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.