A LETTER AND EXPERIENCE.
By George Bond
“I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” The words, which we find in Matt. 25: 36, are familiar to all readers of the REVIEW, and I would like to ask you, Brethren, what are you doing with them?429 “In prison, and ye came unto me.” Let me tell you about my own prison life, which was similar to the experience that many have had, and will have. For more than two years I was in State prison; and although I thank God for the experience, I can never forget the agony of heart and soul I suffered. Two months after I went there, I gave my heart to Christ, determined, as far as my light and knowledge went, to obey his commandments. The first twelve months was a severe trial. Sometimes I was halting between belief and unbelief, and at other times I was down in the depths of despair. Ashamed to write to those who knew me, I determined to struggle on, believing that in God's good time all things would come out right. All the religious instruction we had was one hour's service every alternate Sunday, the one Sunday being conducted by the priest, and the other by the Protestant chaplain. In the evening the Protestant chaplain used sometimes to call on the inmates; but during a residence of two years and three months, I had an opportunity of conversing with the chaplain only three times. But what man did not do, God did. One night as I lay on my cot, reading the prophecy of Isaiah, God showed me plainly that he had accepted me. I was in great spiritual darkness, and felt that God was unkind to me, because I had such a poor understanding of his word, and was shut off from all fellowship with his people. The words which comforted me are found in Isa. 56: 3, 6, 7: “Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, ‘The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people.’” “Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer.” It was indeed a wonderful revelation of God's power. This was the beginning of a brighter life. Some of the inmates began to give me Seventh-day Adventist literature, which was sent them by brethren and sisters in the State. These papers are kept by the men until a holiday, and then given to others. They are thus passed from one to another until they are literally worn out. The public holidays are the only occasions when they have opportunity to exchange papers, liberty of speech being granted for a brief time. Some time before my sentence expired, I received in a missionary letter from a lady an invitation to write to her. This sister belonged to the Seventh-day Adventist church at Dodge Center, Minn. How I thank God to-day for those bright, cheery letters, full of loving-kindness and spiritual comfort! And I am glad to say that other prisoners were receiving letters from the Seventh-day Adventist people in other parts of the State. It is impossible to describe the effects of these letters; but on holidays little groups of men might be seen listening to letters received by the more fortunate ones, and wishing some good person would write to them. It is a difficult matter to gain the confidence of a prisoner, but I know that the letters which have been received from God's people have been the means of leading men to Christ. Once more I enjoy freedom. The family which wrote to me in prison invited me to become a member of their home. May the richest blessings of God's mercy rest upon them! Now I have tried to explain by my own experience how hard it is for one to grow in the knowledge of God when entirely shut off from Christian reading and instruction, and I plead with God's remnant people for those in prison. There is no field that will pay better interest on the investment of a little brotherly love, and this field is right at hand. Many, regretting that circumstances prevent them from going into foreign work, fail to see the unlimited field which God has for them at home. “Love one another, as I have loved you.” That is the way to succeed in this work. Write to the warden of your State prison and reformatory, and ask him to send you the names of those whom your correspondence might help. If he is a man who cares for his wards, he will do it gladly. Thus you will soon find persons to send your old papers to; and oh, what a glorious thing it will be if, when the Saviour comes, you hear those blessed words, “I was in prison, and ye came unto me”! The trouble is that people do not understand a man in prison. They think he must naturally be degenerate and bad. But the fact remains that men in prison are just the same as those whom you meet on the streets every day—men of education and culture; men in the depths of ignorance, through perhaps no fault of their own; men who have fallen in a moment of passion, or who have given way to a terrible temptation; and the men who never had a chance. And they are all open to your love and sympathy, if you like to take up the work. At the Dodge Center church, a collection was recently taken up, to send the Prisoners' Number of the Life Boat to the Minnesota State prison; and the prisoners will be made happy by receiving several copies of the paper. I was present at the meeting, and after the service a number of the members asked for the names of prisoners to write to. One sister who wrote to a prisoner received an encouraging reply, telling her that her letter had awakened longings for a better life, and thanking her for her kindness as well as pleading for her to send papers. I feel sure that the Lord's hand is in this work; and that he will wonderfully bless his people who are taking part in it. So I appeal to those chosen of God, who are carrying his last message, to remember those in bonds, and to endeavor to open up a correspondence with some of those in their State prisons. And please remember that Seventh-day Adventist literature, no matter how old, will be read with avidity, and perhaps by God's grace will be the means of leading some to Christ. I never knew anything about the Seventh-day Adventists until I got into prison. I have now fully accepted the truth; and I pray daily that the Lord will use me in the work of helping those who are in prison. I know that this article does not properly bring before you the prisoners' longing for better things; but I pray that by it others may be led to take up this work. Since I have been free, I have gathered up considerable Seventh-day Adventist literature, and sent it to the prison, to men whom I knew. I have the addresses of about fifty men to whom I intend to send reading-matter. Hoping and believing you will help in this work I am— Yours in the one hope,
GEORGE BOND.