A few years ago, in conversation with the Governor of Colorado, he related an incident of a boy seventeen years of age whose mother was a widow. He came to Denver and one day while on the street met a young man who was a stranger, with whom he had not been in company very long until the stranger friend suggested that they take a ride. A horse and carriage was near by and as no owner was present the stranger proceeded to untie the horse and order his young friend to get in. Scarcely realizing what he was doing he obeyed. And away they went, driving as rapidly as possible for several miles, when they stopped and the stranger bade his young friend good-by, leaving him in charge of the horse and carriage. He was then to some extent awakened to the situation, but thought he would return the carriage to the place where it was procured, or if possible turn it over to the owner. But before reaching the destination he was captured by the authorities and taken to jail and was soon bound over to answer to the charge of stealing a horse and carriage. The Governor stated that at that time he was judge of the court. The boy and his mother feeling so sure that he would be released on account of his innocency, as he had not the least intention of stealing, did not procure a lawyer, and after the witnesses had been examined and the prosecuting attorney had made his plea, the Governor stated there was nothing for him to do only sentence the boy for a year in the state prison, although he said at the same time he was sure the boy was innocent. I would not feel clear in closing this volume without making a further plea to the reader, and especially all Christian people, to put forth a special effort in supplying prisons of every kind with good religious literature, such as will appeal to the consciences and hearts of men and women and lead them to a better way. Aside from our penitentiaries there are many thousands of jails, work-houses, infirmaries, hospitals, and places of confinement, which have been so sadly neglected that we even wonder how we can all be held guiltless in the day of judgment if we do not put forth some effort in this line. Aside from the good books and tracts placed in their libraries a number of good religious papers should be sent to all these places weekly. If you can not visit the prison in person use your dimes or dollars to expend in supplying the prisoners with good literature. With the knowledge of the fact that our own boys, our dearest friends, or even ourselves, are liable to be falsely charged and sent to prison innocent, our sympathies should be awakened all the more to help those who are guilty, that we may therefore lend a helping hand to turn them from the ways of sin and wickedness into the ways of truth and righteousness. Transcriber’s Notes pg 43 Changed: former passions crop out irresistably to: former passions crop out irresistibly