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
The dear young chaplain said, as he laughingly related this instance,
that he learned a lesson in human nature that day. That woman, who
imagined that she saw in the face of that young looking, honest,
devoted Christian young man evidences of guilt and depravity, was only
one among thousands who are led by prejudice when they imagine that
they are exercising great discernment.
A LOOK INTO THE CELL.
Reader, could you and I walk together down the cell-house corridor in
almost any of our large prisons, at almost any hour of the night and
pause and listen to the sighs and smothered sobs and often to the deep
groans that might be heard welling up from hearts that are broken and
crushed by sorrow and remorse; could we, dear reader, cast one
sidelong glance in passing the rounds of the cell-house with the
guard, who, with muffled tread wends his ceaseless march throughout
the night, your heart, as well as mine, would be deeply moved. On
those stone floors, guarded by double locks and iron bars, as well as
by the living sentinel, you might see many a mother's boy kneeling in
silent prayer to his mother's God, and as he prays and communes with
his own thoughts, you might hear again the groans of anguish as the
poor unfortunate thinks of home and mother, wife and children, or
other loved ones.
Then look with me into that poor man's cell, void of comfort, with
nothing that would remind you of home; a close narrow cell, a poor
hard cot, a straw pillow, if any, and kept under strict watch day and
night; left many times without one ray of hope, without a gleam of
sunshine or a kind word. I wonder there are not scores of insane men
in our state prisons for every one that we find, and there are many,
very many, who are either partially or entirely insane. I am convinced
that oftentimes men are crazy when the officers suppose they are only
obstinate and rebellious and mean. Often do I note insanity lurking in
the eyes and often as the prisoners file past me at the close of a
service and I clasp each one by the hand, as is my custom, among the
many who are so glad to have a kind word and a hand-clasp at parting I
notice those who are not sane by the peculiarity of the clasp of the
hand. Some have a clasp like a mad-man, others a limp, lifeless
hand-shake, with cold, clammy hands. Oh, what wisdom is needed to know
how to deal with these poor, helpless souls! I find many of them with
hearts as tender and sensibilities as acute as any I meet outside.
INSANE PRISONERS.
While I was having a service for the criminal insane at Anamosa,
Iowa, state prison, a young man was very anxious to see me and tell me
something. As I waited to talk with him he said to me in _such a
pitiful way_, "Go and tell my dear mother I will try to help her.
Won't somebody help my poor mother?" This was the burden of his heart.
Poor boy! in his partial derangement his whole concern seemed to be
for her. He is only one among many!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account