Page:Black Jacob, a monument of grace.djvu/75

Rh prison discipline, and regarding Jacob as among the first and happiest results of that system which he had been chiefly instrumental in introducing to many of our penitentiaries, he became greatly interested in his history. He had formed an exalted conception of his character as a Christian, and cherished profound admiration for his superior order of mind. In this he was not alone. The most casual observer was struck with the superior manliness and dignity of his deportment: and Judge Van Ness, when pronouncing his sentence of death, said to him, "You possess a more than ordinary strength of mind. Providence has blessed you with a memory without a parallel in all my experience."

Mr. Dwight has often remarked that no human tongue ever read the word of God in his hearing in tones so impressive, and with emphasis so solemn and appropriate. Whenever he visited Jacob, he was accustomed to request him to lead in prayer, and he remarked that he never felt