Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-31
FOR MEN WHO ARE DOWN
Certain Phases of UpIift Efforts Con-
Quoted at Connecticut state
Prison.

In short reports to the Connecticut prison
directors the Protestant and Catholic chap
lains have given a very good idea Of the
effort which is being put forth to SOW
within erring mankind some seed that will
bring forth at least an improved citizen
ship among them. The work is conducted
on the plan that a man Is never beyond
hope: that even in the worst OF criminals
there is a chance to do good and that
among such as are to be released to again
become free citizens there is a chance to
make'a useful man out Of one who has
mlsused talents within him.
Through the efforts OF these prison chap
lsins. attendance as religious services, held
in the prison chapel, has been constantly
increasing, the prison library has grown,
and its books have been classified and cat
alogued; the sick and the aged have been
given care, sympathy and counsel, and the
ignorant have been given instruction in
simple English branches. Night school has
been conducted three nights a week for
eight months, with a view to lesseninR
niteracy. For this work there have been
eleven teachers and a total attendance of
6.763, an average of 74Ih, and Chaplain
Craig observes in his report: Willingness
to teach on the part of the better educated
~ OlS ain taktiHtss iedTH On the
part of the illiterate are encouraging fea-
lures of this work. Many each year SO
become capable OF writing a readable let
ter and Of reading the books Of our Ii
brary."
Rev. o. I. Magnell, the Catholic chap
lain, says: II have endeavored to encour-
age the unfortunate men confined here, and
have made 1t my business to advise them
before taking lava of the p1aca ava Co,
ing again the temptation of the world. In
my particular department the introduction
Of the prison choir has lone much toward
bringing men to divine service and placing
them once more under the influence of reli-
gion. The instructions then given have
been directed towards the upbuilding of the
natural virtues as the foundation for the
Christian life. With high ideas Of man
hood and citizenship before them the hope
is cherished that they become useful mem
bers of society. l anticipate greater fruit
from my ministry when 1 shall have ac-
CURED a few at least OF the languages
spoken by the newcomers contributed by
the criminal classes from other shores"
In addition to the efforts of these two
chaplatns, which are assuredly helpful and
earnest, there are members Of the Holy
Name society and of the Epworth league
who hold regular meetings at the prison,
cooperating with the chaplains, and i'm
parting such instruction as Ia deemed ex-
pedient. Particularly commendable is the
encouragement given the prisoners to make
liberal use Of the library that they may
cultivate q taste for reading which they
will find a solsce during their confinement
and a distinct advantage at the expiration
OF their term
The fact that one of the chaplains has
the work Of reform so much at heart that
he proposes to learn some of the languages
spoken by the prisoners from other coun-
tries is pretty good proof that he has zeal
according to his convictions.
The state is fortunate in having men
who will make the self-denial necessary
for a routine of this kind. It 10 a practical
illustration of thorough unselfishness, and
1t must have no little influence upon the
future lives of men who, without this
kindly aid, might give up hope. They are
trying to help the man who is down.
Ansonia Sentinel.