Chapter XXII: Letters from Prisoners (1)

The extracts from letters found in this chapter are gathered from my correspondence with those within prison walls who have been encouraged by the way and have received help; many of them having borne testimony to a clear conversion and a life of service for the Lord, even within prison walls. These will serve to show their appreciation of any effort made in their behalf. They have been a source of great encouragement to me in my work.

I should like to give more of similar character, and all more in detail, would space permit, but let these suffice as examples of the thousands of letters I have received during these twenty years from my "children." The names and that which might identify the individuals, I have omitted; for many of them are now good citizens and some are engaged in the work of the Lord. I have omitted many references to the instrumentality which God has seen fit to use in carrying His message of love to these souls, giving only what others thought were needed to show the writers' appreciation and gratitude. I have ever dealt with these, when present and by correspondence, as souls whom I must meet at the Judgment. The honor and praise for what good may have been accomplished belongs to Him whom I serve, and who has given me the commission, "Go and preach the Gospel."

Inman, Tenn.

Dear Sister in the Lord:

We write you a few lines praying that God will allow you to call
again and preach for us, for we believe that the Spirit of God
is with you. We need thy aid here. So, our dear sister in the
Lord, we do wish to hear you once more, so will come much good in
the name of the living God!

THE PRISONERS.

* * * * *

Boise City Penitentiary, July 29, 1890.

Elizabeth Wheaton, Portland, Oregon.

Dear Madam: I am instructed to thank you in behalf of all of us
for your kind visit. We fully appreciate your labor, your
courage, and integrity; your singleness of heart and purpose,
your purity of motives; but above all do we appreciate your
sincerity. Your indefatigable efforts, even in your old age, to
reach the criminal, to lead him upward and onward to his true
destiny under so many disadvantages, without money and without
price, without the support of state or church, and, I may add,
without the support of public sentiment which appears to be
against you and us--all this, I say, inspires us with faith and
confidence in you. And when I am paying you this tribute, I am at
the same time aware that I am paying it to Him who came on earth
to seek and save us, for without Him you would not love us as you
do.

Come again, say we all.

PRISONERS.

* * * * *

Lancaster, Nebr., Oct. 25, 1903.

Mrs. E. R. Wheaton,

Dear Mother: We, the undersigned, as a token of our appreciation
of your efforts in our behalf, respectfully request that you
accept our assurance of appreciation of to-day's services, and
especially the song service held in our cell-house, and best
wishes for your future success.

Signed by 199 prisoners, each giving his number.

* * * * *

Bushy Mountain State Prison,
Petros, Tenn., May 4, 1896.

Dear Mother Wheaton: We, the undersigned, unfortunate children,
assemble together to try to show you how grateful we are for the
devout interest you are taking in the welfare of our souls. We
hope and trust that the Lord will continue to be with you all
along your journey, trusting that if we don't meet again on
earth, that we may meet in Heaven.

Pray for us.

We enclose the following sums for each of us:

W. J. 25 cents
W. S. 10 cents
C. R. R. 10 cents

* * * * *

Walla Walla, July 11, 1889.

Mrs. Elizabeth R. Wheaton,

Dear Friend: Your postal received. You have the appreciation and
kind thoughts of many here for your kind remembrance of us all in
our secluded prison home. Aside from your own particular means
and the many other ways adopted by religious people to draw the
attention of the indifferent to the subject of their spiritual
welfare, the evident disinterested motive which characterizes
your extended labors, is of itself sufficient, to highly
recommend your kind endeavors to all fair-minded people, and to
give you a hearty welcome, from prisoners especially, wherever
you may find them.

We would all, therefore, send you a kind word of encouragement
and Godspeed in your good work and _labor of love_, believing
that your gospel message is fully adapted to meet the spiritual
wants of the whole human family under whatever condition found.

PRISONERS OF WALLA WALLA PENITENTIARY, Per F. S.

* * * * *

Richmond, Va., August 23, 1885.

Dear Madam: I take much pleasure to introduce myself to you, and
stating to you how I first found rest for my sinful soul. I am a
stranger to you by name, but not by the love of Jesus Christ, and
I was highly delighted to hear you speak to us. It lifted up my
downhearted feeling and caused me to look around myself, and I do
truly hope that those words that you have spoken may be as seed
sowed in good ground, and take root and the future may tell. And
for myself, when I first came to this place I was a vile sinner
and thanks be to the good Lord that I have my soul awakened in
Christ Jesus, and if it had not been for this place I think that
I would have been a sinner until now, but now all my trust is in
the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone. Although I have many crosses
and trials and temptations, my trust is in the Lord, and I truly
pray and trust the Lord that after awhile we shall all meet in
heaven where there will be no more parting.

I trust you will be successful in this work of the Lord. I desire
your prayers.

I am your humble servant,
H. T.

* * * * *

Massachusetts State Prison, October 25, 1885.

Dear Madam: It is with much pleasure that I listened to your
address to-day. Please accept my thanks for the interest which
you take in the poor unfortunate prisoners. There are many
skeptic ones among us because we see so much hypocrisy. May God
bless you, and let me inform you that your motherly-like
appearance sank deep into the hearts of many.

Our chaplain tries to do all the good he can, but no one knows
what a prisoner's life is but a prisoner.

My poor mother used to pray like you. I will not forget your
earnest advice. I wish there were more like you, for then there
would be a true reform in prisons. These places ruin young men. O
it is not understood by those men who govern us even. Some of the
officers are not fit to be over young men. Every officer should
be a religious man, but we have few in accordance with the text:
"Love your neighbor as yourself." Many of them take God's name in
vain.

I shall try to think much upon what you said, with God's help.
Please pray for an unfortunate one. May God bless you.

J. J.

* * * * *

New York, Nov. 26, 1885.

My Dear Friend: Your postal reached me this morning and I can
assure you it gave me pleasure to hear from you and see you had
not forgotten Ludlow Street Jail. Today is Thanksgiving Day, and
to us poor unfortunates I can assure you it is a gloomy one, but
we must give thanks to our Heavenly Father that we are not in a
worse place than this. I for one do pray to Him and thank Him for
His kindness and pray to Him to give us strength of mind to
resist all temptations.

I cannot remember who you enquire about. I am the small man who
introduced you to my wife and sister the first time you called.

We were treated today by our kind warden to a good Thanksgiving
dinner and I pray before another Thanksgiving Day that I may have
the pleasure of seeing you under more favorable circumstances.
May God be with you in your good work is the prayer of,

Sincerely yours,
I. L.,
Ludlow Street Jail, New York City.

* * * * *

Cell No. 35--Tombs,
New York City, Sunday, Nov. 1, 1885.

Dear Sister Wheaton: Forgive me for calling you so as I cannot
rightly call you otherwise. Your prayer today came from your very
soul. I felt it deeply. It has entered into mine. I feel a new
man. You were a Godsend to me. Your words have given new life,
they have inspired me to live in the future a real Christian. I
feel so light of heart since you were here, that I cannot find
words adequate to properly express myself. I pray your good work
may be crowned with success. I feel now that I am again a child
of God. I shall pray and try to live as Jesus desires. I pray to
Him that He will give me all encouragement to lead a Christian
life and do His will only. O! how I have learned to love Jesus
through your inspiring words of comfort and goodness.

I shall daily pray for your health and prosperity in Jesus. Do
likewise for me, and may we meet in Heaven. To this end I shall
ever pray and so sign myself,

A brother in Jesus,
J. M. S.

* * * * *

New York, November 10, 1885.

Dear Sister Wheaton: Many thanks for your kind visit today and
for the memorandum book and envelopes you brought me.

I herewith reiterate every word and the combined meaning
contained in my letter to you of last Sabbath. You were a Godsend
to me from heaven. Formerly it was a hard task for me to stop to
think as I do now. Now I can pray so easy, and it seems to do me
so much good. Such a blessing I have never experienced
heretofore. With pleasure I give this evidence of the goodness of
our beloved and only Jesus. Him I shall worship daily, aye, at
all times and in all places. I think of nothing more grand and
noble than to believe in our Redeemer who offers His salvation
for our souls. He is my God and no other will I have but Him. I
love Him truly. In my prayers I have vowed to devote the rest of
my life for His good cause. I sincerely hope that many, through
you, may come out of darkness into light. God grant you good
health to do His good work here. I will pray for you and ask you
to do likewise for me, and others.

I pray to God daily that He may give me renewed strength to keep
on in the good path which I have chosen, and may His spirit and
love be alike with you and me, is the wish of Your brother in
Christ Jesus.

J. M. S., Cell 35, Tombs, New York City.

* * * * *

Charleston, January 4, 1886.

My Dear and Much Esteemed Friend: As I sit here in the prison
tonight I ponder upon the kind and good advice you gave me, and my
heart of hearts goes out to you in gratitude.

My past life has been a blank, in fact, an utter failure. But
since I saw you I have come to God in all simplicity and have
asked Him to give me a new spirit and pardon my past sins; and
since I have offered up this petition my heart seems lighter. How
often have I cried out in my despair, O I am weary of the
conflicts and strife of this life! weary with the constant
struggle for a higher and better life! And when I see the lives of
yourself and others--so Christlike, and hear you say mid darkest
shadows: "Not my will, but thine be done," then I think of the
rebellion in my heart and so oft find when I feel the path I am
treading leaves the sunshine all behind.

As the way looks dark before me and the end I cannot see,
Oft I long to drop the burdens and from sorrow be set free,
But I know such thoughts are sinful; God knows best the way
That will lead from earth's dark shadows to the brighter realms
of day.

Words cannot express the comfort I have received since I saw you.
I have prayed to God to help me every night and morning since and
as I sit and ponder upon the past and think of the wasted hours
that have drifted by, it puts me in mind of a song I learned when
I was a child. I will only write you a couple of verses to let you
see how true they are.

"Oh, the wasted hours of life that have drifted by;
Oh, the good we might have done, lost without a sigh;
Love that we might have sowed by a single word,
Thoughts conceived but never penned, perished all unheard.
Take the proverb to thy heart, take and hold it fast--
The mill will never grind with the water that is past.

"Oh, love thy God and fellow men, thyself consider last,
For come it will when thou must count dark errors of the past,
And when the fight of life is o'er, and life recedes from view,
And heaven in all its glory shines midst the pure and good and true,
Then you will see more clearly the proverb deep and vast--
The mill will never grind with water that is past."

May God bless you for what you have done for me. You have saved me
from that downward road to ruin. May God bless you and permit you to
return to us once more.

W., Charleston State Prison.

* * * * *

Nobesville, Neb., April 17, 1886.

Mrs. E. R. Wheaton,

Kind Lady: I will, according to promise, drop you a few lines. I
am some better now than when you were here to see me. How glad I
am that I met you last Sunday! I have felt better ever since, and
I do believe that the good Father will answer your prayers. Don't
fail to pray for me, that, if it is God's will, He will heal me,
for God has got the same power that He had when He raised Christ
from the tomb. And pray that He will give me the guidance of His
loving Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth and at the last take
me to Heaven.

There has not a day passed since you were here that I have not
thought of you and prayed for you. You did more good here than
you know.

My candle is going out.

Direct to JOHN W. C., Nobesville, Nebraska.

* * * * *

Charlestown, Mass., Jan. 10, 1886.

Mrs. E. R. Wheaton,

To My Dear Sister in Christ: "Whosoever believeth in Him shall
not perish but have everlasting life." I believe and trust in
God. My faith and my belief grow stronger every day of my life. I
pray to God to keep me from evil, and to make me worthy of His
kingdom, that I may meet you there, for I am a better man for
knowing you. God bless you, my dear sister! My heart is full of
love for my God, and for my fellowman. I cannot find words to
express my feelings or to tell you how happy I am, and how
precious Christ is to my soul. It passes my understanding. But I
am satisfied, for I know that Christ has come into my heart to
dwell. There are no doubts, no fears, everything is well with me.
I thank God for it, and I want to see every one around me
enjoying this great gift which comes from God. O how it would
have rejoiced your soul to have been with us the last evening of
the old year. We had a prayer meeting. I am told that there were
one hundred and forty men in the chapel. Our warden was the first
to testify. Many acknowledged Christ to be precious to their
souls. There are many here that are feeling uncomfortable. They
will be at the feet of Jesus yet, crying for mercy. Pray for them.
Pray for us all. Only think of it, one hundred and forty prisoners
on their knees and their warden kneeling with them! O it was a
blessed sight! I never heard Chaplain Barnes pray as he did that
night. His whole soul went out to God. How he did plead with God
for the salvation of our souls. God bless the chaplain. God bless
everyone on the face of the earth, and may every one see as I see,
and enjoy what I am enjoying. In His paths there is peace, and
that in keeping of His commandments there is great reward.

There is a young man here by the name of Charles B. He has formed
good resolutions with beginning of the new year. I tell him that
he cannot keep them without he gets divine help. I am praying for
him. Please make mention of him in your prayers, and with the
help of God we will have him at the feet of Jesus crying for
mercy. We had a prayer meeting last week and I am informed that
we are to have them often. How good it is of the warden! God
bless him. He is always looking for some way to benefit us. I
praise the Lord for it.

I leave the prison this year. I hope that I may meet you again on
earth. If not permitted, I will live a life that shall make me
worthy of the kingdom and meet you there. I thank you for the
letter read this day to us by the chaplain.

Your brother in Christ Jesus,
J. L. W.

* * * * *

Jeffersonville, Ind., May 22, 1887.

Mrs. E. R. Wheaton,

My Dear Kind Lady: In answer to your request I address this note
to you trusting that this may be the commencement of life in a
different sphere to that which I have heretofore moved in, so do
not think that I am flattering if I tell you the truth. I have
traveled from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the British
Possessions to the Gulf of Mexico. I have moved in all classes of
society and have been a close observer. I have made myself
acquainted with all kinds of religious sects from the Jewish
synagogues to Mormonism, Protestantism in all its various forms,
Catholicism, as well as Spiritualism, and I found so much
hypocrisy and inconsistency existing that I felt inclined to
believe Christianity a fraud, but I could see plainly that there
were in every church some few that I could feel were true
Christians. I could feel a secret convincing power almost
irresistible when in their society, but it always seemed strange
to me why more true converts were not made in proportion to the
great work done.

It seems to me that the handling of God's cause should only be
entrusted to those that are godly--then the fruit will bear
witness to the quality and health of the tree. God will prosper
His own, but it is not natural that the Lord can or will prosper
one who is half God's and half Satan's. That is why I have
remained in the world. I am earnest in everything I do. It is my
nature, I cannot help it. Therefore, if I ever become a
Christian, bold and true and faithful, too, I'll be.

I must refer to that now which I spoke of in the first of this
note. All the convicts in this prison have been moved by your
godly advice and teaching as this prison has never been moved
before, either by man or woman. You won the hearts of the hardest
criminals and a noticeable change for the better has taken place.
We all pray God to bless and protect you wherever His wisdom may
lead you, and even though this prayer comes from convicts,
perhaps God will hear us. Some of us have been convicted by man,
while God, being just, and our own consciences declare us
innocent. Those of us who are innocent and can suffer with
patience, what a virtue we possess. Such strength comes only of
God.

I must close for want of room. Please answer if you have time. We
hope to see you soon again.

Your humble servant,
H. McL., Box 340.

* * * * *

Tracy City, Tenn., Dec. 3, 1887.

Mrs. Elizabeth Wheaton,

Dear Friend: Your visit to this place was a great blessing. A
great many of the men often speak of you and say that by the help
of God they are going to live better the rest of their days.

I will thank you for every paper or good book you may send to us.
The way that we do about papers and books is to place them among
our fellow prisoners.

You have our prayers and best wishes and we hope you will come to
our prison again, as your work will be remembered here for years
to come. May God bless you all the way along.

There have been deaths here since you were here. Neither of those
parties belonged to the church. Lots of the men spoke of the
great warning you gave before you left, what you said about the
last warning some of them would ever get, and sure enough it was
true.

Yours in Christ,
W. A. M.

* * * * *

Carson City, Nev., Sept. 23, 1888.

Dear Kind Friend: Through the kindness of the Warden, we received
your letter, with the song and accompanying texts, and I take the
liberty of answering it and thanking you for your kindness in
thus remembering us. I was seriously impressed by your kind words
of sympathy and exhortation when you came to the prison and I
should have liked to have spoken to you, but feared to trespass
too much on your time. I am here under a life sentence for the
crime of murder, committed during a fit of delirium resulting
from drink. I have been here three years. Hitherto my life has
been anything but a happy one. I was driven from home at the age
of ten years, after the death of my mother. Since then I have
associated with gamblers and men of that stamp, and the result of
my ill-directed course is my present unhappy condition. What I
have suffered, no one but myself will ever know. I would gladly
end my life, if my death could blot out the crimes for which I
suffer. I have one friend, who has taken an interest in me, and
who has written me several kind letters and I thank God for
letting me have one kind and faithful friend. She is weak in
body, but strong in mind, and a faithful servant of God. She has
advised me to give myself to God, and since you were here I have
resolved to try to do so. Peace of mind is what I want, but fear
I shall never attain it. I hope to hear from you again. Most of
my fellow prisoners have read your letter and all entertain the
greatest respect for you. Some to whom your kind words and
motherly advice have brought tender memories, desire to be
remembered to you.

You are passing through ... , where I have lived and where I
spent the happiest of my boyhood days, but they are gone. I hope
you may meet some of my old companions and that they may be
benefited by your kind words.

Your humble, grateful servant,
M.

* * * * *

Stillwater, Nov. 2, 1888.

Dear Sister Wheaton: I was pleased beyond expression to receive
your letter. It came like a benediction. I shall never forget
you. The few words spoken have left an impress upon the tablets
of memory that time can not efface. You can tell the boys
wherever you see them in prison or out that Jesus is near--ever
near. Tell them that I know that no locks ever were made that can
lock the Saviour out. He came to me when I was, oh, so lonely, so
broken-hearted and despairing! You know just how it was I was
saved.

I am innocent in the presence of God, and still I am here; but
never alone. Jesus is ever with me. Oh, how I wish every one in
the wide, wide world could know our Saviour! How true is the
fourteenth chapter of John, and especially the eighteenth verse:
"I will not leave you comfortless. I will come unto you." Never
in all my persecution and imprisonment has my Lord failed in that
promise. I am very hopeful. My innocence is recognized and I hope
soon to be at liberty. Had any one told me twelve months ago that
this was all for my good I should have laughed them to scorn;
but, thank God, I know it now. This life is but a few days at
most compared to the home beyond, and I can and do say, "God's
will be done." He can do no wrong, and right must prevail. God
bless and prosper you until you go home.

Yours in His name,
H. R.

* * * * *

Stillwater, Nov. 14, 1888.

Dear Mother Wheaton: I received your letter and it came just
right to comfort me, for I am in the hospital. In prison--not
alone. In the hospital--not alone. Jesus is always with me. How I
love Jesus who died for me! My heart always turns to Him, and
when I heard I had to come to the hospital I just prayed to Jesus
and left it all to Him, and I am cheerful and happy and hopeful
even here. He is the Great Physician.

I can do anything for Jesus' sake but I am in such a queer
position! Poor mother has been nearly killed and heart-broken
about this, and she claims my presence for a time at least if I
get out. Poor mother is nearly worn out but full of faith and
hope. May God bless you and be with you forever.

Your son and brother in Christ,
H. R.

* * * * *

Little Rock, Ark., June 10, 1888.

Mrs. Elizabeth R. Wheaton.

Dear Sister: I will take the liberty and let you and Sister M.
know who I am. My name is C. S. I guess you remember the coal
mines and that evening when I was singing with Sister M. in her
book. O I wish I had them songs!

I am so happy in Christ. I am going home to my mother above. I
hope it will be very soon. That song

"A Ruler once came to Jesus by night
To ask Him the way of salvation and light,"

made me a different man.

O the happy thoughts of a home which Christ our Redeemer has
prepared for us and calls us to come to Him. "Come unto me all
that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." O, such
a Saviour! Pray for me and I hope we may meet above. I hope to
hear from you soon.

From your servant,
C. S.

* * * * *

Little Rock, January 13, 1889.

Mr. J. M. Ryder,
Indianapolis, Ind.

I received your most welcome letter and thank you for the
information you have given me, but I haven't heard yet from your
sister. The last letter I got she said that she was going to
California. At that time she was at Salem, Oregon. Have you heard
from her yet? There are some boys and men here would like to hear
from her, for she came where some of us could not see the sun in
a week, and about 150 feet under the surface of the earth. That
was at a coal mine.

We all hope and pray to God, our dear Redeemer, for her to come
back to us again.

Please answer this for I am a convict and glad to hear from such
friends. In hope to hear soon, I remain,

Yours sincerely,
C. S.

* * * * *

Germantown, Ark., Nov. 29, 1889.

My Dear Sister: I am at Germantown at the present time working on
Mr. W. H. Ward's farm or plantation, and the Warden of the camp
and the guards are followers of Christ. There are several of the
boys with me which were at Coal Hill at the time you were there.

O sister, God worked that all right, His name be praised. One of
the Coal Hill wardens got five years in the penitentiary. That is
God's work.

God be with you and bless you is my daily prayer, that you will
keep strong and well to preach to the poor prisoners and pray for
them that they will "flee from the wrath to come." O sister it is
terrible to think and study over how the Book of Life tells us
about that everlasting torment, and how sweet it is to think that
there is a life eternal.

Sister, there are three ways, "a broad road," "a narrow way" and
"a highway," that are thus brought to our attention in the
Scriptures.

The broad road to destruction, the narrow way to life, the
highway to holiness.

"And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called
the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it
shall be for those, the wayfaring man, though fools shall not err
therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go
up thereon; it shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall
walk there." Isa. 35: 8, 9. Sister, am I right or wrong?

The first great judgment (trial and sentence) was at the
beginning, in Eden, when the whole human race, as represented in
its head, Adam, stood on trial before God. The result of that
trial was the verdict--guilty, disobedient, unworthy of life; and
the penalty inflicted was _Death_. "Dying, thou shalt die," and
so "In Adam all die." But, dear sister, the sweet and dear
thought in "Christ we all shall live" is a great comfort to our
poor souls. Ours is a rugged, steep and narrow way, and were it
not that strength is furnished for each successive step of the
journey, we never could reach the goal, but our Captain's word is
encouraging: "Be of good courage, I have overcome"; "My grace is
sufficient for thee, and my strength is made perfect in
weakness." The difficulties of this way are to act as a
separating principle to sanctify and refine "a peculiar people,"
to be "Heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ." In view
of these things, "let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that
we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need,"
"while we fight the good fight of faith and lay hold of the crown
of life." Immortality, the divine nature.

Sister, I hope that we may meet together here in this world once
more in life so we can talk about what Jesus has wrought, God
will be with you. I know He is with me. Sister, I gave myself to
Jesus and I feel more satisfied, and how sweet it is to have
Jesus with you.

THE DAY IS AT HAND.

"Poor, fainting pilgrim, still hold on thy way,
The dawn is near;
True, thou art weary now, but yon bright ray
Becomes more clear.
Bear up a little longer; wait for rest;
Yield not to slumber, though with toil oppressed.
The night of life is mournful, but look on the judgment near.
Soon will earth's shadowed scenes and forms be gone.
Yield not to fear.
The mountain's summit will, ere long, be gained
And the bright world of joy and peace attained.
Joyful through hope, thy motto still must be--
The dawn is near.
What glories will that dawn unfurl to thee!
Be of good cheer.
Gird up thy loins, bind sandals on thy feet,
The way is dark and long, the end is sweet."

I hope to hear soon from you, dear sister. Meet me in heaven.
Jesus is with me. Because He cometh to judge the earth, let the
heavens be glad and the earth rejoice.

Your brother,
C. S.

* * * * *

Germantown, Jan. 27, 1890.

Dear Sister: I received yours of the 28th. I am so glad that you
have not forgotten me, and the words which I heard you say,
although it is a long time since you said them at Coal Hill.
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." Acts
xvi., 31. Jails are dark, dull, damp, loathsome places even now;
but they were worse in the apostolic times. I imagine tonight we
are standing in the Philippian Dungeon. Do you not feel the
chill? Do you not hear the groan of those incarcerated ones who
for ten years have not seen the sunlight, and the deep sigh of
women who remember their father's house, and mourn over their
wasted estates? Listen again. It is enough. Oh, it is the cough
of the consumptive, or the struggle of one in a nightmare of a
great horror. You listen again, and hear a culprit, his chains
rattling as he rolls over in his dreams, and you say: "God pity
the prisoner." But there is another sound in that prison. It is a
song of joy and gladness. What a place to sing in. The music
comes winding through the corridors of the prison and in all dark
wards the whisper is heard: "What's that? What's that?" It was
the song of Silas and Paul in prison, and they cannot sleep.
Jesus went to prison then, and as you say He will and does come
nowadays also to visit the prisoners as they are shut up. God
will be and is our helper. I will not fear, He leadeth me in
pastures green.

Your brother in Christ,
C. S.

* * * * *

Germantown, May 16, 1890.

Dear Sister: Your letter of February 17th duly received, and glad
to hear from you. But, sister, I am so glad to have some
Christian friend to write to me in a place of temptation and
trouble. I know that Jesus is my rock and my salvation and a
shelter in a storm. Jesus is with me right now. He is waiting for
us every day and hour. O, how many will there be that will call
on Christ on that day, when the book of the Lord will be opened,
with the seven seals, and who will be able to open the seals? No
one is able to open it but the Lamb. Sister, this is my idea and
opinion about that Day: There will be a great big scale, with a
cross beam and Satan will be on one side of it and the people of
all trades will be weighed, and if Christ the Son of God and our
Redeemer is not there to balance them, what will become of them?
Won't they be thrown down in hell?

Hoping and trusting faithfully that there be many of the poor
prisoners among the hundred and forty and four thousand with the
Lamb on Mount Zion, with the Father's name written in their
foreheads and the harpers will be harping with their harps and
singing the new song which no man could learn, but the hundred
and forty and four thousand which were redeemed from the earth.
O, what a day that will be! O that song is so true. O sinner give
your heart to God and you shall have a new hiding place that day.
O the rocks in the mountain shall all fade away and you shall
have a new hiding place that day. "O sinner turn, why will ye
die? God in mercy asks you why."

O, I am so happy tonight!

Your brother,
C. S.

* * * * *

Germantown, Ark., Dec. 18, 1890.

Dear Sister: Your kind words gladly received, and may God bless
you and give you strength in your undertakings.

Sister, forgive those wicked men who put you in prison for
preaching the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, for He, the Lord,
said: "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do," and
Silas and Paul in prison sang praises to the Lord our God and He
delivered them from the prison in which they lay, and the jailor
got saved.

Oh! my dear sister, I trust and pray to the Lord that we could
safely say with Robert McChane, the ascended minister of
Scotland, who, seated on the banks of Galilee's Lake, wrote, in
his last sick days, and just before he crossed the Jordan (not
the Jordan that empties into the Lake of Gallilee, but the Jordan
that empties into the "sea of glass mingled with fire"), these
sweet words, fit to be played by human fingers on strings of
earthly lute, or by angelic fingers on seraphic harps:

"It is not that the mild gazelle
Comes down to drink thy tide,
But He that was pierced to save from hell,
Oft wandered by thy side.
Graceful around thee the mountains meet
Thou calm, reposing sea;
But, ah! far more, the beautiful feet
Of Jesus walked o'er thee.
O Saviour! gone to God's right hand,
Yet the same Saviour still,
Graved on thy heart is this lovely strand
And every fragrant hill."

O! is it not good to be with one's Lord and to think how sweet He
says in his Book of Books: "I am the way," and in danger He
speaks again: "Fear not, it is I."

The Lord is with me for I do not have to work in the ranks any
more, and by His help I am assistant postmaster of this place.

Until we leave, and that time will be Christmas, address your
next letter to Little Rock.

That you may save many souls from everlasting torture is my
prayer every hour. My love to the poor sinful prisoners and to
you, my dear sister in Christ.

A happy Christmas, and may God bless you to live and see many
more.

I will sing now:

"I was once far away from the Saviour" and

"When Jesus shall gather the nations before Him at last to
appear."

Oh! I am so happy! Goodnight,

Ever,
S.

* * * * *

Wichita, Kansas.

Dear Sister:

This is to acknowledge yours of the 15th inst., and was glad to
hear that you have received my letter. Well, sister, we have our
regular meeting every Sunday, and I will never cease praying to
the Lord that He may help me to live my life, and that I can say,
like our great Brother said, that no man can measure the glories
which God has revealed to us. Glory to Thee, O God, glory to
Thee! * * *

It is said that religionists make too much of the humanity of
Christ. I respond that they make too little. If some doctor or
surgeon of His day, standing under the cross, had caught one drop
of the blood on his hands and analyzed it, it would have been
found to have the same plasma, the same disk, the same fiber, the
same albumen. It was unmistakably human blood. It is a man that
hangs there. His bones are of the same material as ours. His
nerves are as sensitive as ours. If it were an angel being
despoiled, I would not feel it so much, for it belongs to a
different being. But my Saviour is a man and my whole sympathy is
aroused. Jesus our King is dying. Let couriers carry the swift
dispatch. His pains are worse; He is breathing a last groan;
through his body quivers the last anguish. The King is dying; the
King is dead! His royal blood is shed.

I can imagine something of how the spikes felt; of how the
temples burned; what deathly sickness seized His heart; of how
mountain and city and mob swam away from His dying vision;
something of that cry for help that makes the blood of all ages
curdle with horror: "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?"
* * *

O! Jerusalem, my happy home,
When shall I come to thee;
When shall my sorrows have an end?
Thy joys, when shall I see?
Jerusalem, my happy home,
Would God that I were there!
Would God my tears were at an end,
Thy joys, that I might share.

I am so glad that I can write to you. I never will cease praying
for you.

I remain, your brother.

C. H. Z.

* * * * *

Washington County Jail.

Greenville, Miss., Jan. 29, 1889.

My Dear Sisters:

I cannot express my feelings when I read your kind letters. They
make me feel as though you were still at my prison door. I know I
am not the same boy that came to prison. I feel much better in
every way. I read my Bible instead of novels, and find more
pleasure in it.

I expect to get out of prison soon, and when I do I want to write
you a long letter. Mr. McL. was to see me to-day, and read your
letters. He said he would also write you to-day. There is a great
change in him since you were here.

All the boys send love. Direct me as before, care Geo. S. If I
get out I will work for him here. I am, as ever,

Your true friend and brother,
J. F. D.

* * * * *

Penitentiary at Yuma, Ariz., May 19, 1889.

Mrs. Elizabeth R. Wheaton.

Dear Friend: Your kind letter, written from Los Angeles, Cal.,
has been received, after much delay. We are all glad to hear from
you, and thank you very much for your kind remembrance and the
good advice given to us in your letter, and when you spoke to us
here in the prison. Most all the boys hold you in kind
remembrance and often express their wishes to see you and hear
you talk again, and I sincerely hope it will be convenient for
you to call and see us in the near future. The short visit you
paid us awakened earnest thought in a number of the boys, and I
am confident a few more such visits would result in much good to
many of the inmates of this institution.

Asking your prayers, I remain,

Respectfully,
J. E. W.

* * * * *

Deer Lodge, July 15, 1889.

Mrs. E. R. Wheaton.

Madam: I received your postal last Friday, and was very pleased
to hear from you and to know that although far away you still
hold us in kindly remembrance. There are so few who think of us
after the prison door has closed. The boys who were so fortunate
as to meet you, and even those who only heard of your good work,
wish to be remembered to you. So far as we are personally
concerned, there have been no changes, and we will very probably
go through the same routine day in and out until our several
times have expired.

I can safely say that you have made a greater impression upon us
than any others we have been privileged to hear. In the
intercessions you make with the Ruler of All, we ask to be
remembered, and hope that you will receive all the returns of
good which your work so richly merits. If you can find time in
the future, you can give us no greater pleasure than writing us,
even if only so much as may be placed upon a postal.

Yours very sincerely,
HERBERT A. M. (Librarian).

* * * * *

Cole City, Dade Co., Ga., July 5, 1890.

Mrs. Elizabeth R. Wheaton:

Yours of May 25th received yesterday in this camp and contents
duly noted. How it thrills the hearts of the boys to hear the
reading of a letter written by the hand of "Mother Wheaton," the
friend of the unfortunate ones. Dear Christian Mother, you can't
imagine the encouragement it gives to the boys here, especially
those who are trying to do right. Your work has been implanted
here so very deep that God cannot, according to His promise,
obliterate it, for He approves of all good works. You shall have
our prayers, and we desire to have your presence again when
possible.

I intended to take your letter to Rattlesnake Camp No. 4 to read
to the boys up there, as Capt. Brock promised me I might go, but
for some reason, I know not what, I failed to get off, but I do
hope and believe the way will be opened for us prison-bound boys
who desire to do a work for Him to do it without fear.

I received also enclosed in your letter a most interesting
pamphlet of "Capt. Ball's Experience," which is so grand. Also
another of the "Widow and the Judge."

We have a very good Sunday school here now, and I am trying to
make it as interesting as I possibly can, and any books and
Sunday school papers and catechisms you can send us will be quite
a favor. That would have been my business at No. 4 Camp to-day,
if I could have gone, to organize a Sunday school.

I must close by asking an interest in your prayers. Write often.

Your friend and brother in Christ,

J. W. S., Camp No. 3.

* * * * *

Eastern Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Dec. 15, 1890.

Dear Madam:

Your invitation given any of the prisoners who may wish to write,
I for one accept. I was greatly impressed with your words of
truth and the earnest, determined manner in which they were
spoken. I believe they proved an exception to the routine of
professed Christianity we are used to, and have set more than one
mind to thinking of their spiritual condition. I assure you they
were not without effect, and that you are engaged in a noble
work, of which I and others would be glad to hear more.

True it is that in the world around us are many persons
struggling with poverty as great as ours, who are loaded with
cares and anxieties which seem to hinder them in the service of
God. There are many who cannot offer him a pure heart which has
never been stained by sin, yet in the grief for misspent time and
neglected grace would gladly atone for the past by fervent,
grateful love, casting themselves upon the mercy of the Saviour.

I am an old soldier, have fought in the late war, but the
greatest battle I have yet to fight is with myself--the battle of
reformation.

Almighty God, in His wondrous wisdom, has chosen His saints from
every rank of life--some poor and unknown to the world while they
are in it; others great and powerful; no two have been exactly
alike, even in their way of pleasing the Lord.

The "boys" here are satisfied your mission was for good, and left
them knowing that for once they were not locked up within the
hearing of false professors. To say that "locks" would not be
necessary to hold a congregation within your hearing would be
well founded. For a great many others this could not be said.

The boys from Block 9 send you their respects, and would be glad
to hear from you again; would be glad to hear that you received
this and that our appreciation of your service be accepted.

Respectfully yours,
A 2552.

* * * * *

Washington County Jail. Greenville, Miss., Jan. 9, 1890.

Dear Sister:

Your postal of the 5th to hand. The boys are all glad to hear
from you.

Mr. McL. was acquitted and was the proudest boy I ever saw. The
St. Louis boy also got free and went home to his mother.

There has been a great change in the prisoners since you were
here. They are always praying and singing, and you are remembered
in every prayer. I don't think I am the same boy that came to
jail; I know my poor old mother will be proud of me when I see
her again. She lives in Mobile, Alabama, and it has been three
years since she saw me, but I am praying to meet her soon and be
a son to her, as I never was before. I feel like I could teach
young men some good lessons if I get out of this place.

We received some reading matter from you a few days ago. Please
let me hear from you whenever you can spare the time to write.
All the boys join me in love and hope to hear from you again
soon.

Your friend and brother,
J. D. (alias the Artist).

* * * * *

Penitentiary, Salt Lake City, Utah, April 14, 1901.

Mrs. Elizabeth R. Wheaton,

Dear Madam: Your welcome and interesting letter to hand and
contents noted, being exceedingly pleased to hear from you. In
response would state, your letter, though a great surprise, has
been read by many of the inmates of this institution with great
interest, you being the only one, so far, who has shown enough
respect for us to address a few lines to us by mail. For this
kindly remembrance and respect, please accept our united thanks,
with the wish that as you are journeying along life's pathway you
may escape many of the annoyances which you have been subjected
to in the past, while dispensing the gospel tidings to a class of
unfortunates. After your departure from here, am pleased to
state, the "Boys" have taken a deeper interest in Jesus and His
works than ever before, and I verily believe that were you to
come again you would have no difficulty in bringing many of them
to the foot of the Cross. Bibles that have lain for months in
cells, covered with dust, have been taken up and read with
avidity, selecting texts as you suggested for future guidance,
and many are the prayers and kind words which ascend nightly to
the Throne of Grace in your behalf--prayers for your future
guidance and welfare, with health to sustain you in your glorious
work of reclaiming the erring and fallen. God speed the good work
along! We wish there were more like you, to bring a few kind and
cheering words to sustain us, while undergoing this isolation.
Your voice has lingered in our ears ever since you left, and many
of the boys here would like to secure, if they possibly could, a
copy of that wonderful song you sang for us, "Throw Out the
Life-line." If you would kindly forward a copy, as it is not in
our hymn-books, it would be very acceptable.

You may rest assured, no firmer, truer or better friends are to
be found than those you possess in the Utah Penitentiary. Allow
us to hope that when comparing this institution with some of the
grander ones you may visit in the East, you will not speak
disparagingly of your boys out West, but remember there are as
many honest hearts beating beneath striped jackets here as you
will find anywhere, with none more willing to do you a favor. In
conclusion, accept our united and kindest regards. Hoping that
after your life's labors are finished on this earth, you may find
that "Haven of Rest," where it shall be said to you, "Well done,
thou good and faithful servant; enter ye into the kingdom of
Heaven," trusting these few lines may give you further
encouragement, and hoping to hear from you again, with united
thanks for past remembrance, I remain,

Yours most respectfully,
M. M.

* * * * *

Baton Rouge, La., October 11, 1891.

Mrs. Elizabeth R. Wheaton.

My Dear Sister: Yours addressed to the boys in prison here was
received, and I shall take the responsibility of answering your
letter, which is so full of the Word of God.

Your songs I shall never forget. I wish you could come and pray
for us and sing those sweet songs to us every day.