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
During this second visit to Europe I was often stopped on the street
and asked to sing to the people, which I frequently did, regardless of
remarks or criticisms, and the Lord blessed my singing to the good of
many souls. While in London, night after night I would sing and preach
the gospel to people who longed for salvation, but knew not how to
get saved. How often we neglect an opportunity to do good. Years after
some of our missionaries returning from Africa, passing through
London, heard the people calling to them, "Where is that old lady who
sang for us?" So we labor not in vain. In due season we shall reap if
we faint not.
After spending several weeks in England (most of the time in London) I
saw that precious band of young missionaries take the steamer for
Africa. The next day I embarked for home at Southampton. Soon after
starting we sighted the vessel on which they sailed and I could
distinguish some of them waving their handkerchiefs in farewell. One
of them died in Africa ten months later. By and by we shall meet again
in the Kingdom of heaven, each one, I trust, bringing with us sheaves
to lay at Jesus' feet.
During the return voyage the sea was stormy at times, yet the voyage
was made safely, and on Sabbath morning, the day after my arrival in
New York, I went to the Tombs prison to hold services. I was very
tired, and after the services I was so faint I prayed for the Lord to
open the way for me to have some refreshments, as I was to preach in
the afternoon at a Rescue Mission. There were many elegantly dressed
lady visitors at that meeting, but they all passed out and left me
alone, when a young, humble-looking man came to me and said, "We are
very poor, and are able to afford but one meal a day, and not a full
meal at that, but it would be such a blessing to my wife and myself if
you would come and share it with us." My heart was touched that this
stranger should offer to share the little they had, when others never
thought of my needs. I did not go with him, although I thanked him; it
was so far to his home, but God will reward him. For Jesus said, "I
was a stranger and ye took me in, hungry and ye fed me; I was in
prison and ye came unto me, sick and ye visited me."
Behold a homeless wanderer, poor and thinly clad,
To biting cold a victim, with hunger almost mad,
Entering yonder mansion, dares to boldly steal
What none should e'er deny a dog--the pittance of a meal!
See the greedy sleuth-hounds of the outraged law
Wage against this robber an unrelenting war;
While _Christian_ judge and jury, with ready wit, declare
His crime an awful outrage, that merits prison fare!
But he who rears his costly domes
O'er wreck and ruin of human homes,
Plants in the breast a raging thirst
And leaves his victims doubly cursed,
Can roll in luxury, loll in pride
And, with _the law_, his gain divide!
Tho' every dime he pays the state
A thousand cost in wakened hate!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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