The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-14
PEOPLE HAVE CONFIDENCE
REV. GEORGE VI. SMITH AT HALL
PLACE METHODIST CHURCH.
AIIusion Made To the Investigation
Being Conducted az the
Prison North.

Governor Durbin and the boards that
are investigating alleged inhumanities at
the Michigan City prison have the entire
confidence of the people" said the Rev.
George NJ. Smith, pastor of the Han-place
NJ. l.. Church. in his sermon last night.
Mr.. Smith spoke briefly of the investigation,
but devoted the greater part of his sermon
to an exposition of the causes that impel
men to DO right rather than to do wrong.
There is law Of necessity, he said, and "a
law of liberty. The former is too often fol-
lowed; the latter too often misunderstood.
The congregations that fill the Hall
place Church at morning and evening serv-
ices tax the seating capacity of the build
ing to the utmost Although large addi-
ton has been built since Mr.. Smiths pas
torate commenced. the church is usually
crowded as much as ever before. Last night
the pastor said
Some time ago I went through the
States Prison. / thought how pitiable and
yet how splendid the sight! There within
those prison walls hundreds of men, ap-
parently observing perfect discipline and
all trying hard TO do right. But one could
scarcely repress the thought. what would
they do II they had an opportunity?
How much more beautiful to see men
and women in Gods beautiful, free world
guard is over them but because they would
rather do right than wrong.
Much interest has lately been shown in
the investigation Of affairs of the State s
Prison at Michigan City. While we regret
the necessity of an investigation we recog-
nize the fact that occasional Investigations
may have very salutary effects. All right
thinking people know that our penal insti-
tutions should have rigid rules. rigidly en-
forced. Neither brutality nor laxity in
discipline should be tolerated. The Cover
Of rha~ how
hdence of the State and their finding will,
no doubt, be Just and satisfactory.
The law Of liberty is difficult TO under
stand for the reason that many people do
hot associate the idea of absolute liberty
with the idea of law. The Anarchist believes
mat law is destructive of liberty. The
Christian citizen does not look upon the
restraints or civil or moral law the
prisoner looks upon his chains. All chains
are not letters. He looks upon these re-
straints more like the seaman looks upon
the chain that anchors his ship while the
storm is raging. A surgeon places a band
age upon a broken limb. not because the
bandage has any healing properties and not
because IL is always TO remain there, but
the bandage serves as a support to the
limb until it becomes strong enough to sup
port itself. God has placed the laws of re-
straint upon us not because they have
within them any power to heal the soul of
sin, not because they are always to remain
upon us, but 10 serve as safeguards of our
lives while character is forming. While we
are living under the laws of restraint St.
James tells us: SO speak We and so do as
they that shall be Judged by the law of
liberty Under the law of liberty shall
be rewarded not only for what we have
done, but for what we would have done.
Many person Is living a Virtuous life
from fear of social ostracism. Under the
law OF restraint he is acquitted, under the
law of liberty he is convicted. Many a per
son is honest in his business transa ctions
and resists the temptation TO steal because
he fears the penalties of the civil law Tn
der the laws Of restraint he is innocent.
Under the law Of liberty he is guilty God
weighs men not only by what they do. but
by what they want to do. This is one of
the strongest arguments why men ought
not only 10 reform. but seek a life re-
newed by the Holy Ghost