CHAPTER XII.
Soon after returning to Hobart Town, where we remained nine weeks, we spent an evening with the Lieut. Governor and his family, and renewed the Christian intercourse which we had often enjoyed in their company. It was gratifying to see the anxiety exhibited by Colonel Arthur, to rule on Christian principles, and to prosecute the work of reformation among the prisoners, according to the same unerring standard.—Mankind have too long striven to prevent crime by visiting it with vengeance, under the delusive hope that vengeance upon the criminal would deter others. The effect of this system was unsuccessful, as the means is unauthorized by the Gospel, which says, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord; therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for, in so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom. xii. 19—21.) No doubt but these principles, if acted upon, would promote reformation and reduce crime, more than any others, whether by individuals or by governments; and they would not
