ABSTRACT
Now the theologians have laid down four propositions with regard to God’s law of punishment, three of which should form the basis of a nation’s penal system. The eternal self-enforcing law, which develops sin into suffering, needs no help from a human administrator. Sometimes, unfortunately, when philanthropy sinks into sentimental folly, it ventures to meddle with the operation of this law, and to save the sinner from his appointed misery. The eternal self-enforcing law, which develops sin into suffering, needs no help from a human administrator. Sometimes, unfortunately, when philanthropy sinks into sentimental folly, it ventures to meddle with the operation of this law, and to save the sinner from his appointed misery. England has to deal with four wholly distinct classes of criminals: with men of good education; with children; with incidental offenders, who have stumbled into delinquency chiefly through their heathen ignorance; and lastly with habitual criminals.
