Читать книгу Prisons and Prayer; Or, a Labor of Love - Elizabeth Ryder Wheaton - Страница 25

Some young souls are making, for a stated time,

This, their maiden effort, on the sea of crime.

Oh, Christians, teach them early what to me is plain;

Crime ever has and ever will result in lasting pain. Do not be too lenient, nor too soon forgive, Lest all vice should flourish and no virtue live. Society demands it, the guilty should atone— But take care you punish those, and those alone! Keep them in your prison till by virtue shown They will know what is and what is not their own. But let all be careful lest by word or act Those who should reform them from their good subtract. Rule them wisely, gently—by some humane plan, All their faults to conquer as best becomes a Man. When your work is finished and their habits changed, Give them honest labor, by the State arranged; Show them honest labor can a living gain, While the social outcast harvests want and shame! Treat them fairly, kindly; teach them all the true Will be friendly with them while the right they do. Both principle and policy declare this course is wise; Then why longer act the fool and wisdom's voice despise? Crime never can nor will decrease until in Wisdom's School Men learn the noted lesson, "Right through Law should Rule."

—H. P. McKnight.

PRISONERS MARCHING.