The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-08-22
MOraliZi,nT.

am reminded by last weeks MIRROR
that 1t has entered upon its third volume.
The past two years has brought it into prom
inence; it has secured Il foothold in journal
istic circles; it has received a most favora-
bic recognition from leading minds. not only
in this state, but throughout the Union.
While we can speak thus enthusiastically
of what our paper has accomplished. what
can we say for ourselves? Can we point to
any one thing. no matter how trivial, and
say. | have accomplished that. Have we
done anything to redeem the time spent in
enforced labor for the state by improving
the few hours out of the twenty four that
we can call our own? What dreadful
thought if one has to look back on the last
two years as totally wasted. Two full years
and perhaps even now our life is drawing
to its close The moments, the DAYS. the
weeks OF prison life are rapidly fitting by.
Moments which we can never recall. Stop
and think moment. how utterly lrrevoca
bic is every fleeing moment And yet.
how many are content with idly watching
their passage. Leaving all thought of all
eternity stretching out its intinity before
you, are You living each day to your own
entire satisfaction? You say that you are
in prison and are simply killing time"
My friends, the state has already done that
for you, but not SO etfectually. however, but
that you can redeem at least a portion of it.
Look at this grave problem of life with
earnest attention. Think how short the
time allotted to each one. and how much
IN &c ,1;ch
without ambition. and there is no one who
cannot further the interest of that ambition
right here in prison. Think, not carelessly
and specifically. but deeply, profoundly.
upon yonr own life: and mark out a noble
goal for its close. We may not be able to
say materially just what our future life will
be; but we know what we would like it to
be. both mentally and morally; and to the
latter end much can be done now.
Who of our number has listened to the
grand elOQuence of some chosen minister
of God. without wishing down in the depths
of his heart. that he was more worthy
to listen? l care not how depraved man
is. when he comes in contact with truly
good man. he despiSes himself. and with an
intense longing. yearns to recall the past
that he might live again. and this time an
upright life. We all have this longing for
the good and pure: let us then exert our
manhood to possess at least a portion. Let
lis examine the attributes of the man we
know to be good and true: or better still. let
us examine the Divine Model. and analyze
each virtue which He possesses and en-
deavOr to make them our own. Was He
prOfane? No. Are we? If so, we can
commence right now to acquire purity of
language. Was He charitable? Do we not
FIND opportunities every day to exercise and
strengthen this noble attribute of character?
Did He forgive His enemies and those who
desptefully used Him? Can we not strive
to do the same? Was He patient under af-
Fiction? Do we bear ours with resigna-
ton? Let us each pursue this subject and
find what we wish to be. and then honestly
endeavOr every hour and every moment to
approximate our goal REX.