At first the thought of being in prison, and loved ones at home, almost drove me wild. The days were too long, the nights too long; I could not content myself with reading, and could scarcely work. I thought I was the most miserable man on earth, and almost wished I could die. Finally I concluded to try to read the Bible. I had scarcely looked in a Bible for nine years, much less read a single chapter. So I secured a Bible and began at the first chapter of Genesis, and read a few chapters at leisure hours. I would mark the place where I left off and commence there when I had another opportunity to read. The more I read the more interesting it became; so I finally read it through. By the time I read it through I had become so interested I would take the Bible to the cell with me at night and read till the lights were turned out, and I concluded to read it through again and take more time in reading and try to get a better understanding of it. Before I got through the second time I was convicted by the Spirit of God. I realized that I was not only a convict, but a sinner. I accepted Christ as my Savior, and have been trying to serve him ever since. It has made a new man of me. The days and nights are now not too long, and I can work as though I were drawing a salary. The Bible is the most precious book in the world to me, and the longer I serve Christ the more I am determined to serve him the remainder of my life. My prayer is that every man behind the prison-bars may accept Christ as their Savior, while in prison; for if they wait until they get out, the temptations are too great and the chances are against them. My advice to my fellow convicts is to read the Bible; if it is not interesting at first it will become interesting; it will broaden your minds, it will make better men and women of you, it will help you to bear your burdens, and may be the means of saving your souls. I thank you for the books and tracts, and assure you they will be read and appreciated by quite a number of the men here, and trust God will bless you in your efforts to lead fallen men to the Savior. R. C. Jackson, Mo., April 4, 1900.