evil. The very abundance of God's gifts became, by their perversion, a means of augmenting it. The country being fertile, nearly through its whole extent, and producing immense quantities of wheat, rye, and corn,* the last two of which were devoted to the manufacture of whiskey, there seemed no feasible check, or conceivable limit to the ever-growing evil, especially as the government had no such pressure on its finances as might justify the laying on of a tax that would prevent or diminish the manufacture of ardent spirits. Moreover, the idea had become almost universally prevalent that the use of such stimulants, at least in moderate quantities, was not only beneficial, but almost indispensable for health, as well as for enabling men to bear up under toil and fatigue.

soon set in motion to make its objects known, and able agents were employed in advocating its principles. Great was the success that followed. In the course of a few years societies were to be found in all parts of the country, and were joined, not by thousands only, but by hundreds of thousands. People of all classes and ages entered zealously into so noble an undertaking. Ministers of the Gospel, lawyers, and judges, legislators, physicians, took a prominent part in urging it on.

but, on the contrary, injurious; besides which, it was of consequence that an example of self-denial should be given by those who could afford to buy wine, for the sake of the poor, who could not.

What need is there of words? The cause continues advancing to this day. To reach the poor, as well as to remove temptation from the rich, the rules of the Temperance societies within the last six or seven years have included "all intoxicating drinks." Upon this principle, wines of all descripThe mischief spread from year to. year. tions have generally been abandoned, both It pervaded all classes of society. The on account of their being mostly impure courts of justice, the administration of gov- with us-being imported, and all more or ernment, the very pulpit itself, felt its dire- less intoxicating-and because they are ful influence. The intellect of the physi-not found necessary to persons in health, cian, and the hand of the surgeon, were too often paralyzed by it; and it might be said, that what some thought to be ordained unto life, was found to produce death. Poverty, disease, crime, punishment, misery, were the natural fruits which it brought forth abundantly. Society was afflicted in almost all its ranks; nearly every family throughout the land beheld the plague in one or more of its members. Yet for a long time, while all saw and lamented the evil, none stood up against it. But there were those that mourned, and wept, and prayed over the subject, and the God of our fathers, who had been with them on the ocean and amid the dreary wilderness, to watch over them and to protect them, heard those prayers.

But, in the progress of the Temperance reformation, little was done to reclaim men who had already become drunkards. And yet, at the lowest estimate, there were 300,000 such in the United States; many even reckoned them at 500,000 at the commencement of the Temperance movement. No hope seemed to be entertained with respect to these. To prevent such as had not yet become confirmed drunkards from acquiring that fatal habit, was the utmost that any one dared to expect. A few drunkards, indeed, were here and there reclaimed; but the mass remained unaffected by all the cogent arguments and affecting appeals that were resounding through the country.

In the year 1812, a considerable effort was made to arouse the attention of Christians to the growing evils of intemperance, and a day of fasting and of prayer was observed by some religious bodies. In the At length God, in his wonderful provifollowing year, the Massachusetts Soci- dence, revealed the way by which these ety for the Suppression of Intemperance miserable persons might be reached. And was formed, and its labours were mani-how simple! A few hard drinkers in the festly useful. Still, "the plague was not city of Baltimore, who were in the habit stayed." The subject, however, was not of meeting in a low tavern for the purpose allowed to drop. It was seen that the So- of revelry, and had been drunkards for ciety had not gone far enough, and that it years, met one night as usual. All hapwould not do to admit of ardent spirits be-pened to be sober. Apparently by acciing taken, even in moderation. The evildent, the conversation fell upon the misof wide-spread drunkenness never could be exterminated by such half-way measures. It was proposed, accordingly, in 1826, to proceed upon the principle of entire abstinence from the use of ardent or distilled spirits as a beverage, and that same year saw the formation at Boston of the American Temperance Society. The press was * The word corn is almost invariably employed in America to designate the grain commonly called maize in England, and Blé de Turquie in France.

eries of their life. One after another recounted his wretched history. All were deeply affected with the pictures of their own degradation thus held up to their minds. Some one proposed that they should stop in their career of folly and wickedness, and form themselves into a Temperance association. They did so. Rules were written and signed on the spot. They met again the next night, related their histories, wept together over their

and won.

past delusions, and strengthened each other's resolutions. They continued to meet almost every night-not, however, at a tavern. They invited their companions in sin to join them. These were affected The fire was kindled, and soon it spread. In a few weeks four hundred such persons joined the society. In a few months no fewer than 2000 drunkards in the city of Baltimore were reclaimed. Then the movement came to light. The newspapers spread the wonderful news. The whole country was astonished. Christians lifted up their hearts in thankfulness to God, and took courage. Benevolent men rallied around these reformed persons, and encouraged them to perseverance.

The society of reclaimed drunkards in Baltimore was invited to send delegates to other cities; and soon the "apostles of Temperance," as these men were called, went forth to every city in the land. Great was their success. Hundreds and thousands were reclaimed in New-York, Philadelphia, Boston, Albany, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and from these cities, as from great centres, other delegations of reformed drunkards went forth into almost every village and district in the land.

This movement commenced on the 6th of April, 1840; and it is now estimated that 100,000 drunkards have already been reclaimed. But it may be said that they will relapse. No doubt some will. Hitherto, however, but few comparatively have done

So.

And the secret of this is to be found in the immense support which the esprit du corps gives them. There is everywhere a considerable band of such. They meet often to encourage each other. Good men are everywhere ready to encourage and befriend them. Never has the world seen anything like it. What an encouragement to every good effort! What confidence does it not inspire in the influence of well-concerted action in behalf of virtue and religion! God has smiled wonderfully on this movement. Already many who have been thus reclaimed from intemperance, and led to frequent the House of God, have been converted by the Spirit of the Lord, and are now “sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in their right mind.

of gallons distilled during that year was 36,343,336, showing a falling off of more than 23,000,000 gallons; and yet, within the same period, the population had augmented by more than 5,000,000 souls! And all this reformation has been brought about solely through the operation of voluntary associations, without the slightest direct aid from the government, with the exception of its having abolished the daily ration of whiskey formerly given to the officers and men in the army. Could anything in the world show more conclusively the resources which right principles possess in themselves for overcoming, under God's blessing, the evils which are in the world, and even those which derive most power from the depraved appetites of man?

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE AMERICAN PRISON DISCIPLINE SOCIETY.

THE Prison Discipline Society was instituted in 1824. It had for its object an investigation into the best methods of treatment for convicts and other prisoners, with a view to their health, proper degree of comfort, and, above all, their moral and religious reformation.

Previous to the establishment of this Society, the prisons in the United States were all conducted according to the old practice of herding the prisoners together in large numbers, without any due regard to their health, and with the inevitable certainty of their corrupting one another. In most cases, there was little regular religious instruction; in some, none at all. The prisoners were generally left idle, so that their maintenance, instead of being so far defrayed by the proceeds of their work, fell entirely on the public, and involved a heavy expense.

But a great reformation has now been effected. The Society's able, enlightened, and zealous secretary, the only agent, I believe, in its service, has devoted nearly his whole time and energies to the subject for nearly twenty years. During that period he has examined the prisons in all parts of the country, has studied whatever was defective or wrong in each, has deTo go farther into detail would not con- vised improvements in the construction of sist with the nature of this work. A large prison buildings, has visited the Legislaproportion of the population of the Uni- tures of the several states, and delivered ted States are now under the happy influ- lectures to them on the subject, besides ence of total abstinence from all intoxi- giving to the world, in the eighteen Recating drinks. In 1826, when the temper-ports that have come from his pen, such ance reform commenced, it was estimated a mass of well-digested information as is that at least 60,000,000 gallons of whiskey probably nowhere else to be found in any were manufactured and consumed annual- language. The results have been wonderly in the United States, without including ful. New penitentiaries, upon the most the imported brandies, rum, &c. This es- improved plans, .have been erected in altimate was unquestionably a very low most all states by their respective governone. In 1840, that is, fourteen years after-ments, and in many cases at a great exward, the census stated that the number pense. These institutions are very gen

and won.

past delusions, and strengthened each other's resolutions. They continued to meet almost every night-not, however, at a tavern. They invited their companions in sin to join them. These were affected The fire was kindled, and soon it spread. In a few weeks four hundred such persons joined the society. In a few months no fewer than 2000 drunkards in the city of Baltimore were reclaimed. Then the movement came to light. The newspapers spread the wonderful news. The whole country was astonished. Christians lifted up their hearts in thankfulness to God, and took courage. Benevolent men rallied around these reformed persons, and encouraged them to perseverance.

The society of reclaimed drunkards in Baltimore was invited to send delegates to other cities; and soon the "apostles of Temperance," as these men were called, went forth to every city in the land. Great was their success. Hundreds and thousands were reclaimed in New-York, Philadelphia,. Boston, Albany, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and from these cities, as from great centres, other delegations of reformed drunkards went forth into almost every village and district in the land.

of gallons distilled during that year was 36,343,336, showing a falling off of more than 23,000,000 gallons; and yet, within the same period, the population had augmented by more than 5,000,000 souls! And all this reformation has been brought about solely through the operation of voluntary associations, without the slightest direct aid from the government, with the exception of its having abolished the daily ration of whiskey formerly given to the officers and men in the army. Could anything in the world show more conclusively the resources which right principles possess in themselves for overcoming, under God's blessing, the evils which are in the world, and even those which derive most power from the depraved appetites of man?

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE AMERICAN PRISON DISCIPLINE SOCIETY.

THE Prison Discipline Society was instituted in 1824. It had for its object an investigation into the best methods of treatment for convicts and other prisoners, with a view to their health, proper degree of comfort, and, above all, their moral and religious reformation.

This movement commenced on the 6th of April, 1840; and it is now estimated that Previous to the establishment of this So100,000 drunkards have already been re-ciety, the prisons in the United States were claimed. But it may be said that they will all conducted according to the old practice relapse. No doubt some will. Hitherto, of herding the prisoners together in large however, but few comparatively have done numbers, without any due regard to their So. And the secret of this is to be found health, and with the inevitable certainty in the immense support which the esprit du of their corrupting one another. In most corps gives them. There is everywhere a cases, there was little regular religious inconsiderable band of such. They meet often struction; in some, none at all. The pristo encourage each other. Good men are ev- oners were generally left idle, so that their erywhere ready to encourage and befriend maintenance, instead of being so far dethem. Never has the world seen anything frayed by the proceeds of their work, fell like it. What an encouragement to every entirely on the public, and involved a heavy good effort! What confidence does it not expense. inspire in the influence of well-concerted action in behalf of virtue and religion! God has smiled wonderfully on this movement. Already many who have been thus reclaimed from intemperance, and led to frequent the House of God, have been converted by the Spirit of the Lord, and are now sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in their right mind."

66

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But a great reformation has now been effected. The Society's able, enlightened, and zealous secretary, the only agent, I believe, in its service, has devoted nearly his whole time and energies to the subject for nearly twenty years. During that period he has examined the prisons in all parts of the country, has studied whatever was defective or wrong in each, has deTo go farther into detail would not con- vised improvements in the construction of sist with the nature of this work. A large prison buildings, has visited the Legislaproportion of the population of the Uni- tures of the several states, and delivered ted States are now under the happy influ- lectures to them on the subject, besides ence of total abstinence from all intoxi- giving to the world, in the eighteen Recating drinks. In 1826, when the temper- ports that have come from his pen, such ance reform commenced, it was estimated a mass of well-digested information as is that at least 60,000,000 gallons of whiskey probably nowhere else to be found in any were manufactured and consumed annual- language. The results have been wonderly in the United States, without including ful. New penitentiaries, upon the most the imported brandies, rum, &c. This es- improved plans,.have been erected in altimate was unquestionably a very low most all states by their respective governone. In 1840, that is, fourteen years after-ments, and in many cases at a great exward, the census stated that the number pense. These institutions are very gen

erally under the direction of decidedly religious men. Judicious and faithful preachers have been appointed as chaplains in many of them; and in the others, neighbouring pastors have been invited to preach the Gospel, and visit the inmates as often as they can. Bible-classes and Sunday-schools have been established in several instances; and in all, pains are taken to teach prisoners to read where they have yet to learn, so that they may be able to peruse the Word of God.

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 aud 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

Besides effecting this great reformation in the State penitentiaries and prisons, the Society has directed much of its attention to the Asylums for the Insane, and to county or district prisons for persons committed for trial, for convicts sentenced to short terms of imprisonment, and for debtors, in states where the law still allows imprisonment for debt. In all these various establishments the American Prison Discipline Society is exerting much influence, 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.

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 referring to the encouraging fact, stated by the secretary in his yearly Report, presented at the public meeting in May, 1842: That crime has been for some years decreasing in the country, at the rate of from two to three per cent. per annum. This statement, from one whose position and means of information constitute him the highest possible authority on the subject, is the more encouraging, when we consider how many difficulties have to be encountered in a new country, and what a mighty stream of em

adopted in the prison for the State of New-York, at Auburn, a town in the central part of that state. According to it, the prisoners are separated from each other at night, but work together in companies during the day, under the eye of overseers and guards, but are not allowed to speak to each other. They are assembled, also, morning and evening, for prayers; and on the Sabbath they meet in the chapel for public worship, conducted by a chaplain or some other minister of the Gospel. Each system has its advantages and disadvantages. For health, facility in communicating religious instruction, and the saving of expense through the avails of the labour of the prisoners, the latter, in my opinion, has evidently the advantage. The former furnishes greater security, enables 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.

subject, as far as I am able to judge, I should say that, with the right sort of men to manage a prisonreligious 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.