The American Missionary — Volume 34, No. 02, February, 1880Various
Religion
The American Missionary — Volume 34, No. 02, February, 1880
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
On returning from the North and resuming my duties as
superintendent in the prison, in September, I noticed an unusual
interest in the study of the Bible lesson. The remarks which were
made at the close of the lesson were listened to with breathless
interest. The interest was so marked that it was determined
to give an opportunity to those who might desire to present
themselves for prayers. This was done, and upwards of one hundred
prisoners presented themselves. After a brief prayer-meeting,
the prisoners were dismissed. On the next Sabbath, five or six
made a profession of their faith in Christ, having been converted
through the week. The work thus begun went on for two months,
only one meeting for inquiry being held each week, and that at
the close of the Sabbath-school. Another meeting was held on
Sabbath morning, at which regular services were conducted by the
chaplain. Each Sabbath, from three to six reported that they had
found the Saviour. A deep religious interest pervaded the entire
prison. Wherever little groups of prisoners were to be found, their
conversation was upon the subject of religion. All the teachers
felt that the Lord was present in power. At the end of two months
thirty-five had found the Saviour, and ten or twelve backsliders
had been reclaimed.
On the last Sabbath of November an unusual scene was witnessed
within the prison walls. Thirty-four prisoners were received into
the prison church. As the long row of prisoners, arrayed in the
stripes of the criminal, stood up to take upon them the covenant
vows of the church, it was perceived that the work had been very
great.
Of the candidates, eight or ten were baptized by sprinkling, the
rest by immersion. Ten or twelve remain to be taken into the church.
The influence of the work among the prisoners is seen to be very
salutary. The church service and the Sabbath-school are the two
bright spots in the lives of the prisoners. From twenty to
twenty-eight teachers, of both sexes and colors, Northern and
Southern, engage in the work. Three hundred pupils, prisoners,
attend with remarkable regularity, as the attendance is optional.
The influence of the religious work is to inspire the prisoners
with hope, and with a purpose to retrieve whatever they have lost
by their folly and crime in the past. Scores of them go out and
live useful and honorable lives. Of this we have abundant proof.
* * * * *
WOMAN’S WORK AMONG WOMEN.
Answers to Prayer—“Scrubbing up with the Bible.”
MISS HATTIE A. MILTON, MEMPHIS, TENN.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account