Mrs. E. R. Pitman - Elizabeth Fry
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Mrs. E. R. Pitman >> Elizabeth Fry
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MY DEAREST CHILDREN:
Many of you know that for some time I have felt and expressed the
want of our social intercourse at times, leading to religious union
and communion among us. It has pleased the Almighty to permit that
by far the larger number of you no longer walk with me in my
religious course. Except very occasionally, we do not meet together
for the solemn purpose of worship, and upon some other points we do
not see eye to eye; and whilst I feel deeply sensible that,
notwithstanding this diversity among us, we are truly united in our
Holy Head, there are times when, in my declining years, I seriously
feel the loss of not having more of the spiritual help and
encouragement of those I have brought up, and truly sought to
nurture in the Lord. This has led me to many serious considerations
how the case may, under present circumstances, be in any way met.
My conclusion is that, believing as we do in the Lord as our
Saviour, one Holy Spirit as our Sanctifier, and one God and Father
of us all, our points of union are surely strong; and if we are
members of one living Church, and expect to be such for ever, we
may profitably unite in some religious engagements here below.
The world, and the things of it, occupy us much, and they are
rapidly passing away; it will be well if we occasionally set apart
a time for _unitedly_ attending to the things of Eternity. I
therefore propose that we try the following plan: if it answer,
continue it; if not, by no means feel bound to it. That our party,
in the first instance, should consist of no others than our
children, and such grandchildren as may be old enough to attend.
That our objects in meeting be for the strengthening of our faith,
for our advancement in a religious and holy life, and for the
promoting of Christian love and fellowship.
I propose that we read the Scriptures unitedly, in an easy,
familiar manner, each being perfectly at liberty to make any remark
or ask any questions. That it should be a time for religious
instruction, by seeking to understand the mind of the Lord, for
doctrine and practice, in searching the Scriptures, and bringing
ourselves and our deeds to the light.... That either before or
after the Scriptures are read we should consider how far we are
engaged for the good of our fellow-men, and what, as far as we can
judge, most conduces to this object. All the members of this little
community are advised to communicate anything they may have found
useful or interesting in religious books, and to bring forward
anything that is doing for the good of mankind in the world
generally.
I hope that thus meeting together may stimulate the family to more
devotion of heart to the service of their God; at home and abroad
to mind their different callings, however varied; and to be active
in helping others. It is proposed that this meeting should take
place once a month at each house in rotation. I now have drawn some
little outline of what I desire, and if any of you like to unite
with me in making the experiment, it would be very gratifying to
me; still I hope all will feel at liberty to do as they think best
themselves. Your dearly attached mother,
ELIZABETH FRY.
None but a parent whose spiritual life was pure, true, and deep, could
feel such a constant solicitude about the spiritual progress and
education of her family. Nor was this solicitude confined to the
membership of her own circle. All who in any way assisted in her special
department of philanthropy were councilled, wisely and kindly, to _act_
rather than _preach_ the gospel of Christ. In communications of this
sort we find the newly-appointed matrons to the convict-ships advised to
show their faith more by conduct than profession; to avoid "religious
_cant_;" to be prudent and circumspect; to have discretion, wisdom and
meekness. So she passed through life; the faithful friend, the patient,
wise mother, the meek, tender wife, the succorer of all in distress.
Everyone felt free to go to her with their troubles; a reverse of
circumstances, a sick child, a bad servant, or turn of sickness, all
called forth her ready aid, and her wise, far-seeing judgment. And even
in the last months of her life, when, worn out with service and pain,
she was slowly going down to the gates of death, her children and
grandchildren were cut off suddenly by scarlet fever, she bowed
resignedly to the Hand which had sent "sorrow upon sorrow." And when she
who had been as a tower of strength to all around her, was reduced to
the weakness of childhood by intense suffering, the survivors clung yet
more closely to her, as if they could _not_ let her go. So as physical
strength declined, she actually grew stronger and brighter in mental and
moral power. The deep and painful tribulations which characterized her
later years, but refined and purified the gold of her nature.
CHAPTER XIII.
COLLATERAL GOOD WORKS.
It must be remembered that Mrs. Fry's goodness was many-sided. Her
charity did not expend itself wholly on prisons and lunatic asylums. It
is right that, once in a while, characters of such superlative
excellence should appear in our midst. Right, because otherwise the
light of charity would grow dim, the distinguishing graces of
Christianity, flat and selfish, and individual faith be obscured in the
lapse of years, or the follies and fashions of modern life. Such saints
were Elizabeth of Hungary, around whose name legend and story have
gathered, crowning her memory with beauty; Catherine of Sienna, who was
honored by the whole Christian Church of the fourteenth century, and
canonized for her goodness; and Sarah Martin, the humble dressmaker of
Yarmouth, who, in later times, has proved how possible it is to render
distinguished service in the cause of humanity by small and lowly
beginnings, ultimately branching out into unexpected and remarkable
ramifications. One can almost number such saints of modern life on the
fingers; but for all that, their examples have stimulated a host of
lesser lights who still keep alive the savor of Christianity in our
midst; and towering above all her contemporaries in the grandeur of her
deeds and words, Mrs. Fry still lives in song and story.
Among the collateral good works which she instituted and carried on, the
first in order of time, and possibly of importance, as leading to all
the others, was the "Association for the Improvement of Female Prisoners
at Newgate." As this association and its objects were fully treated of
in a previous chapter, it is unnecessary to enlarge upon it here. It
suffices to say that it sought the welfare of the female prisoners
during their detention in prison, and, also, to form in them such habits
as should fit them for respectable life upon their discharge. Out of
twelve ladies forming the original association started in 1817, eleven
were Quakeresses.
Nearly akin to this society, was that for "The Improvement of Prison
Discipline and Reformation of Juvenile Offenders." This society aimed at
a two-fold object: first, by correspondence and deputations to awaken
the minds of provincial magistrates and prison officials to the
necessity for new arrangements, rules, and accommodations for
prisoners; while it afforded watchful oversight and assistance to the
numerous class of juvenile offenders who, after conviction, were
absolutely thrown friendless upon the country, to continue and develop a
course of crime. At the time of the formation of this society, public
meetings were first held to further the welfare of prisoners, and to
prevent the increase of crime. The doctrine of "stopping the supplies"
first began to be understood; while even the most confirmed stickler for
conservation could understand that there could not be a constant
succession of old or middle-aged criminals to be dealt with by the law,
provided the young were reformed, and trained in the ways of honesty. At
one meeting, held at the Freemasons' Hall in 1821, in order to further
the work of this society, Lord John Russell made an eloquent speech,
concluding with the almost prophetic words: "Our country is now about to
be distinguished for triumphs, the effect of which shall be to save, and
not to destroy. Instead of laying waste the provinces of our enemies, we
may begin now to reap a more solid glory in the reform of abuses at
home, and in spreading happiness through millions of our population."
A society possessing broader aims, and working in a wider field, was the
"British Ladies' Society for Promoting the Reformation of Female
Prisoners," formed in 1821, and really an outgrowth of Mrs Fry's efforts
to _reclaim_ the women whom she _taught_ while in prison. It existed as
a central point for communication and assistance between the various
associations in Great Britain engaged in visiting prisons. Its
corresponding committee also maintained interchanges of ideas and
communications with those ladies on the Continent who were interested in
the subject.
The Convict Ship Committee looked after the welfare of those who were
transported, saw to the arrangements on board ship, the appointment of
matrons, furnished employment, and secured shelters in the colonies, so
that on arriving at the port of disembarkation the poor convicts should
possess some sort of a place into which they could go. Further details
of this branch of work will be given in the next chapter.
The chief work of the society, however, lay in providing homes for
discharged female criminals. In 1824, "Homes" or "Shelters" were opened
at Dublin, Liverpool, and many other places in England, Scotland, and
the Continent. Tothill Fields Asylum, a small home for some of the most
hopeful of the discharged prisoners, was opened at Westminster. Miss
Neave, a charitable Christian lady, was fired with some of Mrs. Fry's
enthusiasm, and devoted both time and money to the carrying out of the
project. She relates that the idea first entered her mind when out
driving one morning with Mrs. Fry. That lady, speaking of her work,
said, in somewhat saddened tones: "Often have I known the career of a
promising young woman, charged with a first offence, to end in a
condemned cell. Were there but a refuge for the young offender, my work
would be less painful." As the result, Tothill Fields Asylum was opened,
with four inmates. Very soon, nine were accommodated, and within a few
years, under the new name of "The Royal Manor Hall Asylum," it sheltered
fifty women of different ages.
Another class of discharged prisoners, viz., little girls, were also
provided for by this society. To these were added destitute girls, who
had not yet found their way into prison; and the whole number were
placed under judicious training in a "School for Discipline," at
Chelsea. This institution became most successful in training these
children up in orderly and respectable habits. At one time Mrs. Fry
endeavored to get this home under Government rule, but Sir Robert Peel
considered that the ends of humanity would be better served by keeping
it under the control of, and supported by, private individuals.
A temporary stay at Brighton suggested the formation of the District
Visiting Society. This aimed, not at indiscriminate alms-giving, but at
"the encouragement of industry and frugality among the poor by visits at
their own habitations; the relief of real distress, whether arising from
sickness or other causes, and the prevention of mendicity and
imposture." Visitors were appointed, who went from house to house among
the poor, encouraging habits of thrift and cleanliness; whilst a savings
bank received deposits, and trained these same poor to save for the
inevitable "rainy day."
Probably one of the most extensive works of benevolence and good-will
carried on to success by Mrs. Fry, next to her prison labors, was the
establishment of libraries for the men of the Coast Guard Service. This
arose from a circumstance which occurred during the sojourn at Brighton,
for the benefit of her somewhat shattered health, in 1824.
During her residence there she was subject to distressing attacks of
faintness in the night and early morning. Again and again, it was
necessary to immediately throw open her chamber window for the admission
of the fresh air; and always upon such occasions the figure of a
solitary coast-guardsman was to be seen pacing the beach, on the
look-out for smugglers. Such a post, and such a service, presenting as
it did a life of hardship and danger, inevitably attracted her
sympathetic attention; and she began to take an almost unconscious
interest in the affairs of this man. Shortly after, when driving out,
she stopped the carriage and spoke to one of the men at the station. He
replied civilly, that the members of the Preventive Service were not
allowed to hold any conversation with strangers, and requested to be
excused from saying any more. Mrs. Fry, feeling somewhat fearful that
her kindness might bring him into difficulty with his superiors, gave
the man her card, and desired him to tell the man in command of the
station that she had spoken to him with the sole object of inquiring
after the welfare of the men and their families. A few days afterwards,
the lieutenant who commanded at that post waited upon Mrs. Fry, and,
contrary to her fears, welcomed her inquiries as auguries of good. He
confessed to her that the officers, men, women, and children, all
suffered much from loneliness, privation, semi-banishment--for the
stations were mostly placed in dreary and inaccessible
places--unpopularity with the surrounding people, and harassment by
constant watching, through all weather, for smugglers. The nature and
regulations of the Coast Blockade of Preventive Service precluded
anything like visiting or _personal_ kindness. There was really no way
of benefiting them except by providing them with literature calculated
to promote their intellectual and religious good, besides furnishing an
occupation for the dreary, lonely hours which fell to their portion.
This course Mrs. Fry immediately adopted.
She first applied to the British and Foreign Bible Society; the
Committee responded with a grant of fifty Bibles and twenty-five
Testaments. These were distributed to the men on the stations in that
district, and most gratefully received. As a proof of the gratitude of
the recipients, the following little note was sent to Mrs. Fry by the
commanding officer:--
MY DEAR MADAM,--Happy am I in being able to make you acquainted
with the unexpected success I have met with in my attempt to
forward, among the seamen employed on the coast, your truly
laudable and benevolent desire--the dissemination of the Holy
Scriptures. I have made a point of seeing Lieutenant H., who has
promised me that if you will extend your favors to Dutchmere, he
will distribute the books, and carefully attend to the performance
of Divine service on the Sabbath Day. Also Lieutenant D., who will
shortly have a command in this division. I trust, Madam, I shall be
still further able to forward those views, which must, to all who
embrace them, prove a sovereign balm in the hour of death and the
day of judgment. With respectful compliments to the ladies, allow
me to remain, dear Madam, your devoted servant.
This communication enclosed another little note from the seamen, which
expressed their feelings as follows:--
We, the seamen of Salt Dean Station, have the pleasure to announce
to those ladies whose goodness has pleased them to provide the
Bibles and Testaments for the use of us seamen, that we have
received them. We do therefore return our most hearty thanks for
the same; and we do assure the ladies whose friendship has proved
so much in behalf of seamen, that every care shall be taken of the
said books; and, at the same time, great care shall be taken to
instruct those who have not the gift of education, and we at any
time shall feel a pleasure in doing the same.
Some ten years later, when visiting in the Isle of Wight, she conceived
the plan of extending the system by supplying libraries to all the Coast
Guard stations in the United Kingdom. The magnitude of the work may be
realized when we state that there were about 500 stations, including
within their boundaries some 21,000 men, women and children. How to set
about the work was her next anxiety, for it seemed useless to attempt it
without at least L1,000 in hand. She submitted the proposition to Lord
Althorp, at that time Chancellor of the Exchequer, and asked for a
grant of L500 from Government, in order to supplement the L1,000 which
she hoped to raise by private subscriptions. A grant could not, however,
be made at that time on account of different political considerations;
but within a few months one was obtained, and her heart rejoiced at this
new proof of appreciation of her work on the part of those high in
office. An entry in her journal in February, 1835, reads thus:--
The way appears opening with our present Ministers to obtain
libraries for all the Coast Guard stations, a matter I have long
had at heart. My desire is to do all these things with a single eye
to the glory of God, and the welfare of my fellow mortals; and if
they succeed, to pray that He alone who can bless and increase, may
prosper the work of my unworthy hands. Upon going to the Custom
House, I found Government had at last granted my request, and given
L500 for libraries for the stations; this is, I think, cause for
thankfulness.
Private subscriptions were sedulously sought, and large sums flowed in;
besides these, many large book-sellers, and the chief religious
publishing societies gave donations of books. These were valued in the
aggregate at about one thousand pounds. The details of the work were
left to herself, while the Rev. John W. Cunningham, Captain W.E. Parry,
and Captain Bowles selected the books.
The total number of volumes for the stations amounted to 25,896. Each
station possessed a library of fifty-two different books, while each
_district_, which included the stations in that part of the country,
possessed a larger assortment for reference and exchange. Most of the
parcels were sent, carriage free, in Government vessels, by means of the
Custom House. This work involved many journeys to London, and much
arduous labor. The Rev. Thomas Timpson, a dissenting minister in London,
acted most efficiently as secretary, and lightened her labors to a large
extent. During the summer of 1835, the work of distributing these
volumes was nearly all accomplished; and as during that summer Mr. Fry's
business demanded his presence in the south of England, she decided to
seize the opportunity of visiting all the Coast Guard stations in that
part of the country. In this way she journeyed along the whole south
coast, from the Forelands to Land's End, welcomed everywhere with
true-hearted veneration and love. She addressed herself principally to
the commanders of the different stations, bespeaking for the books care
in treatment and regularity in carrying out the exchanges. These
gentlemen manifested the warmest interest in the plan, and promised
their most thorough co-operation.
At Portsmouth she visited the Haslar Hospital, and while in Portsea,
the female Penitentiary. In the latter institution she desired to speak
a few words to the inmates, who were, accordingly, assembled in the
parlor for the purpose. Mrs. Fry laid her bonnet on the table, sat down,
and made different inquiries about the conduct of the young women, and
the rules enforced. It appeared that two of them were pointed out as
being peculiarly hardened and refractory. She did not, however, notice
this at the time, but delivered a short and affectionate address to all.
Afterwards, on going away, she went up to the two refractory ones, and,
extending her hand to them, said to each, most impressively: "I trust I
shall hear better things of thee." Both of them burst into unexpected
tears, thus acknowledging the might of kindness over such natures.
At Falmouth, during this same excursion, she supplied some of the
men-of-war with libraries. Some of the packets participated in the same
boon, so that each ship sailing from that port took out a well-chosen
library of about thirty books. These library books were changed on each
succeeding voyage, and were highly appreciated by both officers and
seamen.
In 1836, the report of the Committee for furnishing the Coast Guard of
the United Kingdom with Libraries, appeared. From it, we find that in
addition to the L500 kindly granted by the Government at first towards
the project, Mr. Spring Rice, a later Chancellor of the Exchequer
granted further sums amounting to L460. Thus the undertaking was brought
to a successful termination. There were supplied: 498 libraries for the
stations on shore, including 25,896 volumes; 74 libraries for districts
on shore, including 12,880 volumes; 48 libraries for cruisers, including
1,876 volumes; school books for children of crews, 6,464 volumes;
pamphlets, tracts, etc., 5,357 numbers; total, 52,464 volumes and
numbers.
These were distributed among 21,000 people on Coast Guard stations, and
to the hands on board many ships. Years afterwards, many and very
unexpected letters of thanks continued to reach Mrs. Fry from those who
had benefited by this good work.
"Instant in season and out of season," this very trip in the south of
England produced another good work. She, with her husband and daughter,
returned home by way of North Devon, Somerset, and Wiltshire. At
Amesbury she tarried long enough to learn something of the mental
destitution of the shepherds employed on Salisbury Plain, and set her
fertile brain to contrive a scheme for the supply of the necessary
books. She communicated her desires and intentions to the clergyman of
the parish, and Sir Edward and Lady Antrobus, who unitedly undertook to
furnish a librarian. A short note from this individual, addressed to
Mrs. Fry some few months after, proved how well the thing was working.
In it he said: "Forty-five books are in constant circulation, with the
additional magazines. More than fifty poor people read them with
attention, return them with thanks, and desire the loan of more,
frequently observing that they think it a very kind thing indeed that
they should be furnished with so many good books, free of all costs, so
entertaining and instructive, these long winter evenings."
About the same period Mrs. Fry formed a Servants' Society for the succor
and help of domestic servants. She had known instances wherein so many
of this class had come to sorrow, in every sense, for the lack of
temporary refuge and assistance, that she alone undertook to found this
institution. In an entry made in her journal in 1825, we find the
following reference to this matter:--
The Servants' Society appears gradually opening as if it would be
established according to my desire. No one knows what I go through
in forming these institutions; it is always in fear, and mostly
with many misgivings, wondering at myself for doing it. I believe
the original motive is love to my Master and love to my
fellow-creatures; but fear is so predominant a feeling in my mind
that it makes me suffer, perhaps unnecessarily, from doubts. I felt
something like freedom in prayer before making the regulations of
the Servants' Society. Sometimes my natural understanding seems
enlightened about things of that kind, as if I were helped to see
the right and useful thing.
In closing this chapter, some allusion must be made to her latest
effort. It dates from 1840, and owed its foundation principally to her.
It was that of the "Nursing Sisters," an order called into existence by
the needs of every-day life. As she visited in sick-chambers, or
ministered to the needs of the poor, she felt the want of efficient
skilled nurses, and, with the restless energy of a true philanthropist,
set about remedying the want. Her own leisure would not admit of
training a band of nurses, but her desire was carried into effect by
Mrs. Samuel Gurney, her sister-in-law. Under this lady's supervision,
and the patronage of the Queen Dowager, Lady Inglis, and other members
of the nobility, a number of young women were selected, trained, and
taught to fulfil the duties of nurses. They were placed for some time in
the largest public hospitals, in order to learn the scientific system of
nursing; then, supposing their qualifications and conduct were found to
be satisfactory, they were received permanently as Sisters. These
Sisters wore a distinctive dress, received an annual stipend of about
twenty guineas, and were provided with a home during the intervals of
their engagements. There was also a "Superannuation Fund" for the relief
of those Sisters who should, after long service, fall into indigence or
ill-health. Christian women, of all denominations, were encouraged to
join the institution; while the services of the Sisters were equally
available in the palace and in the cottage. No Sister was permitted to
receive presents, directly or indirectly, from the patients nursed by
her, seeing that all sums received went to a common fund for the benefit
of the Society. These Sisters appear to have worked very much like the
modern deaconesses of the Church of England. They rightly earned the
title of "Sisters of Mercy."
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