Prisons and Prayer; Or, a Labor of LoveWheaton, Elizabeth Ryder
Religion
Prisons and Prayer; Or, a Labor of Love
Wheaton, Elizabeth Ryder
Evangelistic work; Prisons
We went to other farms, stockades and prisons. I do thank God for the
privilege of going into these places where "Mother Wheaton" was the
first white woman to visit or to pray and sing. Regardless of danger
in approaching these out-of-the-way places, her love for God and for
those who were despised and downtrodden, carried her through untold
hardships. We were at times in danger of bloodhounds, alligators and
venomous reptiles.
I am sure that through her intercession with governors and wardens and
superintendents "Mother Wheaton's" work has proved a blessing to
thousands of prisoners. I have seen the results of her work in many of
the states. Her preaching and singing have been used of God, but above
all I knew that the hours of prevailing prayer have been a still
greater power for good. In answer to prayer God has opened doors and
done many wonderful things whereof we are glad.
Again we went to the South to visit prisons and stockades where we had
been in former years. Great changes had been made. There was much
improvement in their condition. I hope the time may soon come when
only the law of love and kindness shall prevail.
We held street meetings in many places. One night after holding one of
these open-air services we boarded a train. A man and wife came on the
train. She told us that her husband had attended the street meeting
and was under such conviction for sin that he could not rest. There on
the train, while we knelt in the aisle of the car, he was converted to
God and went on his way rejoicing, while we went to visit a
penitentiary where hundreds of men and women needed the same work of
grace wrought in their hearts.
Often we saw answers to prayer in the healing of prisoners who were
sick. God's Word is true. He says He is no respecter of persons, and
He is able to do more than we can ask or think. May God bless every
soul for whom we have prayed.
Sister Wheaton and myself have spent many long hours at a time
together pleading for the men and women behind the bars. It means much
to be divinely called to this work.
Oh! how many with broken hearts lie in the lonely cells every night!
May God help everyone who reads these pages to remember that there is
one MOTHER of all the prisoners who weeps and prays in sympathy with
them. I wish every mother and wife, or sister, who has a precious one
"in the shadow of the walls," would pray for "Mother Wheaton," that
she may be helped of God in preaching the Word, and that God's
blessing may rest upon her for her kind loving words and the
hand-clasp that reaches so many hearts. Pray that health and strength
may be given her as she comes in and goes out among these erring ones.
I know she has been through deep waters and great sorrows. Her life
has been one of self-sacrifice in behalf of the unfortunate. May God
bless and help her and give her the crown of righteousness that is
laid up for the faithful.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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