Reformatory Girls

New Zealand Tablet, 30 August 1906, Page 22

Reformatory Girls

A striking testimony to the need and benefit of religions influences in the education of the child is furnished in the annual report of the New South Wales State Children's Relief Board. The report says in part : — ' The law provides for the commitment of girls guilty of serious misconduct to a reformatory; but while secular reformatories for vicious boys are often successful in reforming them, fche same success does not, in my opinion, attend the treatment of girls in similar institutions. It is not because the girls are not rcformable, but that the methods of a

secular reformatory are not effectual. Reformation of the girls can l>e accomplished only by their being brought under the influence of religion. It is -immaterial what the denomination may be, as I believe that «all rrvay <bje equally successful if the work is carried out by patient, devoted, self-sacrificing women, who are prepared to do good for its own sake, and not for hire.' The descriptive terms—' patient, devoted, a-nd selfsacrificing,' doing good l for its own sake and not for hire '—are so close a fit for^ our religious Sisterhoods that it seems clear they are specially intended to apply to them. The Sisters are happy to do good for Christ's dear salve, and would 'blush to find it fame.'