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No. 11. VOL. 111.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
MEMOIRS OF MRS. FRY.
The important part which females,within the last
century, have acted on the theatre of the relig
ions world,’ is deserving of the most unqualified
pra'se. To Christianity are women in a great de
gree indebted for the high rank which they de
servedly sustain in society. And in what better
way can they show their gratitude, than by con
secrating their talents, time and property to the
advancement of human happiness. The following
memoir of a remarkable Female character in Eng
land will he read with pleasure, and we trust with
profit. While we admire the fortitude and per
severance of this .Female Howard in active be
nevolence, let us to the extent of our ability, go
and do likewise.— Prov. Rel. Intel.
From Madame Adele du Thau's History of the
Quakers.
Elizabeth Gurney, (now Mrs. Fry) the
third daughter of Mr. John Gurney, ofEarl
hatn Hall, in the County of Norfolk, was
born in 1780. She had the misfortune to
lose her mother when very young, and
was thus at an early age, in some measure
abandoned to her own guidance. Her fa
ther, though a member of the Society of
Friends, was by no means strict, and suffer
ed his children to enjoy greater freedom
than is usually permitted among individuals
of that sect. Elizabeth Gurney was accus
tomed to mix much with society, and she
* enjoyed all the advantages of birth, fortune,
and education: she was about 17 years of
age, when she first visited London, was anx
ious to see every thing, and having partici
pated for a period, in all the gay amuse
ments of the capital, she returned to
folk. A short time after her return, some
members of the Society, as is customary
among the Friends, came to make a family
visit. —This suddenly wrought a transfor
mation in the habits of the whole family;
all became more serious and seemed to feel
the influence of the ho'y visit; —Elizabeth,
in particular, was deeply penetrated by the
evangelical lectures which she heard. In
a mind like hers, a religious impression was
not likely to be transitory; too pious, and
too well informed, to confine herself to usc
lc:? forms of devotion, she proved her faith
by her labours, and soon prevailed on her
f,Uner to convert one of the apartments of
Earlham Hall into a School Room. Here
she daily received 24 poor children, to
whom she read and explained the Bible.
She assumed the simple garb of the Qua
* hers, and renounced all kinds of amuse
ment's.
In 1800, she married Mr. Fry, whose
amiable and generous character fully jus
tifies her choice. Far from opposing her
benevolent labours, he facilitates them, &
Affords Incr ample means of relieving the un
finrUinate, by annually placing at her dispo
sal a considerable sum, which she applies
entirely to the benefit of the poor. Mrs.
Fry’s life is devoted to acts of virtue, and
her time is almost wholly occupied in char
itable in issions. She makes no distinction;
*he yn£j rtunatf arc brothers, whatever be
THE MISSIONARY.
their country or religion; sorrow is every
where tbe same, and benevolence should
be universal. Mrs. Fry is at once a physi
cian to the body and the soul, she comforts
and feeds the poor, and supplies them with
clothes and with bibles; and thus she ex
plains and the Gospel; she even
administers succor to criminals; she regards
vice merely as a disease, and never with
holds assistance from the sick.
Mrs. Fry, on being informed of the de
plorable state of the female prisoners in
Newgate, resolved to relieve them. She
applied to the Governour for leave of ad
mittance ; he replied, that she would incur
the greatest risk in visiting that abode of
iniquity and disorder, which he himself
scarcely dared to enter; he observed that
the language she must hear would inevita
bly disgust her, and made use of every ar
gument to prevail on her to relinquish her
intention. Mrs. Fry said she was fully aware
of the danger to which she exposed herself;
and repeated her solicitations for permiss
ion to enter the prison. The governour
advised her not to carry in with her either
her purse or her watch. Mrs. Fry replied
—“ I thank you; I am not afraid, I don’t
think I shall lose any thing.” She was
shown into an apartment of the prison,
which contained abo;'t one hundred and six
ty women ; those who were condemned, &
those who had not been tried were all suf
fered to associate together. The children
who were brought up in this school of vice,
and who never spoke without uttering an
oath, added to the horrour of the picture.
The prisoners eat, cooked their victuals, &,
slept, all in the same room; it might have
been truly said, that Newgate prison re
sembled a den cf savages. Mrs. Fry was
not discouraged ; the grace of God is infin
ite ; the true Christian never despairs. In
spite of a very delicate state of health she
persevered in her pious design. The wo
men listened to her, and gazed on her with
astonishment; the pure and tranquil expres
sion of her beautiful countenance speedily
softened their ferocity. It has been remar
ked, that if virtue could be rendered visi
ble, it would be impossible to resist its influ
ence ; and thus may be explained the ex
traordinary ascendancy which Mrs. Fry ex
ercises over all whom she approaches. Vir
tue has indeed become visible, and has as
sumed the form of this benevolent lady,
wbo is the guide and consolation of her fel
low creatures. Mrs. Fry addressed herself
to the prisoners—“you seem unhappy,”
said she, “ you are in want of clothes—
would you not be pleased if someone came
to relieve your misery ?” “Certainly,”
replied they; “ but nobody cares for us, &
where can we expect to find a friend?”
“ I am come with a wish to serve you (re
sumed Elizabeth Fry) and I think, if you
second tny endeavours, I may be of use to
you.” She addressed to them the language
of peace, and afforded them a glimmering
of hope; she spoke not of their crimes; the
minister of an ali-merciful God, she came
there to comfort and to pray, not to judge
and condemn. When she was about to de
part, the women thronged around her, as
if to detain her; “you will never come
again,” said they; but lie who never broke
her word, promised to return.
She soon paid a second visit to this loath
some gaol, where she intended to pass the
whole day; the doors were closed upon
her, and she was left alone with the pris
oners. “ You cannot suppose,” said she,
addressing them, “ that 1 have come here
without being commissioned: this book (she
held a Bible in her hand,) which has been
the guide of my life, has led me to you ; it
directed me to visit the prisoners, and to
take pity on the poor and the afflicted ; I
am willing to do all that lies in tny power,
but my efforts will be in vain, unless met &
aided by you.” She then asked whether
they would not like to hear her read a few
passages from the book. They replied
,they would. Mrs. Fry selected the para
ble of the Lord of the vineyard, [Mat.Chap.
20;] and when she came to the man who
was hired at the eleventh hour, she said,
“ Now the eleventh hour strikes for you;
the greater part of your lives have been
lost, but Christ is come to save sinners !”
—Some asked who Christ was, others said
that he had not come for them; that the
time was passed, and that they could not be
saved. Mrs. Fry replied, that Christ had
suffered, that he had been poor, and that
he had come to save the poor and afflicted
in particular.
Mrs. Fry obtained permission to assemble
the children in a school established within
the prison, for the purpose of promoting
their religious instruction. The female
prisoners, in spite of their profligate and
vicious babit, joyfully embraced the oppor
tunity of meliorating the condition of their
children. Much was already effected, by
restoring these women to the first senti
ments of nature; namely, maternal affec
tion.
A woman denominated the Matron, was
entrusted with the control of the prisoners,
under the superintendence of the ladies of
the Society of Friends composing the New
gate committee.
Mrs. Fry, having drawn up a set of rules
ofconduct for the prisoners,a flay was fixed,
and tbe Lord Mayor and one of the Alder
men being present, sbe read aloud the arti*
GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE.— Jesub Christ.
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK CO. GA.) MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 1821.
cles, and asked the prisoners whether they
were willing to adopt them ; they were di
rected to raise their bands as a sign of ap
proval.—Mrs. Fry’s Constitution was re
ceived unanimously; so sincere were the
sentiments of respect and confidence she
had inspired. Thanks to her perseverance,
and the years she has devoted to her pious
undertaking, a total change has been effec
ted in Newgate prison; the influence of
virtue has softened the horrour of vice, and
Newgate has become the asylum of repent
ance.
Fridays are the publick days on which
strangers are permitted to visit the gaol
where Mrs. Fry reads and explains passages
of the Bible to the prisoners. Her voice
is extremely beautiful; its pure clear tones
are admirably calculated to plead the cause
of virtue.
The late queen expressed a wish to see
Mrs. Fry, and in the most flattering terms
testified the admiration she felt for her con
duct. The thanks of the city of London
were voted to her; and in short, there is
not an Englishman wo does not bless her
name.
Mrs. Fry, who is as useful among the
members of her own sect as she has been in
Newgate, exercises in her evangelick mis
sion, that charitable indulgence which ari
ses from sincere piety and a pure conscience.
Her eloquence penetrates the soul; no one
can hear her without becoming more virtu
ous, or at least without feeling convinced
that he may become so ; she is not feared,
but loved ; and she is herself the example
of what she preaches. How many affec
ting anecdotes might I relate ! but here I
shall ciorie this notice, happy in reflecting
that Mrs. Fry is still youog, and that in all
probability she may yet live long, for the
happiness of her family, her friends and the
poor. .
CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
TWENTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY.
From the Report, an abstract of which was
read by the Secretary, it appeared that there had
been an increase of about 10001. in both the Re
ceipts and Expenditure of the year. The Re
ceipts of the twenty-first year had been rather
more than 31,0001. and its Expenditure 32,0001.
Boston Rec.
Resolutions were adopted by the meeting
recognizing the obligation on the protest
ant Churches to communicate in every
practicable way, the full light of the Holy
Scriptures to such Churches of Christ as
are suffering under thewant of that Jight;
and anticipating the beneficial effect on
Jews, Mahomedans, and Heathens, of the
enlightening and purifying ofsuch Church
es. They were much encouraged by the
Society’s exertions among the Heathens
and Mahomedans of the British Empire in
the East; and by the .progress of true
Christianity among the Heathen of Western
Africa, and New-Zealand*
Mr. Thompson, after assuring the Socie
ty that notwithstanding all difficulties, the
work of God is prospering in India, stated
the following affecting facts :
But the wants oflndia are still the same.
The destruction of infants and the burning
of widows still continue ; and the wheels of
the car of Juggernaut still crush many of
its deluded victims.
On the subject of burning Widows, I
would remark, in opposition to what has
been so often affirmed, that this practice is
confined to the more wealthy class, and to
those who are voluntary victims ; that the
instances which I have seen have proved
the contrary. The first I ever saw in In
dia was in contradiction of the first of these
assertions; and it was a scene, the recital
of which must make any sober man shud
der ; it was the burning of a Widow in deep
poverty: so poor were the relations, that
they could n afford a sufficient quantity of
fuel to cover the body; 1 saw her and the
body of her dead husband, partly covered
with fuel, and partly exposed ; and in this
dreadful state, she was slowly consumed.
The next instance which I saw was in di
rect opposition to the other assertion, that
they are perfectly voluntary ; it was that
of a poor woman who was dragged to the
pile making all the resistance in her pow
er, and fainting under the thought of what
she was going to suffer; she was then taken
in the arms of two men, to be carried round
the pile the appointed number of times; but
when, from her fainting and the resistance
which she made at intervals, they could not
succeed in this, she was laid on the pile in
a state of insensibility; but coming to her
self for a few moments, she struggled so
violently as nearly to throw down the pile;
a Brahmin seeing this, immediately ran to
a little child about four years of age, the
eldest son of the Widow, took the child in
his arms, put a torch in his hand, ran with
him to the pile, held out his little arm, and
made him set it on fire; and in a few mo
ments, the struggling Mother was in
flames!
In reference to some touching narratives
of the influence of religion on the Liberat
ed Negroes of Sierra Leone, Lord Cal
thorpe said—
I cannot but express the cordial pleasure
with which I have heard of the growing
success of this Institution, .in those climes,
of the natural beauty of which we have
often heard; but whose natural beauty is
likely soon to be surpassed by the growing
triumphs of religion which they exhibit.
Where the voice of desolation was lately
heard, some of the songs of Zion aremow
sung ; and these places resound with such
hallelujahs of praise, (though they come
not from the lips of those who can speak
the language of educated feelings,) that
they strike into our hearts with n delight
ful force, because they are the indisputable
evidences of that spirit, to which the best
blessings of Christianity are promised. It
is indeed one of the most remarkable tri
umphs of Christianity,that its effects should
be illustrated by a clas3 of individuals, who
so lately hardly obtained the name of a
people—that they should not only be free
from human bondage, but should aspire to
the best of all liberties ; and prove that the
greatest spiritual blessings may be enjoy
ed by those, who have by some been con
sidered as the basest and meanest of the
human race.
In seconding the motion of Lord C., Mr.
Grant made a powerful appeal to the meet
ing.
It is impossible to hear what we have,
this day heard, and to return with cold
hearts to our firesides, and fold our arms
in carelessness and indifference on this sub
ject. I cannot express the satisfaction
which I feel, that this Institution, and other
institutions of a similar kind, are vindicating
the name of Briton from a most melancho
ly stain; for surely it was a slain, that,
while Britian has been fumous for her re
ligion, yet that Britons, when they have
left their own shores, have seemed to for
get their principles ; and while they have
shown to distant nations the splendour of
our earthly glory, they have forgot to mix
with it the brighter splendour of our reli
gion. In Africa, it would have been an
insult to have named Christianity. Indeed,
it seem® as if the very character of Britons
had sometimes been changed ; but we now
see brighter scenes, both abroad and at
home ; and while we feel attachment to our
own church, we feel that there is a charity
paramount to all minor distinctions; and
therefore we hail any Institution, under
any denomination, composed of those who
kneel round the same Cross, and weep over
the same calamities of man.
But my Lord, we have heard it said,
“ Why are you so eager to go abroad ?
why not confine yourselves to labour at
home?” A singular question this!—and
such an one as we never heard on any oth
er subject. In what other line, have we
been told to confine ourselves within the
narrow geographical limits of our own
shores ? We have sent our commerce to
every part of the habitable globe, and not
a murmur has been heard. What then ?
shall the remotest part of the earth be ours
by commercial ties, and not be ours by the
ties of religion—not be ours, by that golden
chain which is let down from heaven—not
be ours by that charity which is the
bond of peace, and which diffuses happiness
and glory over all the earth ?
— xozo:i*:ozo** —
BAPTIST GENEIJAL CONVENTION.
FROM THE BOSTON RECORDER.
The Seventh Annual Report of the Board of
Managers of the General Convention of
the Baptist Denomination in the United
States.
Rev. Robert B. Semple, of Virginia,
President ; Rev. Wiiliam Staughton, D. D.
Philadelphia, Corresponding Secretary;
Thomas Stokes, Esq. New-York, Treasu
rer; Rev. Luther Rice, Agent.
This Report occupies the whole of tbe
18th number of the “ Latter-day Luminary,”
48 closely printed pages, and embraces a
variety of information with regard to the
several plans adopted or proposed by the
Board. Much of it has been some time
before the publick in detached forms, and
in the notice we now have the pleasure to
give of it, we shall confine ourselves chief
ly to such portions oi'it as are least familiar
to our readers.
The “ Address” of the Board “to their
Constituents, to the Associations, to the
Mission and Education Societies of the Bap
tist denomination, and to the publick at
large,” exhibits a well digested summary
of their past operations—of the trials and
successes of their Missionaries—of the pros
pects that open from existing Missionary
establishments at Rangoon, at Chittagong,
at the Valley Towns among the Cherokees, “
at Fort Wayne in Indiana, and at Great
Crossings in Kentucky. It alludes also to
the arrival of C. Teague and L. Cary, their
coloured Missionaries in Africa, and their
pleasing hopes of usefulness in that dark
land of their forefathers. A general view
is also given of the exertions and success of
the Board relative to the new Baptist Col
lege at Washington; and in conclusion, the
address calls on the brethren to rejoice in
the age in which they are permitted to
live, when the Bible is spreading, Missiona
ry Societies abounding, and the Islands of
the Sea casting away their idols—and to
Decome active in the work of the Lord, in
consideration of the love of Christ, tbe
preciousneas of the soul and the millions
that are perishing.
Rev. L. Rice, the indefatigable Agent of
the Board, has been, a9 usual, successful in
procuring subscriptions nnd donations to its
funds, though during tbe past year, he has
Price $ $3.50 pr. win. or, f
in advance. $
rather solicited in behalf of the College,
than for the Missionary concern. He
states, in a letter to the Correspondieg Se
cretary, that in seven weeks he realized a
thousand dollars a week, aDd that including
the whole time from the first of January,
to the 25th April, he had secured to the
Board about one hundred dollars a day.
The last meeting of the Board, was held
at Philadelphia, April 25, 1821, and the
business prepared by Committees.
The Board attended the exhibition of the
Theological Students under the care of Dr.
Staughton and Mr. Chase. Essays were
read by Wm. E. Ashton, Peter Chase, Isaac
Meriam, and Alvah Sabin. This is the
first class that has gone from the institu
tion, aqd they left a favourable impression
of their improvement on the minds.of the
Board.
General Literary Concerns o f the Convention.
The College Building at Washington,
now nearly completed, is 117 feet long,
and 47 feet wide. The basement story is
of stone, the three next stories of brick,
and the garret is divided into rooms with
dormant windows. In the whole are CO
fire-places, and 53 rooms. The land ou
which it is situated, cost S7OOO aod the
building is estimated at $30,000. Two
houses are also going up for the Professors.
An act of incorporation has been procured
from Congress for the College—and a simi
lar act in favour of the General Baptist
Convention from the Legislature of Penn
sylvania.
There will be two distinct Departments
in this Institution—the Theological and
Classical. The Theological will be open
in September next—the Classical in Janua
ry, 1822. The requirements for admission
to the Classical Department, and the course
of study, are not to fall below the standard
of Institutions holding a distinguished rank
among the American Colleges. To (he
Theological Department, students are to
be admitted without any specified literary
attainments.
Rev. Dr. Staughton has been appointed
President ; Rev. Ira Chase, and Alvn
Woods, A. M. Professors.
Domestick Missionary Operations.
The Board have determined to enlarge
their system of domestick missionary oper
ations, by employing clergymen of estab
lished character and commanding talents,
to travel and preach for the benefit of the
churches and community—also to visit As
sociations, and give ihem correct and fa
vourable views of Missions, and of the plan
of Education adopted by tbe Convention,
to obtain fluids for Missionary purposes, to
originate and encourage Missionary and
Education Societies, and promote the vari
ous objects of tbe Convention by all means
in their power.’ Eight Missionaries have
already been appointed in accordance with
this plan.
The Board have authorized Mr. McKoy,
at Fort Wayne, and Mr. Posey, among the
Cherokees, to draw on their Treasury for
$250 per month, including the amount re :
ceived from Government, while the ex
penses of the establishments shall require
it. An additional teacher is to be sent to
the “ Valley Towns,” io assist Mr. Posey—
and a farmer, blacksmith, and shoemaker
are to be sent to Fort Wayne, as soon as
they can be obtained.
The Board have resolved to encourage
the formation of Female Societies for cloib
ing Indian children—one has been formed
at Baltimore, and some individuals have
subscribed $lO per annum each, for the
clothing of an bidiar. child, to which thev
give such name ns they choose.
At the “ Valley Towns,” Mr. Posy has
80 acres of land enclosed and under cultiva
tion ; a log house, 40 Ret by 22, and other
necessary buildings. About 40 or 50 chil
dren are receiving instruction in the ele
ments of education—it is hoped the number
will be increased to 100. The Establish
ment is deficient in arlizans. About GO
miles S. E. from this, a local school has
been commenced, at Tinoawnlte, with fa
vourable prospects and at small expense.
Mr. McKoy’s situation is very much at
Fort Wayne, like Mr. Pospy's among the
Cherokees. Improvements are about the
same. His health is not good, but his zeal
ever glowing.
The station heretofore occupied by the
Board at St. Louis, has been relinquished
k by the Rev. Mr. Peck—and he has retired
to a farm, where he will require no fur
ther aid from the Board, though he will
labour in the vicinity. The ill health of
Mrs. P. prevents Mr. Peck’s joining the
Fort Wayne Mission.
Thales, the MilesiaD, one of the Seven
Wise Men of Greece, being asked, What is
the oldest thing ? He answered,God,because
he has ever been, and exists immutably.—
What is the handsomest thing ? He said,
the world, because it is the work of God.
What the largest thing ? Space, because it
comprehends every thing besides. What
the most lasting ? Hope, because when
all other things fail,that remains. What the
best thing ? Virtue, for without it nothing
that is good can be said or done. What
the quickest ? The thoughts of the human
mind, because in one moment they overrun
(he universe. What the easiest ?To give
advice Tbe hardest? To know one’s self.
