Labor Among Convicts.
PROF. H. S. BENNETT, NASHVILLE.
I have been superintendent of the Sunday-school in the Penitentiary of Tennessee, located at Nashville, for nine years, and several of the teachers of Fisk University have done so much in connection with that school that the work done there becomes a part of the influence of Fisk University. Hence, a brief description of a powerful work of grace, which has been in progress during the past three months, will appropriately find place in the columns of the Missionary.
During my connection with the prison school, several seasons of refreshing have been witnessed, and hundreds of the prisoners have expressed a hope in Christ.
On returning from the North and resuming my duties as superintendent in the prison, in September, I noticed an unusual interest in the study of the Bible lesson. The remarks which were made at the close of the lesson were listened to with breathless interest. The interest was so marked that it was determined to give an opportunity to those who might desire to present themselves for prayers. This was done, and upwards of one hundred prisoners presented themselves. After a brief prayer-meeting, the prisoners were dismissed. On the next Sabbath, five or six made a profession of their faith in Christ, having been converted through the week. The work thus begun went on for two months, only one meeting for inquiry being held each week, and that at the close of the Sabbath-school. Another meeting was held on Sabbath morning, at which regular services were conducted by the chaplain. Each Sabbath, from three to six reported that they had found the Saviour. A deep religious interest pervaded the entire prison. Wherever little groups of prisoners were to be found, their conversation was upon the subject of religion. All the teachers felt that the Lord was present in power. At the end of two months thirty-five had found the Saviour, and ten or twelve backsliders had been reclaimed.
On the last Sabbath of November an unusual scene was witnessed within the prison walls. Thirty-four prisoners were received into the prison church. As the long row of prisoners, arrayed in the stripes of the criminal, stood up to take upon them the covenant vows of the church, it was perceived that the work had been very great.
Of the candidates, eight or ten were baptized by sprinkling, the rest by immersion. Ten or twelve remain to be taken into the church.
The influence of the work among the prisoners is seen to be very salutary. The church service and the Sabbath-school are the two bright spots in the lives of the prisoners. From twenty to twenty-eight teachers, of both sexes and colors, Northern and Southern, engage in the work. Three hundred pupils, prisoners, attend with remarkable regularity, as the attendance is optional. The influence of the religious work is to inspire the prisoners with hope, and with a purpose to retrieve whatever they have lost by their folly and crime in the past. Scores of them go out and live useful and honorable lives. Of this we have abundant proof.