Produced by David Garcia, Matthew Wheaton and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) [Illustration: Steve P. Holcombe.] STEVE P. HOLCOMBE, THE CONVERTED GAMBLER: HIS LIFE AND WORK. BY REV. GROSS ALEXANDER. INTRODUCTION BY _REV. SAM P. JONES._ LOUISVILLE: PRESS OF THE COURIER-JOURNAL JOB PRINTING COMPANY. 1888. COPYRIGHTED, 1888. TO Mrs. S. P. Holcombe, THE PATIENT WIFE, THE FAITHFUL MOTHER, THE FRIEND OF PUBLICANS AND SINNERS, THIS ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND WORK OF HER HUSBAND IS DEDICATED. TABLE OF CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION BY SAM. P. JONES LETTER FROM DR. J. A. BROADUS LIFE AND WORK OF STEVE P. HOLCOMBE-- CHAPTER I CHAPTER II CHAPTER III CHAPTER IV CHAPTER V CHAPTER VI LETTERS TESTIMONIALS OF CONVERTS SERMONS PREFACE. It has been thought and suggested by some of those having knowledge of Mr. Holcombe's history, that an account of his life and work in book-form would multiply his usefulness and do good. And since the narration of his experiences by himself has been of such great benefit to those who have been privileged to hear him, why may not others also be benefited by reading some account of his uncommon career? It is hoped that it will be of interest to the general reader as a revelation and record of the workings and struggles of some human hearts and the wretchedness and blessedness of some human lives. It is a sort of luxury to read about and sympathize with wretchedness, as it is a joy to see that wretchedness turned to blessedness. It will show to those who are unwillingly the slaves of sin what God has done for such as they. It will possibly interest and encourage those who are engaged in Christian work. It may furnish suggestions as to practical methods to be pursued in working among poor and needy classes, whether in towns or cities. Even ministers of the Gospel may find encouragement and instruction in the experience of Mr. Holcombe's life and the methods and successes of his work. What few letters of Mr. Holcombe's could be found are put in as showing phases of this interesting character that could be shown as well no other way, and some letters written _to_ him are selected out of several hundred of like character to show how he touches all classes of people. The "Testimonies" are from men who have been rescued under Mr. Holcombe's ministry, and will give some idea of the work that is being done. These are only a few of the men who have been brought to a better and happier life through Mr. Holcombe's efforts. If any should feel that there is a sameness in these testimonies, which it is believed very few will do, perhaps others will feel the cumulative effect of line upon line, example upon example.