FROM A CONDEMNED PRISONER.
Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Through the kindness of a lady in California a few copies of your paper, the Gospel Trumpet, have found their way into this prison (Santa Fe, New Mexico). Each copy has been met with a hearty welcome, and well read. This prison has about 230 men behind its walls. About one hundred of these men can read the English language, and are in need of the true gospel. If any of God’s children who read this feel that they would like to send a few copies of the Trumpet, or tracts, or any other spiritual literature to this prison, the writer will take pleasure in distributing the same.
I am happy to say that I feel the effects of the many earnest prayers that are rising daily in my behalf. I am a condemned man and have been lying under a death sentence for over thirteen months. My case will be disposed of in August, and I need the prayers of all God’s dear people. Brothers and sisters, pray for me. I have many friends and loved ones praying that it may be God’s will to give me my liberty next spring. Will every one who may read this join us in this prayer, and always close with “God’s will be done.” Dear ones, I am only in one of God’s schools, and his great Spirit gives me strength to rejoice with all my sad trouble. I was placed in this dungeon April 4, 1899, and have not seen a star since. Oh, I know they would look beautiful! The sun never reaches my little palace; but I am happy to say, “There is sunshine in my soul to-day.” Have not been sick an hour since here. All the praise to my dear Savior. I am expecting to get my case reversed in August, am putting my trust in higher power than man. “If God be for us, who can be against us?”—Rom. 8:31. I know that I have the prayers and sympathy of every one that loves Jesus Christ and his cause, and when my case is decided I will let you all know the verdict through the Trumpet. My enemies are many, and I will ask you all to remember them daily, in your prayers. I love their souls, and my earnest prayer is that I may meet them all in heaven. Reader, meet me at Jesus’ feet.
W. B. H., Box 426.
Territorial Prison of Arizona.
Yuma, Ariz., Nov. 17, 1900.
Dear Sirs: Our honorable superintendent gave me your letter accompanying some books and tracts you sent to the prisoners in the Territorial Prison at Yuma, Arizona, a few days ago. As it happens to be my misfortune to be one of the number incarcerated in this place, I take pleasure in writing you and telling my experience of what Jesus can do for a man behind the prison-walls. Like many others behind the prison-bars, no doubt, I enjoyed the blessing of being brought up in a Christian community, but had never been brought to the realization of the fact that I needed the protection of a loving Savior to guide me through this life, and like the prodigal son I thought I could take care of myself. But like so many hundreds of others that take no heed to their earlier training, fell into bad company, which finally led to the cause of my misfortune that placed me behind the prison-walls.
At first the thought of being in prison, and loved ones at home, almost drove me wild. The days were too long, the nights too long; I could not content myself with reading, and could scarcely work. I thought I was the most miserable man on earth, and almost wished I could die. Finally I concluded to try to read the Bible. I had scarcely looked in a Bible for nine years, much less read a single chapter. So I secured a Bible and began at the first chapter of Genesis, and read a few chapters at leisure hours. I would mark the place where I left off and commence there when I had another opportunity to read. The more I read the more interesting it became; so I finally read it through. By the time I read it through I had become so interested I would take the Bible to the cell with me at night and read till the lights were turned out, and I concluded to read it through again and take more time in reading and try to get a better understanding of it. Before I got through the second time I was convicted by the Spirit of God. I realized that I was not only a convict, but a sinner. I accepted Christ as my Savior, and have been trying to serve him ever since.
It has made a new man of me. The days and nights are now not too long, and I can work as though I were drawing a salary. The Bible is the most precious book in the world to me, and the longer I serve Christ the more I am determined to serve him the remainder of my life. My prayer is that every man behind the prison-bars may accept Christ as their Savior, while in prison; for if they wait until they get out, the temptations are too great and the chances are against them. My advice to my fellow convicts is to read the Bible; if it is not interesting at first it will become interesting; it will broaden your minds, it will make better men and women of you, it will help you to bear your burdens, and may be the means of saving your souls.
I thank you for the books and tracts, and assure you they will be read and appreciated by quite a number of the men here, and trust God will bless you in your efforts to lead fallen men to the Savior.
R. C.
Jackson, Mo., April 4, 1900.
We, the prisoners of Jackson, Missouri, thank you for sending us those good papers. We would to God we were able to express our gratitude for the Gospel Trumpet and to you for your great desire to help us to be better men. I wish we had thousands of such men and women as you are. I do wish that every poor soul in this world could get a Gospel Trumpet and read and see the great light it gives to any one trying to serve the true God. I desire your faithful prayers to help me bear the cross, and also wish the prayers of all your brothers and friends that I may be a better man. Pray God to deliver me from my enemies and out of this prison. I have a dear wife and six little children and want to return home to them. I will leave here to-morrow for Jefferson City Mo. prison, and hope to hear from you again. May God help you to help every poor soul.
L. L. B.
Charleston, Mo., April 18, 1900.
In reply to your letter of April 16, it was kindly received by the prisoners in jail, and we were very thankful to you for those papers you sent. All the boys send their many thanks. There are nine here and expect to be here for quite a while, and would like very much if you only had some one come here and talk to us and bring us papers. Hoping to hear from you again and receive some more papers. Many thanks from all the prisoners in jail.
——
Greenville, Mo., March 27, 1900.
Yours of the 26th received with roll of papers. Must say we were glad to get them. We are glad to have plenty at all times. As may be expected, there are some in this prison who need something to encourage them, and should you deem it expedient you may send us some papers, such as you may think best to send. I for one need reformation and will be pleased to have your assistance in trying to follow the steps of the Savior. Your well wisher.
Jefferson City, Mo., April 10, 1900.
We, the prisoners of Cole County Jail, received your kind letter and papers this morning. We are very thankful to you for your good wishes and appreciate your interest in us to help us to be better men. It is a matter to be deplored that in the great state of Mo. there are so few who would put out the hand of mercy to fallen humanity. Your papers will always be welcome, and we hope they will do the good you intend. With sincere good wishes we subscribe ourselves
Prisoners of Cole County Jail.
P. S. A Bible and gospel hymn-book would be very much appreciated.
Nevada, Mo., April 19, 1900.
It is with pleasure I answer your most kind and welcome letter received the 18th with joy and delight. There are ten men in this jail and each sends his thanks to you for your kindness. Nearly every word in the papers has been read. I am not a Christian, but I ofttimes wish I could be converted, for the Christians seem to be so happy, and I cherish a hope that I may soon get out of darkness into light. I was in here four months without any Christian influence or Christian papers to read, and my mind seemed to wander away to some unknown realm of darkness until the last night of March, when the door opened and we were presented with some little books, and on the first day of April we received another roll and also some papers which were sent to us by the good Christian ladies of Nevada, and you do not know how it brightened my hopes and prospects. It made me think that I had some friends to speak a word of encouragement to me. We like the Gospel Trumpet. It is a splendid paper for any one to read, and I hope I may have the pleasure of reading more of them. Your true friend,
——.
Centerville, Ala., Sept. 9, 1900.
I will answer your letter. I was glad to get your books; they gave me much light. I have been in jail a long time and you are the first one that has ever sent me anything to read. I would like to have some more books to read. Yours,
J. D. W.
Will County Jail, Joliet, Ill., April 7, 1900.
We, the inmates of this institution, surely appreciate the consideration which you have taken in us. And as the County of Will does not furnish a library we the inmates will be pleased to receive any literature which you have to spare.
Inmates.
Georgetown, Del., Aug. 7, 1900.
We received those little books and tracts, and we prisoners were very glad to receive them, although we are all sinners in this place. There are nineteen of us at present—seven white men and twelve colored men. We are treated very kindly by the keepers. Please send us more books.
From the Prisoners.
Hartford, Conn., Aug. 12, 1900.
We have to again thank you for sending us books, tracts, etc. We fully appreciate the motives with which these books are sent, and are sure that they will bear fruit in due season. The books, etc., are very interesting and are looked forward to with great pleasure. We trust that everybody who reads them will be benefited by their teachings. And when we are permitted to go forth into the world again, we trust we may be able to render assistance to some needy brother or sister who is seeking to find Jesus. May God bless you in your good work. In behalf of the prisoners in Hartford Jail. I beg to remain yours sincerely,
J. W. C.
Jefferson City, Mo., Aug. 22, 1900.
I will drop you a few lines in answer to yours, which I received, and also a package of books which I was also glad to receive, and pleased to hear from you. I am still trusting in God, and will trust in him until death. There are five boys in here beside myself, who are reading those books that you sent me. They think them good. It does me good to know they like them. I am going to live for God the rest of my days, and keep out of trouble. I have sadly repented of this, and I know God forgives me. I have promised my God that I will serve him the rest of my days, and I am going to keep it by the help of God. Many thanks for those books. From your saved brother,
H. T. B.