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
I firmly believe that an educated Christian who is wholly
consecrated shall be used by the Lord where an uneducated one
would not. You know it was to Paul, the highly educated, that was
intrusted the greatest work of the Apostles, viz: To convert the
heathen world. In Athens, the center of intellectual life, he
preached, quoting to them from their own poets and converting
certain philosophers of whom was Dionysius, one of the city's
judges. Intellectual ability is a talent which the Lord requires
us to use for His kingdom. We need never fear for education,
"While near the school the church spire stands," as the Quaker
poet, Whittier, puts it.
Our prayer meeting is growing both in numbers and in interest. We
hold an election of officers today. I resigned the leadership
owing to my duties in the library being such that I could not
attend regularly. I, however, accepted the place of chairman of
the standing committee. The Warden has allowed the teachers of
the night school to organize a society for the purpose of general
culture. Last Friday the constitution and by-laws were submitted
for approval. Next Friday the election of officers will be held.
I have been embarrassed by several members asking me to accept
the position of president. I know that I am not qualified for the
position, but they think otherwise and are persistent. These, and
other tokens of regard and respect for me by my fellow prisoners,
I am very grateful for.
It makes me feel, too, that my Christian life here has not been
without results among them. They respect my scruples--something I
hardly think people outside are in the habit of doing. You will
understand that I look upon all this as the Lord's doings, and
feel no self-praise over it. To Him be all the praise for giving
me the courage and strength to let my light shine before the men
in this prison. O! it is good to be on the Lord's side, to let
Him order my way. I pray that I may never have a will of my own
in this respect. I feel so perfectly willing to remain here and
serve Him in my feeble way, only praying that if a larger
opportunity comes to me I shall not be found wanting, only
believing that with the opportunity will come added strength and
power from on high. The Holy Spirit has so witnessed to my
spirit that God is and that He is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek Him, and that Jesus is my Saviour, that the bare
thought of being unfaithful brings intense pain to my soul. No, I
can never be happy away from my Saviour. With His faith filling
my being, His peace shall abide with me.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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