The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-09

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unable to live within the appropriation. Many
of those boys can go into the country to-day and
! improve on the average farmers knowledge of
farming.
RECREATIoNs AND CALCULATIONS.
In the evidence of good feeling and cheerful
ness on every hand there is something of
spiritual tonic. This blending of play, work
and study with moral growth is delightful. The
pupil is brought to know;
THE great Creator to revere
Does sure become the creature
Yet there is an absence of solemn, straight
laced affectaton. l have seen no face on this farm
that would seem unto men to fast. There is a
time for prayer a time for sacred song, a time
| for play and time for work.
Lord, in my.vew let all united be,
live to pleasure, while live to Thee"
| Music and the drama, as well as the trades. in
dustries, grammar and mathematics are taught.
Prof. Charlton asked the Governors party and
the Christmas visitors ''What would you pre-
| fer in the character of amusements?" After con
| sultation it was decided to call the jubilee sing
ers. The minst1els-the African boys-came
forward with musical instruments their voices
trained to melody and their muscles to the
dance in a manner that Jack Haverly's Masto
dons could not have surpassed.
The spiritual adviserof the institution is John
| G.. Blake When the late Judge Newcomb
| heard of this gentlemans appointment to the
chaplaincy he said "All the ordained preachers
| in Indiana would not be so well qualified for the
| work." and it was not in the nature of Judge
| Newcomb to disparage ministers of the gospel.
The place is difficult to fill, the theologan in
variably shoots over a boys head. Though
| acute they incapable of grasping the deli
theologian delights to revel few years
ago solemn, solid, venerable minister
| oficiated. To thoughtful, cultured audience
| he would have been not only entertaining, but
instructive. He often dwelt on the fundamental
truths of Christianity, and the boys got to call
ing him "Old Fundamental" The prudent
teacher found it more convenient not to hear
| than to reproach such humor. He was followed
| by an accomplished scholarly gentleman, who
also failed to awaken religious interest Prof.
| Charlton knew his man more exactly when he
applied to John G. Blake, who at first talked off,
| but was finally prevailed upon to accept He came,
saw and conquered, and now has the love and re-
| spect of every boy He introduced new elements,
new thought, and broke into them by laughter.
| They came into the chapel singing,
| John Browns body lies moldering in the tomb
John Browns body lies moldering in the tomb,
| John Browns body lies moldering in the tomb,
But his soul goes marching on"
| The soldiers sang it during the war without
| knowing why, and it contributed toward reliev-
ing the march of fatigue as it conduces to cheer
| fulness at Plainfeld. 1t seems that the story of
| Old Osawatomies decaying bones and expand
ing immortality will never grow old 1t does
! duty to-day in the grand army as actively as it
| did while Sherman journeyed to the sea. After
| this comes Gathering in the Sheaves," Zone
| More River to Cross, "Rock of Ages and other
sacred songs, in spirit and in truth. Father
| BeSSonies is present at least once a quarter to
| instruct the Catholic boys. Letters received
| from many on leave from the institution show
that they have grown into good Catholics.
Before the superintendent teachers and pupils
| are equal On Saturday the teachers after
| calling thOSa into linz who have broken the
rules, says: ''All those wishing to speak with
! Brother Charlton now have permission" He
has no right to ask that boy what he wants to
| see Brother Charlton for. The report may be
against the house father himself. Besides,
boy may see the superintendent without being
| granted permission by any one. and every boy
on the farm knows his rights.
| The stupidest learn what constitutes a good
! boy and when asked, as they frequently are,
| Nov, who is the best boy in this family2"
ninetyfive per cent. of the vote is the same way.
| The pretender or the boy that observes the rules
| from policy, while at heart he is unreformed,
proves the most difficult character with which
the authorities are called upon to deal. But he
| is known instinctively by the smallest pupil as
well the teacher consciousness of this
| fact perhaps rapidly inspires to new
life. With a few months of this train
! ing, so many and varied are the Outstanding
elements at work, that the average boy certainly
comes to regard with feelings of revulsion ire
religious conduct The average parent might
visit and study the Reform School with profit.
A philosopher advised: Choose a wife from
large family of daughters. 1t is reasonable to
presume that such woman has learned much
! from her sisters worth knowing"
When convinced that boy is making the
proper effort, Professor Charlton frequently
says to family: Il am satisfied that this boy
wants to be good boy. Now, who will promise
me to help him to be good boyp A number,
| knowing what constitutes good boy, cordially
promise to help him. Thus they are taught to
help each other. Advice from the Pope or
| bishop would be as seed sown upon stony places,
| compared to good advice from boy to boy.
Much of what conduces to the greatest good of
English speaking social life-the Christmas tree,
| golden weddings, attesting that the heart never
grows colds given to us by the Germans; but
! that glorious people, large in philosophy, eX-
quisite in music and literature, grand in Chris
tianity small only in the number of criminals,
conferred upon the world its greatest blessing
the reform school
All boys are committed to the school until they
are twenty-one years old, unless sooner reformed.
| If a boy is reformed he is allowed to go out on
trial with ticket of leave. A boy once commit
| ted belongs to the institution until he is twenty
one years old, and though absent may be
called by the superintendent if he is not doing
well. Much of Prof. Charlton's time is consumed
in reading and answering letters. boy is made
! to realize that the eyes of the community
| upon him. An officer of the Circuit Court, the
postmaster, or some responsible citizen, is called
upon for information. If the boy is at work his
employer is requested to state if he is giving sat
| isfaction. The letters received evidence
| an affection between teacher and
pupil that would be difficult to
describe. They send their love to the school,
love to the family to which they belonged, and
many of them are marked with this gratifying
assurance, Il am trying to lead a Christian
! life" The number of those who return to bad
habits and fall is not near so large as popularity
supposed. But falling into trouble, boys first
work is nearly always to write Professor Charl-
ton. These letters are pervaded with a peni
| teQCe, regret and remOlSe that would touch
heart. The return mail carries that boy, though
he be in prison, an answer, deploring the crime,
but reconciling him to the punishment Boys
are constantly visiting the school, where they
| find a warm welcome.
have authority for writing emphatically that
eiyil-seryiee reform. in its strictesG sense char