The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-01-03

merit the charity and forgiveness of our
Christian brothers. For. Though bestow
all my goods to feed the poor and though
give my body to be burned, and have not
charity. it prOfiteth me nothing" /. Cor.
xiii.
: Michael German. a life man. in this
prison. was pardOned or rather cOmmuted
to 80 years. months and 21 days imprisOn-
ment. and he left us on the 9th of October,
after spending all those long years in prison.
To further analyze prisoners. and the re-
suit of kind act in their behalf. ] will
finish this sermon by adding copy of my
letter of thanks to Governor Hill. for his
act OF clemency.
To His Excellency, David B. Hill,
Governor Of New York State.
Dear Sir: This has been day of greater
rejoicing, than was ever before known in
this prison.
& When the news was spread about con-
cerning the release of German. strong men
swept for hours, the tears OF joy and graft
tude. Men grasped each others hands. with
the blessed words of God upon their lips,
the tears glistening in their eyes and roll
ing down their cheeks, while waiting for
the chance to shake the hand of the fortu-
nate man. ''God bless Governor Hill. )" came
from the hearts and souls of men. They
threw their arms about the Old man. asking
the blessing of God upon his whitened
head: they danced and pranced about him
in childish glee. The down trOdden hearts
of white-haired. despOndent men. have
been lifted up, and brought nearer to God,
as we'll as those of the younger men, by this
act of clemency.
Tonight, as the tears roll down my
cheeks; ringing cheers for David B. Hill,
come from the thrOats of more than thou
sand men, again and again they come vi
brating to the very foundations. these pris-
on walls. This being the night for rehearsal
of the chapel choir, poor old Mike"
was placed in an easy chair. while they sang
to him. and rected to him, and to wind up
the celebration. all of them crossed hands,
forming circle about him, while member
sang the familiar song, ''Auld Lang Syne."
The spontaneous joy and applause for Your
EXcellency. and the prisoner who had won
the love and respect OF officers and pris-
Oners alike, caused the old man to cry as he
made his last round Oh the narrow galleries
to light the gas. and he was chOked with
emotion, being unable to speak to many
who bade him goodbye.
At the sound of the thunders of applause
for Your EXcellency, the hearts of men who
had not been touched for twenty years.
were moved to tears of gratitude. thank
my God for letting me live to see such a
glorious manifestation of His grace and
mercy, to move and melt the hearts of men.
To be released from prison was ''his sOli-
tary prayer" and he prayed to God for
nearly thirty three years. MANY seek the
rulers favor but mans judgment cOmeth
from the Lord" who has now answered the
old mans prayer, after so many years of
sorrow and tribulatiOn.
He has earned his freedom by faithful
duty i'm the service of the state. His prison
record was perfect. and hope it will. as
shining mark, guide the poor unfOrtunates
who shall follow his footsteps of old.
Blessed be God the Father Almighty, who
''stretcheth out the north over the empty
place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing"
''He leadeth cOunsellOrs away spoiled, and
maketh the judges FOOLS" He healeth the
broken in heart, and biDdeth up their
wounds" ''He sendeth out His word. and
melteth them" Mighty Ito hear the groan-
ing of the prisoner; to loose those that are
appointed to DEATH" Though they dig
into hell, thence shall mine hand take them"
"For there is not just man upon earth.
that doeth good, and sinneth not"
1t is said that German stabbed one of
his two assailants in self-defense, causing
his death a few days after" God only
knows the hearts of men. and poor. long
suffering Mike" may have been innocent
of the crime with which he was charged.
There are to-day, many cases ip this prison