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
precious trophies for the Master had been given her.
I noticed on her last visit that while she seemed in usual
health, her hair was whiter, betokening the gathering years. I
could wish that now she who for so many years has not known the
blessing of home, might find a place in which to spend in rest
and communion with God, and helpful but gentle ministrations, the
balance of her life, until He whom she has followed in her
efforts to do good, may say: "Come up higher, thou blessed of my
Father. Inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these my brethren
ye did it unto me."
A. H. JESSUP,
Chaplain Iowa State Penitentiary.
Fort Madison, Iowa, April 18, 1904.
WORK IN SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO.
Several interesting experiences have occurred in connection with my
visits to the prison at Santa Fe, New Mexico. At one time I found
there a good old Christian man, "a trusty," who had charge of the
Superintendent's horses, driving the family to town, etc., and had
much liberty given him. One day he sat in front of me, driving to
town, and I said to him, "I am going to pray to God to remove the
'stripes' from you." He said, "Pray for my release--I know God hears
prayer." I did so, as did also my good co-workers, returned
missionaries home from Africa on a visit. In three or four days the
warden gave him citizens' clothes; and soon after the governor gave
him his pardon.
We were led to pray for a pardon for brother T. of the same prison,
and in three months he was a free man. At the time I had a sister with
me from Japan. On my return from the Pacific coast we again held
services in the prison at Santa Fe, and during the meeting I said,
"What do you want me to sing, boys?" One said, "Sing, 'Some Mother's
Boy.'" I did so, and in the morning, before I left the prison, the
officer said to me, "Here is two dollars a man sent in from the prison
for you." Upon inquiring the name of the prisoner I found it was J. L.
As they told me he was a good man, a Christian, and a good prisoner, I
took his case also to the Lord in prayer. Within three weeks he was
given a pardon by the governor. The three men mentioned were all
Christians.
In none of these cases did I go to the governor, but just left all in
God's hands, and prayed if God was pleased to set these men free, that
He would impress the governor to give them their release. These cases
occurred at different times. I am sure that the hope of pardon has in
many cases saved the lives of prisoners, and also saved them from
insanity.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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