The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-03-17

one reason for believing that by
taking man away from his en-
ployment and from his family. lock
ing him up with vicious criminals.
breaking down his spirit and destroy
ing his reputation and then turning
him out. friendless, jObless and hope
less, can make him 4 better or more
desirable citizen. The men who in
vented this process for reforming
criminals have been dead thousands
Of years, but their souls are march
ing Oh in our criminal courts. Men
have been ever slow to adopt new
methods. We wore the common ar
ticles called the shirt for seven hun
dred years before discovering that
We could get il on without pulling
il over our headS-and we are
equally slow TO discover that il is
poor economy To ruin man in or
der 10 reform him. Even suppOSing
that headache could be cured by
cutting off the head, il would be
poor economy TO do il.
Under present methods the prin-
cipal business of our criminal courts
is TO break up homes and destroy
families: instead OF the law being
constructive, il is wholly destructive.
and is entirely out OF harmony with
the spirit OF the twentieth century
which is the spirit of conservation.
we are living i'm wonderful
age where the achievements OF an
hour may surpass the accomplish
mcnts OF a century and as we listen
10 the deep harmony OF the steam
shovels as they plow their way
across the Isthmus of Panama, and
The rhythmic beat of the giant loco
motive as il pulls the twentieth cen.
Jury limited, and the melodiOus mus
kerry Of the wireless telegraph, ana
the musical melody of the electric
motor as il drives the airship in its
graceful course, there comes a dis
cordant note from the seventeenth
century. Ten dollars and costs,
thirty days in JAIL five years in
The. penitentiary.'
1t is time the Christian men and
women of this country were rising
up to wipe out this system which is
opposed 10 the letter and spirit of
the Christian faith and to adopt
methods for the treatment Of unfor,
Inmates. which are in harmony with
the teaching Of the gospel.
Two years ago | had the privi.
lege OF assisting somewhat in the
adoption of probation law in this
state providing modern humane meth.
DDS of dealing with the ordinary of.
tenders, but the law will not enforce
itself. Public sentiment must back
il up if il is to be effective, and
back of it should be every man and
woman OF the state who loves his
fellow man."
The Elementary Conference.
The elementary conference was
held in the Centenary Methodist
Episcopal church yesterday after.
noon with Mrs. Pinska of ST. Paul
presiding. and Mrs. c. Apitz of st.
Paul as secretary. After the sing
ing w. c. Pearce gave some very
helpful and practical suggestions
on the teachers preparation. Mrs
J. c. Larkin of ST. Paul then gave
q comprehensive outline of stories
and story telling. by st. John.
Among other things. she pointed out
the value of story telling-its in.
fluence upon the child using as e
guide for the audience the outline
rs follows:
The seven aims OF storytelling.
One. TO entertain; two, TO guide in
reading: three. for language study;
four, for intellectual discipline
five, Illustrations; six, for esthetiC
culture; seven, for direct influence
upon character
Preparation for telling story. One
determine the purpose for which il
is told. Know the child and know
definitely what truth you wish 10
teach: two, become familiar witt
il; three, analyZe il. Determine
what forms the climax: what events
are necessary to prepare the way tC
the climax: and the order in which
they can be most effectively pre-
scented; four, tell or write, TO tel
ones mastery OF the contents: five
criticise it from the standpoint OF
unity: six, elaborate on really es
sential features; seven, practice
practice!
At the conference this morning Rev
f. G.. Horn, d. D., gave an address!
On THE Spiritual Equipment of tn,
Teacher" He spoke in part as fol
lows:
The Christians guide book con
tains two specific commands apple
able TO him who purports to teacl
by precept and example. Both arr
embraced in the same verse, the on,
declaring BE not drunk with wine
the other announcing, But be fillet
with the spirit The activity mani
tested by the churches and numerous
reform leagues and societies indi
Gates that the first specific command
is accepted as binding while tn,
second command is permitted TO &,
limping, too frequently. In the pub
lie schools and colleges education