New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-28
~ RELIGIOUS ASSEMBLIES.
CHRISTIANITY AND THE CRIMINALS.

CHRISTIANITY AND THE CRIMINALS.
DISCUSSION IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH CONGRESS
The AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
RICHMOND, Va, Oct. Pin the Episcopal
Church Congress to-day the topic Christianity and the
Criminals " was discussed at great length both by
writers and speakers. The Rev. Dr. II. c. Potter, Of
NcwYOrl, was the first writer He said America can
rival II not Outnum6er tle Old World countries IN its
criminal class. lie commented upon the fact that de-
spite the existence OF this great class, few words are
heard about it, either the Christian pulpit press
God forgiyes the criminal, but society does
not. He insisted taat what wanted
an awakening intelligence OF Christian sympathy
in behalf OF this unfortunate class lie laid particular
upon the har done by undue exercise OF the par
donng power. criminal h I'd said that no could Tor.
the officers OF the law who had punished him. but
he could not forgive the Christian society behind the
law which did nothing for the criminal lie pictured the
harm done by the herdns together Of criminals o; differ
ent grades OF crime ana arr1gued the neglect In dealing
with criminals Of boE OF the darkest stains
Christian civilization and rs fruitful source OF crime
and tue moral murder Of human souls. He commented
severely the present system Of prison management
Here, be said, opportunity for Civil Service reform
A paper by Charles II. Kitcnel OF NcwYOrk, was
read He deprecated the idea that crushing criminal
was the only means Of reforming him. He wanted
raningscnOOs Tor the poor so as To prevent ideness
hundreds OF persons ne SAID, were treated rs criminals
"heu lncF 7hOuu nave pny 'iciau. Inc GYMS ol tuJ
contract s, Stem were cruel and inhumau. Mr. kchell
advanced statistics showing Increase OF crime and
what reiomatory systems mad accomplished In making
the criminal better.
The Rev. DR.. Hebcr Newton, of New York, the first
speaker, said: " Tue Old system Of punishment might be
Summed mp IN one wOr1-rcTibufiOu The actrOctes of
the old system had awakened the atteDtOn Of men
everywhere. The new system might be summed IN ole
WOrd-rcs Grafton. The convict made to feel that
could be saved by the hope OF becoming man.
Repentance, reformation and rehnOlllatlOn embraced
ths system The speaker sketch plan Of refOrma-
ton, showing that by jddiciDus system of education.
tue fostering Of the cOuYct5 seTesptc lie Was made
to leave the prison new man.
Lewis L. Deiahed, OF New York City, spoke next. He
laid great stress on tne necessity Of education as pro
YcuIVc OF crime.
Row l.. Tucker, Mississippi said 1t pure
sentimentasmt that all crime 70 be charged To
society. Mheu drinks Wuiskey ana nome
and beats his vie deatn, IL Is not because OF the
Whskcy mainly but because the brute at
urst. He urged renewed efforts toward prison re-
form.
Inc Rev. Dr.. Thomas VI. Peters, OF NewYork, related
his own experience in the work OF prison reform.
Bishop GaeIer, Of Louisiana, closed the discussion
OF tine topic.
lie commended the manly course of the Governor Of
Kentucky exercising pardOnug power To release
"a large numUcT OF criminals rather tnan them muir
dered by law. Aucn had said about the vi
criminal law lie would also urge the necessity OF re-
form among criminal lawyer great thing was to see
criminal law should be administer with all the
sOcnuity ana dignity anu purity that should be given
by good Wholesome sentiment that expresses Itself
wncu men choos' their criminal judges.
Al the afternoon session the topic Requirements for
Confirmation discussed, after which the Congress
adjourned.
CLEVELAND O., Oct 27-At the session Of the Ameri
can Missionary Association YESTERDAY William b. Wash
burn WAS reelected President All the other officers were
reelected.