Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-01-11
The iail Work OF the W. c T. U.

INN question Is often ASKED w NAT does
the itil work amount to HnyWaYT and
tho opinion is venturvd that the outlay
Of time and strength involved is unprotit-
able AMI useless. People have been
known to intimate that our prison houses
are places where stern Justice should he
mct"d cut and hence religious services,
tract and paper distribution are out of or
dcr and ineNpCdieut
Il is sometimes feared that Woman'S
quick SNmpathicS will be too much enlist
ed and expressed and so the prisoners
may come to consider themselves heroes
instead of criminals. If this were TO be
the ease then surely the more conserva-
tive ones of their own rs well as the OPP
posite sex would fail to approve their Wis
itauons. We grant that some very earn
est women are not fitted for this work
and 70 none is this more apparent than to
themselves. Shrinking from this line of
effort they will lind many open doors In
other directions.
None are qualified to take it up save
those who have deep desire for the re
formation, we may 60 farther. the saliva
ton of those for whose good they are
willing 10 give up the quiet and rest of
their Sabbath afternoons ut home. There
is little cause for alarm regarding the
quality of the work to he done when il is
entrusted to sensible minded. iudicious
women who have longing that the feet
of the erring ones shall Toe put upon the
foundation stones nj Christian principle
and living.
There is no glamour about Jail work.
The outside multitudes have no applause
for the earnest appeals made to sinful
men to turn from their evil ways. Few
even in our own city realize how year
after year, since the old crusade days,
certain faithful ones from our Union. re-
inforced. from time 10 time by willing
helpers, have kept up either weekly or
monthly services. But many young boy
falling suddenly into temptation or sin
has been reminded of the mother sister
or teacher who counselled him to better
things when he would not listen. Many
"A hardened man has here heard the
sound of kindly voices speaking in tones
which have been unfamiliar for many a
day, and the almost forgotten words of
The good book that he heard in the years
long ago past.
Many Il time the thought What il it
We're my husband, or my brother, or my
son that was a prisoner within these.
walls has nerVed the speaker to utter
words which have gone straight to the
heart of some poor mortal VINO was i'll
SOrest need. The papers and books which
have been distributed have been eagerly
READ and have been the good seed which
may spring up and bear fruit an hundred
fold. stony ground there has been and
viii be hut yOu ANA /, dear friend. haV,
not nor will We ever have the power To
decide whCr" it is 10 be found.
Many eases could bc cited 70 prove that
thu jail work OF the Augusta ". e. T. |.
has not been in vain. TIL" after life of
the young man who, being released from
the Jail went back to get tbs Bible which
had been given him and which he had
left III his cell. has been easily traced and
great joy often comes tn the heart Of he
faithful woman who gave ia him thu
companion which he took with him cut
into the world.
Many interesting chapters and hard to
be believed. could be opened to thu view