276 CONCLUDING REMARKS. would soon be found materially to aid in its own support. In the State-Prison, the experiment has proved, that young persons will more readily learn a trade, and, when accustomed to the use of tools, turn out more work than those farther advanced in life. "The above suggestions are respectfully submitted to the modifications of your superior wisdom. Should you so far approve of the object, and of the above plan, as to appoint a committee for further investigation, and judge that in any way my feeble efforts may farther contribute to its maturity, they will be at your service. "Allow me, in conclusion, gentlemen, to remark, that the above recommendation is not intended merely as an act of benevolence, but for the prevention of crime, and the preservation of our civil and moral interests. It cannot but be obvious, that if these vagrant youth are allowed to increase in depravity and in numbers, their pestiferous influence will soon become like the rapid current of a river, which will deepen its channel, and overflow its banks, until it has on every side spread the desolations of a moral contagion. As a natural consequence, our Penitentiaries must be multiplied, and thus an additional burden devolve upon the community; for it is indisputable, that every corrupt generation will produce its own likeness. "As men of intelligence, I cannot doubt that you have regarded with approbation the efforts of the different religious societies in sending gospel missionaries to our interior and frontier settlements, for the purpose of promoting the moral improvement of the inhabitants of these regions. But the subject to Which I have now directed your attention, is an attempt to purify the fountain, and to prevent the streams of corruption from spreading throughout the length and breadth of our happy country. In addition to the above, permit me to say, that, LOCATION OF THE HOUSE OF REFUGE. 277 there are many now within the gloomy walls of the State-Prison who were received from the city, and who deeply lament, that, in early life, they were cast upon the public, without parents or friends to direct their pursuits, or to prevent them from those allurements of evil associates, by which they were decoyed into the paths of crime and consequent ruin. "I am, "Gentlemen, "With great respect, "JOHN STANFORD. 66 February 13th, 1812." A letter, addressed to the Honourable the Mayor of New-York, and other papers relating to the same subject, are in our possession; but it is deemed unnecessary here to insert them. In a subsequent "Annual Report to the Honourable the Mayor and Corporation of the City of NewYork," Mr. Stanford again invited their attention to this interesting subject, and added several important suggestions on the desirableness of establishing, in the same institution, a Marine School, for the education of such boys as might prefer a seafaring life. In the same report he directed the attention of the Common Council to the establishment then occupied as the United States Arsenal, in the twelfth ward, which he had examined with a particular view to its adaptation as a House of Refuge, and which was accordingly purchased, and is now occupied for that purpose, as appears from the following extract from the Commercial Advertiser. "On Sunday morning last, agreeably to previous arrangement, the House of Refuge for Juvenile Delinquents, at the confluence of the Bloomingdale and Harlem roads, was opened, by the performance of 273 DEDICATION SERMON. religious exercises suited to the occasion. The managers of the institution, and a large company, composed of its patrons and friends, many members of the Legislature, and of the Common Council, and several benevolent ladies, who have contributed their services and personal attentions to the girls' department, were present. The Rev. Mr. Stanford, who, with a zeal that is apostolical, and beyond his years, goes about doing good, in our Alms-House, and Debtors' and other prisons and penitentiaries, performed divine service; and in his prayers and exhortations, was extremely affecting and impressive. His text was Exodus, ii. 9— Take this child away and nurse it for me, and I will pay thee thy wages.' The remarkable incident in the history of Moses, to which this refers, with its attendant circumstances, gave to the speaker the opportunity of expounding the ways of God to man, in his providential dealings, with great and striking effect, and of enforcing, at the same time, the duties of benevolence and charity to the poor and destitute. And the venerable preacher did not forget the wages' promised. What those were, those who are accustomed to do good will readily understand. 6 "The objects present, consisting of a number of boys and girls, of tender years-some in a state of childhood, others just entering the period of youth, rescued from the paths of ignorance and criminality, into which they had been led by the shameful neglect or the pernicious effects of evil example, on the part, in some instances, of their parents, and placed by the redeeming spirit of heaven-born charity, in a course of reformation, could not fail to awaken, under the powerful influence of the speaker, the varying sentiments of commiseration and sorrow, for their former degradation and wretchedness, and of gratitude and joy for their happy deliverance. “The children appear in perfect health, and exhi PRESENT NUMBER OF INMATES. 279 bit the greatest decency in their dress and deportment. Ask any of them how they like the House of Refuge, and they will answer, that they are contented and pleased; and they appear duly to realize the advantages that are placed within their reach, of becoming useful, industrious and respectable; while without the benefits of this House, emphatically of Refuge,' it is manifest, they would have been left to grow up as candidates only for future shame and ignominy. "There are fourteen girls and forty-seven boys. The number, it may be expected, will now greatly increase, as the new building will accommodate a large number of additional inmates. "As a proof of the capacity of the boys for active and useful exertion, it ought to be stated, that the materials of the new brick building, (just opened) were principally carried up by them. They are also employed in other useful objects and branches of labour. "The girls are instructed in the business and employments suited to them—and the whole are, at fixed and stated periods, instructed in useful learning, and in religious duty. "A more honourable testimonial to the generosity and public spirit of our inhabitants cannot, it is believed, be exhibited; nor one that bids fairer to be more useful, than this. Our penitentiaries and state-prisons are founded in the utmost clemency and mildness of Christianity itself; but to the young, who are occasionally placed within their walls, they are but schools and nurseries for profligacy and criminality. If evil communications corrupt good manners, what must be the necessary effect upon manners already depraved? With regard to young offenders, the answer is too often and too sadly realized. And in this establishment is found the simple and the true remedy-separation from older and more hardened offendersthe substitution of good example, instruction, and 280 THE PRISONER'S COMPANION. useful employment, in place of evil example, ignerance, and idleness-and the exertion of the power of society in the reformation, that it may be the more safely put forth for the forgiveness of its unfortunate children." Letter to the Rev. Dr. Allison. "New-York, May 9th, 1826. "MY DEAR BROTHER IN CHRIST, "We have loved each other in Christ Jesus for very many years. We shall not meet again in this vale of sorrow, for the time of our departure is at hand. That blessed Saviour who hath so long conducted us in duty, and preserved us in suffering, hath already, by his death and resurrection, prepared for us a bed of death without a thorn. Let us still look to his gracious hand to lay us gently down upon that cold bed, in full and certain hope of the resurrection at the last day, that we then shall be transformed into his glorious likeness, see him as he is, know each other better than we are now known, and join the redeemed in triumphant praises to God and the Lamb for ever and ever. With such hopes I will not hid you farewell, for we shall meet in heaven, to part no more. "JOHN STANFORD." Thursday, January 17th, 1826, Mr. Stanford says: —“ Visited all the wards in the City-Hospital, and then gave a discourse with some little satisfaction. After returning home, I finished the Annual Census, and sent it to the printer. "Thursday, October 5th. Finished the Prisoner's Companion,' and delivered the copy to the committee of the American Tract Society." This interesting publication was immediately stereotyped, and is continued in the series of the Society's tracts. Friday, October 20th. A violent storm-no |