The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-03-14
Bishop Gilbert's Sermon.

Albert, with about fifty citizens of saltwater were
present. The following is condensation of the
Bishops sermon:
Brothers: remember we'll my visit with you
last Easter Sunday. Then spoke of the joy of a
risen Lord. In ancient times, after a battle her.
aid was always sent to the King with tdings of
victory or defeat. ii the messenger carried news
of victory he was richly rewarded. l feel that
am herald of glad tidings to you all. and was
strengt hened in this belief by learning that many
of the inmates had expressed desire to hear
again. am happy in being such messenger
You have conferred on me great honor. 1t is
my privilege to tell you good news. know that
you hear great deal about religion. 1t may have
been presented to you in perfunctory manner,
that leads you to consider it lightly But have
one message for you, the same came to the
world on that Christmas morning 1t means not a
God that stands above you with scepter in his
hand ready to strike you down. but He is God
of love with father s heart who grieves over the
first false step of son. LIDO not sh to take the
time to speak of punishment but firmly believe
that all will receive righteous judgment accord
ing to their life on this earth. But want to say
something that will help you to be better men.
Most of you are willing to confess that you have
done wrong. How many of you in the daily walks
you have often taken the name of God in vain;
the grandest name known to mortal man. But
you not proud of it. You did not pray and you
knew we'll that you were not living right. How
many of you recognize His presence, yet not
sparrow falleth to the ground without He know
eth it, His influence is infinite power for good.
He watches over with the tenderest care. How
many Of you when you sin, say to yourselves:
| oapS do will find P,,tC o6
knows. Remember thou God seest me- This
is on reason why every man should be Chris
tan. The man that is Christian will be grander
and better man. Yet know perfectly well that
many of you will, as soon as you get out. commit
sin. There is that does wrong but knows
in his heart that he is doing wrong, and
offending God How many leave here with good
resolutions. but do not persevere in well-doing?
Not long ago good friends of one of your
| number succeeded in procuring pardon for him.
They thought he would go out and redeem his
character; that he would be man at least if not
a Christian. But the very moment almost that he
passed through the door he began to drink, and
was soon intoxicated. The hearts that had prayed
and labored so hard to secure his release,
crushed. This is enough to shake any ones con-
fidence in human nature wish l could impress
upon you this lesson. 1t is not enough to prom
Use to do right when you leave here; you must be-
gin to control yourself here. Make yourself
Christian by beginning now. and then when you
get out you can redeem yourself. There is not
man here that cannot be true man by Gods
help.
Now remember incident that occurred in
Montana a few years ago when resided there.
1t my privilege to speak often to the men
fined in the territorial prs on. became acquainted
with who had been brought there by the
influence of strong drink. number of his friends
and myself. interested ourselves in his and
procured his pardon; for felt that he had been
punished sufficiently and deserved his freedom.
Upon his release he came to and said Mr.. Gill
bert, will show my gratitude to you by doing
right That man redeemed himself, and is
one of the most worthy and respected citizens Of
Montana.
This is why talk plainly to you. When you
leave here, and people see you laboring to redeem
yourself, they will respect you. Take your fam
lily into society, and live openly. Then they will
say, That man has redeemed himself
Every past can be redeemed. The pentent thief
on the cross redeemed his past Paul, the great
est prosecutor the church ever had, redeemed
himself most gloriously. History tells us of many
such men who have been redeemed. You remem-
Der what your lives have been. When the prison
doors open forget the things that are behind
Lock to the future. You know what the laws Of
man are; obey them. o men! Every of you be
honest. true men. Most of you are intelligent
and know the difference between right and wrong.
Make this resolution: that you will redeem your
selves Make it prayerfully.
I'm one way we all prisoners. l. as much
as any of you. Icannot do as would. This body
| IF ,,;n hot I
without committing a sin. the crime of suicide.
There is no release until death brings a newer life
and greater liberty through eternity of glory.
| with prayerful hope let us struggle on to.
| gether We have u common father; we have