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
When we entered the beautiful new church building the evangelist
introduced me to the young pastor, who hurried by indifferently. He
then presented me to some fine looking ladies who also passed by on
the other side. When the evangelist had closed his sermon he said,
"Now, friends, this is the lady I told you about who has done more
good than we preachers. I know her, but she don't know me. Receive her
as a sister. She is worthy." When the service closed, one after
another came to speak to me and gave me their hand and invited me to
their homes. A gentleman and wife came up and said, "We claim you as
our guest." The husband said, "The carriage is at the door. I will
walk and you may ride with my wife." I was at a loss to know just
which invitation to accept, when the evangelist came up and said,
"These are the people for you to go with." I did so and the Lord went
with me. I was invited to preach that night and the Lord was there in
mighty convicting power. At the close of the meeting the evangelist
said, "Sister, how did it happen that I met you just as I did this
morning?" I said, "Brother B., things don't happen with me. The Lord
sent me to this place."
The next day a young lady called at the house and inquired for me. I
went to the door and she handed me a small parcel saying, "Your
friends from the First Baptist church sent you this." Thanking her I
went inside and found it was fifteen dollars.
I was the guest of one of the F. F. V.'s, so was welcomed everywhere.
Other churches and other preachers invited me to their pulpits. In a
few days Mrs. Col. O. asked me if I would conduct a meeting for women
only at the M. E. church if she would arrange for it. I was impressed
that the thought was of God and agreed to do so. The meeting was
appointed for Wednesday at 4 p. m. On the way to the church I was so
burdened with the responsibility of the meeting that I told the sister
(the kind friend who entertained me) that I could not talk, I must
pray the rest of the way to church. To my surprise the place became
crowded. I had expected perhaps a dozen women and no men; and here the
place was full of elegantly dressed ladies, and the pastor of the
church, Brother H., and a policeman were also present. I tried to
proceed with the service, but seemed unable to do so. After prayer and
singing, "How firm a foundation," I arose and said: "Is any one led of
the Spirit to give me a text. I have no message." A sister arose and
timidly said, "The 14th chapter of John." Well, the flood gates of
Heaven were opened to my soul. God spoke and waves of salvation rolled
over the church, and women, God bless them! arose and said, "I thought
I was a Christian until today, but I find I have never begun to serve
the Lord yet. I promise, by God's help, to begin anew today for
Heaven." The dear Lord touched proud hearts and melted them together
until the place was filled with the glory of God. The pastor and
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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