Betsy gasped at the revolting scene before her. Yes, she’d been warned by Stephen Grellet, a family friend, but even his graphic descriptions could not have prepared her for this.
In a space meant for sixty women, three hundred women and children[1] swarmed over every square foot, some barely clothed. Screaming and shouting assaulted the ears.
But the worst offense was the stench of unwashed bodies, vomit, human waste and more which saturated the meager straw on the floor. Small barred windows offered little fresh air for relief.
The place: Newgate Prison in London England. The time: 1813.
In that first moment inside Newgate, Betsy knew that “God wanted her to minister hope to these women who were being treated like animals and had lost their desire to live.”[2]
The jailers told Betsy and her companion, sister-in-law Anna Bruxton, not to enter the cells, that the women were bound to attack her.
But Betsy insisted, and they marveled when her quiet presence actually calmed the women. Betsy read the Bible and then prayed for the prisoners. Many dropped to their knees.
After that first visit, Betsy began to dream of better ways to deal with prisoners—especially those guilty of nothing more than stealing apples to feed their starving children. She wondered, Instead of severe punishment as the only purpose of confinement, what if rehabilitation was provided?
Betsy went to work immediately. She organized her Quaker friends (a group which quickly expanded) who made clothing for the inmates and their children.
Betsy recruited volunteers to visit the prisoners, read the Bible and tell them about Jesus, then pray with them, just as she did. No doubt many chose to believe in Jesus as a result.
Betsy arranged for clean straw to be brought in regularly. A prison school was established, paving the way for children and mothers alike to escape destitution. Betsy also convinced prison authorities to hire a matron and female monitors for the women.
It’s no wonder people began to call her the Angel of Newgate. But financial backing proved difficult. None of the male-dominated organizations were interested. Nevertheless, Betsy was able to raise support through friends.
As she worked, Betsy prayed:
“Lord, may I be directed what to do and what to leave undone, and then may I humbly trust that a blessing will be with me in my various engagements—enable me, O Lord, to feel tenderly and charitably toward all my beloved fellow mortals.”[3]
News of Betsy’s reforms began to spread. In 1818 Betsy was invited to speak before a House of Commons committee concerning prison conditions. She was the first woman ever brought before such a body as a witness.
Her experience as a Quaker minister helped Betsy deliver a clear and powerful speech. And members of Parliament responded affirmatively. But when she spoke against capital punishment, any action toward prison reform stagnated.
Disappointed but not discouraged, Betsy continued her efforts toward further reforms. At the time many prisoners were shipped to Australia. Women were chained, then transported to the docks in open carts. Crowds gathered to mock and throw all kinds of filth at them.
Betsy initiated change by offering to escort each convoy and keep order if prison officials used covered carriages. They agreed.
She also supplied each woman with a bag of useful items including materials for a patchwork quilt, giving them something to do on the long voyage. Better yet, when the women arrived they could sell the finished quilts.
Also in 1818, an American emissary John Randolph visited England to see Betsy’s work firsthand. He wrote, “I have witnessed there miraculous effects of true Christianity upon the most depraved of human beings. Bad women, sir, who are worse, if possible, than the devil himself: and yet the wretched outcasts have been tamed and subdued by the Christian eloquence of Mrs. Fry.”[4]
Five years later sympathies in Parliament had changed and the Gaols Act of 1823 was passed. It included many of Betsy’s recommendations from three years before.
The new reforms didn’t apply to local jails or debtors’ prisons. Betsy and her brother Joseph traveled the British Isles to gather evidence of the conditions and then presented additional reform legislation.
And yet Betsy accomplished still more. “She established night shelters for the homeless, libraries for coast guards, societies to help the poor, and the Institution for Nursing Sisters to modernize British nursing. She also influenced Florence Nightingale’s training program.”[5]
For more than thirty years Elizabeth Fry championed these causes in the name of Christ. And to think, one year before that first visit at Newgate, she wrote in her diary, “I fear that my life is slipping away to little purpose.”[6]
But of course God would never let that happen to someone who trusts in him.
Addendum: Elizabeth Gurney (1780-1845), married Joseph Fry in 1800; they had eleven children.
Notes:
[1] The youngsters had no one else to care for them
[2] https://setapartgirl.com/story-elizabeth-fry/
[3] From Great Women of the Christian Faith by Edith Deen, quoted at https://setapartgirl.com/story-elizabeth-fry/
[4] https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/to-act-in-the-spirit-not-of-judgment-but-of-mercy
[5] https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/to-act-in-the-spirit-not-of-judgment-but-of-mercy
[6] (https://christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/heroes-of-the-faith-elizabeth-fry/ ).
Sources:
https://christianfocus.org/elizabethfry
https://christiansforsocialaction.og/elizabethfry
https://setapartgirl.com/elizabethfry
https://encrustedwords.ca/elizabethfry
Art & photo credits: http://www.wikimedia.com; http://www.lookandlearn.com; http://www.wikimedia.com; http://www.lookandlearn.com; http://www.wikimedia.com; http://www.picryl.com; http://www.dailyverses.net.
From the Inside Out 
What an amazing life and story. Thank you Nancy.
God Bless.
I’m amazed too by all that Elizabeth Fry accomplished. It would seem she didn’t waste a minute!
Nancy, what an incredible inspiring story! My breath is kind of taken away …
Betsy Fry’s story (among others!) will do that. We are indeed surrounded by a great cloud of witnessess whom God has used in years past to accomplish marvelous deeds!
This story of Betsy should inspire all of us to serve our fellow men and women with the gifts God has given us, and to never give up, no matter what obstacles the world throws at us. Thank you for sharing this amazing woman’s life with us, Nancy.
Blessings!
You’re welcome, Martha! I found her story to be an inspiration also. She’s a case study for perseverance, that’s for sure!
And people wonder if God can use them…absolutly wonderful Nancy.
So glad you found wonder here, Gary! God may not use all of us in such public ways as Betsy Fry, but every one of us generates a ripple effect from our lives. Praise God he uses us all, as we allow him to do so!
What a wonderful story illustrating how much just one person can accomplish in Christ’s name living a life dedicated to serving others. I truly marvel at the many lives she was instrumental in bringing to salvation. She didn’t just talk about the Lord; she walked the walk.
She sure did! I marvel too at the far-reaching effects of her ministry, as women were empowered to raise their children in godly ways, as they shared with others what God had done in their lives, etc. An inspiration and challenge for us all!
wow what a story and inspiring witness, This is a new person for me and one we need to hold up. Thanks for highlighting her story.
I’m delighted for the privilege to introduce you to a new heroine of our faith. She’s another that we must not forget as the decades pass!
Goodness, how stirring to read of such undaunted generosity and vision. Thank you, Nancy.
You’re welcome, Laurie. Betsy Fry is an inspiration to me too, with her strong faith, vivacity and perseverance.
Nancy,
Thank you for story. God, help us all to find that place to serve well.
In Christ,
Gary
Amen, Gary. God has a place for each of us!
There is no limit to what each one of us can do or be when we yield to the Lord and allow Him to fill and use us. Betsy’s life is truly astounding! I had never heard of her. Thank you so much for sharing this story with us, Nancy.
Amen, Patty. We may not serve in public ways as Betsy did, but each of us has an important place in the body of Christ. I’m so glad you found her story as inspiring as I did!
Thank you Nancy for another wonderful true story of a great woman. Sam
You’re welcome, Sam. So glad you found wonder also in Betsy’s story, a woman whom God used in astounding ways.
Nancy, thank you for sharing this amazing lady and her story of faith and ministry. I had never read of her before your post.
Couldn’t agree more; Betsy Fry’s story amazes me too. It’s another demonstration of how God engineers circumstances to accomplish his will. What if Stephen Grellet hadn’t shared with her what he’d seen at Newgate? What if Betsy’s husband had not been supportive? What if she didn’t have help in running her household and caring for her children? What if the prison authorities had stood in her way? So many ways that God provided for Betsy and protected her!
What a story! Thank you for sharing, Nancy.
You’re welcome, David!
Nancy,
What a “woosh” of the Holy Spirit’s Wind I felt as I read this. My goodness! How easy it would be to settle and say, “I fear my life is slipping away to little purpose,” these days, but so much easier still to say, “Lord, may I be directed what to do and what to leave undone, and then may I humbly trust.”
Thank you for this beautiful prayer. Thank you for this testimony of the power in choosing God’s purpose and not our own. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard…”
You are such a blessing to me.
Deb
I love your reflections on this post, Deb! Betsy Fry’s prayer is indeed one we can all adopt. Who knows what God has in store? And though we may not initiate monumental reform as she did, each of us plays an important role in God’s plan. I think one of the joys of heaven will be to see the entirety of that plan! Praise God you find blessing here, Deb. I am honored.
What a powerful prayer- “Lord, may I be directed what to do and what to leave undone, and then may I humbly trust that a blessing will be with me in my various engagements—enable me, O Lord, to feel tenderly and charitably toward all my beloved fellow mortals.” I am so glad you included it, Nancy. My youngest studied Elizabeth Fry in school this year, so it was wonderful to ready your post and learn some more things that this amazing woman did on behalf of prisoners.
I too appreciated that prayer, Beth. It’s as appropriate for us today as it was for Betsy in her day. How wonderful that your children are becoming acquainted with the likes of Betsy as part of their schoolwork. She’s a wonderful role model for all of us!
Such an inspiring woman. May we all be more like her!
So glad you found inspiration here, Mitch. And AMEN–may we all be more like her!
Hi Nancy. I thought I’d commented on this one already so here I am, late to the party. I find these kinds of stories so inspiring, not for the specific works but for the ability to make such an impact with a single life. My father was one of these, packing as much philanthropy, giving, and helping people into his life as he could. He’d pick up the newspaper, read about someone in need, and jump to their assistance. Nothing brought him greater satisfaction. Betsy’s story is a reminder we haven’t done enough, just when we think we have. Thanks for an example of the “power of one”. I wasn’t familiar with this story.
What a wonderfully generous father you had! No doubt the ripple effect from his life is still broadening as his impact has inspired others. I’m so glad you found Betsy’s story inspiring as well.