Chapter XXII: Letters from Prisoners (2)

I have got a life sentence in this prison. I do not know whether
you remember me or not, but I remember you and always will, I
hope, and I pray to meet you in Heaven. Since I listened to the
songs you sang, I have felt that I was nearer Heaven than ever
before. Your few minutes with us in this prison helped me more
than all others that I ever heard preach the Word of God. Your
service enlightened me more. I feel better and I think that every
one in here will long remember your few minutes' talk with them
on that blessed Sunday morning. I shall constantly pray and try
to become as pure in heart as I think you are. Your home is
surely in Heaven, and I will endeavor to reach that home and
meet you there. Pray for me that I may become acceptable in the
sight of our Lord.

I pray the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and
the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you.

B. P.

* * * * *

Lancaster, Neb., Oct. 25, 1891.

Our Dear Sister in the Lord:

I received your kind note through our Brother Burge. I am
thankful for your words to us and for the encouragement I
received through you. I am trying to live a Christian life, to
follow the teachings of the words of God in the book He has
given. I am persuaded of myself I can do nothing, but by the help
of God and our Saviour I am able to resist temptations and sin.
The world looks down upon me from two standpoints--the one
because of my color, and the other because I try to serve the
living God through Christ our Lord. I feel that I am weak and
need much help, both from the Lord and from the brethren and
sisters. I need your prayers daily to help me in my surroundings
and trials. We are hated and mocked, but this does not move us.
My faith is strong and I will, through the grace of God, meet you
in Heaven. In my imagination I still hear those words that you
spoke to us, and I hope they will continue to ring in my ear.

I do not fail to mention you in my prayer to God the Father, in
the name of our Lord and Master.

Our chaplain has just returned from the prison congress and he
gave us a talk on prison reform.

From your brother that is colored, that had a talk with you in
the warden's office.

J. H. No. 1579.

* * * * *

West Virginia Penitentiary, Jan. 31, 1892.

Dear Sister Wheaton:

Your letter to "Boys in the Penitentiary" was received, and it
gave me pleasure to read it to them in the chapel, as also that
enclosed for the female prisoners; and after reading the latter
the officer in charge gave it to the sisters, and they can digest
its helpful contents in the quietude of their own apartments.

At the very mention of a letter from you I could see many faces
light up with interest, and I am sure your earnest and faithful
appeals for recruits to the Master's cause on your visits to this
place will never be forgotten; also that many hearts feel to
thank you for the kindly and unabated interest that prompted your
letter of cheer and encouragement. God bless you with power by
His Spirit in your noble work. Twenty-six lifetime men are
confined here, and I am one of the number; but I am glad to tell
you that even here I have learned a freedom which is not
compassed by iron bars, and I am looking forward with confidence
when I will come into the full enjoyment of that inheritance
which is "incorruptible, undefiled and fadeth not away." Have
been here over thirteen years; converted twelve years and nine
months ago, and have been trying to do something for my Master
ever since, and I feel glad that He has wonderfully blessed and
kept me in His love. Pray for us that God will save the fallen.

Yours in Christian love,
W. S. D.

* * * * *

Oregon State Penitentiary.

Salem, Ore., April 3, 1892.

Dear Mother Wheaton:

Your kind letter was handed to me by our Superintendent to-day,
and we were more than pleased to hear from you. May our Father in
Heaven protect and keep you for many years to come in the faithful
work of rescuing the souls of men who are so far astray that each
one saved seems like a miracle. Many a prayer has gone up from the
solitudes of our prison cells for Mother Wheaton's health and
success, and many of us in conversation have oft repeated, "God
bless Mother Wheaton!" But we have not lost sight of Jesus, always
our Friend. We have services every Sunday. Mother Smith (God bless
her!) comes once a month, and each Sunday our pulpit is occupied
by some minister from the city. Then some night during the week
our choir has rehearsal; so you see, we have plenty of opportunity
to worship and listen to the divine Word, and in consequence we
are very grateful to our kind officials, who earnestly look out
for our spiritual welfare, especially Mr. Downing, our good
Christian Superintendent, who would not rest easy if he thought
one of us was in want of anything that he could obtain for us that
would be for our good. We often think of the difference between
some other prisons and ours. "Oh, Father in Heaven, not as we
will, but as Thou wilt, but spread a little divine love in those
quarters where it is so much needed"--that is often our prayer.

God bless you and protect you in your noble work, and may the
jewels in your crown be many, are the prayers of many of the
inmates of this institution, and when you come again many an
honest hand will unite with yours in our expression of love and
faithfulness for Him who died on Calvary, not in the arms of a
loving mother, but between two such men as many of us have been;
yet one of them dwells with Him in Paradise, which proves to a
certainty that He saves to the uttermost. God bless you again.
Write us often, and when you reach those pearly gates there will
be those to meet you who will say, "You showed me the way."

Yours in Christ.

WM. AND YOUR BOYS.

* * * * *

Lancaster, Neb., Aug. 20, 1892.

Dear Sister in the Lord:

Yours of the 5th at hand. I always rejoice to hear from you, or
to hear you speak, for your words are words of comfort, and are
after the doctrine of our Lord and Master and according to the
Scripture. It is a great comfort to me to hear or speak with
those that live in Christ Jesus. No I have no thought of turning
back to the poor and weak elements of this world. By the help of
the Lord I will press on to the ends that I may claim all the
promises, and I want to be found faithful in all good works, and
in doing good to those that have need. The promise you spoke of
can be found in Revelation, 14:12. You ask if I will seek to be
such. Yes, with all my heart. God, that knows all our hearts,
knows that my desire is to live and work for His sake and for His
glory. As for me, I am not worthy to be called His child, but
only a servant, because I have wasted my life in sin when I ought
to have served my God and Lord. But four years ago the Lord drew
me unto Him. I repented of my ways, gave my heart and soul to God
the Father, and Jesus our Lord. I received forgiveness of my
sins, and not many days after I received the promise of my Lord.
That was the promise of the Comforter, which came to me--even me.
And now shall I turn back? No, God helping me, I will endure all
things; for He is able to keep me in the hour of temptation. And
oh! His promises are so true to them that put their trust in Him.
In Isaiah, 41st chapter and 10th verse, and again in 1st Kings,
19th chapter, 7th verse, we are told the journey is too great for
us without God's help. But if we accept the help we shall be
faithful to the end. And here is another promise that He will
help in time of need: "Lo! I am with you always, even unto the
end of the world." (Matt. 28:20.)

He has promised to reward us according to our works. (Rev.
22:12.) I have done nothing worthy of reward. But you have
labored and have kept the faith, and God will reward you for all
your trials and tribulations, and give you a crown that will
never fade. Yes, God helping me, I will meet you in Heaven, where
there is no more sorrow and no more weeping, but joy in our
Saviour. May God bless you. May He give you health and strength
to the end, is my prayer. Pray for me, for the prayer of the
righteous availeth much.

Yours in Jesus,
P. B.

* * * * *

Ionia, Mich., October 21, 1894.

Mrs. Wheaton.

Dear Madam: I write to thank you for those pamphlets you sent me,
and I think I can say they did me good. At any rate, I am trying
to faithfully follow their suggestions. I practically devour any
of that kind of reading, for, thank God, I do hunger and thirst
after instruction in His word--I should like to have said
righteousness, but I don't--there! I cannot finish what I was
going to say, for a blessed thought has just come to me--that is,
Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for
righteousness. I not only believe God, but Jesus Christ also. So
I believe I may say I hunger and thirst after righteousness.
Anyhow, I pray every day to get nearer to God. You will be glad
to hear that I have decided to leave all and follow Him. I have
consecrated my life to His service. When I get out, wherever I
feel that He calls me, I shall go there, if it is to China. I am
praying for sanctification. I want to get so close to God as to
always be able to feel His presence. This is just two weeks since
you were here, and I started to serve God. Praise the Lord, I
think I am justified in saying that I am a new lad.

I have given up tobacco and don't feel the need of it any more
than if I had never tasted it. I have given up profanity just as
easily. Now I want to read the Bible every day. Since you were
here I have read Corinthians I and II, Revelations, Proverbs,
Ecclesiastes, Ruth, and am now reading the Acts of the Apostles.
Before you came I had thought a little of being a Christian, but
had not taken any steps towards it, but you decided me, and I
thank you for it.

I must close now or my paper will give out. Pray for me that I
may receive sanctification and have the indwelling of the Holy
Ghost. God bless you.

I remain, yours sincerely and respectfully,
M. J. B.

* * * * *

Lancaster, Neb., Feb. 3, 1895.

Mrs. Elizabeth R. Wheaton.

My Dear Sister in Christ: Yours was received with welcome and
thanksgiving to our Lord that comforts us through His Holy
Spirit. Yes, God has given me grace to overcome many temptations.
He is my whole trust and confidence, and I know He hears my
prayers, and He will open a door for you here. There are some
hungry souls here for the truth. I believe if you had been
permitted to have service, some would have been saved. About the
first of December there were some seeking quite sincerely. My
desire is that I might be found faithful to the end, and I ask
your prayers for me to Him who is able to save to the uttermost.
I am so glad you had the Spirit of God in your service in
Lincoln December 25. We had the follies of this world without
the Spirit of God. But the world knows its own and they please
not our Lord. And because we are not of the world, the world
hates us, and that without a cause. I have been praying for you
that God will give you the victory in all things. And now may the
peace and grace of God our Lord be with all His saints and them
that truly love Him.

From your brother in Jesus,
P. B. B.

* * * * *

Cole City, Ga., April 26, 1896.

Mrs. Wheaton.

Dear Mother: I take the pleasure of writing you a few lines.

I do hope that I can meet you and tell you the good you have done
me. God is the one and the only one I look to. I want to go to
Heaven and believe I will. I believe some day, if we do not meet
on earth again, that we will meet in Heaven.

Poor and needy though I be,
God, my maker, cares for me;
Gives me clothing, shelter, food;
He will hear me when I pray.
He is with me night and day,
When I sleep and when I wake.
Keeps me safe for Jesus' sake,
He who reigns above the sky,
Once became as poor as I.

He whose blood for me was shed,
Had not where to lay His head.
Though I labor here awhile,
He will bless me with His smile.
And when this short life is past,
I shall rest with Him at last.

I hope and pray that you will have power and strength to obey the
Master's will.

Good-bye,
P. McM.

* * * * *

Boise City, Idaho, May 11, 1896.

Mrs. Wheaton.

My Dear Mother in Christ: I hope you are well and enjoying the
love of the Lord. It is a great thing to be in a position to work
for the Lord Jesus. We are having good services now every Sunday,
and we have a good Bible class of our own. The Lord has
wonderfully blessed this place, and I hope to see many souls
saved. Praise God! All the boys send love and wish to see you,
and we all wish you success. God bless you in your good work.

W. B.

* * * * *

Waupun, Wis., Feb. 26, 1897.

Mrs. E. R. Wheaton and Mrs. Kelly,

Dear Friends: Enclosed please find P. O. order for $6.66, which
is sent you with the best wishes of the inmates of this
institution, as a slight token of the appreciation which we have
of your efforts toward the uplifting of fallen beings like
ourselves, and the upbuilding of Christ's Kingdom.

Although most of the contributions came from the C. E. members,
yet they were not confined strictly to them.

It was a surprise to me, when in conversation with many of the
boys, during our short time of liberty on Washington's Birthday,
to find among them such a general feeling of friendliness and
respect toward you, even from those who usually scoff at
everything religious, and who are thoroughly hardened in sin and
crime.

I am sure it will be gratifying to you to know that God so
blesses your efforts that even the most hardened ones can feel
the influence of His Holy Spirit in your ministrations.

Rest assured that we shall always hold you in kindly
remembrance, and shall never cease to pray that God's richest
blessing may crown your efforts.

While our contribution is very small, we know that you will
receive it remembering only the motive which prompts its
bestowal, which is the only method by which the value of a gift
can be determined.

With renewed expression of our wishes and prayers for your
success, we are,

Yours for Christ,
WAUPUN PRISON C. E. SOCIETY.
A. I. W., COR. SEC.

P. S.--The enclosed order is sent in the chaplain's name, W. G.
Bancroft.

* * * * *

Eddyville, Ky., April 18, 1897.

Mrs. E. R. Wheaton.

My Dear Christian Friend: It is with pleasure that I write you
these few lines to let you know that your visit to Eddyville was
not in vain. Many of my brothers here express their appreciation
of your visit. We have some earnest workers for the salvation of
men in this prison. We are praying for you that God will
strengthen you for His work. We hope to see you again soon, and
receive a message from Jesus, for we receive you as His
messenger.

All my brothers send their thanks to you, for they say you seem
like a mother to them. Some of us have not seen our mothers for
thirteen or fourteen years, and only live in hope of seeing them
in heaven, when we can lay down these stripes and greet them
there.

O my dear Christian friend, when I think of a wasted life and how
easy a poor frail being like myself is led off, it almost crushes
my heart, but thank God that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth
from all sin, and that is my only hope. I want to meet you in
heaven and, by the grace of God, I'll be there. We will not be in
prison always. Jesus will come to claim his children soon. Those
who oppress us now will all have to stand before that just Judge
and give an account of what they have done to crush the hearts of
their fellowmen. May God forgive them, is my prayer, for they
know not what they do.

I hope to hear from you soon. May God bless you in His service.

Your friend in Christ,
L. P.

* * * * *

Laramie, Wyo., May 31, 1897.

Dear Mother Wheaton:

I got your letter some time ago and also the papers. Was real
glad to get them and to hear from you. I also get the paper
regularly, and when we are through reading it I send it to a
little boy in Montana that I used to know. We still continue our
Bible class and have several new members. We have changed the
time from Thursday until Sunday, on account of some of the boys
who work on the farm.

I got a good letter from a friend in Kansas not long ago. He
tells me that my wife and little girls have joined the Christian
Church. The happiest days of my life were spent with them, and if
there is one of us four who has to be lost I hope it may be me. I
want your prayers for our Bible class and that God will make me a
better man; and especially for my wife and children I want your
prayers. It will be four years to-morrow since I have seen them.

Some of the boys often speak of you, and I can assure you of a
welcome by us if you ever come this way again. May God bless you
and sustain you in this world for many years to come, is my
prayer. The text of the sermon we heard to-day was John 3:16.

W. J. T.

Luke 15:15.

* * * * *

Waupun, Wis., July 4, 1897.

Mrs. E. R. Wheaton.

Madam: The privilege of writing is accorded me by the rules of
this institution, and as I have no friends to whom I write, I
will address this letter to you. I have not taken any great
interest in your work, but have heard you speak before you
visited this place last February, and under similar
circumstances.

All are doing nicely here and are looking forward to the treat we
shall get to-morrow by being allowed the liberty of the yard, as
we celebrate the Fourth then.

The Christian Endeavor Society is getting along nicely, I guess,
though I have not been present at their last two or three
meetings, but some of the boys seem to take considerable interest
in the work.

The front yard is very pretty. All the flowers are in bloom and
nature seems to bless the convicts as well as those whose conduct
permits them to remain out in a cruel world.

Flower Mission Day was observed here June 20th. Some ladies of
the W. C. T. U. distributed some flowers and spoke in the chapel.
Told us of the sufferings of Jennie Cassidy of Kentucky, the
originator of Flower Mission Day, invoked a divine blessing on
us, and sent us to our cells, feeling that our lot was not so bad
as others have had to endure.

The prison is about the same, six hundred males and ten or twelve
females; some changes in the discipline; the lock-step is
dispensed with; we are allowed two books a week from the library,
and other changes which lighten our burden.

Believing you will pardon this liberty I have taken, I am,

Most respectfully,

No. 6965.

* * * * *

Laramie, Wyoming, May, 1898.

Dear Mother:

Mr. ---- requests me to answer your kind and most welcome letter.
I was thinking of you this morning, and of your mission on earth,
and how you had spent your life in the service of the Lord, and
in trying to benefit others. We regard you as the Good Samaritan,
and pray that the Lord will bless you in your work wherever you
may go. The members of the Bible class unite in sending you their
love and best regards, and will be delighted to have you visit us
again. According to nature, your earthly mission will soon come
to a close, but your acts of kindness and deeds of mercy will
live on forever. Remember us in your prayers. It is written that
the prayers of the righteous avail much. Our class has increased
considerably since you were here. Some of the boys seem to be
very much in earnest and sincerely repent of their past conduct.
I hope to live the remainder of my life in the service of the
Lord, and I hope to meet you in a brighter and a better world,
where parting and sorrow are no more; where our tears are all
wiped away, and the light of the Lord shines forever.

Sincerely yours,
F. P. 309.

* * * * *

Eddyville Prison, March 17, 1900.

Mrs. Elizabeth R. Wheaton, Prison Evangelist:

Though it has been one year the 5th of February past since I
heard your kind, sweet, motherly voice, how glad and proud I am
to see you once again and hear your kind voice, full of a
mother's pity for her children. May God bless you, mother, in
your journey from prison to prison to teach fallen men that there
is a Jesus who loves them and will forgive their sins if they
only believe on Him. Thank God for His Son He sent into the world
to save sinners, for Jesus has pardoned all my sins, and I mean
to serve God for the remainder of my life.

You are welcome--thrice welcome. If you did not love us you would
not come to visit us each year so faithfully. May God bless and
go with you wherever you may be or go.

Though I have only about three weeks to serve here yet, I thank
God I will leave a saved boy through the blood of Jesus. Bless
His holy name!

I highly appreciate your kind words and the advice you gave me. I
will take your advice.

I will close by saying, "May God watch between me and thee."
Amen. My motto through life is, "In God I trust."

I remain,

Your son in Jesus,
F. P. K., Jr.

* * * * *

Yuma, Arizona, May 25, 1903.

Dear Sister Wheaton:

Our kind Superintendent handed me your letter of the 22d inst.,
also the tracts you sent, which I distributed to those who I knew
would read and appreciate them. I also showed your letter to
several, and intended reading it, or having it read, during
church yesterday morning, but our minister was late, so I thought
best to wait till next Sunday. During the week I will pass it
around to as many as I can. All to whom I showed the letter
seemed glad to hear from you, and requested me to ask you to
remember them in your prayers, and said to tell you they hoped
you would be able to visit the prison again soon.

I am sorry I haven't a more favorable report of Christian
progress in the prison; but Satan seems to hold the upper hand,
and there has been no conversion for some time, and there has
been quite a number of Christian boys sent out, and a great many
new men came in of late, which may account for the small
attendance at services.

I hope the Lord will open the way for some good revivalist to
come to Yuma and stay for a while at least. This place needs a
real stirring up.

I hope that the Lord will continue to bless you in your work for
Him among fallen men and women, and that you may lead many to
live better lives and be prepared for heaven.

Your brother in Christ,
R. C.

* * * * *

Frankfort, Ky., October 8, 1903.

Elizabeth R. Wheaton, Prison Evangelist.

Dear Mother Wheaton: It is a matter of the deepest regret that I
am in prison, but I am very proud to have you call me one of your
boys.

My dear mother was named Elizabeth. I was her pride and joy, but
rejoice to think that my fall did not occur until after her
death.

It would please my sweet wife if you could write her a letter of
encouragement and good cheer.

I hope that your latter years may be many, and am certain they
will be filled with the joy and blessedness which come to those
who are serving the Master in such a noble work as yours.

Most respectfully yours,
H. E. Y.

* * * * *

Frankfort, Kentucky, November 15, 1903.

Mrs. Elizabeth Wheaton, Tabor, Iowa.

My Dear Mother Wheaton: Your visit to those who were confined to
their beds in our prison hospital October 6th was a great
blessing to them. Your gospel hymns gave them visions of angels
singing the praises of their Master, and your prayers carried
them before the great white throne for mercy and pardon.

Prisoners need Christianity more than any other class of men, and
when they get the love of God in their hearts they immediately
become better prisoners, are more contented, and have more hope
for this life and the life to come.

Surely your work is a noble one, and each song and prayer for
prisoners makes your heavenly reward more glorious.

With many thanks for the kind words spoken to me, I remain,

Most respectfully,
H. E. Y.

* * * * *

Jefferson City, Mo., Sept. 2, 1904.

Mrs. E. R. Wheaton, Tabor, Iowa.

Dear Mother in Jesus: I thought I would address you in behalf of
a Christian friend by the name of J., as he is sick. He requested
me to write to you, and as I would like to hear from a Christian
from the outside world, he said you would answer my letter. I am
trying to live a Christian life. When I was almost ready to give
up and go back to my sinful life, there was a bright light came
in my pathway to refresh my soul and to point out the dark places
wherein I stood. And this light was Brother J. When he talks to
any one it is in a loving way, and to talk to him five minutes
one can tell that he is one of God's true children. I enjoy
greatly to hear him talk of Jesus' love, for it does my soul
good. Have you any Christian papers and tracts that you would
please send to me? I would enjoy reading them greatly.

I am your boy, saved in Christ Jesus.

Geo. W. R.

* * * * *

Huntsville, Texas, Feb. 17, 1905.

Dear Mother Wheaton:

Yours to our chaplain, Dr. M., has just been handed to me, and it
affords me great pleasure to write you, for I often think of you,
and the good lady that was here with you, and I knew it would be
gratifying to you to know how sincerely the boys appreciate your
words of kindness and Christian advice for their spiritual
welfare. I have heard many of them speak of you, and it was
always with heartfelt wishes for your success and happiness. I
trust and pray that many lost souls will be brought to Christ
through your noble work in the meeting you mention.

Through reading the Christian Herald I have been much impressed
with the need of missionary work in India. And I pray that Miss
Grace, who was with you here, will be abundantly blessed in her
undertaking. I assure you that we will all be glad to see you at
any time. God's richest blessings upon you. I beg to remain,

Yours in Christ,

W. H. S.