The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-11-07
1T is NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND -
saltwater, Minn, We In esday, Nov. Z, 1888.

only too glad to be called upon, yet the
interview between man of God and an er
ring mortal is not productive of the best
results when an iron door interveneS and
curious ScOtferS surround them on all sides.
The chapel services may arouse deeper
alone is not sufficient. 1t is not within the
bounds of reason to expect an hours moral
instruction to equal the evil influences of
whole week Well, some one says, there is
a Bible in every cell. Very true. but there
is no book that is profesSedly understood
by so many, that is in reality, understood
by so few. We. all of us, at least the great
majority, were brought up by christian par
ents, and probably attended Sunday school,
and many have, myself among the number,
StudiOuSly read the entire vOlumn. But
how many have done so since they have
reached mans estate? How much have you
read it since you have been able to grasp the
grave problems OF life? Very few. | ven
ture to say, not one.
1t is trite saying that Bad communica-
| tiOnS corrupt good mannerS;' its anttheSiS is
also just as true. You may place a bad
man in the company of men whom he
knows to be thorough and self-reliant in
their honesty and christianity. he at once
feels his degradation, and either remains to
profit by their example, or, if he leaves to
seek more cOngenial company, it is with a
heavy heart, sincerely wishing that he was
better.
The constant influence of good company
cannot be OvereStimated. Now what is better
company than good book, and what book
can compare with the Bible? 1t only re-
mains to present this book in an entertain
ing, inviting and instructive manner to the
inmates. Those interested in this sub
ject, | would ask to turn to the report of
Chaplain HckOX, of the Jackson. Mich,
prison, published in this issue. The
paragraph that l would particularly call
| your attention to, is the one commencing.
| Our Sunday school," etc. Here it will be
seen that the membership numbers 225 men.
divided into 20 classes. and all save four Of
these are taught by prisoners. Here we
have most fOrcble example Of excepting
good company" DO | claim that every one
of these 225 men are christians? No, far
from it, no doubt. Yet will any one
dare to assert that every man there is
hypOerite? Will any one say that the time
spent in studying chapter that contains
naught but the highest and nObeSt precepts,
will not have an unmiStakable influence for
good? viii not every one acknowledge
that an hour spent in the study of Gods
| word will go far to arouse mans better ma
ture, and as the once familiar pages recall
the lessons taught at a loving mothers
knee, the simple prayer that we nightly said
| as we ''prayed the Lord our souls to keep"
our childhood days when we We're pure as
only children can be; with these events so
powerfully recalled, who can doubt the eff
| cacy of continuing this influence. of arous-
ing the awakened conscience TO deep and
true repentance, to the full fruitiOn of
| noble, christian character.
And furthermore, its influence will reach
those who may be scoffers and protesting
| infidelS, atheists, or agnOSticS, land we
have these all here.) The most prOfane
man on earth respects the sanctuary, how
ever he may scott at christianity, his innate
reverence for Supreme Being compels
him to enter church, respectfully. Who
ever heard him utter prOfane word on the
portal?
The influence of the church is more or
less lasting, we cannot shake off this infu-
ence at once, and it is only the perpetuation
of this influence that upholds and strength
ems the youthful convert.
No one could study chapter of the New
Testament look up the required references,
give his conceptions of it's scope and
character, and at the close of the lesson at
once resolve into his old self, and allow
blasphemy to flow from his lips. Chris
tanity has not done its share in this great
question OF prison reform, because it has not
had fair chance. IT, on the outside,
young man feels the need of religion, he