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
A Gazette reporter found her last night at the home of Mr. Bower,
No. 136 Walton avenue. Her physical appearance marks her as no
ordinary person. Her face beams with a kindly smile, being plump
and fresh with the vigor of apparent health, though gray hair
indicates her past the prime of life. She dresses modestly in
black and carries with her a satchel in which she keeps a
Testament, her pass holder and some tracts. Her handshake is a
model of firmness and heartiness, conveying the impress of
intense earnestness. Before permitting the interviewer to proceed
further than the salutations, Mrs. Wheaton kneeled and prayed for
the Lord's blessing upon the interview. This unconventional
prelude was novel in the experience of the reporter, but coming
from such a woman seemed perfectly in place. There is reverence
and piety proclaimed by her presence and no thought of
incongruity obtruded. The prayer took the range of ready
invocation and communion with the Lord, and as is probably the
evangelist's wont, the prisoner and the fallen woman were not
forgotten in her petition to the throne of grace.
Mrs. Wheaton was not inclined to talk about herself. "What has
been done by me," she said, "was done of the Lord--His be the
glory. I was called to this work thirteen years ago, and I walk
by His guidance. I have never asked and could not accept a
salary. I have never had a collection taken for me. It is a
wonderful thing how He has led me. Here are some of the railroad
passes that have been given me."
And here she unrolled a leathern holder full of passes from all
the leading roads. Some were "Account of Missionary Work" and
some "Account of Christian Work." It is evident that she has
traveled this country over, and her ministrations have also
extended to the old world.
Mrs. Wheaton again attended the services last night, and moved
all by her stirring words. Many could not repress the tears. Her
address was not anchored to a formal text, but was a strong
appeal, nevertheless, to the sinner to repent. The audience was
slow to pass out after the meeting, being anxious to meet the
speaker.
The following from Bro. Snyder and his estimable wife who are my very
dear friends and whose home is always open to me when I am in
Baltimore, are very much prized. They explain themselves. Their work
for God and souls is very exceptional:
During the winter of 1894, Mother Wheaton was conducting a
service at the state prison, when one of our men expressed his
desire that she should attend our services. This was my first
introduction to this noble child of God, and since then she
seldom comes East without visiting our church; we all love her,
but she rarely stays over a day at one time, as her work calls
her away.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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