The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-04-03
An Afternoon i'm Chapel.


u.s. and they did it right royalty Mr.. Freeman
and his sister accomplished musicians and the
selections rendered we're highly appreciated. The
singing interspersed with Rotations by two
of the inmates and a short address by Hon. John
A. Reyes. The entertainment closed with the
singing of GOD Be With You Till We Meet
Again by Mr. Freeman and Mrs. Held Mr..
Reyes did not expect to be called upon for a
speech when he entered the chapel, but at the
Warden request he allowed himself to be intro
duced. The following brief syn opsis will convey
some idea of what he said in full
will begin by telling you story, though an old
one which suppose you have heard before. A
party of men were accustomed to meet together
to talk, tell stories and have good time gener-
ally. On one occasion, when they were having an
unusually hilarious old time, it observed that
one OF the party. very intelligent man, always
renamed a silent listener, never joining in the
story telling. Some of them got together and
talked the matter over, and it was decided to in
quire into the cause of this mans strange conduct.
So one of their number was appointed to call
upon him and learn if possible his reasons for TAX
ing no part in their hilarity The committee Of -
one approached him and after a little preliminary
talk. said: my friend you have been with US all
this time and have remained a silent onlOoker; it
is now time for you to tell a story or do some
thing else for the amusement of the party After
many excuses the gentleman said that the only
thing he could call to mind was conundrum.
The cOnundrum was called for what is the diff
ference" asked he, between myself and stuffed
turkey? They pendered for while and then
knowledged that they could not tell "A turkey"
said he, "is not usually stuffed with chestnuts''
Now don't want to stuff you with chestnuts,
but there is very little in the world that is not
chestnut On whatever subject may talk, if it
was put down on paper each individual would
want to burn the record. Men always talking
and specializing about themselves whetherit be in
church in politics. We stand as it we're, some
one has said, upon a narrow neck of land between
two eternites. Before is the undiscovered
country and with all our talk and investigation
even the wisest men have penetrated but little
way. None of far beyond ourselves
and we regard all things in relation to ourselves.
The great subject of humanity is humanity. In
this life each one holding certain posi-
ton; we are one of the factors of this universe
and each has his individual parsonage. The great
question with each one of us is how te get the
most good out of this life. Some hold humble
positions, others exalted ones, and the only and
best thing any of us do is to make the best
in nature has its place and individuality. No two
blades of grass exactly the same; no two
leaves show the delicate tracery two
faces show the same contour. 1t is the in
moral as in physical nature, only have the
making of our moral nature mostly in
hands. We cannot be anything except what we
will to be, and as happiness is every mans object
he must cultivate a disposition within himself
where he go to find happiness Thomas Car
lyle. when asked what the of true
happiness, replied that it was in work. Our hap
piness depends on whether we work for it not.
Whether it is backing boots, writing poetry or
delivering an GRAFTON, it is accomplished by work
AS friend of mine said the other day, must
gather the most of our happiness from ourselves.
others cannot make us happy unless we have
worked to build structure wherein happiness
can dwell. We should never cease working for
our own moral elevation. and we should never
despair. However many times we may fall we can
always look at the spot and say, There is the
spot where L fell. but L will never fall there
again." We must be firmly resolved to succeed
in spite of every hinderance thrown in our way.
We must mark out course and adhere to it
in the face of all opposition, and though we may
fall by the wayside many times, if we do not at
tempt to rise every time, we are towards. The
man who will lose his manhood and stay where he
has fallen W ithout struggle to rise, that man is
base coward unworthy of sympathy. Never
despair. The man who breaches the doctrine of
despair that takes away the peace and hope of
this life, despise him. 1t is determination that
wins in this life. Whatever a man may be doing,
be it the humblest work. if he does his best he is
developing his manhood and that is all there
really in this life. 1t is not the who is able
to accomplish the greatest things but he who does
the very best he can in his sphere that gets the
most good out Of life in this world.
Work for the lower masses of humanity
everywhere is of a character Indicating as