Report of the Committee of Visitors for 1853 / Littlemore Asylum.

  • Littlemore Asylum
Date:
[1853?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Committee of Visitors for 1853 / Littlemore Asylum. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    15/18 page 13
    exposed to the inclemency of the weather; and I should also wish to see it more Village Church-like in its internal arrangements, than the existing one, which is, so to say, only a Prayer Room. As the Patients who are admitted to our County Asylums, are likely to belong to some of the various Christian denominations which abound in this country, the Chaplain cannot be too much on his guard, when addressing them, either in private conversation in the Wards, or in his more official capacity in Chapel. The Patients are brought in to be cured (if possible) of their mental- disease, and not to be converted from their own peculiar religious opinions ; and I can conscientiously say, that it has been my constant endeavour, during the time of my Chaplaincy, (seven years and quarter) to afford religious consolation to those who have thus been temporarily committed to my charge, of whatsoever persuasion they may have been; and in the majority of cases I have found them ready and willing to listen to me. There are a variety of subjects, and Christian doctrines, upon which all are agreed to think the same; and by making these the chief topics of conversation and preaching, I have found no difficulty in maintaining the most friendly feeling with those who have differed from me on very many points. The commencement of the year, and the close of the year; the Nativity of Christ, His Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension; our duties to God and man; the efficacy of Prayer; the consolation for the afflicted to be derived from the sacred Scriptures ; the uncertainty of life, and the certainty of death, &c. &c., are subjects which can be so handled, as to be pleasing, instructive, and consoling to all. Having probably had more experience in the religious instruction of the Insane than some of my brother Chaplains, has induced me
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