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
October 19 we returned to Chicago. The next morning we took the train
for Marquette, Mich., on the shore of Lake Superior, where is located
a State Prison. Upon our arrival there we went to the chaplain, who
kindly gave permission to conduct the next Sabbath morning services.
We then visited the poor house, where we sang and prayed with those
who were lonely and sad, and knew nothing about Jesus. On Saturday it
was stormy, but Mother Wheaton held a service at the county jail,
which God blessed. The Lord's day, October 23, was a day long to be
remembered by many of the prisoners, who that day received a ray of
hope. The Spirit of God so anointed Mother Wheaton to speak that the
prisoners seemed to be held spellbound, with hearts open to receive
every word and song. In the afternoon we were given the privilege of
talking and singing in the corridors and speaking to the prisoners in
their cells. It was told us that these were the worst men in the
state, twenty-four of whom were serving life sentences. But God
touched their hearts, many being moved to tears. We left some of them
with new hopes, calling upon God for help and asking us to pray for
them. Mother Wheaton said they were all her own dear boys.
Journeying eastward we held services in Indianapolis, Ind., also in
the State Prison at Columbus, Ohio, and in the Woman's Prison at
Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Sabbath morning, November 5, Mother Wheaton
spoke in the corridors of the State Prison in Philadelphia, and in the
afternoon at the House of Correction. Here the Lord wonderfully spoke
to the hearts of many young girls. Many men were moved upon by the
Spirit. The officers looked on with amazement to see how attentive
they all seemed to be.
At Trenton, N. J., at the county jail God moved upon hearts and many
asked for prayer.
At the State Prison at Trenton, N. J., we received a warm welcome and
Mother Wheaton was given opportunity to preach on the following Lord's
day in the chapel. We visited the woman's department and held a
service with them, all stopping their work and giving attention. God
melted the hearts of those women who have gone away from Him. Jesus'
blood is able to cleanse from every stain.
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account