USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > History of the Albany penitentiary. > Part 9
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This event suggests also the mention of another, and more serious, difficulty with which the doctor has had constantly to contend in his practice at the Penitentiary. Of the sixteen thousand, seven hundred and seventy-four persons sent there, four- teen thousand, seven hundred and ninety-two
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have acknowledged themselves to be intemperate. Very many of these have gone there in a drunken state, and not a few either were at the time, or be- came soon after, subject to delirium tremens. In one of his earlier reports, he designated this as the most formidable of all the diseases that have prevailed there, and it has continued so until within two or three years. The number of such cases has been very large, but of them only twenty-one have died. This evil, together with the doctor's consistent adherence to temperance, has led him, in almost every one of his reports, to protest against the general use, as a beverage, of intoxicating drinks. He says: "The inmates of the Penitentiary, with few exceptions, consist of men and women whose constitutions have been, in a great measure, destroyed by the inordinate use of intoxicating drinks, and consequently a large proportion of them require medical attend- ance before they are in a condition to commence labor, and in some cases their sentences are so short that their time expires before they can com- mence work at all."
Again : "The number of commitments for the past year has been larger than during that which preceded it, and the number of sick has been cor-
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respondingly great. The phases of their ailments have been equally varied, and consequently my duties no less onerous than before. Were it not for the previous intemperate use of alcoholic drinks, among the subjects of my charge, the medical duties in the Penitentiary would be light and easy. But this is not the case."
Again : " As usual, the most trouble I have had has arisen from the previous excessive use of alcoholic drinks by the convicts. I have pre- scribed in about thirty cases of delirium tremens during the past year, and though many were bad cases I have lost none by death. That so much of this should constantly occur, is not to be won- dered at. Out of nearly one thousand who have been in the Penitentiary during the past year, some twenty-five of them, only, claim to be tem- perate; and even a few of these confess that they had been in the habit of taking two or three glasses per day."
In a later report he says : "Most all of the con- victs sent here are addicted to the intemperate use of alcohol, consequently they are in a very debilitated state of body and mind, and a large portion of them are attacked with delirium tremens immediately after their arrival. I have had one
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hundred cases during the past year, and the ques- tion naturally arises, is there no preventive?"
Still another difficulty the doctor has had, espe- cially of late to meet, and which has rendered his practice less successful than otherwise it would have been, has been the enfeebled and diseased state of very many convicts who served in the army, and who, from intemperance and exposure, were subject to rheumatism, chronic diarrhea, or affections of the lungs. A large number, also, of the colored prisoners sent here from Washington, have come in a debilitated and diseased condition. He says : "This class of patients, with only occa- sional exceptions, almost on the first attack fall into a state of exhaustion, from which it is extremely difficult to restore them." In conse- quence they have in a number of instances con- tinued to decline till removed by death.
These facts will show, not only the skill and faithfulness of the physician, but that the inmates of the Penitentiary have had as good medical attention as the more favored classes in society, and very much better than they would generally have been able to procure for themselves.
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THE CHAPLAINCY.
ONE of the cardinal requisitions that the origin- ators of the Albany Penitentiary urged in con- nection with its establishment was: "That such moral and religious instruction should be provided as would be a powerful auxiliary in producing amendment and reformation." This indicated their deference to divine acquirements, and their regard to the moral and spiritual wants of man- kind. For of all the attributes of man, the moral and religious are the most important and influ- ential. They, by divine arrangement, have the precedency. They are designed to be the main- spring of thought and action -the director of the whole man. Let them, therefore, be neglected, debased, or treated as of secondary importance, and the whole system will be deranged. Readjust- ment and reformation will be impossible. There may, indeed, be induced, under the power of seclu- sion or physical force, a servile fear; perverse passions may, for a time, be checked, and the
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developments of a depraved will may be stayed ; but let these appliances be removed, and it will soon become apparent that instead of promoting reformation they have induced spiritual hardness, recklessness and hate, and made the man a more inveterate slave to his passions and a greater injury to the state. The moral and religious im- provement of convicts should, therefore, be the first and constant aim. Our efforts should be directed to the sanctification of the springs of feeling and action ; and this secured, by the energy of the gospel, under the benediction of God, the objects of our solicitude will go forth to exemplify in virtuous lives the wisdom and utility of our efforts.
Daniel Webster, that eminently sagacious law- yer, statesman, and observer of men, said : “Man is not only an intellectual, but he is also a moral being; and his religious feelings and habits require cultivation. Let the religious element in man's nature be neglected; let him be influenced by no higher motive than low, self-interest, and subjected to no stronger restraint than the limits of civil authority, and he becomes the creature of selfish passions or blind fanaticism. The cultiva- tion of the religious sentiment represses licen-
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tiousness, incites to general benevolence and the practical acknowledgment of the brotherhood of men, inspires respect for law and order, and gives strength to the whole social fabric; at the same time it conducts the human soul upwards to the author of its being."
But while these general principles are admitted, there are persons who contend that the regular preaching of the gospel in our penal Institutions, by officially appointed Chaplains, is of questiona- ble utility, and that good libraries will meet this demand. They, however, practically fail to recog- nize both the requirement of God, and the deep, abiding moral wants of men; they overlook the lessons experience, in all Christian countries, has taught, and which show, that however low the estimate some may entertain of these services, they cannot be dispensed with, but are essential to effective discipline, and spiritual comfort and culture.
In estimating the utility of these services, such persons do not apprehend the peculiar and power- ful hinderances to success found in the strength of those vicious dispositions which many criminals inherit; in the inveteracy of long indulged de- praved habits; the continued love of self-indulg-
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ence in some of its most pernicious forms ; and in the hostility of heart which is indulged against society for sufferings which are regarded as the ex- pression of power, not of justice. They do not, moreover, think of the obstacles to usefulness which exist in the uncertainty associated with the' administration of justice; the short sen- tences inflicted on very many convicts ; the expectation so extensively indulged of executive pardon ; the prevalent and regnant spirit in our penal Institutions which practically regards exter- nal submission and pecuniary profit, far more than spiritual reformation and the gain of godli- ness; and in the habits of society which often operate, as convicts well know, either as powerful hinderances to good, or strong temptations to evil. Above all, those persons forget the utter ignorance of revealed truth in which a large number of our criminals have lived; their inaptitude and che- rished insensibility to divine impressions ; and the fact that there can be no real and saving reforma- tion without the transformation of the soul, which is not within the compass of human power. This, said the Great Teacher, is "not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
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There is another class of individuals who cor- dially favor the appointment of Chaplains, and the maintenance of religious services, but who think the hinderances to the production of spiritual good, are so great that very little indeed will be accomplished. To both these classes the subsequent facts are commended, for they are not the expression of an easy credulity, or extrava- gant feeling, but of discriminating judgment, and actual experience.
So convinced was the Superintendent, by his previous experience, of the importance of regular religious service, with prisoners, that in April, 1846, as soon as the north wing was finished, and men were placed in its cells, long before a Chap- lain was appointed, he engaged a clergyman to officiate among them every Sabbath day. The next year as soon as the south wing was finished, and women were confined therein, he had religious service held with them also. So that for some time, before the building was completed, two weekly religious services with the convicts were maintained.
When the board of Inspectors was organized, the clergyman, who had previously officiated, the Rev. Thomas R. Rawson, was appointed as the
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Chaplain of the Institution. He had by that time obtained some experience in this department of ministerial labor; had commended himself to those officially connected with it by his diligence, prudence and fidelity ; and he evidently cherished warm practical desires for the spiritual good of those committed to his care. His reports and labors during the period of his incumbency afforded the most satisfactory proof of this fact.
The chapel was dedicated in January, 1848. It was forty-eight feet wide and thirty-six feet long. It had three tiers of seats, one of which was separated from the other two by a high parti- tion and was reserved for the female prisoners. It would seat about three hundred persons, all of whom could see the speaker, and be within his view.
The order of service is similar to that which prevails in non-liturgical churches, and is re- stricted to one hour. The preaching has ever been of an unsectarian and catholic character, confined to the essential truths and duties of Christ- ianity. It is required of all who are in health to attend, and there is not only a uniform willing- ness, but a desire to do so; indeed it is generally esteemed a pleasure. And while there are doubt-
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less some who feel thus because it is a relief from the solitariness of their cells, there are many others who are influenced by higher motives, and who love the service because of the spiritual instruction and refreshment it affords. Certainly their attention is at all times exemplary, and that, it is believed, not simply because of the excellent discipline which prevails throughout the Institu- tion, but from the personal interest felt therein.
In connection with preaching the gospel, it is required of the Chaplain that he should visit the prisoners at their cells for personal conversation and instruction on religious subjects, that their improvement and his usefulness may be pro- moted. This has always been faithfully done on the Sabbath and at other times, and these visits have often been occasions of spiritual interest and promise. Many a convict has then freely dis- closed his course in sin, his objections to the religion of the Bible, or his anxiety for salvation, as otherwise he would not have done, and has received counsel which was attended with per- manent good. 1
The following extracts from the former Chap- lains' reports will show the conviction, which, after prolonged observation, he entertained of the use-
,
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fulness of these services. In his first report he said : "As to the results, or the effects produced upon the minds of the multitudes who have here been brought under the gospel influences, much might be said, were it expedient to enter into the details of particular cases, or trace the history of individuals; for it can not be doubted but that many souls have here received permanent impres- sions through the truth, sufficient to guide and encourage their future good conduct.
"The Sabbath-breaker, the profane swearer, the spendthrift, the licentious, and the inebriate, and some of every class I firmly hope, will here- after be better citizens, and better men, for having found in this prison reliable friends, ready to sym- pathize in their sorrows, and direct their anxious inquiries after spiritual wisdom.
"There have been five, who have expressed hopes of having been converted to God in prison, and three others who had once been professors of religion, gave evidence before they left of their sincere mind and purpose to walk worthily here- after."
Again : "Allow me to add that, from month to month, I have received some cheering evidence that the instrumentalities which have here been
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employed for the moral improvement and reforma- tion of the prisoners, have been blessed in pro- moting their good in various ways.
"And, in respect to a few of these, we might, perhaps, relate better things than such as grow out of fair promises of amendment of life, and good resolutions, for we desire, with devout grati- tude, to magnify the truth in its divine influences to turn the sinner from the error of his ways, yet we would not indulge too confident hopes in cases of persons of this description, however flattering at first may be the appearances."
In his seventh report, he used this decisive language : "Most of the prisoners seem well inclined to read the scriptures, and diligently im- prove the opportunities afforded them in doing so. And occasionally I have met with instances of devotedness to this employment, manifesting a most exemplary spirit of perseverance and of solicitude to understand the teachings of that sacred volume, none of whose inspired pages can be thus perused, from day to day, without deeply impressing the conscience of the reader.
"Thus, in various ways, much good has been accomplished, the ignorant and erring have been induced to look upon the holy things of religion
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in a better light. Their frequent acknowledg- ments of its adaptedness to heal and save the lost, abundantly evince the convictions they have felt of its claims to their obedience.
"I cannot doubt but that numbers of the prison- ers have, from month to month, gone from these walls with clearer views of the will of their Maker, and, consequently, with a better sense of their dependence upon him than they had ever before entertained ; and from time to time, there has been pleasing evidence that not only the way- ward and the wanderer have been checked in their downward course, but that they have resolved to turn their feet unto the testimonies of the Lord.
"I would, therefore, with feelings of humble gratitude, acknowledge the sovereign goodness and mercy which has been vouchsafed to these means of grace, and rendered them successful in awakening to serious contemplation the thought- less mind, and consoling the penitent with the blessings of pardon and hope."
These are certainly most gratifying facts. Their occurrence in connection with ministerial service in any church would be encouraging, but in the Penitentiary, among the class of persons who are
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usually met there, they are both stimulating and promising. They show that God will everywhere honor the ministry of his own word.
In February, 1856, the present Chaplain was appointed, and, having accepted the position, he assumed its duties on the first Sabbath of the next month. Though he had never before been en- gaged in prison ministrations, yet having been for fifteen years occupied in ministerial and pastoral service, he had seen enough of human nature in connection with this work, to moderate his expect- ations of usefulness, to assure him that good impressions are often evanescent, that sincere purposes to amend frequently fail of fulfillment, and that patience and caution must be exercised in estimating cases of spiritual transformation.
This experience has constantly influenced him in his estimate of the good accomplished by his ministrations at the Penitentiary. While expect- ing its appearance, he has been careful to test its reality. While thankful for its promise, he has waited for the practical fruit. And it is alike his duty and pleasure to say that such fruit has, with every subsequent year of service, been more or less realized. Though many of the convicts were unable to read, and profoundly ignorant of the
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doctrines of the Bible; though they were deeply debased by long indulged pernicious habits ; though in many instances they cherished senti- ments which had almost destroyed their moral perceptions and made them incapable of forming an intelligent and correct opinion of personal, spiritual, religion; and though in thousands of cases the short period of confinement necessarily limited the prospect of good results, yet hardened and vicious women, stolid and degraded men, have been aroused to thoughtfulness and con- cern. They were compelled to feel that they had been recreant to their own interests, and had will- fully debased their highest attributes and nature. Though many of them failed to nurture those impressions, and returned again to their evil course, there is good reason to believe that he, who "drew near to him the publicans and sin- ners," who did not repel the contrite Magdalene, nor deny the prayer of the dying thief, has made his word, to some of them, the power of God to salvation. Particular personal illustrations of this might easily be given, but the following brief extracts from the present Chaplain's reports must suffice. In the report for 1860, he said : "I have also watched the conduct of several after their
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period of confinement has expired, and it gives me pleasure to say that they have afforded gratify- ing evidence of reformation, and in some instances of devotion to Jesus. I am constrained by this observation to think that a much larger number are benefited by the discipline of the Penitentiary than is generally supposed."
Again in 1861: "I am thankful to say that through the year now ending the religious services at the Penitentiary have been sustained with regularity, and as much of interest as during any previous year of my connection with the Institu- tion. They have been attended, I believe, by the greater number of convicts, not by constraint only, but of a ready mind. The ministrations of the gospel have met a respectful, and in very many instances, an earnest attention. And in my subsequent conversations with individual pri- soners, I have frequently been cheered by their voluntary remarks and inquiries respecting what they heard, or had read from the sacred word. I know that many there heard truths, and were the subjects of impressions, which, to them were en- tirely new, and which, had they been known and cherished in the germinating period of life, would have saved them from criminality, punishment
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and disgrace. I have during this, as in previous years, watched the conduct of several after leav- ing the Penitentiary, and I mention the fact with gratitude to God, they are now doing well, honora- bly filling their station in society, and in some instances they are giving proof of true piety. I believe there are those now in it who will when liberated do likewise."
Again, in 1864 : "Several instances of hopeful conversion, have, I am encouraged to believe, occurred during the year; and among the men who have left the Penitentiary within that time, three are known to me as giving abiding proof of Christian character. One has been admitted to membership with a church in Western Virginia, another in Maryland, and a third is about to unite with a church in this state."
The following is from his last report : "I have gone from Sabbath to Sabbath to meet the convicts with a cheerful and grateful heart, for I felt my object was in harmony with the divine mind, with the great plan of human salvation, and with the enduring happiness of the hundreds to whom I 'am accustomed to preach.
"It is a pleasure to me to say that I have, with every returning service, had a very attentive, and
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apparently, interested congregation. Indeed, their earnest and inquiring looks, while addressing them, have often afforded me great interest and hope, and enabled me to speak more directly to their hearts.
"My visits to the prisoners in their cells on the Sabbath and at other times, have invariably been agreeable, and not unfrequently been gladly wel- comed. Very many deeply interesting conversa- tions have been held with them respecting their previous character and conduct.
"That spiritual good has been accomplished, I have no question. Decisive proof of this has been afforded by some now in the Institution, by the correspondence and intercourse had with others who have left, and by the intelligent scriptural hope expressed by others who have entered the eternal state. I mention it with thankfulness to the Giver of all good, that except in seasons of special religious interest, I have never, in either of the three pastoral charges previously sustained, witnessed more frequent and hopeful indications of permanent usefulness."
In view of these facts, and the wants of the Penitentiary, it is to be regretted that the Chap- lain's whole time has never yet been engaged.
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It only remains to speak of the alteration which has just been made for attending religions service. On the reception, in September, 1862, of a large number of United States prisoners from Washing- ton, it became necessary to alter the chapel for their accommodation. Consequently the high partition which had divided and hidden the women from the men, was removed, and even then the room was too small to admit all the male con- victs. From that time, therefore, two religious ser- vices were statedly held every Sabbath morning, the first with the men, the second with the women, and not unfrequently the Chaplain conducted a third with those who could not be admitted to the first. This occasioned increased anxiety and labor; and how to secure the necessary accommo- dation was to the Superintendent a long and wearisome study. At length the way to do so occurred to his mind, and there being in the earnings of the Institution the promise of suffi- cient funds to defray the expense he determined in August, 1866, to commence the work. The alteration involved, as previously stated, the addition of forty feet in length to the centre of the building, from the foundation to the top. This secures needed accommodations, as well as
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an enlarged chapel. The latter is now forty-eight feet wide, and seventy-six feet long, and is in every respect a fine commodious room. It is light, well ventilated, and, with neatly frescoed walls, plea- sant to eye; adapted to excite healthful feelings
in connection with divine worship. It has a gallery across the east end, which is appropriated to the women, and will comfortably seat six hun- dred persons. It was dedicated to the worship of God, on Sabbath, April 21, 1867. In the morning the Chaplain preached from Psalm cxxii, 1. "I was glad when they said unto me let us go in the house of the Lord." And in the afternoon, ad- dresses were delivered by clergymen and gentle- men of different religious denominations. A large voluntary choir were present, and by their tasteful and impressive singing, greatly added to the occasion.
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CASES OF REFORMATION.
[ From the Chaplain's Record.]
THE Chaplain has been accustomed to keep a record of the more decided cases of reformation which have occurred during his incumbency, and the following are extracts therefrom. They are for convenience arranged according to priority, and alphabetically, and are given with much brevity.
A. Soon after entering on the duties of the chaplaincy, this man particularly arrested my attention. His vicious course had brought on him poverty, imprisonment and great spiritual wretchedness. Compassionating his situation, an earnest effort was made to convince him of the folly of his course, the injury he had done to him- self, and the sin he had committed against God. After some time it appeared that the conversation had with him, the reading of the Bible, and the preaching of the gospel, had been blessed to the
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