speak to strangers, were often in dreary places, and exposed to danger, while nothing was done for their moral and religious welfare. These circumstances called forth the warm sympathy of Mrs. Fry, who was always practical in her expressions of concern. She applied to benevolent societies, to liberal friends, and to the Government, and succeeded in obtaining grants of money and books, which secured 572 libraries on shore and 48 in cruisers, making a total of 52,464 volumes. Each station had a sufficient variety to afford an interesting course of reading; and by means of this aid the minds and morals of upwards of 20,000 individuals, inclusive of wives and children, were improved. Who can tell but the stimulus given by such may have stirred the studies which have made a Cornwall coast-guardsman famous among scientific men-Charles Peach-whose discoveries and papers have ever received a respectful hearing from the British Association? As Bibles and tracts were freely added to the libraries, how many deprived of ordinances may have learned of heaven, and found the way, by the useful labours of Mrs. Fry! The press may be made, and it has been made, an influential preacher of the gospel; but in our day it demands the special attention and energetic efforts of Christians to counteract the evil of which it is made the vehicle, and to consecrate its mighty power. Mrs. Fry aided this work by her own authorship, and prepared a text-book, containing a passage of Scripture, with appropriate reflections for every day in the year; which had an extensive circulation, and many rewards in the conversion and edification of souls. The success which attended the prison labours of Mrs. Fry in London and throughout England, made her famous all over Europe. Many communications reached her from persons in almost every country on the Continent. The correspondence she had in this department alone was immense. She was thus led to travel through several of the European states. Thrice she went to France, twice to Germany, once to Switzerland, Holland, and Denmark. The royal families, the nobility, and philanthropists in each state, showed her great kindness, and gave her ample opportunity to unfold her plans. The freedom thus obtained was well employed, and seldom did she separate from them without speaking a word for her Saviour, or offering a prayer. The prisons in the Channel Islands also shared her regard and efforts. They were in the most deplorable condition; but happily were recovered to order and discipline. Mrs. Fry went twice to visit Jersey and Guernsey for this purpose. In the life of this devoted woman much was accomplished. The criminal code was reformed, and punishment by death, except for capital offences, abolished. Prisons were improved, and, by the Christian agency of visitors, many criminals restored to society. Convict ships were placed under management which, by the aid of such indefatigable labourers as the late Dr. Browning,* resulted in the conversion of many sinners to God. Penal settlements had means attached to them to encourage well-doing. Christian influence was mingled with correction, and the punishment of offences made a means of reformation. Besides, institutions were established for training nurses to wait upon the sick and to serve in hospitals; and the word of God circulated largely throughout the land and in most necessitous places. "She had been eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame; when the ear heard her, then it blessed her. She had trodden regal halls to plead for the afflicted and the destitute; she had *See The Convict Ship and England's Exiles, by Colin Arnot Browning, M.D. A Narrative of Remarkable Conversions among Convicts. not withheld unpalatable truth, when the language of warning was called for at her lips. She had penetrated, nothing daunted, the gloom of the felon's dungeon; nor had she shrunk from the touch of the unclothed maniac; she had nourished and brought up children, and they had risen up to call her blessed; and, helpless and suffering in body, enfeebled in memory, all that could be shaken tottering to its base," she now prepared to depart and to enter on her glorious rest. She was spared to see a great age and to bear many trials. She had to endure the shattering of her fortune and a change of abode. One after another of her friends who had been associated with her was taken away, and shortly before her decease she lost a sister-in-law, several grandchildren, and a son. Then her valued brother-in-law and fellow-labourer, Sir Fowell Buxton, left this scene; and on the 11th October 1845 she joined the ransomed company around the throne. "Calm on the bosom of thy God, Fair spirit! rest thee now! Even while with us thy footsteps trode, His seal was on thy brow. Dust to its narrow house beneath! Soul to its place on high! They that have seen thy look in death Thorough decision, strong faith, untiring zeal, combined with a most attractive manner, were the prominent traits of the character of Elizabeth Fry. Her gifts were entirely consecrated to God and for the well-being of mankind. Based upon personal dedication to the Lord, she did all with a single eye, awaited the divine blessing, and never found the promises of grace to fail. Reader! begin philanthropic efforts. The world demands them from you. Begin, however, by giving yourself as the first contribution. Then, no more your own, but bought with a price, you will serve God with your body and spirit, with labours and liberality, with the full conviction that your "labour will not be in vain in the Lord." "Who that saw her pass, and heard the poor With earnest benediction on her steps As morning when she shed her golden locKS Or Zion hill; so glorious was her path. Old men beheld, and did her reverence, And bade their daughters look, and take from her POLLOK |