The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-12-11

pathy is; but, unfortunately. the great mass.
of the citizens of the American Republic
have not fully appreciated the motives or
understood the principles which actuated
these noble men to sacrifice their comfort,
their fortunes, and even their lives. in order
to promote the best welfare of their Op-
pressed. distressed and errng fellow Great
ures; and, consequently number of we'll
meaning people have been induced to
launch into existence various charitable $50
called) refOrnatOry organizations. which
fail to work out the Osteusible object for
which they were established, for the reason
that many of their promoters and agents
| (bOth professional and amateur) have failed
to catcA the proper spirit OF christian SYM
pathy and devOtedneSS. and are therefore
totally untitled for the responsible positions
| they occupy. There are many noble excep-
tons to this rule; but. unfortunately, they
are few and far between. They are entirely
destitute of that practical. active sympathy
| which would enable them to put themselves
| Tin imaginatiOn) into the place of the pris-
Oner or destitute person they visit; they
cannot realize the temptations, the acute
sutferings, and the exigencies and associa-
tons by which he or she has been sur
rounded; and, therefore cannot form an ac-
curate estimate of his or her moral status
| and future possibilities. When they pay
their official visits. they do not approach
| them as loving friend-but assume
stern, inquisitOrial demeanOr Something of
cross between a prosecuting attorney and
a gOssiping dotard); and, not having the
tact or ability to gain the sufferers esteem
and confidence, terminate their visit con-
firmed i'm the prejudcial conviction with
which they started. that. because the per-
son is poor and in trouble, he is unworthy
of confidence; or, that being convicted of an
offence, they are not only guilty. but in
capable of reform. They consider it their
duty to upbraid them and dwell on the
enOrmity of their crime instead OF stimulat-
ing them to better life by personal encOur-
agement, judiciOus counsel, and holding out
hope for the future. Is not the imprisOn-
ment and its fearful associations and the
stigma attached sufficient punishment?
| Such is the spurious sympathy, which
practically Subverts the real object of their
organization, while it serves as vehicle
| for their self esteem by their landatOn in
the public platform and in the annual re-
ports as benefactOrS of these species. We
rejoice to say, however, that this narrow
mndedness is gradually wearing away. and
! giving place to a fervent desire to follow
the example of their Divine Master, who
said Go thy way and sin no more. thy sins
| are forgiven thee!'
but We WOulu now TAKE tno matter nome
| to ourselves. in our relations to our fellow
prisoners. What noble opportunity is Of
fered to us every day. while within these
walls, to offer consolation. and encourage
ment to those in bondage with us. Every
heart knows it's own bitterness; and, as each
one of us have had troubles to bear which
have we'll nigh overwhelmed us. mentally
and morally, it behOoves us. as a paramount
duty. to adopt every means in our power to
alleviate the sorrows cheer the dropping
spirits, and arouse the ambition of our
brethren in tribulatiOn who are fast sinking
in despair. A simple word of coincidence,
| a trifling act of attention or kindness, an
occasional bit of sound advice or intelligent
explanation will frequently prove the saliva.
ton of the hopeless. friendless fellow pris-
Oner. Above all, let us earnestly and per-
sistently strive to avoid irritating or eXas-
perating each other by petty, mean, or
| treacherOus actions. OpprObriOus and intem-
perate language, or so called practical jOk-
ing. Let us give practical, tangible evi.
dence to the promoters of those associations
purpOrtng to have our reformation in view.
| that we are worthy of their confidence, that
we can control ourselves, and. therefore.
that we are in condition to appreciate the
blessings of liberty, and justify the authori-
ties In releasing us from our bondage by
the permanent change in our conduct, and
the earnestness of our efforts in leading
honest and honorable course of life. In a
word. whether inside or outside these walls,
let us carry out. both in letter and spirit, in
its entirety, the Golden Rule; and thus Sc
cure the confidence and esteem of all with
whom we may come in contact.
CharlestOwn Prison, Mass. FIG.