Chapter XIV: Gone Home from the Scaffold (1)

"Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to
the greatness of thy power, preserve thou those that are
appointed to die."--Psalms 79:11.

"Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer."

One of the most touching things, and to me the most important of all this God-appointed work, has been my special mission to those who are doomed to execution.

If there ever is a time in our lives when we need a friend, it is when we are sick, in trouble, or about to die. The last words of our loved ones are very dear to us all. Nearly every home has at some time had a call from the death angel. And looking through the bureau drawer, you might see the little garments, shoes and playthings that used to be our darlings' before they went away. Turn the leaves of the old Family Bible and you will see hidden between its pages a lock of hair, perhaps father's or mother's. We look up to Heaven through our blinding tears, and cry out between our sobs: "Oh, God, help me to say 'Thy will be done.'"

In looking over my packages of old letters from the departed ones who have paid the penalty of a violated law, dying either in the electric chair or on the scaffold, I find them coming to pieces, some so badly worn I can scarcely read them. And I know the hands that penned them are now returning back to dust.

In order to show how God saves when they are truly penitent, even men of this class, who are counted the worst of criminals, I will give an account of a few instances which have come under my own observation, and extracts from some of the letters I have received--written before execution. And let us remember that our Savior declared that every sin shall be forgiven to men, except the sin against the Holy Ghost.

INDIFFERENT BUT FINALLY CONVERTED.

The first one who was converted under my ministry, before going to the scaffold, was executed in August, 1885, in the state of Kentucky. On going to jail I found this young man there with the sentence of death upon him. The burden of his lost condition came upon my soul in great power. I felt I should die unless he was saved, and cried mightily to God for his conviction and conversion. I held several meetings there and was entertained a part of the time by the sheriff's wife, who was a Christian lady. She, too, was very anxious for this young man's salvation. As I took the train to leave the place, his mother accompanied me to the depot--crying and pleading, "Oh, pray for my poor boy. It will surely kill me." The bitter wail of that mother's heart seems to still ring in my ears. Letters from the sheriff's wife came often, telling me of the boy's still seeming indifferent. But she said that he often inquired about me and wanted to see me.

I prayed for this soul almost incessantly for forty-five days, being scarcely able to sleep at night; and he was finally converted. After his conversion I received from him the following letters:

----, KY., August 5, 1885.

My Dear Friend:

I received your card this morning and was very glad to hear from
you indeed. Mrs. Wheaton, I feel my Savior in my heart. I know
that He will save my soul. I am praying to my God every hour in
the day. I am praying for God to place something in my heart to
tell the people when I go to the scaffold. I want to tell them
what my Savior has placed in my heart--the man that suffered and
died that I should have everlasting life. I wish you could be
with me once more on earth to sing and pray with me, but if not,
I will meet you on that other shore. My friend Charley is praying
and singing with me every day and night and says he will meet us
in the kingdom. They are all well here but Mrs. N. (the sheriff's
wife). She has been sick, but is better now. I would like to be
with you once more before I die, and if not, look out for me when
you reach that happy land. Good-by, good-by. Remember me in your
prayers. I have yet nine days to live.

From your friend,
H---- F----.

* * * * *

----, KY., August 12, 1885.

My Dear Friend:

I received your card tonight at my cell door. I seem to see you
now at the door of my cell, praying for me. The sheriff came in
this morning and put shackles on me. But I thank God that after
two days more I will be at rest. I have been praying to my Father
to teach me something to tell the world at my last hour. I would
like to tell everybody what my dear Savior has done for me. He
has given me what I asked Him for and He will go with me to the
scaffold. I will see you again, "In the fair and happy land, just
across on the evergreen shore." I am ready to go home to rest. I
have suffered enough in this world, so I will bid the world
good-by. I will have to bid you good-by for the present. I will
see you again. I will watch for you. Excuse me for not answering
you sooner. I am in my cell and it is very dark for me to write,
but I do my best. I fast and pray most all the time. Good-by once
more for a while.

From your true friend,
H. F.

Below is an extract from a letter written by the sheriff's wife to me shortly after the execution took place:

Dear Sister:

I fulfill the promise I made to poor Henry the day he was
executed, to write you a letter and tell you all about him after
he was gone to that bright glory land. It would have done you
good to have seen him the last three days he lived. He was as
happy as he could be. He had a smile on his countenance all the
time and never broke down, no difference who of his friends came
to see him. He talked to his mother and brothers so nice and gave
them such good advice. He told his mother to not grieve after
him, but to rejoice, for he would be so much better off after he
was gone, for he knew that he would be at rest. And if they would
live and do right they could come to him. The people that were
here that day (and there were between four and five thousand)
were surprised to see the beautiful countenance he left the
prison with. He helped to sing that beautiful hymn,

"And must I be to judgment brought,
And answer in that day
For every vain and idle thought
And every word I say?"

with the chorus,

"We are passing away,"

and he was heard distinctly by all. He clapped his hands while he
was singing; then he stepped on to the trap and was soon gone. He
had a prayer on his lips when the black cap was drawn over his
face, and said, "Good-by" to all his friends, and repeated,
"Good-by." He told me to tell you he expected to meet you in
heaven. His mother and brothers send their kindest regards to
you. May God bless you.

Your sister in Christ,
S. N.

MOTHER'S PRAYERS.

The case of C---- was one of most intense interest to the public as well as his immediate friends. For long months I wept and prayed for this young man. He was hoping for a new trial. He was always glad to see me and to have me sing for him. He was refined, educated, a member of "one of the F. F. V.'s," as they say, yet doomed to die on the scaffold. How my heart longed to see him saved--for Jesus, too, was longing for his salvation.

I was called to other fields of labor before the fatal day and was not sure of his acceptance with God, but can but hope that his poor mother's prayers and mine were heard in heaven and that that poor, misguided youth whose every wish had before been gratified was forgiven. We can but cast the mantle of charity over the case and leave it with Him who wills not that any should perish but that all should turn to Him and live. He wrote me the following:

Mrs. E. R. Wheaton, Prison Missionary:

I appreciate very highly your kindness and sympathy and more so
your prayers. I trust we may all meet in a better land. Return my
thanks to Mrs. Gen T----.

Respectfully,
T. J. C.

Aug. 24, 1885.

CLAIMED TO BE INNOCENT.

The following letter is from one who was executed in 1887. He declared to the very last that he was innocent of the crime for which he was convicted. He always maintained to me that the person he was supposed to have murdered committed suicide under circumstances which threw suspicion upon him. For myself, I do not believe in capital punishment and certainly if it is ever justifiable it is not in any case that leaves a possibility of doubt regarding the guilt of the accused.

In spite of great hindrances, being in the place, I was led to visit the jail. After having sung for some of the other prisoners an officer came to me asking if I would go down below to visit a condemned man who had heard me sing and requested that I would come to him. Of course I went--though the opening to his cell was so small that I had to stoop very low to get in. If I remember rightly he claimed to be converted that day. I was obliged to leave the city soon after, but heard from him several times before his execution.

Petersburg, Va., April, 1887.

My Dear Friend: I received your postal and will answer it at
once. I was very glad to hear from you, especially as you remind
me so much of my dear old mother--not exactly now, but as she was
about fifteen years ago. * * *

Mrs. R. sang the same hymn for me that I heard you sing to those
in the room above me. She said she would, if she had the chance
before she left the city, write it for me and bring it to me, but
as she has not been here yet I fear she has left, so I will be
very glad if you will be so kind as to write it for me. It is
beautiful.

I was very sorry you left so soon. I would have been so glad for
you to have been in town longer so you could have called at least
once more! But if I never see you on this earth it is comforting
to know we may meet in heaven. But, O God! had I received
justice, today I would be as free as the birds of the field.
There is a blessed hope in knowing while we are persecuted by
men, it is only the body they can persecute on this earth, the
soul is out of their reach. And before the flesh is cold in death
my soul will be soaring above in the realms of bliss to be
forever blessed! O forever! Forevermore! It is one of the most
consoling of all consolations for me to know that it is only the
condemnation of man and the so-called law of the land by which I
was convicted--not by--no, not by--the great Judge of all hearts
and not by justice at all. Only condemned by man--not by my God
and justice. But it is all in God's hands and He will repay, for
"Vengeance is mine," saith the Lord. Vengeance is not mine nor do
I wish to revenge any one. * * * "Revenge is sweet," is an old
adage, but not to me to get revenge and by so doing lose my own
soul, for what is the whole world to gain and lose your own soul?
I am charged with that of which I am not guilty, but my
protestation is in no way believed. Neither was the only pure
one who ever trod the soil of this earth. He was caught and
charged, accused, condemned--yes, more than that, was crucified.
Was he guilty? No--emphatically no. But his innocence could not
save him. Nor did mine do me any good in my trial at all. But,
thank God, it will do me good in the world to come, where I will
receive justice and I will not be in danger of prejudice as lies
and prejudice are the cause of my being in this lonely cell
today. * * *

All the boys in the room over me request me to be remembered in
my letter to you kindly. Many thanks to you for those tracts you
sent me. I hope to be remembered in your daily appeals to our
Maker, in whose care I prayerfully submit myself and you to his
keeping in the future. God grant it and may we meet in heaven.
Hoping this will in no way offend you and that it may be answered
soon to one in solitude--yet not alone; condemned--yet not
guilty.

Your brother in Christ,
W. R. P.

HARDENED IN CRIME.

The case of the writer of the following communications (which were written on postal cards) was one of note. He was supposed to be so hardened in crime and so void of feeling that there was no hope for him--that nothing could reach or save him. But I believed that God loved him just as the Word teaches us, and I laid hold on the promises of the Bible for his soul's salvation. I am sure that God never turns a penitent soul away empty who comes to Him in faith, feeling that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. "O ye of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

After the light of God broke in upon this poor man's soul he saw that he was a wretched sinner, but that there was pardon and peace for all who truly repent of their sins and who confess and forsake them. To such God has given the promise of eternal life and that the blood of Jesus Christ his Son shall cleanse their hearts from all sin. This man was convinced of his need of a Savior and deeply convicted of sin and we believe was made ready to meet God. He seemed very deeply thankful to me for my untiring efforts in his behalf and surprised at my faith and confidence in God for him, and through these He was brought by the power of the Spirit unto repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

June 18, 1887.

My Dear, Kind Friend:

I received your welcome postal and it makes me happy to read it.
I am now ready to go to my fate. I pray every night and day for
God to forgive me. I put my whole trust in Him. Pray for me that
God will wash my sins away and receive me in heaven. As I expect
God to forgive me I forgive and love everybody. Think of me when
I am gone. I wish you could pray with me before I go on my long
journey, for I love to hear you pray. Good-bye.

From your penitent brother in Christ.
A. T.

* * * * *

Jail, June 23, 1887.

Dear Sister in Christ:

My time on this earth is now very short (but seven days) and I am
now ready to go to my Father, whom I trust and pray will forgive
me my crime and receive me in his heavenly home. I pray every
hour in the day and, my dear sister, do the same for me that my
sins may be washed away in His blood. Pray that He may give me
everlasting life. O, if I could but live my life over again, how
I would pray and put all my trust in Him. Dear sister, this may
be the last time you may hear from me on this earth, but I hope
we may meet in heaven. Good-bye, God bless you and your noble
work.

Yours waiting to go to his Savior,
A. T.

May God forgive me.

* * * * *

L., Ky., June 25, 1887.

Dear Sister in Christ:

If you only knew how much a poor sinner like me needs the prayers
of such Christians and lovers of God and His Word as you are, you
would pray both night and day that He will receive me in his
heavenly home, where there is no sin or sorrow, but where all is
love and peace. I have now but five short days until all that is
of the world will be consigned to the tomb and I do so pray night
and day that Jesus will cleanse me of my sins. I think this will
be the last time you will hear from me on this earth and when I
go to eternity I do so praising God, forgiving my enemies, firm
in faith and the belief that my sins are washed away in the blood
of Jesus. Good-bye. May we meet in heaven.

A. T.

In 1888 I visited a county jail so crowded with prisoners that I wondered how they could live in that poorly ventilated, filthy prison. They had little to eat and evidently no one to care for them. There were Indians, Mexicans, white and colored all together. There I found TEN MEN UNDER DEATH SENTENCE; and I was convinced that several were innocent of the charges laid against them--being condemned by circumstantial evidence. Those ten condemned men were made the subject of constant, earnest prayer. O, if judges and jurymen could only know what eternal destinies hang upon their decisions, surely they would be less ready to condemn on less than positive evidence. Several of the ten were executed--among them the writer of the following letter:

----, April 2, 1888.

My Dear Sister:

We received your postal. I was so glad to receive it from those
who love my soul. I have not forgotten one word you left with me.
Jesus Christ is the subject of my day talk and night dreams. I
remember you when I get down on my knees to pray. I pray for the
Lord's will to be done with me as it is done in heaven. I have
forsaken the world for Jesus' sake. His love is shed abroad in my
heart. Myself and Brothers W. and A. (whose sentences have been
changed) are still serving God--also Brother S. I could not tell
you how it is with the other boys, but I talk to them every day.
Brothers W., A., and S. join with me in sending their love to
you. God bless you. I am your brother in Christ.

---- ----

* * * * *

April 26, A. D. 1888.

Sister Elizabeth R. Wheaton. My Dear Sister in Jesus Christ:

My days have been numbered here on earth by man, but there is no
end to the number of days that my God has promised me in
heaven--no more a prisoner here on earth, but to live with our
Lord forevermore. Let not your heart be troubled about me, for
all is well! Yes, indeed, all is well. The love of Christ will
bear me home. Jesus Christ is in me and I am in Him. In God I
trust, in Him I die. I could not tell you how the case is with
the other boys, but I do know for myself I am ready at any time.
My dear sister, I have sent the lovely handkerchief you gave me
home to my old mother. I told mother who gave it to me and for
her to place it in my Bible and put it in her trunk and then I
said: "Here is a picture of mine and a lock of hair for my poor,
old mother and sisters and brothers." I leave a mother, four
sisters and two brothers. If you wish sometime to write to my
mother her address is ---- ----. Farewell until we meet again. I
am your brother in Jesus Christ,

---- ----

CONVERSION OF A JEWISH BOY.

In the same year, I found in one of the prisons of California, a young Jew under sentence of death. While under the influence of drink, he shot the girl he truly loved. He never realized it till he became sober and found himself in prison. Naturally he was surprised and greatly shocked. Wondering why he was there, and being told of his crime, he was overwhelmed with grief, and remorse of conscience. Poor boy! His was a sad ending. He was so grief-stricken! And yet the courts were against him, and the world at large, for the sin was pronounced murder in the first degree and he must die--_a boy in his teens_.

As I looked through the grating at the poor doomed boy, an old gentleman spoke to me and said something very unkind about him. The boy said, "That man is a _hypocrite_. But I like those hymns you sang. _Won't you sing for me?_" So I sang for him, and he requested me not to talk to him then. So I said, "Can I come and see you again?" "_Oh, yes, come again, do."_ This poor boy was one of the lost ones, and Jesus touched his heart while I sang, "Meet me there." This was from that time on his favorite hymn, and I sang it for him just before he went to the scaffold.

I went back and forth from San Francisco to other places for six weeks, but his case lay very heavy upon my heart. I knew that on the 14th of September he was to go, and that worse still, he was in danger of eternal death. I pleaded and wept for him day and night, that he might be brought to see his lost condition and his need of Christ and yield to God. How I bless God that He hears and answers prayer! "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death."--1 John 5:16.

Before his conversion I received from him the following letters, beautifully and correctly written:

San Francisco, Aug. 9, 1888.

Mrs. Elizabeth Wheaton:

As to religion I do not profess any creed. I do not mean by the
above that I hate them--on the contrary, I love religion and hate
hypocrisy. I am not an atheist and must admit that I believe in a
true, just and most merciful God. I appreciate your visits very
much and hope you will call to see me as often as opportunity
and convenience will allow, so I now close this brief epistle by
sending kindest regards and best wishes. I am

Respectfully,
---- ----.

"Condemned Cell."

P. S.--Kind thanks for singing.

* * * * *

San Francisco, Sept. 7, 1888.

Mrs. Wheaton:

I am pleased that you called to see me and hope you will repeat
your visits. It grieves me to see you shed tears, and although I
say nothing, remember that "still water runs deep." I have faith
and believe in prayer, so I believe that the cause of a condemned
boy will be heard in heaven and will come to pass. I am not
allowed to shake hands, much less give my mother a comforting
kiss. I now end by thanking you very kindly for your kindness and
consideration to me.

I am, respectfully,
---- ----.

I went, the day before the execution, to see him. No one was allowed to go inside the doomed boy's cell, so I was compelled to submit to the law. The sheriff said positively, "No, you cannot go inside." But the chief jailer said, "I promised that this lady should go inside the boy's cell before the execution, and I must keep my word. I will go in with her." He opened the door and we went in. He was a grand man. Myself and the sister who was with me prayed for the prisoner's salvation. We sang and read and prayed, and at last the presence of the Holy Spirit seemed to fill the gloomy little cell, and to touch the poor boy kneeling there with the shackles on his limbs. (They frequently put shackles on some days before the execution, and place them in the "doomed cell.") We kept on praying and singing and at last the light came into his heart, and God owned him as His child.

On the morning of the execution, I went early to the prison; and as I hurried along there met me a young Catholic priest, who was our mutual friend, and very kind. He said, "_Come quickly, the boy wants you._ He has called for you all night, and they could not find you, so they came for me. I have been waiting for you." This priest had labored with me to convince the poor boy that Jesus was the Christ and that He alone could save him. I hurried on into the prison for my last greeting on earth with the poor condemned boy. There was no loud demonstration--he was going to die, and knew it; but he felt that he was ready. He said to me: "I can hardly wait the hour to go home. I am willing and ready to die. O sing for me my favorite songs. I wish you could go with me to the scaffold, but that is against the law for women to go to the execution in this state." Mothers could not endure such things, but I feel, when permitted, as if I must stay till all is over.

I took a white silk handkerchief and gently folded it around the boy's neck, and said, "I think the rope won't hurt so bad, and the pain won't be so severe with this around your neck." I shall never forget the grateful look on his face, as he smilingly thanked me. He was a very refined young man, and only for whiskey he might be living yet. As I bade him good-bye he said, "Please sing for me _once more_ before I go." I sang and passed out among the crowds of people. I seemed to be lifted above the things of earth--I was so thankful for his salvation. Reader, do you know what it is to travail for a soul and then count the hours and moments till you see them go over the river of death, and by-and-by with the eye of faith see them enter the pearly gates into the presence of Him who was crucified for them?

After the execution I received the following kind letter from the young priest to whom I have referred:

San Francisco, Oct. 13, 1888.

Dear Madam:

It was with great pleasure I read your kind and welcome note. I
thank you very much for your pleasant remembrance and hope that
God will bless your efforts and sacrifices on behalf of the poor
prisoners.

In regard to A., I can say that he was resigned to the last and
died well prepared, in my opinion. I was with him almost
constantly during the last twelve hours. I think his family
placed the silk handkerchief in the coffin with him.

Please give my regards to your kind companion and say sometimes a
little prayer for me. I hope to see you soon in San Francisco and
have the pleasure of renewing my acquaintance. I have the honor
of remaining,

Yours truly in Jesus Christ,
Rev. N---- F----.

MYSTERIOUSLY GUIDED.

In April, 1891, I was in Kansas City, Mo. After waiting upon the Lord for some days asking Him where He would have me go next I was impressed to go to the depot and that there it would be shown me what I must do. I did so, but even then was left for several hours in uncertainty as to what train to take, as I had passes on four different lines. I spent the time in earnest prayer. At last, toward evening, I was led to take the Rock Island train for Chicago and impressed that the Lord would show me when and where to stop. I had two sisters and a little boy with me and they could not understand my indecision.

As our train hurried on during the night, I kept asking the Lord where I should stop, and He made it very plain to me that I was to stop at Ottawa, Ill. I knew no one there, and there was no state-prison there, but the Lord showed me to go to the county jail and when I did so found there were several men there soon to be executed. I was told that no one was permitted to see them; but we went praying and the Lord touched the hearts of the officers and we were permitted to hold a service. We were much helped of the Holy Spirit and I believe some of these condemned men were saved--at least they seemed to give evidence of it. One of them afterwards wrote me two letters. These I give to my readers. It is well to remember, however, that not many such prisoners are accustomed to expressing their thoughts in writing and hence their letters fail to express the depth of feeling clearly shown in their words and manner when I am with them. Again all their letters are to be read before they leave the prison, so they do not open their hearts as freely when writing as when speaking with me alone.

La Salle County Jail,
Ottawa, Ill., April 28, 1891.

Elizabeth R. Wheaton.

Dear Sister: We are doing very well. As for Mr. C. and myself, we
will do the best we can to reach that Beautiful home in the New
Jerusalem, for the Lord saith: "He that believeth and abideth in
Me shall have everlasting life." As you must have seen, our
belief is a little different from yours in some respects, but,
nevertheless, we are all working for that one place and that is
heaven. He that leaveth his sins behind him shall be saved. The
example of those who died for Christ, for the faith and for
virtue's sake are also continually placed before us that we may
learn to endure sufferings and even death rather than be
unfaithful to God and stain our conscience with sin. The
Christian's motto is, "Death before dishonor." Hoping that you
will continue to pray for us that we may be cleansed from sin and
be saved, we send you our sincere and hearty wishes for your
welfare. God bless you and keep you ever for your sincere effort
in our behalf. Hoping that we may meet in that beautiful place
where the penitent shall find rest, I remain yours in respect,

CHARLIE ----.

* * * * *

La Salle County Jail, Ottawa, Ill., May 6, 1891.

Dear Sister:

I was glad to receive your letter and to hear that you are still
praying for us. Mr. F. has gone out, so there are just two of
us--me and Mr. C., who, I think, will get a new trial. He sends
his kind regards and is doing well.

As for me, I am very close to the grave as I have only four more
days to live, but hope that it will be all for the best. I am
preparing myself for death as much as possible for so short a
time. My thoughts are not of the outside world, but of a higher
world, where there is no sin or trouble or care, but everylasting
life and happiness. I also hope that we may meet in that haven of
rest. I will do as you say, put my trust in God and believe in
Him. Life is very short at best, but we all have our cares and
troubles and must bear with them the best we can, as we are
helpless without the grace of God. Thanking you sincerely for
your kind efforts in our behalf, I remain your brother in all
sincerity. Farewell.

Yours in respect,
CHARLIE ----.

IN LONG EXPECTATION.

I first saw E. B---- in the jail in Wichita, Kansas. There were many prisoners there at that time and especially in the Oklahoma ward. It was soon after the opening up of Oklahoma territory and the rush for claims. There was great excitement and many lost their lives. Some were thrown from their horses and killed. Others died from exhaustion, running as for life to get the property they so much coveted. There were many things done that were wrong. Some are still lingering inside prison walls for "defending their rights" as they thought. I do not remember just what E.'s trouble was, but he was sentenced to death and the day and the hour were set. I went often to the prison and sang and prayed for the prisoners. They were my friends. I knew and loved them as a mother would, and especially this young boy--the youngest of them all.

I went away to Europe and on my return I again visited the jail in Wichita to hold a service. While singing the first hymn the jailer came into the apartment where I was and said, "The Oklahoma boys have heard you singing and want you to come at once to their ward. They did not know you had returned from Scotland and are so anxious to see you." And such a welcome as those dear boys and men gave me I had received no where else since my return. Some were under death sentences. O how my heart aches even now as I think of the tears they shed and of their warm handclasp. Then I could only fall on my knees and sob out my sorrow for them and my heartfelt thanks to God for the warm welcome and as I wept and prayed I believe good was accomplished and souls saved. Some are dead and gone. Others are in the asylum for the criminal insane. A few were pardoned out. Eddie's case lingered. While hoping for a commutation of sentence he wrote the following letter:

Wichita, May 3, 1891.

Dear Friend:

I received your kind letter. Was glad to hear you were well and
still at your post, working for others. I am still in my little
cell awaiting what comes and have not heard much yet regarding
commitment, but hope it may come in time. I am feeling as though
I have a heavy load on my shoulders for a boy, but I hope and
pray for the best to come. I want to see the light, if there is
any for me. I sometimes think that I am forgotten; and then again
I know better, for there is One who never forgets us. I have
read those nice tracts you sent me and they are all true. The
boys are all well and send their best respects to you and hope to
meet you again; and you know I do, for I feel the need of your
kindness and appreciate it highly. I know what a kind mother is.
I have a good Christian mother and father. Oh, if I were only
free again, so I could enjoy life with my dear mother! No one
knows how lonely I am. You are only one hundred miles from my
home in ----, Illinois. If you go there you could find them by
enquiring for them. They would be glad to see you, as I have told
them about your being here. I hope some day that you can come and
see me on the outside. What a happy boy I would be! If not, I
hope we may meet in that brighter home. I have been reading my
Bible and find relief. What a book it is, and the good that can
be gotten from it! I wish you success through life and that you
may save many a poor lost sinner. No one knows the good they can
do until they try.

May God bless you, is my prayer.
EDDIE ----.

SENTENCE COMMUTED.

Many of those acquainted with the case were anxious for his release but met with little encouragement. I continued to pray earnestly that at least his life might be spared. When the day appointed for his execution came I was in a distant state some miles from a telegraph office, but I sent a little boy to the office with a message telling him that the Lord might even yet deliver him and if not would sustain him in his dying moments. The same day a wire came for him from the governor changing his sentence to imprisonment for life. He was transferred to a northern prison, but only lived a few years. So far as I could learn he lived and died a Christian, and I hope to see him again by and by in heaven.

A MAN DECEIVED.

At one time I held a service with the prisoners in the county jail in Sedalia, Missouri. Among them was a poor old man awaiting execution. He seemed unmoved, stolid, indifferent. I talked and prayed with him and asked him about his soul's salvation. He said it was all right with his soul and that he was saved. I knew the Lord showed me that he was a deceived man and that the devil had deluded him into thinking he was all right. I was faithful to my convictions, to my God and to his soul. I said to him: "You are not prepared to face the scaffold and death." He seemed indignant that I should doubt his word, but I left him with the warning, "Prepare to meet thy God."

I went to the wife of the sheriff, who was an excellent woman, and found she too was very anxious about his soul. I told her of my burden for him and asked for a room where I could wait on God in prayer and she kindly furnished it. In an hour the old man sent word to the sheriff to send for me to come and pray for him as he was not fit to die. In company with others I went to him and the poor deceived old man repented of his sins and confessed them to God and to us and was blessedly saved and died in the full assurance of faith. His last words were of his hope in Christ and of his acceptance with God. I fully believe that the blood of Jesus--who died on the cross for sinners and was the friend of sinners always--did cleanse his soul. The sheriff's wife told me of his last words and that all was well. We give a clipping from a Sedalia paper concerning the case.

VISITORS EXCLUDED.

WILLIAMSON WILL RECEIVE NO MORE VISITS--PREPARATION FOR THE
EXECUTION.

Sheriff Ellis R. Smith has commenced to make his arrangements for
the execution of Thomas A. Williamson, and everything will be in
readiness before Saturday morning. The rope with which John Oscar
Turlington and Bill Price were hanged will be used, the sheriff
having received a telegram yesterday from Sheriff Mat S. Ayers,
of Saline county, stating that it had been forwarded to him by
express. On the day of execution the police force will assist the
county authorities in preserving order in the vicinity of the
jail building.

No more visitors will be permitted to see and talk with
Williamson, except his spiritual advisers. This is in compliance
with the condemned man's wishes, which are contained in the
following note which he sent to Sheriff Smith yesterday:

"Sheriff Smith: I would like a cell by myself the rest of my
time. You can put me any place. I will give you no trouble. My
mind is on God. I would like to be upstairs; it is lighter up
there. I will go where you put me.

T. A. W."

I received from him the following letters written after his conversion. One of them reached me after his execution:

Sedalia, Mo.

Sister Elizabeth R. Wheaton:

I am well this morning. I thank God for it. I hope this will find
you well. I prayed to God to watch over me through the night, and
He did. I feel happy. I will meet you across the river. We will
have a good time. May God keep you. I am going to heaven. I will
meet you in that bright land. I am glad to hear from you.

THOS. A.

* * * * *

Sedalia, Mo., October 29, 1891.

My True Mother:

I got your letter right now. I read it and got on my knees and
prayed to God to have mercy on me. My sister, I have my mind on
Jesus all the time. I feel happy this morning. Mother, I will
meet you on the other shore. Mother S. (the sheriff's wife) is so
kind to me! My mind is on God so I can hardly write. I will pray
for you.

THOS. A.

INTERCEDED FOR THE LIFE OF A BOY.

I went to a city in 1898, where there were four under sentence of death, and when I went into the jail found many waiting trial. Some were going to state's prison. Others were to die on the scaffold. I was especially impressed with the case of one boy who was under death sentence. I held a service with the prisoners and talked personally to those condemned to die. One man was wonderfully saved and I believe went to heaven from the scaffold. I then went away to other states. But I was so troubled I made inquiries and found that the young boy to whom I referred _was not charged with being a murderer_, and was not deserving of death. I plead to God if there was nothing the law could find in him worthy of death, that his sentence might be commuted, and the poor boy might live. Upon my return I went to the capital to see the Governor, and asked him to grant the boy a life sentence in prison. My request was granted, it was soon all settled and the boy's life was spared. Yet the Deputy Sheriff was very angry at the Governor for granting the commutation!

WENT TO THE SCAFFOLD SINGING.

In May, 1899, another poor prisoner ended his life on the scaffold. The Friday before, two died on the same gallows. I visited them the day before the execution, talked and sang hymns (their favorites), and then we three kneeled together in prayer in the little "condemned cell." Kneeling between my boys, clasping each by the hand, we gave ourselves to the blessed Savior, who said just before he expired on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." I shall never forget that last prayer meeting with those unfortunate men who had been led astray by evil surroundings and associations, forming habits which finally sent them to early graves, by fearful deaths. Yet, as we knelt there together, just we three and the blessed Holy Spirit witnessing, we promised to meet in Heaven. Jesus met us there and forgave them their sins, and joy filled our souls with love for Him who gave Himself a ransom for us, not willing that any should perish, but rather that all should have eternal life. How my heart rejoiced to hear them say they were prepared to go, and the parting was very sweet. A solemn hush filled the little cell--sweet peace which only comes when souls have been redeemed, fell upon my heart, and I was glad Jesus Himself did His own work for His own name's honor and glory. They sang hymns and prayed all night before the execution. They refused to eat, preferring to sing and pray till the last, and went to the scaffold singing and praising God, and were still singing when the drop fell, and they were gone from earth.

My heart cried out for the living that May morning, as another one went to the scaffold, "O God, save his soul! O God, forgive him all his sins. The same scaffold, the same sin, and the same Jesus to blot out all his transgressions." I believe God, where he says, Isa. 1:18, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow: though they be red like crimson they shall be as wool." If it were not for the promises of God in His blessed Word, I should give up in despair, sometimes, over those cases who have been so deceived by the devil. Yet God is able to snatch them as brands from the burning. Jude 22-23 says, "And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." Jesus said, "Whosoever will may come," I believe His promises are "Yea and amen to all that believe." When I see what saloons and other evils are doing to wreck lives and ruin souls, I wonder how God on His throne can ever forgive such premeditated, intentional sins. The keepers of these places sell themselves to Satan to be used by him to defeat God's plan of saving those who will come unto Him. O that all who claim to be Christians would unite to overthrow the means that Satan uses to lead down to eternal death so many precious souls!

The case to which I shall now refer was one in many respects especially touching. The condemned man had occupied _a prominent official position_. The dear, noble wife never turned away from her husband. Hers were the kind heart and hands that ministered to his needs and cheered the long, gloomy hours of his imprisonment. She stood by him in his trial and during those days of agony and suspense. Then came the verdict "Guilty," and the sentence of death! Yet, though her own heart was breaking as she thought of herself and her beautiful, helpless children, she still sought to cheer and comfort as best she could that poor condemned man whose heart was torn with anguish when he realized that because of his sin that faithful loving wife and those innocent children must be left disgraced and destitute. What is to become of the little ones who are powerless to help themselves and of the poor despised, rejected, forsaken mother, trying to earn with her own hands by toiling night and day enough to feed and clothe those helpless babes? O my God, will you not help me to provide a home for such as these? For the sake of these heart-broken mothers whose lives are doomed to be (only as helped by the grace of God) one great unending sorrow--for the sake of the poor children so cruelly robbed of their birthright--a father's good name and protection, these who are worse than orphans, yet for whom nobody seems to care, help me to do what I can--what thou dost require at my hands. This man was brought up in a Christian home and but for the power of evil associations with which he was brought in contact and the curse of the legalized saloon, would today in all probability have been a respected and honorable member of society.

I first found him one Fourth of July. While others were spending the holiday I went toiling through the heat to the prison and there I found my reward. My soul was borne upward by the Holy Spirit as I sang many songs of praise and tenderly led this poor man to the foot of the cross where he was saved. His wife was there a part of the time. I seem to see the parting even now of those dear ones! Well, God knows it all. Had I never known a wife's and a mother's love I could not have sympathized with them as I did. I thought--What if _my_ boy had lived and come to such an end--and I wept with that faithful wife as she took leave. O, sisters, there is a power in even a look of love coming from a true heart.

I give two letters received from the condemned man and one written me by his wife. I omit the name of place and exact date and even the initials, as so few years have passed and I do not wish to do anything that might bring pain to the hearts of surviving friends. The family was of the most cultured and respected.

July, 1899.

Dear Sister Wheaton:

It was with the greatest pleasure that I read your card this
morning. I was wondering where you were; but I knew that if your
health permitted you, you were somewhere doing good to some poor
unfortunate.

Yes, I am putting my entire trust in Jesus. He saves me from my
sins and when the cares and woes of this life come to disturb my
peace, I look unto the Savior and soon all is peace again. What
would I do in a place like this and under such circumstances did
not his gentle voice speak unto me and say, "Fear not, I will not
leave nor forsake you." My wife was down to see me last Monday,
and is coming today (Thursday). She wrote me that your songs and
prayer were still ringing in her ears--so you see that your good
work is not only felt by prisoners. I hope that you may be able
to go on with the good work that so much delights you and that
you may yet win many wandering souls and bring them into the fold
of God and that when your work on earth is ended you may rest
from your labors in the most beautiful palace in the city of
heaven. You may think that strange that I said "palace," but I
believe that heaven is a real and tangible city--the home of God,
from where He sends the Holy Ghost to dwell in the hearts of all
those who are willing to receive Him.

I will now say good-by, and if I never again meet you on this
earth, I hope to meet you in heaven.

I am yours most sincerely in the hope of heaven.

---- ----.

* * * * *

August, 1899.

My Dear Mother, for such you seem to me, I will never while I am
on this earth cease to think of you. I have remembered your voice
since I first heard you sing and pray while in the cells of poor
W----and S----, the condemned men. I wished then that I could
have seen you, and I told the boys that you were certainly born
of God; and from that day I have desired to have your influence
and prayers. I am still trusting in the love, mercy and power of
the Savior to save my soul in the eternal world and to keep me
from sin while I am in this. I have no other hope, no other
desire than to serve my Master. I would want to attain to a state
of perfection here, if such were possible, but you know that the
cares of this life come in to rob us of the pleasure that we
would enjoy in the anticipation of heaven. But some day the dark
clouds that overshadow us and prevent us for a while from seeing
the Savior's smiling face will be rolled away. I am glad to tell
you that the sentence of R----, whose cell was next to mine, has
been commuted to life imprisonment. He and the man P---- send
their regards to you. P----'s sentence is respited until the
17th of November, and in the meantime he hopes for a new trial.

I will close, wishing you the choicest blessings of heaven, and I
am yours very sincerely, trusting in the hope of eternal life,

Your brother in Christ,
---- ----.

The following from the _Star_ of ----, ----, explains itself. The men are referred to in the above letter:

BOTH TWICE CONVICTED OF THE CRIME OF MURDER.

Everything is in readiness at the District jail for the double
execution which is to take place tomorrow, when S---- and W----
will pay the penalty of their crimes. So far as outward
appearances are concerned, the condemned men are in a better
frame of mind than are most of the other prisoners in the big
brown-stone prison. Their spiritual advisers are with them most
of the time, and when they are absent the men pass the hours
reading religious books and praying.