The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-06-04
OHAUTAUQUA
THE QUAKERS.

(Report for Class d. by j. IT,
The encyclor adia says: The sect of Christians
known the Quakers. originated in England
about the middle of the seventeenth century, and
at the time when reform was invading the church.
The founder of this sect, George Fox, was born at
Drayton. in Lecestershire, in 1924 At the age OF
nineteen his religious impressions produced such
a strong conviction in him, that he believed him
self to be the subject Of special Divine call and
he devoted himself to the advancement of what
he regarded as a more spiritual form of Christian.
ity than prevailed in his day. The lead
ing doctrines or convictions of these people are
the futility of learning the work of the minis.
try. the presence of Christ in the heart the in
ner light, superseding all other lights. and the
necessity of trying mems opinions and religions
by the Holy Spirit and not by the scriptures
The fundamental point upon which this creed
rests is the inner light. mind or whatever you
choose to call 1t. In the early history of America
we read of these people being driven from one
place to another, and of spec. al laws being en-
acted against them. In Massachusetts people were
fined for being present at their meetings. The
Quakers were hanged, whipped. thrown into dun
geons and starved, but these cruelties were inef-
fectual-they met death bravely and even will
ingly, rather than to give up their faith. These
of treatment until about 1874 when they succeeded
in buying one-haf of New Jersey. and their first
settlement was Salem. In 1851 the first Quaker
legislature convened, and they framed their
government on a basis of humanity
These people may have been narrow minded in
some respects, but their upright and honorable
lives from the very beginning has won for them
the respect of all who love truth and liberty.
They people who practice what they preach;
and Cromwell gives them no more than their
just dues when he sa 8: They are people whom
/ cannot win with gifts, honors. Offices Places.
Their ideas of reform. which they practced at
that early day, have spread over the whole land.
Look at their prison management. The humane
manner in which these people treated their pris.
-oners, shows that their ideas of reform were far
in advance of the age. They believe that there is
something good in each individual. no matter
how degraded or how deep he may have sunk in
crime and vice, and that good may be brought out
by kind and humane treatment and in other
way. Now venture to say and think you will
all agree with me, that no man was ever yet re-
formed with club (unless he was kllled). You
may make a hypocrte out of him by cruel punish.
ment, but you can never reform him by such
methods. Kick dog and he will always remem-
Der you for it, and and growl every time he sees
you SO will the convict although he may make
outward show, the feeling is there; and while
this feeling remains in his heart there is but a
mall chance of reclaming him.
1t is not very strange that the people should
make great fuss, and say that the Quakers were
putting premium on crime, by their methods of
treating criminals, when we take into considera-
ion that at that period, punishment seemed to be
he one object in view, and reform only second.
airy matter. But the times and the people havo
changed considerable since then, and the idea
that the Quakers practiced a century ago now
being advanced.