re powerful in their influence
for good."

Such a result of our efforts was in advance of what I had dared hope
for. Though fully convinced that the influence must be in that
direction, I had not realized so clearly that we were setting in
operation what would prove so effective an aid to order in the prison.

16. _The new chapel._ At length the chapel was completed and made a gem
of a room, as it seemed to us, in comparison with what it previously
was, having been enlarged to nearly double its former size, extending
the whole width of the building and taking in the windows on both sides,
thus giving us great improvement in air and general comfort; the
painting also was neat and cheerful. We all felt truly thankful for so
great a blessing, thankful, too, for the opportunity of meeting again to
resume our worship. As the poor fellows entered, one after the other,
and cast their eyes about upon the beauty and neatness before them, I
could see the joy flash over their countenances. The singing sent a new
thrill to the heart, and it seemed much easier to speak to them.
Everything appeared more hopeful for good.

During the recess, I had been assiduous in visiting the prisoners,
Sabbaths and other days, and endeavoring to influence them in the right.
But now that the meetings had commenced, we could rationally look for a
greater success to our efforts.

Nor did we look in vain, for soon some professed a full determination to
forsake their ways of sinning and seek to become what God required.
These indications, as is usual in the outside world, tended to give the
general moral tone, in the prison, a deeper impressiveness.

17. _Prison repairs and mistakes._ Previous to the enlarging of the
chapel, general repairs and important alterations had been made in the
south wing, consisting of a new French roof, a great improvement in
appearance and utility, new cells for the female prisoners, and other
rooms fitted for the officers and general prison use. The mechanics
worked most diligently, and the money appropriated by the State was, no
doubt, most economically laid out. The agent, one of the council,
evidently felt no little satisfaction in having it said that he could
accomplish so large amount of work with so little money.

But either he, or some one else, made at least two grave mistakes. One
was in locating the cells for the females, which are in the third story,
requiring the occupants, in going to and from