The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-04-03
Charitable THOUGHTS.

Charitable Thoughts.
1t seems strange that there should be so
little charitable thought in the world when
one considers how much of it nearly eyerv
one requires to palliate his wrong doing
When man or woman is accused of sin
the natural impulse is to censure before
waiting for proof that the individual is
guilty and without any consideration of
mitigating circumstances. The Jury of pub
lie opinion acts upon a different principle
from that required to be observed by the
legal jury. An accusation having been
made and supported by eX parte testimony,
the accused is assumed to be guilty, and re-
Quired, il he would be acquitted, to prove
his innocence. He is, moreover, subjected
to further injustice. His denial. disprOOf,
or defense will receive much less attention
than the accusation Years afterwards it
will be remembered that he was accused by
people who cannot recall to memory the
conclusion of the case. There was .'some-
thing wrOng' about him; that is never for
gotten, and he is left. long after his innO-
cence may have been proved. with that
vague smirch upon his reputation. But as
Stunning guilt to have been proved or ac-
knOwledged, there is abundant room for
cuse for wrong doing. or, if not excuse,
rational explanation of its causes. 1t is
quite the fashion for people to demand JUS
tice upon offenders, though if justice should
be done they would not Escape whipping.
1t seems, indeed as though some who are
most severe adopt an auStere behavior to
divert suspicion from themselves. The
number of wrong doors in the world is
vastly greater than the small number con-
shutting the criminal class. 1t is the wrong
doors not yet so much addicted to bad ways
as to be classed with criminals who need
the charitable thought and help of their
neighbors. They may have been sorely
tempted or have sinned in moment of sud-
den passion, to be deeply repented there
after; they may have good dispositions,
good intentions, but be easily led astray and
just as easily led right For all such wrong
doors the kindly sympathy and encourage
ment of stronger and better men and women
is needed to reclaim them and help them to
a better life. Only those who have suf-
fered temptation can fully realize the
strength of the excuses that may be offered
by those who have temporarily fallen, but
are anxious to amend their ways. The de-
scent from strict virtue or uprightneSS is
usually by grade so gentle as to be I'M
noticed until exposure and disgrace bring
forcibly to view the length of the way. No
man or woman properly trained and of good
name plunges into vice and wrecks reputa-
ton and chaIa cter in a day. Nor will any
man or woman so well trained as to feel
disgrace refuse the charitable, kindly efforts
of others toward reclamation. Too often,
however. they meet only with stern looks
and rebukeS from PhariseeS, and are driven
to further wrong doing, until it becomes too
late to save them from a criminal career.
The graveSt OtfenSeS may be pardOned
when followed by sincere repentance and
an amended life, yet there is little DISPOSE
ton to excuse venial faults under the same
conditions. Many people who should from
their training, standing, and reputation do
otherwise. seem to glOat over the disgrace
or downfall of others, accept the mereSt
rumOr of such thing as truth, ignore de-
malls. help to spread scandal, and by their
intolerance make it extremely difficult for
their unfortunate or guilty fellow to re-
cover his standing. In contrast with these
are good people who charitably seek to sup
press scandal. to remove temptations, and
help their felIow-men to better lives. They,
too, love purity. honesty. justice. but they
are charitable in their thoughts and seek to
do deeds of mercy. They are slow to believe
of one who has hitherto been of good re-
pute; they are ready to listen to eXplana-
tiOnS that may help to excuse: they well
come signs of repentance, and gladly assist
the sinner to recover his good name. 1t is
needless to argue that they follow the right
course The statement divorced of per-
sOnal application. appeals to the heart of
right minded people as that which is die
tated by worldly morality as well as religious
teachings. Baltimore Sun.