The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1894-09-06

suspicion that he had ever occupied a
convict's cell. Friends smile upon him,
fortune is kind to him; but if good
had not happened his way,
where would he be now? Good Sam
aritans are accidental travellers.
Now consider the situation of one
just released from prison land by pris
on is meant both the state prison at |
saltwater and the state reformatory at !
st. Cloud) He is an "ex-convict"
dread name, from which society shrinks
back appalled,, and which no amount of
expiation can cause her to forgive or
forget. An "ex-convict" is as one
marked with the brand of Cain, when
known to be such. Suspicion directed
towards him becomes certainty. Lib
erty must be purchased at the price of
silence which places him, even to him.
self, in the position of having to pre-
sent a false front to the world. To be
true to his new resolutions, he must
shun old associates and turn his back
upon everything that would lead him
into the old familiar paths. The hu
man heart Graves sympathy. The state,
being an organization, and working
through an institution, has envolved
system, the best yet reached, but the
individual wants more. Where can
the "ex-convict' get it? He is out of
step with the world, he is out Of har-
mony with himself. Can he seek good
society? Good society turns its back
upon him. He must prove himself
worthy of confidence before anyone
will repose confidence in him. The
state withdraws. Society withdraws.
The church-where is it? Does it come
forward with outstretched hand ready
to help and save him? Is he, in a
Christian land, to be left to perish,
when within him is the desire of repen-
tance, and of bringing forth fruits ripe
for repentance: Where are the Chris
tians, the professed followers of that
great apostle of humanity who an
nounced that his mission on earth was
to save sinners, when with faltering
feet and wavering heart the convict
leaves the place which has been a
shelter to him as we'll as a prison
Surely if ever there was work to ap-
peal to Christian hearts it should be
! ho oh oh TO
the work where the state lays it down
1t is an immortal soul in need, in dan
ger of death, that looks out of that con
vict's eyes. The value Of thing is
guaged by the price paid down for it
Do Christians need to be reminded of the
value of soul? The opportunity te
aid is here, knocking at the door. Viii
the churches take 1t up, or will they
still pass by on the other side, like tht
priest and levite of old?
The state employs an agent for th'
aid of discharged prisoners, whose dut!
it is to provide employment for th'
prisoners before they are discharged, tt
keep friendly supervision over them
and to protect them and see that the.
get what is justly their due. This agen
, acts as such for both the state prisol
and the state reformatory. These dis
charged prisoners distribute themselve
? over the state at large. In times lik
= the present, or even in times of com
t mercial prosperity when work is CON
J., paratively easy to procure, his task is
l difficult one. He does an importan
e work. How greatly couldit it be increase
y and blessed by the help of prisoner
e aid society whose branches would e1
|. tend to every town of any size through
0 out the state. A mass meeting calle(
speakers to present the object Of tn
d meeting to the people, enthusiasm in
e noble cause (heroic in the difficulties t
Q be overcome, Christ-like in it's object
d aroused, an organization formed backe
d by all the resources of the church-an
d the work would be started. The churc
}. and society would then be enlisted
a the furtherance of the effort the stat
2, at so much effort and expense hs
|, begun.
g The Prisoners Aid Society shou
n make it their business to aid the sta
a agent in finding suitable employmel