Many more instances might be quoted; but enough has been told to illustrate his patience and forbearance, and his judicious mode of dealing with such characters.  Dr. Russ, one of the most active and benevolent members of the Prison Association, thinks it is a fair statement to say that at least three-fourths of those for whom he interested himself eventually turned out well; though in several cases, it was after a few backslidings.  The fullness of his sympathy was probably one great reason why he obtained such influence over them, and made them so willing to open their hearts to him.  He naturally, and without effort, put his soul in their soul’s stead.  This rendered it easy for him to disregard his own interests, and set aside his own opinions, for the benefit of others.  In several instances, he procured another place for a healthy, good-looking domestic, with whose services he was well satisfied, merely because some poor creature applied for work, who was too lame, or ill-favored, to obtain employment elsewhere.  When an insane girl, from Sing Sing, was brought to his house to wait for an opportunity to return to her parents in Canada, he sent for the Catholic Bishop to come and minister to her spiritual wants, because he found she was very unhappy without religious consolation in the form to which she had been accustomed in childhood.

The peculiar adaptation of his character to this mission of humanity was not only felt by his fellow laborers in the New-York Association, but was acknowledged wherever he was known.  Dr. Walter Channing, brother of the late Dr. William Ellery Charming wrote to him as follows, when the Boston Prison Association was about being formed; “I was rejoiced to learn that you would stay to help at our meetings in behalf of criminals.  The demand which this class of brothers has upon us is felt by every man, who examines his own heart, and his own life.  How great is every man’s need of the kindness and love of his brethren!  Here is the deep-laid cause of sympathy.  Here is the secret spring of that wide effort, which the whole world is now making for the happiness and good of the race.  I thank you for what you have done in this noble work.  I had heard with the sincerest pleasure, of your labors for the down-trodden and the poor.  God bless you for these labors of love!  Truly shall I thank you for the light you can so abundantly give, and which will make the path of duty plain before me.”

Incessant demands were made upon his time and attention.  A great many people, if they happened to have their feelings touched by some scene of distress, seemed to think they had fulfilled their whole duty by sending the sufferer to Isaac T. Hopper.  Few can imagine what an arduous task it is to be such a thorough philanthropist as he was.  Whoever wishes for a crown like his, must earn it by carrying the martyr’s cross through life.  They must make up their minds to relinquish their whole time to such pursuits; they must be prepared to encounter envy and dislike; to be misrepresented and blamed, where their intentions have been most praiseworthy; to be often disheartened by the delinquencies, or ingratitude, of those they have expended their time and strength to serve; above all, they must be willing to live and die poor.