The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-04-11
PRISON with excellent results

prison with excellent results.
The chaplain of the Massachusetts
state prison writes: "The influence of
the readings has been excellent on the
men as an awakening and an inspira-
ton. which has done much to change
lines of thought and habits of reading,
for the good of many besides them
selves"
Prison life is favorable to thought
fulness and reflection. Some are not
so inclined; others are; and the remark
has often been made to us. Il have been
thinking;" and these are the men, who,
when the day of release comes, and
they stand at the door of the prison,
just ready to go out into the world
again, are ready to accept and apprecl-
ate the hand of friendship extended to
them, to help them to employment, to
the choice of companionship, and to
give them a word of encouragement
and cheer as, with greater odds than
ever before, they enter again upon the
battle of life, the struggle for existence.
Then is the time when the good resolu-
tions of those lone hours are put to the
test. when they need help, cheer, SYM
pathy and encouragement, which they
are in a mood to receive, and which, II
wisely bestowed may prove their sal
vation. or if lacking, may leave them
TO the wiles of evil associates and vic
ious influences and sure return to
former habits of life.
AS indicative of the thoughtful
character of many Of these men, their
views concerning criminal life, OF the
Justice and effect of imprisonment, OF
: the treatment best suited to their i'm
provement, and of the purposes and
, hearty desire for different and better
= manner of life in the future. l may
y quote to you from some of them; II
: some cases what has been said or writ
( ten to me personally, in others from
S letters or papers which have incident
), ally brought out these things.
e In these quotations from the prison
h ers themselves, think you may expec
v to find fair reflection or expression o
O the common attitude of mind in tn
d prison, among those who have been, o
e may hereafter be, members OF ou
prison reading circles. They recoe
q nize their estate, and while some al
Al exceedingly reserved, they are, as
20 general thing, quite free to speak
20 their condition. their reflections upo
.. the past, and their plans and resol'
m tions for the future.
ce One writes: What are we going
TO do when we get out? The day of OF
release may be the turning point
he our lives. We will all of us, probably
II. given a chance to become good al
useful citizens: but we must start
nd the right direction. What is the rig
,e- direction?
ke "Get work. Take any honest el
ployment that can be had until son
is thing better can be procured. Find
rse good place to make your home: whe
i'd. YOU will have good company; whe
ct. YOUR evenings can be pleasantly spe
of instead of on the streets or in
n a saloon. Keep away from such pla'
lily if you wish the respect of people Wh'
on good opinion is worth having.
md "It does not make any dlfferel
co what you have been in the past; 1t
ght what you are going TO be in the futr
ms. 1t is yours to mar or make. If you
has your part you will not want for frier
one and they will be the right kind
has friends too. 1t pays to do right, bu
the does not pay to do wrong. Look
real your own past lives and they
is answer this question fully.
son Fright here is something that gl
gni- many of us forget. We must look
son higher power for assistance and g
one ance. When we are sure of His
ton and approval, we are bound to suct
), it every time. If we slight Him VIII
The ruler over all, we fall every time.
ma "With Gods help l will never rel
rest here again, and shall try and TO
not out the lines Of thought and ac
at it which have laid down here.
very (To BE CoNTINUED.)