The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-01-15
men IN STRIPES
HEAR MRS. BOOTH
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them. didn't mean that they would get
out of prison any sooner. it simply
meant that they had taken then
stand for God. II want you to re-
member that your life counts she
said. DO what you know you ought
to do, and it will strengthen some
other SOUL She invited those who
wanted to join the Volunteer Prison
League to give their names to the
warden of the penitentiary. She said
she wanted every member of the
league. and every other prisoner to
become inspired with the thought that
life was worth living. and that it
afforded an opportunity to retrieve the
mistakes of the past.
Profess Religion.
Mrs. Booth here gave an oppor>
tunity to the prisoners to profess re-
ligion. Seven arose to accept the
invitation. She then invited the great
throng of men to join in singing
Nearer My God TO Thee" They were
next asked to bow in prayer. After
she had uttered a fervent prayer. the
Pickering gas light over her head
enveloping her form In a sort Of I'M
earthly radiance, the benediction was
pronounced. and she retired from the
chapel. the prisoners. by orders OF the
guards, remaining in their seats until
she had left the room. Good bye,
boys. / shall come again." she said,
waving her hand at them as she left
the speakers stand.
Speaks Next at Grove Avenue.
Mrs. Booth was billed to speak at
the City Auditorium at o'clock. A
good sized audience assembled at that
hour to find the place decidedly I'M
q nf ha orr mi
being frozen So the crowd adjourned
to Grove Avenue Baptist church where
shortly after 4 O'Clock Mrs. Booth conf
menced her third address for period
of three hours.
Former Mayor Carlton Mccarthy
introduced her. and Rev. Ryland
knight. pastor of Calvary Baptist
church, conducted the devotional
exercises. Seated in the pulpit with
Mrs. Booth was STAFF Captain Ida NJ.
Hilty. Of the local corps of the Vol
unteers of America.
In Introducing Mrs. Booth, former
Mayor Mccarthy spoke OF what he
termed the 'inhuman Indifference"
with which people generally treat
people IN prison.
The congregation. which filled the
church, heard the speaker with every
evidence Of the deepest interest in
her message.
Her opening remarks were de-
voted to a discussion of the sort Of
reception which she always received
in speaking to prison audiences.
Those audiences, she said, were not
composed of hardened. callous ruff
iians as so many people supposed.
Il have never spoken" she declared,
"tc any audiences that show SO warm
an acceptance OF the message as
prison audiences do"
The obligations of organized So.
cisiy To seek TO reclaim the men in
prison were outlined in a vigorous
and effective way. I'VE do not say
that these men are poor. injured
innocents. but we do say that wan
dering, hayward as they are. they
can-be brought back And It Is as
much the duty of the church to give
them attention as ii is TO give attea--
ton to the rich in their luxurious
home or the poor IN the Sums of the
cities.
Ut Is an economy to see To 1t that
prisoners are reformed in prison
walls q Sc. @ss5.4 g.,ss
sa,&ss Hone ffaffss. s ~ -
Mrs. Booth here told of the Hope
Halls. these being the institutions
into which league members are taken
after completing their prison terms.
touch of humor crept into her re-
marks. Now" she said. I'VE are
very exclusive in these homes. None
OF you outside people can get in there
unless you have done at least one
term"
Comparing the men In stripes to
the briars In rose gardens, she said:
THE brinrs are worth the seeking
and 1t Is our duty to seek them in
such way that they shall be changed
into the roses Of Gods garden
Refers to Salvation Army.
In the course Of her remarks Mrs.
Booth had occasion to refer to the
Salvation Army and tho circum-
stances under which she and her hus-
band. who 10 a son OF the founder
OF the Salvation Army, severed their
relations with that organization. "By
reasons of principle and on ques-
tons OF conscience" was her way
Of explaining why the step was taken
and why another organization. the