The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1910-02-24
AIDS TIE
Rev. James Parsons of st. Paul Ad.
dresses Large Audiences In the
Princeton Churches.
His Aim is to Help Those Whe Have
Strayed From the Straight
and Narrow Path,

It is not generally known that
there is in this state a society or
organization known as the "Society
for the Friendless," of which the Rev.
James Parsons of St. Paul is state
superintendent. AS yet complete
organization has not been effected in
this state and the active work is per-
formed by Mr.. Parsons. His aim is
to help those men and women, those
boys and girls who have strayed from
the straight and narrow path and
have suffered punishment at the hands
OF the state. There is. as everyone
knows, little sympathy for a paroled
prisoner or released convict. They
are few indeed who are willing to ex-
tend a helping hand to the ex-jail
bird. It is Mr.. Parsons mission to
counsel and advise with such poor
unfortunates, give them a fresh start
in life, and, if possible, make them
better men and women,-good and
useful members of society. A noble
work and deserving of the support
and encouragement of every right
thinking man and woman, especially
of those who profess to walk in the
footsteps of "The Meek and Lowly
One" who said: "He that is without
sin among you, let him first cast
stone at herr
Mr.. Parsons made his first visit to
Princeton on Saturday; he came in on
the evening train and remained until
Wednesday morning. Sunday morn
ing he talked in the Congregational
church, and in the evening he
addressed a union meeting at the M.
b. church,; every seat was filled, and
throughout his 80 minutes discourse
be commanded the closest attention of
every one in the vast audience. His
subject was, Chow Criminals Are
Made" he prefaced his remarks by
giving a brief history of the "Society
for the Friendless' and its objects.
Stale.
especially Of his labors in ST. Paul
and Minneapolis, where he was con-
stantly engaged in assisting the un-
fortunate ones in getting employment, =
thus affording them an opportunity
of becoming self-respecting, self-sup-
porting men and women. He went on
to show that many man, though not
inherently bad, in the heat of passion
Or in an unguarded moment commits
crime against the laws of the state
for which he is punished by imprison-
ment. When such man paid the
penalty and regained his liberty the
reverend speaker thought he ought to
be given chance in the world. In
this connection the speaker gra phical-
ly detailed the story of a man who
was recent y executed in the Missouri
penitentiary. The man bad committed
crime in St. Louis; was tried, con-
victed and sentenced to the peniten-
tiary; served his sentence; vent back
to st. Louis resolved to begin life
anew; sought and obtained employ
ment in shoe factory; in less than
ten days was discharged, without any
reason being assigned; after much
effort he found another place: at the
end of the week was again discharged;
this time reason was assigned-we
don't want ex-convicts in our employ.
The man fell in with some of his old
companions and in short time was
again in the penitentiary. In an
attempt to regain his liberty be and
two other convicts killed guard. and
be expiated his crime on the gallows.
Mr.. Parsons made an earnest plea
for parents to exact obedience from
their children; to see that they did not
read vile, trashy literature; to keep
them off the streets nights; not to per-
nit them to hang around the railroad
depot and post Office.
In accordance with the views of the
ablest penologists of the country,
Mr.. Parsons expressed himself as
being in favor of indeterminate SEN
fences for crime. The hopelessly
criminal should be treated as the
hopelessly insane and restrained of
their liberty for life, while those who
gave promise of reforming should be
given chance.
The discourse throughout abound
ed in good common sense. Mr.. Par
sons is logical and convincing and
impresses one as being sincere and
deeply interested in his work.
On Monday Mr.. Parsons talked to
the pupils at the high school and also
to those at the Whittier school and
gave them some good fatherly advice.
During his stay in town Mr.. Parsons
called on several of our business men
and received some donations and
pledges of future support to help in
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