A vast convict farm is under cultivation by colored convicts at Coalsburg. To see men and women tied together and working under “Bull whips” was a delightful scene to the white passengers, both men and women. The farm is about 60 yards from the depot. All sorts and conditions of humanity can be seen. Strange it may seem to true man and womanhood, the fact remains that the brutalized state of the colored men and women is the pride of the Southern white element. The passengers stand with pleasure viewing the convicts as they are lashed and forced to do excessive work. A man who had been on the farm two years, charged with stealing a pair of boots, attempts to escape, when four white men on mules and a train of hounds pursue him. An old ex-slave holder, standing in an attitude to take fine view of the proceedings, smilingly said: “That looks like old times.” Convicts are treated more cruel than the slaves were during American slavery. In fact the convict lease system is a method of revenge. There are some ex-slave holders who think that the “nigger” should be “paid” for fighting against the South for freedom, and now making it felt and known that they are a main factor in the common wealth. The convict farms have grown numerous in the Southern States as a means of binding the Negro down to white masters. Ned Richardson may justly bear the blame of causing more immorality and disgrace upon the colored race in his dominion than the slave trade in Africa to-day. The convict lease system is a satanic giant leading to degradation and ruin thousands of young men and women, whom, if they had privilege of a house of correction, would accomplish many good deeds for their country, and Christ, and the Church. When Mr. D. L. Moody preached at Massey Music Hall, Wednesday, Oct. 13th, 1897, at 3 p.m., he elicited about 5,000 people. Before beginning his sermon he made some interesting statements concerning the great work which he had done in his efforts to supply the jails in the United States with reading matter to be put in the hands of the prisoners. Concluding, he asked his audience to contribute $500 to the same scheme in Canada. During his fervent and explicit remarks the lamentable thought of the Convict Lease system presented itself to me. Though recognizing the work done by the speaker in the United States as a source of spiritual help to the colored prisoners, as well as the white ones, I am convinced that such influential ambassadors of God as Mr. Moody and Mr. Jones could abate the intense evil in the promoters of working convicts, in a worse way than any farmer would dare to work his horses in the north and in many parts of the south. At the close of Mr. Moody’s service I was profoundly touched with the idea of asking the evangelist to protest against southern heathenism. When the rush to shake hands with the speaker had ceased, I could not refrain from simply asking Mr. Moody to preach against the convict lease system when he returned south.