The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-24
The AFTER CARE
Of C0Nv|C1S
Stirring Address BY Mr.. Burnett
Lewis OIL After Care
OF Coiiyicts.
ARoUsEs INTENSE INTEREST
Two New Charitable Organiza-
tions Formed, as Result pf
Conference.
= Z

(spec,al to Tho Times DispatchO
pETERsBuRG, VA. May 23.-Thc first
two sessions OF the Virginia Conference
OF Charities and Correction has incrchsed
and aroused active interest in the work
here to such an extent that preparations
arc already being made to organize two
new charitable associations in the city
Mr. Robert Gillian, chairman Of the
Conference COMMITTEES on Local Arrange
ments, announced at this mornings ses-
sion that u general meeting of citizens
would be held at the conferences place
Of meeting, A. =. Hill Camp Hall, to-
morrow AFTERNOON at o'clock when an
organization Will probably be formed as
the Associated Charities Of Petersburg
which was suggested by Rev Or. Pitcher
president Of the conference, ut the ses-
sion last evening.
The excellent paper by Mr. Burnett
Lewis, OF Richmond, on the Care OF Elk
Convicts." read by Mr.. Lewis Mt the
morning session. was 30 favornbly re-
ceived that n branch of the FIX Prisoners
aid Society Is to be established here
The thanks of the conference were ex-
tended to Mr.. Lewis for his able discus
sion OF that phase OF It's work
Mr.. Lewis's Paper.
Mr. Lewis said
Before speaking on the ex-convcts.
want to say word about them before
they become such.
For the past twelve or fifteen years ]
have been engaged In the Sunday school
work of our Virginia penltcntiary, and
have been in touch with prisoners OF all
ages and classes some who were made 90
by indulgence in the wine cup. come who
had in moments of passion taken the
lives of their fcllow-man. some who had
committed the crime OF blgamy were
incarcerated. These I have seen often
in the Sunday school and wis, scarcely
few exceptions are deeply interested IN
the lessons taught. and to very many
they are hearing for the first time the
beautiful ,ruti1s Of the Bible. as brought
out In the international Lessons which
are taught.
My custom has been to learn their
names and call them by such. This
seems to please them very much, and
In q way gain nm entrance into their
hearts to the extent that they take part
In the discussion OF the lesson. From
long continuance in the work. I feel
can tell when some one skeptically In
clined, chatting under restraint, revenge
full and feels ne has been urjustly dealt
with. opens up a discussion not for light
on the subject In question, but for mo-
tive to dIscredit tho Bible and create
di!icord. | generally see tho drift OF his
acts. and / have yet to meet the first
case that has not been overcome and
the party in question. instead OF being
a hindrance, has been help. ! do this
as gently as possible, not by attempting
to show how little he knows. but appa-
rcntly, by not appearing to see his mo-
tive, and rs tcnderly and as clearly as
know how, to keep right along with the
lesson. injecting some little incident that
presents Itself. fits his particular case.
and wins him over. To be successful.
one has to make them feel that your
interest In them Is genuine: that you
feel sorry for them; not by telling 1t, but
by showing 1t in your manner. In your
talk. and in your general bearing.
Beware of Their Crimes.
Never, in my Judgment, is it wise to
discuss any phase OF their cases with
them; in fact, to do so would violate
the rules OF the penitcntlary. which pro-
h!bits any conversation not pertaining
to the lesson: but even II 1t were not so,
to do this would initiate greatly against
the real motive that carries one there.
on the contrary. I cndeavor to impress
them one and all, that Instead of repin-
ing and chatting under confinement, they
ought really to thank God that they
are there. where, separated from their
old haunts, old habits and evil assocla-
lions. with good literature to read. with
day, they have time to think, reject on
their past lives, and encouraged to for
get the past. and be men. | endcaVor
to impress these facts upon them, and
as evidence of their intention to be good
men, 10 serve without murmuring. their
sentence and when that Is done. to come
out With heads erect, knowing they have
cancelled the debt due by them to the
law for their offenses. ana resolve to
make good and useful citizens and atone
for the past by more earnest and faith
mi living, and now, when the long
hooked for hour arrives, and the prison
doors open and the prisoner comes forth
n free man, feeling of loneliness
comes over him that makes,
him hunger for helping hand
a. kindly word 4 sympathetic friond. to
hc., him upward In the race of HE,
help him to regain his lost citizenship
md place him once more on an equal
footing with his nelghbor and n COM
petitor for the honors and privileges to
which man may attain. For him to do
this, it Is absolutely necessary that some
one comes to his rescue. for In his
present position he will hardly come to
you.
Feeling as he does the mortinca ton and
disgrace that attaches to him, instead OF
going to his former friends and nc-