His well-known benevolence, his peculiar tact in managing wayward characters, his undoubted integrity, and his long experience in such matters, naturally suggested the idea that he was more suitable than any other person to be Agent of the Association.  It was a situation extremely well-adapted to his character, and if his limited circumstances would have permitted, he would have been right glad to have discharged its duties gratuitously.  He named three hundred dollars a year, as sufficient addition to his income, and the duties were performed with as much diligence and zeal, as if the recompence had been thousands.  Although he was then seventy-four years old, his hand-writing was firm and even, and very legible.  He kept a Diary of every day’s transactions, and a Register of all the discharged convicts who applied for assistance; with a monthly record of such information as could be obtained of their character and condition, from time to time.  The neat and accurate manner in which these books were kept was really surprising in so old a man.  The amount of walking he did, to attend to the business of the Association, was likewise remarkable.  Not one in ten thousand, who had lived so many years, could have endured so much fatigue.

In his labors in behalf of this class of unfortunate people he was essentially aided by Abby H. Gibbons, who resided nearer to him than his other daughters, and who had the same affectionate zeal to sustain him, that she had manifested by secretly slipping a portion of her earnings into his pocket, in the days of her girlhood.  She was as vigilant and active in behalf of the women discharged from prison, as her father was in behalf of the men.  Through the exertions of herself and other benevolent women, an asylum for these poor outcasts, called THE HOME, was established and sustained.  Friend Hopper took a deep interest in that institution, and frequently went there on Sunday evening, with his wife and daughters, to talk with the inmates in a manner most likely to soothe and encourage them.  They were accustomed to call him “Father Hopper,” and always came to him for advice when they were in trouble.

When the Prison Association petitioned to be incorporated, it encountered a great deal of opposition, on the ground that it would be likely to interfere with the authority of the State over prisons.  During two winters, Friend Hopper went to Albany frequently to sustain the measure.  He commanded respect and attention, by the good sense of his remarks, his dignified manner, and readiness of utterance.  The Legislature were more inclined to have confidence in him, because he was known to be a benevolent, conscientious Quaker, entirely unconnected with party politics.  In fact, the measure was carried mainly by the exertion of his personal influence.  He sustained the petition of the Association in a speech before the Legislature, which excited much attention, and made a deep impression on those who heard it.  Judge Edmonds, who was