During seventeen centuries of the Christian era, the only associations of a benevolent character were the family, the school, and the church; and the peculiar form of operation in which such societies are now seen, virtually began at the commencement of the present century. It is only of the England of the last sixty years that we can emphatically say, “on her head are many crowns, but the fairest and brightest is that of charity.” Had this great benefactor of her race lived but one half century earlier, her plans would have been circumscribed, and in all probability would have ended with her own life. But it pleased Almighty wisdom to raise her up at a time when it was not only beginning to be whispered, but even loudly asserted, that each individual was bound to spend and be spent in the service of God and humanity. At a very early age Elizabeth Gurney commenced those habits of visiting and relieving the poor, both at Earlham and in Norwich, especially the sick; reading the Bible to them, and instructing their children. She established a school, which gradually increased, from one little boy to so great a number, that the house became inconvenient, and a vacant laundry was appropriated to that purpose. How she managed to control above seventy scholars, without assistance, without monitors, and without the countless books and pictures of the present day, must ever remain a mystery to many. Nor was her attention confined to the very poor. The widow of an officer, who was living alone in a small house near Norwich, was surprised during her confinement with her first child, by a loud ring at the bell. Her servant came running up stairs with a basket in her hand, and in the broad dialect peculiar to Norfolk, informed her mistress that it had been left by a beautiful lady on horseback, in a scarlet riding habit, whose servant had told her it was Miss Elizabeth Gurney. The basket contained a chicken and some little delicacies.
THE FEMALE PRISONERS’ FRIEND.
In 1813, the deplorable condition of the female felons in Newgate attracted the attention of Elizabeth Fry, and she resolved to visit them. We will not attempt to describe the details of miscalled prison discipline, nor of those flagrant abuses which, under the very eye of law, encouraged rather than diminished crime, by destroying the last remnant of self-respect in the criminal. Suffice it to say that the condition of the female convicts was a disgrace to any civilised country. Four rooms, comprising upwards of one hundred and ninety superficial yards, were crowded with nearly three hundred women, besides their children, without classification or employment, and with no other superintendence than that of a man and his son! Into this scene Mrs. Fry entered, not mailed in scorn, in hatred, or contempt, but in the armour of a pure intent. She respected human nature however fallen, and worked with it, not against it, as prison systems often do. Her gentleness at once fixed the attention of those insolent, violent, and insubordinate characters. She then read and expounded a portion of Scripture, and uttered a few words in supplication. Many of the poor creatures wept from a hitherto unfelt motive, and Mrs. Fry left, deeply affected, but without any idea of the importance or ultimate results of the labours she had begun. It was not, however, till about Christmas, 1816, that she commenced her systematic visits to Newgate, being then particularly induced by the reports of those gentlemen who, in 1815, originated the society for “The Improvement of Prison Discipline.” Under her influence the Association for the Improvement of the Female Prisoners of Newgate, was formed in 1817. The almost immediate result was order, sobriety, and neatness. This surprising change soon attracted attention, both in and out of Parliament, and in 1818, Elizabeth Fry was called upon to give evidence before a committee of the House of Commons. Arrangements similar to those adopted at Newgate were subsequently introduced into all the metropolitan gaols; and she personally inspected the prisons, lunatic asylums, and other kindred institutions in the United Kingdom, and afterwards those in the most influential nations of Europe. The enlightened and benevolent of her sex, both in our own and foreign lands became her coadjutors. Through her instrumentality important improvements took place in the treatment of female convicts sentenced to transportation. Her active and untiring philanthropic exertions on behalf of felons of her own sex, acquired for her in her lifetime the name of “the female Howard.” Only to hang, banish, and imprison convicts, ill becomes those who have sinned more against God’s laws than the worst of criminals have sinned against man’s. It has been clearly proven that women discharged from prison, and thrown upon their own resources, without a character, and consequently without any means of obtaining a livelihood, relapse into their former evil habits. We ought to provide suitable employment for them, and thus restore them to society, and prevent their children from sharing their poverty and learning their crimes.
FAMILY BEREAVEMENTS.
Death frequently entered the family of Mrs. Fry, and “sorrow upon sorrow” often formed the burden of her wounded spirit. Her sister, Elizabeth Gurney, died rejoicing that the hour of her deliverance had arrived, and that she was about to lay down her frail tabernacle, and appear in the presence of her God and Saviour. Her little grandson, Gurney Reynolds, was an especial object of interest to her. He left her not more unwell than usual. News came that he was worse, and three days afterwards he breathed away his patient spirit, as he lay upon the sofa in his mother’s room. The lovely little Juliana, the second daughter of her son William, one of the sweetest blossoms that ever gladdened parents’ hearts, was cut off after thirty hours’ illness. But the storm had not blown over; again the thunder-clouds rolled up. Her son, William Storrs Fry, the beloved and honoured head of that happy home, was himself laid low. On the day of the funeral of his little Juliana, he exclaimed, “I shall go to her, but she shall not return to me.” His last words were, “God is so good!” Emma followed her father, whom her young heart had loved and desired to obey, just one week after his departure, and eighteen days from the death of her sister. One grave contains all that is mortal of the father and his daughters. Mrs. Fry felt these blows acutely, but He who sent them bestowed His Holy Spirit; and so her faith proved stronger than her anguish. When the lips turn pale, and cold damps gather upon the brow; when the loved one is laid in the shroud; when the screws go into the coffin, and the mould rattles hollow on its lid,—faith can rise above things below, and see the ransomed spirit, singing and shining, before the throne.
RELATIVE DUTIES.
The marriage union is, of all human relations, that involving the most delicate, profound, and various responsibilities. It is only when the hearts of husbands and wives are right with God that high conjugal life can be attained. Mrs. Fry knew what was necessary to adorn the estate of matrimony—even virtuous love. “No happiness,” says Dr. Macfarlane, “can be expected at home, if love do not preside over all the domestic life. How blessed is that husband who is the loved one, who is made to feel that the reverence and obedience due to him are not only ungrudged but cheerfully conceded! This lies at the foundation. That wife is not only wicked, but a very fool, who contests with her husband for authority. It is against the law of marriage, and, therefore, it is against nature. Ten thousand times ten thousand wrecks of domestic happiness have been the consequence.” Although more liberally endowed with the qualities adapted for government than most women, Mrs. Fry rejoiced that it was laid upon broader and stronger shoulders. Her husband loved her, and therefore had a right to rule over her; she loved her husband, and therefore willingly obeyed him. Both were happy because both drank into the spirit of love.
As a mother she shone with peculiar brightness. In that most important sphere—home, she was at once the inspiring genius and the guardian angel. By her visible action and invisible influence, she efficiently prepared her children for passing through the inevitable struggles, and for securing the great ends of life. She knew that they might be fitted for the idols of coteries and the lights of drawing-rooms, and yet be utterly unable to grapple with the first onset of temptation. As a sure proof of their excellent education, her children rose from infancy to childhood, and on to youth, womanhood, and manhood, with hearts full of affection and grateful recollections of the worth of their mother.
Some mistresses seem to think that little responsibility attaches to them with regard to servants, and that so long as they provide them with home, food, and wages, they perform all the duty required. Mrs. Fry believed that servants should be rightly directed and kindly treated. She did not look upon domestics as foreigners or as aliens, but as members of the household; not mere living machines, hired to cook well, scrub well, wash well, and attend the table well; but living persons of flesh and blood, with nerves and muscles, liable to pain and weariness—with hearts capable of feeling joy, sorrow, love, and gratitude—with souls that may be saved or lost! Her conduct met its immediate reward. The servants cared for the mistress, they had an interest in the family, they were attached friends.
CHARACTER OF MRS. FRY.