that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” and that Jesus Christ our Saviour and Redeemer, came into the world to seek and to save those that were lost, and in Him there is pardon and plenteous redemption. I have during the past year made 352 visits to the Penitentiary, and have seen and conversed with the convicts, either in the cells or at the cell doors, over 4000 times. I have procured 164 railroad tickets for discharged prisoners to take them to their homes outside of the city, and have taken many to the depots, providing them with a good breakfast before starting. The cost of these tickets was $377.50. I have assisted many after their discharge with temporary help, starting them in business in a small way that they may become wage-earners, thus preventing re-commitment. Tools are furnished to discharged prisoners when needed. Many have been aided in this way to obtain situations. For some days before and after New Year’s I distributed the motto calendars to every prisoner, visiting every cell and giving a word of counsel and encouragement, and a hearty shake of the hand to most of the 1,200 prisoners. It has been gratifying to notice with what pleasure these New Year’s calls have been received, as they respond, “A Happy New Year to you and many of them.”