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
For some years another prison was closed to me. Why, I never knew. I
prayed that the doors of that prison might be opened to me. When the
Lord sent me back there I found such a change as I had never before
witnessed in the same length of time. There was a good Christian
chaplain, one of the best of wardens, and good deputies. Every
prisoner was in an improved state of mind and morals, and all in
harmony and glad to obey the rules of the prison. I was treated with
courtesy and kindness, and was given all the time in the services, and
was entertained. When I left I was conveyed to the depot with ladies
as escorts, and a "trusty" as driver. Such are the wonderful workings
of God through faith and prayer. The meetings in this state prison
were owned and blessed of the Lord. The Holy Spirit led and all seemed
to enjoy and appreciate them. The chaplain said, "How much good was
accomplished!" All were united in harmony and God was glorified.
A CHAPLAIN IN MY AUDIENCE.
At another time, arriving at a certain city where there was a state's
prison, I met in the depot a young lady wearing a Salvation Army
bonnet. She was crying at not being met by friends as she had
expected, and I asked her to go with me. She gladly did so and I
proceeded to the prison to ask permission to hold services for the
prisoners on the next day which would be the Sabbath. Obtaining the
consent of the chaplain I waited till the time for the service on
Sabbath morning and returned. The guard refusing to admit me, I sent
for the chaplain. When he came he also refused me, saying he could not
permit me to hold the service, as he thought I belonged to the
Salvation Army. A friend suggested that I should go to the Governor at
his residence, saying that he was a kind man. I did so, and was very
kindly received. Having listened to my request he said, "Yes, you may
have your meeting in the prison,"--he having heard of my work before.
He wrote a card for me to carry with me, and I took it and returned to
the prison. The preacher and the Sisters of Charity had all gone to
the women's department. The men were out in the large yard. I called,
"Boys, come on, we are going to have a meeting." How they hurried pell
mell to the chapel! And such a meeting! The power of God fell. Just
then the chaplain entered, much surprised of course, and I said,
"Chaplain, I am permitted through the kindness of the Governor to hold
this service. Will you please be seated?" Had a most glorious meeting,
closing with results altogether satisfactory to the chaplain.
IMPRESSED TO TARRY.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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