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
San Pedro, March 29.--"Mother" Wheaton, a well known prison
evangelist, was roughly assaulted by John Wilkins, a Front street
saloonkeeper, shortly after seven o'clock last evening. Mrs.
Wheaton was preaching to a large gathering in front of Wilkins'
joint, and hearing loud cursing within, the aged reformer
entered, intending to invite the blasphemers to Peniel Mission,
where services are held every evening. She had scarcely passed
inside the doors of the dive, when Wilkins rushed forward, seized
her and thrust her backward. At the same time he applied vile
epithets to her, shouting angrily: "Get out of here, woman, and
be quick about it!"
So badly was Mrs. Wheaton injured that she was unable to return
to the mission without assistance. She is confined to her bed and
is suffering severe pains from the shock.
Wilkins explained today that he mistook Mrs. Wheaton for Carrie
Nation, whom the former resembles. No arrests have been made.
In a city where I had been preaching the Gospel, a messenger came
stating that a young girl had cut her throat. It was an extremely hot
day and I had to walk a long distance across the city. Arriving at the
house they told me that no one was allowed to go in. But I went right
in and everybody stood back. Kneeling down by the poor girl I took her
hand already growing cold in death. Poor child! Like thousands of
others, she had been disappointed in life. The one who had plighted
his troth had broken her heart, and rather than bear her shame she
preferred death. Then and there I had the privilege of pointing this
beautiful girl to Christ who said, "Neither do I condemn thee. Go and
sin no more," and He who never turns anyone away heard and answered
prayer.
One day I held a meeting in the Crittenden Home for Fallen Girls, in
Washington. They all seemed so glad to hear me. (There were thirty
girls.) They were deeply moved. After the meeting closed I took each
by the hand and exhorted them to live pure and holy lives. And with
tears in their eyes they promised to try and serve the Lord. One dear
little girl in a short dress (fourteen years old), clung to me crying,
and said Jesus had saved her just then, in the meeting, and she would
be a good girl and live for Heaven. I clasped her to my heart and
thought what Jesus said about him who offends "one of these little
ones." Some heartless wretch had ruined the girl and left her to die
alone. "Vengeance is _mine_, _I_ will repay, saith the Lord."
A GIRL SAVED.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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