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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.

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 descriptions have generally been abandoned, both on account of their being mostly impure with us-being imported, and all more or less intoxicating-and because they are not found necessary to persons in health, 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

The mischief spread from year to year. It pervaded all classes of society. The courts of justice, the administration of government, the very pulpit itself, felt its direful influence. The intellect of the physician, 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, mis-sake of the poor, who could not. ery, 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.

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 following year, the Massachusetts Society for the Suppression of Intemperance was formed, and its labours were manifestly useful. Still, "the plague was not stayed." The subject, however, was not allowed to drop. It was seen that the Society had not gone far enough, and that it would not do to admit of ardent spirits being taken, even in moderation. The evil of 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.

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.

At length God, in his wonderful providence, revealed the way by which these miserable persons might be reached. And how simple! A few hard drinkers in the city of Baltimore, who were in the habit of meeting in a low tavern for the purpose of revelry, and had been drunkards for years, met one night as usual. All happened to be sober. Apparently by accident, the conversation fell upon the miseries 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

past delusions, and strengthened each oth-
er'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
and won.
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. Chris-
tians 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

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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 I know nothing that more fully demonabout, first, by the erection of new and more strates how favourably disposed our Govconvenient buildings, and, secondly, by ernment is to Religion, and to all good obcommitting their direction so generally to jects, than the fact that the Legislatures decided and zealous Christians. This has of so many of our states, as well as Conbrought pure Christianity into contact with gress itself, have been so ready to second the minds of convicts to an extent un- every feasible plan for ameliorating the known in former times in America, and condition of mankind by moral and relistill too little known in many other lands.* gious means, as far as they can do so conIt may not be generally known that two differ- sistently with their constitutional powers. ent systems of discipline are to be found in the pris- Indeed, they are ever ready to adopt measons of the United States, each having its ardent ad-ures suggested by good and judicious men, mirers. There is, first, the Philadelphia system, acas likely to benefit the public interests and cording to which the prisoners are entirely separated day and night, so that they are unknown to each to promote Religion, provided they fall other, and live in separate chambers or cells. And within their sphere of action. next there is the Auburn system, so called because 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.

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

ers,

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 keepand 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 so little proper moral culture, and not a few cieties, and have been endeavouring, for of whom are almost desperately depraved. Nor is it less gratifying to think that this occurs by a process in which brute force is superseded to such an extent in the repression of vice and crime by means essentially moral.

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.

several years past, to awaken the public to a sense of the enormity and danger of slayery, and to the disgrace which it entails on the whole country. By means of the press, by tracts and books, and by 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.*

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 strengthen the hands of the officers of justice, and 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.

ever humble. Who can tell how much such efforts in the United States, and other 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 I have not seen the amount stated. A few years ago, before the division which led to the formation of the American and Fortook place in the American Anti-slavery Society eign 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 The late William Ladd, Esq., of the State of Iowa. With a view to its extirpation in Maine, was the founder of the American Peace Sothe states to which it still adheres, many was an excellent Christian. His heart was absorbed ciety, and for many years its worthy president. He of the inhabitants of the Northern, or non-in the objects of the society over which he presided. slaveholding states, have associated them- Through his exertions a prize of 1000 dollars was

CHAPTER XXVI.

sive, only because there is no extensive call for their being made. Created by cir

INFLUENCE OF THE VOLUNTARY PRINCIPLE ON cumstances, when these disappear, the as

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.

sociations 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

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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 Cræsus 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."

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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 families live in houses hired for them; single persons board with others who are willing to take them for the stipulated sum. In the Atlantic States, where there are more poor who need assistance, the same course is pursued in many cases. In others," poorhouses" are erected in such counties as choose to have such establishments, and to these the townships send their quota of paupers, and pay for their board, 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.

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.

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