SMELTER AND WORK-SHOPS, CHESTER, ILL.
CHAPTER XI.
Work in Stockades and Prison Camps in Southern States.
During the first years of my missionary work I was led to stay much of the time in the South. I was learning lessons in patience, faith and humility before God. The cross was very heavy. In many places I was not allowed to stay with white people if I preached to the negroes. THE RACE QUESTION ran high and the color line was very closely drawn. In those days I could not understand why this should be. I was taught in the word of God that all nations were made of one blood and that God was the Father of us all. I was ignorant and the views of the southern people were new to me. In many cases, perhaps, I offended them when I might have avoided it. I knew no better and they often thought me obstinate. But I was only obeying God the very best I knew in trying to keep immortal souls out of hell, and I knew that I must obey God though all the people should misunderstand and misjudge me. I found nearly all of the prisoners of the South confined in Stockades and Prison Camps. In many cases the prisons themselves were almost empty.
The following are from among the many letters of introduction and recommendation, received while laboring in the southern states:
Montgomery, Ala., Dec. 30, 1884.
Col. J. T. Milner, Superintendent.
Dear Sir: This will be handed you by Mrs. Wheaton, who is a prison missionary. She has been having religious exercises at the various prisons in the state, and I respectfully request that you will permit her to do so at New Castle.
Yours truly,
R. H. Dawson,
President Board of Inspectors of Prisons.