The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-11-10

remind you that the future of this Cir
Gle is in your hands, and it means more
to all those whose situation is like our
own than we can ever estimate. See to
it that when the Warden or Chaplain re-
ceives inquiries from other penal insti-
tutiOns in regard to this society, they
may be able to send encouraging re-
plies. Never say you have no literary
tastes. If you have taste for any
thing that is good, pure and elevating,
you will find it in the G. l.. 5. c. course
of study"
Finally, the Chautauqua Circle exerts
distinct influence upon the social life
of it's members. The member of
prison Chautauqua Circle develops a
personal interest in his fellow class
mates. He realizes that they and he
have common interest in the welfare
of the Circle 1t is the club spirit
which tends always towards good-fel
lOwShip, and since the purpose of the
club is high and from the necessities
of the case must remain so, the fellow
ship develops the better side of the man
by bringing him into active sympathy
with the better side of those about him.
The fraternal spirit is still further
developed through the fact that the
Self-elected student is member of
great fraternity outside of the prison
walls, an institution in which, so far as
his work is concerned, he may receive
every honor which belongs to the most
favored member; a society in whose
work he may continue to SHARE and to
which he may turn for help and guild
ance in higher things. when, once more
out in the world, he begins his life
struggle anew.
In the penitentiary at Lincoln, Ne
braSka, this aspect Of the work is eSpe
cially marked. since the class there is
under the personal direction of earnest
men and women from the Chautauqua
Circles of the city. The man who
would turn with contempt from any
avOwed effort to convert" him or to
reach him by direct religious influences,
almost unconsciously, as member OF
the Chautauqua Circle, comes to look
upon the great facts of history and sci
ence from the high and broad standard
from which they are presented to him
through the Chautauqua books, and to
the men and women who offer their
services as "fellOw ChautaquanS in
opening up broader and more inspir-
ing life to him, he learns to look as to
personal friends in whom he may trust.
One of the members of the Look
Forward" Circle of the Lincoln prison,
just before going out into the world,
offered in letter some suggestions
for the last meeting of the Circle which
he was to attend, saying as he did so,
I" I trust you will not consider me pre-
SumptuOuS, but | feel more than inter
eSted and shall go out with kinder
feelings toward society on account of
the Chautauqua Circle, as well as con-
tinue as a member wherever | locate
Another member of this Circle, on re-
turning to his home, gathered about
him some of his old associates, and told
them of the new interest in life which
the Chautauqua work had given him.
In reporting his efforts to friend he
wrote, Il was formerly looked upon as
a leader, and the boys know that it is
not fear that has made the change in
me- and again. Il am still carrying on
my work for the welfare of the boys
I should have failed if l had had to de-
pend upon my literary powers, but [
could talk with them about their work
and habits, and in that way gradually
got them interested in history and the
leading questions of the day He adds
that he hopes to get them to form
NlIClc Ill GIlc ldll, t1lu Iltdll w Illlc 10 I'll y
ing to interest them in good magazines,
in which, he says, there is Just spice
enough not to be mOnOtOnOus to be-
ginnerS of our kind up here.
But space forbids a further presenta-
ton of this work. That the Chautau-
qua Circle has proved valuable ally
in prison reform seems to be clearly
demonstrated by the test given it at
Lincoln and Saltwater for some years
past. 1t may be that the opening of
new year of work just at this time will
suggest the testing of the experiment
in other institutions of similar nature.
Kate f. Kimb0W, Secretary c. L. s. G..