As for my own especial work at the Eastern Penitentiary, I visit there daily in addition to the many other duties I have to perform in connection with my office as General Secretary. I feel as time rolls on solemnly impressed with the magnitude and importance of the work in which I have for many years been engaged. No person leaves that prison without my visiting him several times previous to discharge, ascertaining their needs, and providing them with suitable clothes, that they may make a respectable appearance in looking for work; pleading, too, with them to give up all their sinful ways, and give their hearts to the Lord—for there are no joys comparable to the “Joys of God’s Salvation.” As I visit from cell to cell, not only at the time of discharge, but long previous to that, a feeling of awe comes over me as I realize that here is a soul to be saved or lost, one who has had no thought or concern for his soul’s salvation, and the query arises, have I, have we as visitors, done our duty, our whole duty, in telling him there is the promise that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” and that Jesus Christ our Saviour and Redeemer, came into the world to seek and to save those that were lost, and in Him there is pardon and plenteous redemption. I have during the past year made 352 visits to the Penitentiary, and have seen and conversed with the convicts, either in the cells or at the cell doors, over 4000 times. I have procured 164 railroad tickets for discharged prisoners to take them to their homes outside of the city, and have taken many to the depots, providing them with a good breakfast before starting. The cost of these tickets was $377.50.
I have assisted many after their discharge with temporary help, starting them in business in a small way that they may become wage-earners, thus preventing re-commitment. Tools are furnished to discharged prisoners when needed. Many have been aided in this way to obtain situations. For some days before and after New Year’s I distributed the motto calendars to every prisoner, visiting every cell and giving a word of counsel and encouragement, and a hearty shake of the hand to most of the 1,200 prisoners. It has been gratifying to notice with what pleasure these New Year’s calls have been received, as they respond, “A Happy New Year to you and many of them.”
These Christian motto calendars are hung up in their cells and are read over and over many times a day—such as these:
O! the things WE call the LITTLE sins,
Are hateful in GOD’S SIGHT;
HE counts NO SIN a LITTLE sin,
Nor calls a WRONG DEED—Right!
And
BEGIN thou first with LITTLE THINGS,
The smallest SIN AVOID and HATE;
Obedience to LOVE adds wings,
And LITTLE faith will grow to GREAT.
The statutes of the LORD are RIGHT—!
REJOICING the HEART.
(Psalm xix: 8)
These silent messengers may be the means, under the blessing of our Heavenly Father, of reaching many souls and bringing them to Christ, their Saviour.
SOME CASES OF INTEREST WHICH HAVE COME TO OUR NOTICE.
A young man left the Eastern Penitentiary, perhaps three years ago, for one of the cities in Western Pennsylvania, determined to lead a new life. He gave assurance of having sought and found in our Lord Jesus Christ a full pardon for his old life and of his earnest purpose to walk in newness of life. He joined the Methodist Church, got good work, married, and has recently sent to his visitor, a member of our committee, a picture of their little baby. He writes a bright, happy letter.
A man who, while in the Penitentiary, seemed to feel the tremendous evil of his past life and an earnest desire for a better one, was led, as we believe, to pray and trust God’s spirit, we felt worked with him and not in vain. He went into a foreign country, and a few days ago we received a letter from him dated January 4, 1901, bright and happy, hoping soon to return.