The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1894-10-25
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mately, who did not love him, and we
would all willingly have sacrificed
much to save his life, if it had been
Gods will"
Perhaps my readers are wondering
why 1 should suppose that this account
of a strangers burial should interest
them.
1t is because this young man so loved
and mourned at his death, had been a
prisoner less than year ago. And
thought it might give you pleasure to
know that young man who had done
wrong, and who had suffered the
punishment and disgrace which you
are suffering, should have, in so short
a time. made such warm friends, who
cared for him in his life and honored
him at his death. To make the minis
ters words seem more striking l must
tell you that when this young man was
discharged from prison he had not
relative or a friend, to whom he could
90. if had not CHANGED to meet him,
and to know of these kind people, to
whom 1 could send him.
think his life, short as it was after
his release, may have a lesson for us
all.
| think many of you often feel and
say that when you leave this place you
will be received coldly, that no one will
trust you, and that ''once a criminal
is to be 'always a criminal" in the
opinion of the public.
Now the case of this young man dis
proves these assertions, and shows the
value of a good character and good
conduct, He would not have won
affection and esteem, if his character
had not been really good, pure and
honest. He had been led astray, he had
done wrong, and had borne his punish
ment uncomplainingly and, when ne
came out from the prison, he had truly
repented of his WrOng-dOlng and
, wickedness. He said very little, and
made no professions, but his after life
and conduct showed this much more
plainly than words.
The good in his character had been,
3 for a time, seemingly, overgroWn by
y evil. but there it was ready to triumph,
when little kindness came into his
life, and his heart, proud, good and
L kind and true at the end.
S So character will always show, and
+ will triumph over circumstances. AL
: though he had been in prison, all the
. persons in the COMMUNICATIVE whom
u he went to live-fOrgot that fact, and
S loved and cared for him tenderly
v through a long illness, and at his death,
. he was honOred by all that love and
8 devotion could have done, had he been
5 in his own home.
g At the burial service the minister
q spoke the words I quote at the beginning
of nv letter, and added, "Who of us
Ii can doubt that he is happy at rest, and
y forgiven by his Father and our Father
e. The HYMNS he had loved to hear during
h his illness, were sung by the little
-. family circle; his body was borne to Its
y last resting place by the willing hands
re of young men, who had learned TO CAL
is him their friend, and he was laid In the
m burial lot of the family, who had carec
~ for him so kindly.
IN Solemn words of trust and hope were
y; said over his grave, and it was filled il
to and covered with flowers by the bearers
IN whose tears showed their love and sOr
bo row.
ne Now, most of you will, | hope, hav
in many years to live after your release
n and a longer opportunity than he ha'
re to show the world that you can lea'
good lives. But it is your real charac
no ter and your after conduct, and not tn
ng fact that you have been a prisone
ar- which will decide your success in lift
in and whether you will be honored an
=. respected, or distrusted and desplse(
or- If you do not try to improve, it yo
lu- cherish feeling that you have bee
all wronged and that the world is agains
re YOU, If you do not truly regret you
wrong doing, if you are dishonest, d.
j.. ceitful and idle. why naturally, yot
past reputation and your present col
u duct will prejudice all against you an
YOU will be distrusted and dislike
But if your character is really NJ
bad, if your heart, at bottom, is goo
4 a and true, if you really regret the pa
at and honestly try, upon your release,
mo be upright, kind, true and grateful, tt
, past will soon be Outlived.
ny It must be struggle for time, D.
sooner or later you will gain frlen
his and all who are true Christians W
mo respect and honor you and Will cea
10 to consider you criminal, and Wheth
'ep, YOU live or die you may be surround
of bv love and kindness, and forgivene
nti. REED