I had expected to see a set of repulsive-looking men, but was disappointed; many of them seemed to be intelligent, and some to be men of ability. They were dressed in the coarse but neat prison uniform, their hair smooth, and their boots brushed. As I looked upon the varied physiognomies before me, I thought: “To each of these men have been committed peculiar gifts, or talents, to be used for the glory of God and the benefit of the world; but they have despised these gifts of heaven, abused, and misapplied them.” As I looked upon young men from eighteen to twenty and thirty years of age, I thought of their unhappy mothers and of the grief and remorse which was their bitter portion. Many of these mothers’ hearts had been broken by the ungodly course pursued by their children. But had they done their duty by these children? Had they not indulged them in their own will and way, and neglected to teach them the statutes of God and His claims upon them? {4T 292.3}

Jeg havde forventet at se nogle modbydelig udseende mænd, blev skuffet; mange af dem synes at være forstandige og nogle var mænd med evner. De var klædt i den rå, men ordentlige fængselsdragt, deres hår var glat og deres støvler pudsede. Da jeg så på de forskellige ansigtsudtryk tænkte jeg: "Alle disse mænd har fået særlige gaver, eller talenter, til at bruges til Guds ære og til gavn for verden; men de har foragtet disse himlens gaver, misbrugt dem." Da jeg så unge mænd fra atten til tyve og tredive år, tænkte jeg på deres ulykkelige mødre og på den sorg og samvittighedsnag som blev deres bitre del. Mange af disse mødres hjerter er blevet brudt på grund af deres børns ugudelige opførsel. Men havde de gjort deres pligt over for disse børn? Havde de ikke ladet dem få deres egen vilje og lært dem Guds love og hans krav på dem?