The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-10-16

and the fruitful result or the other. But
most of us are thoroughly convinced that
the way of the transgresSOr is hard. Here
we have the opportunity of further cOnsid-
ering as to whether our past lives have been
knowledge failure so far. But here let us
lay the foundation for happier and more
useful life hereafter. We should not sit
down with our hands crossed and consider
the time lost which we are spending
behind prison bars, for
"Stone walls do not prison make,
Nor iron bars a cage;
Minds. innocent and quiet, take
That for a hermitage"
1t is true we have great difficulties to con-
tend with, but the school of difficulties is.
the best school of moral discipline. We
may have great difficulties ON one side, but
we have great advantages on the other. We
have more or less spare time from our work.
and have access to a large library filled
with good books of all kinds; therefore we
can improve every moment to great adj
vantage, if we read the right kind of books.
Let us read pure books. those from which
we can derive some good information. 1t
has been truthfully said man can be
judged by the books he reads. Bad books
are moral poison which continue to diSSem-
mate evil. Miscellaneous authors, even when
in their graves, murder the souls of their
survivors from generation to generation.
EXpel all impure literature from your pres
ence. for bad books are worse than bad
words. Like evil deeds they mould the
thought and will of future generations.
The book lives while its author is dust and
ashes. His book continues to disseminate
vice, immortality and atheism. 1t gets into
our libraries and into our homes. Look,
for of tho rood
many young men and women. 1t is written
in brilliant style. though full of impurity
and moral poison. 1t often begins with
murder and ends with adultry, as if the
object OF its writer had been to display the
cankerOus immortality of life. But the good
book like the bad book will live long after
its author is dead. A book written two
thousand years ago may fix the purpose of
a life. and the remembered sentiments OF
the ''vOiceless dead' may arrest attention
and transform character. The vicious books
still lift their voices and urge the young to
deeds Of shame and crime.
Bad books are the inStigatOrs of disre-
spect. immortality and crime; then let us
declare war in our minds and hearts against
impure literature, and seek for books which
inspire health, purity and courage. If we
could speak of our reading as Sir Walter
Scott spoke OF his writing. doubtless we
would be much happier and much wiser,
and many of us who are in bondage would
be free. Sir Walter Scott says: Il have
written nothing which on my death bed
should wish blotted out" Have we ever
read books the effects of which we would
desire blOtted out? Doubtless we have, then
let us read books calculated to encourage
us and strengthen our moral nature for we
have need of them, in the great work be-
fnr0 n,r ol,oro atn
release to be redeemed by us. Some say,
Il have lost my character. it is gone now
for life" Not so. Our characters are only
set aside, as it were. waiting for us to pre-
pare ourselves for their support We will
meet with many difficulties, but we should
not be discouraged, and when we have diff
flcultleS to encounter we should meet them
with courage and cheerfulness. We are
not the worst men in the world because we
are in prison. Every man has his faults,
and it the best mans faults were written
on his forehead he would pull his hat over
his brow. All are evil doors to a certain
extent, but when life natures and the evil
dOtr ceases not from his ways he can Onlv
look Harvard to old age with fear and de-
spar. But good principles on the other
hand form suit of armOr which no weapon
can penetrate. Therefore let us cultivate
good principles. Let us set good resolutions
and manfully carry them into effect. and
not live for ourselves only, but our fellow
beings as we'll. For mans true wealth
hereafter will be the good he did in this
world to his fellow creatures. When he
dies people will ask, ''What property has
he left?" But the angels who examine him
will ask. "What good deeds hast thou sent
on before thee?" G.. w.
Bismarck Prison, N. Dak,