On  first  visiting  him  in  his  cell,  I  said  nothing
to  Mm  about  the  crime  for  which  he  was  con-
demned, but  tried  rather  to  gain  his  confidence,
•fid  learn  something  of  his  character.  He  had
never  "  professed  I'eligion  ■"  had  tried  to  "  get
**ligioii"  twice;  was  seeking  it  once  for  eighteen
woaths,  but  was  provoked  into  the  use  of  pro-
file expressions,  and  left  off  praying.  He  knew
•lie  Lord's  Prayer,  and  repeated  it  to  me ;  did
^otknow  the  Creed  or  the  Ten  Commandments.
■*dd  to  this,  that  he  was  not  at  all  deficient  in  in-
, diligence,  that  he  could  read  a  little,  and  knew
^inething  of  the  Scripture  history,  that  he  was
ery  way  inclined  to  be  instructed  and  assisted


TIBITATIOlir   OP  PmSOlTEBB.
in  preparation  for  death,  and  a  just  idea  mi
formed  of  the  case.
The  first  effort  was  to  persnade  him  of  0
istence  of  sympathy  in  bis  behalf.     Holdij
Prayer-lxKjk  forth  (he  had  been  occasiod
churth,  and  knew  something  of  its  uses),  1
him  if  he  thought  there  was  any  thin^
specially  intended  for  him.     His  attentio
called  to  these  directions  of  the  Church :  "
any  person  is  sick,  notice  shall  be  given  '
to  the  minister  of  the  parish,  who,  comi
the   sick  person's  house,  shall   say,"  <fefl
again :  "  When  notice  is  given  to  the  t
that  a  prisoner  is  confined  for  some  great
ital  crime,  he  shall  visit  him."     The  C
care  for  sick  and  sorrowful  people  was  1
out,  and  then  the  ofiice  for  the  Visitation'
onei's  was  read  distinctly  and  slowly,  and  ^
many  comments.    All  this  interested  an
him.
