For the benefit of those who have not seen our former Journals it
may be again well to state that the institution is visited by a
sub-committee of the Acting Committee set apart for this service, to
each of whom is assigned a particular division, which he under the
Constitution and By-Laws is expected to visit “at least once in two
weeks and oftener if convenient.” (Extract from the Constitution.) Rev.
Joseph Welch and his able assistant, Rev. H. Cresson McHenry devote
their whole time to visiting the prisoners, and are doing a noble
work for their spiritual good. Their task is a great one for with a
population of over 1,200 it taxes their time to the utmost--this then
is where the members of the Acting Committee perform valuable service.
From monthly reports received from those members it appears that 731
visits have been made to the Penitentiary during the past year, and
15,616 visits have been made to prisoners either inside the cells or at
the cell doors. As many of the members failed to send in reports, the
number visited will much exceed this.
The total amount expended for the relief of discharged prisoners
from the Eastern Penitentiary and County Prison during the year was
$3,364.03.
As the Legislature has for many years failed to make any appropriation
for furnishing clothes or tools to those discharged, the whole burden
of doing this rests upon our Society. Our income is entirely inadequate
to do even a tithe of this large expense. We could only accomplish it
by the liberality of our donors, for which we thank them, and desire
their continued aid.
As for my own especial work at the Eastern Penitentiary, I visit
there daily in addition to the many other duties I have to perform in
connection with my office as General Secretary. I feel as time rolls
on solemnly impressed with the magnitude and importance of the work
in which I have for many years been engaged. No person leaves that
prison without my visiting him several times previous to discharge,
ascertaining their needs, and providing them with suitable clothes,
that they may make a respectable appearance in looking for work;
pleading, too, with them to give up all their sinful ways, and give
their hearts to the Lord--for there are no joys comparable to the “Joys
of God’s Salvation.” As I visit from cell to cell, not only at the
time of discharge, but long previous to that, a feeling of awe comes
over me as I realize that here is a soul to be saved or lost, one who
has had no thought or concern for his soul’s salvation, and the query
arises, have I, have we as visitors, done our duty, our whole duty, in
telling him there is the promise that “whosoever shall call upon the
name of the Lord shall be saved,” and that Jesus Christ our Saviour and
Redeemer, came into the world to seek and to save those that were lost,
and in Him there is pardon and plenteous redemption. I have during
the past year made 352 visits to the Penitentiary, and have seen and
conversed with the convicts, either in the cells or at the cell doors,
over 4000 times. I have procured 164 railroad tickets for discharged
prisoners to take them to their homes outside of the city, and have
taken many to the depots, providing them with a good breakfast before
starting. The cost of these tickets was $377.50.
I have assisted many after their discharge with temporary help,
starting them in business in a small way that they may become
wage-earners, thus preventing re-commitment. Tools are furnished to
discharged prisoners when needed. Many have been aided in this way
to obtain situations. For some days before and after New Year’s I
distributed the motto calendars to every prisoner, visiting every cell
and giving a word of counsel and encouragement, and a hearty shake of
the hand to most of the 1,200 prisoners. It has been gratifying to
notice with what pleasure these New Year’s calls have been received, as
they respond, “A Happy New Year to you and many of them.”
These Christian motto calendars are hung up in their cells and are read
over and over many times a day--such as these:
O! the things WE call the LITTLE sins,
Are hateful in GOD’S SIGHT;
HE counts NO SIN a LITTLE sin,
Nor calls a WRONG DEED--Right!