The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-05-02

The temper and disposition Of some Of
them has been of the most vicious and
desperate order.
Until the last year, no attempt has
been made by any of our Chautau-
uuans. to reach them; but during the
season one of our number obtained
permission to meet for Bible study.
The result is that they are now organ
lied as a Bible class. He goes out
there every Sabbath, and spends an
hour with them and is intensely inter
ested in and for them. They are stu
dious and thoughtful, and marked
difference in their department IN
daily life is apparent. One of them
IA murderess) is believed to be sincerely
penitent for her sin, and under her
leadership, devotional exercises are
held by them in their ward every even
ing.
1t is proposed to give them an oppor-
tunity, next year. to pursue the regular
course of Chautauqua readings.
1t does not appear that in any of the
prisons except in Nebraska, the Chau-
tauqua idea has developed beyond the
educational feature; but here it has
been shown that there is helpful side
to the matter, to be pursued not only
inside of prison walls, but outside after
the prisoner is released.
A further development of the Chau-
tauuua Idea is seen in the fact that,
| failing to secure legislation in aid OF
J much needed improvements relating to
7 educational and other matters for the
welfare of prisoners, the ChautauquanS
> of Lincoln have secently organized the
} Nebraska prison reform association.
2 with a purpose to disseminate infOrma-
5 ton and awaken an intelligent interest
f throughout the state, which shall even
: tually secure such legislature as is
- needful to remedy existing evils and
t revise and improve the management OF
e all our penal institutions.
I The mere fact of giving a set OF
Chautauoua books to these men and
l then leaving them to take care of them
d selves is not Chautauqua prison work
e No, far from it. The Circle should be
organized, cared for, led and fostered
r by Chautauquans from outside, who
q will devote proper and constant atten
e ton to it, give personal attention t(
"a Individual members, afford them helps
" over hard places, with such manifes
J. tations of heartfelt interest in thel
# welfare as shall incite them to an effor
l. to improve as best they can, the oppor
n tunities offered them. AS rule an.
r. kindly interest in their behalf is ap
a preciated, and it cannot cease Wit
s. their going out from the prison, bu
will inevitably find it's further develop
a ment and manifestation in lookin
ly after and caring for them as they g
to out into the world again.
1 It is obvious that in the prosecutio
ay of this work there must be difficultle
| incident to the peculiarities of the cas-
is to meet and overcome, or yield to an
We provide for-but the brief experiene
IT, here had. and such information as
We has been practicable to obtain col
he corning like efforts in other instit'
'et tions. seems to demonstrate the fa'
,le that it is entirely practicable to col
duct it successfully, and that, to
m without ignoring, but rather recognl
er, ing and sustaining the prime ob]e
ce. and purpose of the institution; witho7
at in the least infringing upon or disr
lal garding the rules and regulations al
;he the very strict discipline which
ay. recognized as an important factor
Ter the management of all institutions
&C. this character.
ev- In the estimation of those convt
SAINT with the plan of Chautauq
re- readings and studies, the aims a.
ere purposes in view, and the helpful a
or uplifting influences incident to it, 1t
YER considered that it is not too much
my hope for, perhaps confidently to ant
der ipate, that if properly fostered, ma
aged and sustained, the formation
son, the Circles already established m
for prove to be helpful elsewhere; an
der. centive to others to undertake