The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1915-02-11

of the other State Institutions need
ed handy man to chore around and
look after the heating plant, and be
was going to send F. to cerform
the task. He CD was to stay at
the other institution and be under
no other restraint than his own word
Of honor to do his work we'll and
not to leave the premises.
Quite naturally F. could hardly
believe his own ears when the war;
den informed him what was desired
Of him. The idea of any one being
wiling to take his word and trust him
to be his own jailer, as it were, was
away beyond any dream of reality
to him. Why, even before he got
into prison, his own companions
were always rather dubious in trust
ing each other and yet here was the
warden about the last person he
would have expected to place any
confidence i'll him; quite willing to
give him the first opportunity he
had ever had to show there was true
manhood lying dormant within him
and that had only to be aroused to
prove that there was much that was
bo,h good and useful in all man
kind. if just little confidence was
given in this manner to encour; g
its growth.
The idea of breaking his trust
never even entered FPS head for be
quite naturally saw that he had much
more to gain by keeping faith with
the only man he had ever known to
place any trust in him.
In one way the placing of F. on
his honor, was to prove the making
of him for his future life to come.
Being an entirely new sensation for
him to experience 1t was quite nat
urally more or less in his thoughts at
all times. And in the course of
time, he began to see that there were
many ways in which he could earn
a livelihood but would have many
hard and unpleasant fallines to over
come. Yet, by persistence he felt
quite confident that he could master
his short comings in the end.
While he had been in prison, he
had never taken any interest in the
various religious services conducted
there every Sunday. But now he
began to attend church every Sun
day. At first it was the music that
proved an attraction. But as the
ever new story of Christ's Love for
man, and for the forgiveness of our
many sins gradually penetrated to
his heart he very soon realized there
was much in life to be gained by
following his Maker.
AS the warden's faith in him had
seemed practically believable, this
newly acquired knowledge of
Gods great redeeming love looked
like miracle, and it was some time
before he finally became convinced
that when God had said Come un-
to me all ye that are heavy laden,
and l will give you rest, was meant
for all mankind, both the rich and
the poor; the great and the small;
and was the same as a personal in
vitation to him from God.
1t was the faint hearted F. who
offered himself to his Savior's doubt
ing Thomas of DID," hungry for the
love of Christ, yet fearful of such a
great gift being bestowed on such
as he. But finding that by faithful
ly following Gods wishes and striv-
ing to live up to his commandments,
he was not only extending his
Makers love and protection. but the
feeling of oppression, formerly
daily cloud over his life, was clear
ed away; and he now found that,
while before he had many tempta.
tions drawing him away for the de-
sire to do right. these now had all
Disappeared; and what he had for
merly conceived to be pleasures.
worth almost any sacrifice.
were in reality only gifted sins of
Satan's to drag down his victims
with.
1t is several years since F.. was
given his freedom; aud to-day you
can find him back amongst his old
haunts in the city. But what a diff
ferent man he is now to what he
formerly was! Before, he was re-
cruiting for Satan; now, he is true
disciple of Christ, trying to win
some of those in the city's great un-
derworld to return to God and close
their wickedness.
What small amount of trust and
confidence does. in the reformation
of those who have fallen by the
WaVeide will do for tho man who 10