The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-01-31
Five Gents.

Christianity. When the woman who had sinned
was brought before Christ to be Judged, how
forcibly he rebuked them saying: He that is
without sin among you, let him cast the first
stone at her Thus Christ told them to look into
their own hearts. They who condemn not
always without sin, and charity should bridge the
gulf between free and their less fortunate
brothers who have fallen by the wayside. And
now, my dear friends, for whose especial benefit
1 am here to-day, let us hope that may say some
thing that will lead you to look forward with hope
and courage to the future.
"Whatever circumstances may have brought you
here it is your duty to make the best of your
present condition. 1t is folly to always look on
the dark side for it can do you good, seek
rather to find bright and sunny side. Your
present position presents opportunity which
should be eagerly embraced. Every spare hour
should be spent in self-improvement. 1t matters
not that society says certain punishments should
be inflicted for certain offences; let this alone.
Can you not consider your present position as
conducive to moral and mental discipline? Disci.
pine is necessary because are imperfect. Every
moment must be used to discipline minds and
increase our capabity for self-denial. L assure
you that many of you need the strength of
character that only come from the exercise of
entirely control his tendencies to evil This is
the fundamental point of all SIM man that is not
able to control his passions is not true child of
God. What grand opportunity this is to school
yourselves! Say to yourself, Il will be content,
will be patient. L will do my work faithfully, 1
will be charitable will be man, 1 will be a
Christian Some may say: 1 do all this and yet
no one notices it, and get no credit for it. To
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respect? Do what is right because it is right.
This is what God wants and expects of you. If
you realize what is wrong and learn to avoid it,
your time will have been well spent here. Every
sinner can approach Gods throne by prayer; His
hand is always out-stretched to help you in every
good effort. Right here you work out your own
salvation. In Gods good time you will be free
again. You will sooner the threshold
than temptations will confront you. You will
meet with more people that will drag you down
than will seek to raise you up. You may have
friends that will help you, but most of all you
must help yourself; you must win your
victory. The earnest man will succeed with Gods
help. Go forth into the world strong in good
resolutions Carefully consider the man. dangers
that you will meet on the outside. Of all these
dangers. can speak of but two this afternoon
IS IA cause of many evils. man may work hard
for years and through improvidence, be in desti-
tute circumstances and thus subjected to
great temptations. These great temptations
could have been avoided if they had not been
improvident in their expenditures and had saved
portion OF their earnings. There is wonder.
full power in little money. 1t gives man a
foothold pedestal, as it were, to stand upon.
The man who spends unnecessarily dollar
soon as earned knows not the value of money,
and allows others enjoy the products of his
labor Remember, man but yourself should
enjoy the money earned by the sweat of your
brow. When you leave here go to work and
save all you possibly of your earnings If you
earn dollar put aside portion of it, if no more
than few cents. Look forward and make pro.
vision for the future. Save money and you will
become a master.
1T is not much wonder that many go astray
when we consider the many temptations that
surround us every hand. young man,
stranger, going into city can scarcely find a
boarding house without saloon attachment,
where they are easily led into extravaganza and
dissipation; soon becoming impoverished they
are led to commit grave offences. If man is
not saving the probabilities are that he is not
temperate.
Now for the subject of intemperance: If God
would place in my hand wand with which to dispef
the evil of ntemperance. what use would make
and bid them close for ever would strike the
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