The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-11
GIVE WINNIE A CHANCE
REV. MIR. MILBURN, IN A SERMON,
REFERS TO THE SMITH CASE.
Pays Tribute to Kate Nennedy's
Beautiful Devotion to Her
Convict Brother.

Rev. Joseph A. Milburn, pastor Of the
Second Presbyterian Church. does not agree
with those who criticise the state officials
for paroling Winnie Smith. Mr.. Miburn
touched on the young mans case, without
mentioning his name in his sermon yester-
day morning, in which was emphasized the
gospel of gentleness taught by Jesus. On
the pulpit was bunch of lilies sent Mr.
Milburn by Miss Kate Kennedy, of whom
ne spoke in his sermon After speaking OF
the lessons of the resurrection, he continued:
Another lesson that this day yields u.s.
think, Is the lesson of the commanding
power of gcntleness. Jesus has done many
things for humanity. He has bestowed
great gifts upon the human race, gifts OF
immense moral and spiritual significance.
But much as the world is indebted to Christ
as prophet, yet more is 1t indebted to Him
as the exponent and incarnation of the
spirit Of genteness. He instituted a new
regime. a regime so strange, so opposite to
all that the world had ever known or
dreamed or practiced that it is not yet half
appreciated or understandable regime of
gentleness. Once or twice we hear stern
words upon his lips--words of denunciation.
indignation, condemnation. But these words
are not hurled against the unfortunate or
the weak or the penitent, but are against
those who professed what they did not prac-
tice, are against those who made a barter
OF holy things, or against those who prac-
ticed hypocrisy and deceit. And oh, my
friends, that you and / might incarnate this
gospel of the gentleness of Christ in our
relationship with one another. oh, that the
world might have more faith in this COM
manding power of gentleness. / believe that
this is the great lesson for the future to
learn that the whole world needs to learn,
that it can conquer evil by gentleness, not
by wrath, not by punishment. not by pris-
ons, but only by gentleness. We must treat
humanity as He treated His erring faith
less disciples, as He shows the father treat
ing the prodigal when he returns to his
home, we must treat humanity as we be-
hold Him treating the wholly penitent Mag
dalene, as we behold Him treating humanity
when expiring upon the cross. He breathed
torth the prayer of perfect love, Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they
do Z"
Mr. Milburn spoke of the beautiful ex-
ample of love found in the history of Kate
pardon for her brother, and of the infiu-
ence of that love and devotion on that
brothers life. who said that his life would
be one of Self-devotion to the sister who had
brought hope to him. Those who talked
with him saw in his bowed head and tear
tul eyes enough to convince them that her
rewarded.
Mr.. Milburn said that he had read with
sorrow criticisms in some of the papers for
the officials, who had extended the parole
to young man of this community. The
board had done well. he said and would be
rewarded. He bespoke for the young man
sympathy and encouragement in his efforts
to make for himself place in the world and
to atone for the past. frown from an ac-
quaintanee might discourage him, and In a
moment do moro to unnerve him for his task
than could be remedied in a lifetime. Mr..
Milburn did not lose sight of the fact that
a whole lifetime would not suffice to wipe
from his conscience the deeds of the past,
but he did not regard that as q reason why
he should not meet encouragement and SYM
pathy in his efforts to become a noble and
useful citizen. BY all reports he was a
young man of talents, with the making of
a good and noble citizen in him. Had he
been confined seven years all hope of &C
complshng anything would be past, as it
is those years that are necessary for him
to build up a place for himself; His plea
forgiveness for the pentient be substituted
for that of wrath and punishment. Mr..
Milburn believes that the purpose of law
is not so much to punish as to reform, and
that some men are as successfully reformed
in ten minutes they would be in ten
years. and that when evidence of reforma-
is manifest it should not be stifed. He adj
mitted that there are some habitual GRIM
inals who should be kept confined, but in
cases where reformation is possible the OPP
portunity should be given the penitent man.
ON THE WAR CRISIS.
incidentally Mr.. Milburn referred to the
war crisis. He believed that the doctrine of
gentleness ought to control nations in their
action towards one another as well as in
dividuals. Said he:
And as this should be our spirit in our
relation as individuals must this also be
the spirit of the nations in their dealings
with one another. The nations will never
be Chrst's nations, the peoples will never
be Christ's peoples. the kingdoms of this
earth will never be ChriSt'S Kingdoms until
they abrogate as goddess and unchristian
the doctrine of might, until they get lifted
high above the gospel of brute force, until
they cease to believe in the methods and
destruction and death and come to
believe only in the methods and the
instruments of kindness and of love. Love
thy neighbour These words, take 1T, are
spoken. not only to individual men, but to
humanity, to all the nations of the world.
They are not to hate one another; that is
not Christlike; they are not to antagonlze
one another that is not Christlike: they
are not to threaten one another, that is not
Christlike; they are not to contend against
one another that is not Christlike; they
are not to destroy one another, that is not
Christlike. They are to love one an
this Easter day to all the world;
- N0I