The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-09-12
For The Mirror.
From One of the w. G.. Il. u.

From One of the w. G. Il. U.
A young man who is soon to journey to
the land where there will be no dsputing
his right to the Christian crown. said to me
a few days ago: IF Christian people had
not urged me. should never have been a
Christian" While this was fresh in my
memory. a MIRROR was placed in my
hands, sent me, no doubt. by one who has
a special interest in it's columns. AS read
its pages and pictured to my mind some
thing of the life of its editors and most in
terested contributors and readers won
dered il they were urging" one another
to be Christians. This young man said:
IL did not intend to be Christian until
long after they commenced to urge me- 1
was always respectful to their urgings. but
/ had very different end in view"
l mention this to encourage any who do
not see the fruit of their labor, for calcu-
late there are among your number earnest
Christians who are seeking the salvation of
the rest. Do not be fearful of letting what
light you have, shine. for that is it's nature,
and unless you hide it by your dif1idence,
inactivity, impatience or other failngs it
will shine forth and draw others to Him
who said And l, if l be lifted up, will
draw all men unto me-" All we have to do
is to lift Christ up in our every day lives
in our thoughts, our words, our sabbath
observance, our habits. and in whatsoever
we do, and He will do the drawing.
There are few among you, whose faces
are familiar to me. One said, as he left
the county Jail: perhaps l need two years
at Saltwater. that [ may grow strong
enough to bear the temptations of the
world" Another said: Il shall come from
saltwater wiser man, and hope better
0ne." AS we have hidden one after
another good by, we could not but wonder
what the dominant influence at Saltwater
would be for them. The most stalwart
Christian needs Christian fellowship, what
then must be the needs of these beginners
in the way.
HE MIRROR has awakened in me sim
cere desire to see the men and women as they
leave the prison, better provided for: and
may we not hope that it will do as much
for some one who is better fitted to help
forward the much needed work. While we
are waiting to educate public sentiment in
prison reform work, each convict should be
expected to do his very best for him.
self and his fellOw-men. Consider care
fully the worst foe to be encountered as
you oCCp lOIIu lToc. Learn all you can
theoretically of its arts and workings. For
instance, to many of you alcoholic liquors
will be the hard foe to battle against. Why
would it not be good plan to make it's eff
fects special study from a scientific,
moral and religious standpoint? Is it not
worth while to know that person once
addicted to its use. though a total alb
srainer for years. has every separate mol
ecule of his body changed again in shape
and color, and each sets up its hue and cry
for more by the use of one glass only.
though it be at the order of physician or
at the communion table. Again, is it not
worth knowing that DR.. Anstic, of Lon
don. has proved beyond a doubt that alco-
hol is at all times and in all places mar
cOtic and not a stimulant. and that it's effects
upon the living system are the same as
ether or chlOrOfOrm. only slower? Perhaps
you do pursue such study, and are doing
your best to equip all to battle valiantly
against this foe.
Let us be of good courage. remembering
that God gathers up all the fragments that
nothing be lost. and that each effort put
forth in Christ's name must serve to fur.
nlsn some soul. MRS. L. B. B.
MoOrhead, MINI.
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