Local Prison Work by David Paulson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 12, 1902

Local Prison Work

By David Paulson

The State prisons almost without exception have regularly appointed chaplains, some of whom undoubtedly are mere office holders, but others, I am thankful to be able to say from personal acquaintance with them, are earnest Christian workers. So the State prisons are not entirely deprived of gospel work.

The county, city, and village jails have no such provision made for them; and the men who are confined there, awaiting trial or serving short sentences, are often entirely without any gospel influence. Yet they are the most hopeful class of prisoners, as they have not yet been brought into constant contact with the most hardened criminals, and their hearts are generally softened by this humiliation that has befallen them.

In some cities and villages our people have, year after year, entirely overlooked the prison work, thereby depriving themselves of great blessings, and as a consequence souls have undoubtedly drifted beyond all hope. The majority of Christian people imagine that prison work is very difficult, while, on the contrary, in many respects it is easy. The only qualifications needed are sound discretion and love for humanity.

In my recent visit to Wichita, Kan., I learned that some of our sisters have been visiting the jail on Sundays, and handing the prisoners copies of The Life Boat. They have had most interesting experiences. This work had so won the confidence of the keeper that our friends did not have the least difficulty in securing permission from his wife for me to visit the prisoners, although the keeper was away. Almost all the prisoners expressed their appreciation of The Life Boat.

Our people have purchased a portable organ, and will now begin regular Sunday afternoon services in the corridor of the jail.

To those who are just beginning to engage in this work, the following suggestions may be helpful: try to forget that you are talking to a prisoner. Regard him simply as a fellow being. Dwell as little as possible on prison topics. Forget, if possible, that these men are in prison. Endeavor to talk to them with the same ease and freedom with which you would converse with a friend whom you might meet on the street. Try to be natural, and to feel perfectly at home. Ask the Lord to guide you in this work, then begin to do something, and you will be surprised to see how easy the work is, and what a blessing there is in it.

The Life Boat, The Signs of the Times, and The Youth's Instructor are the best papers to use for this purpose. If the way does not open for you to give them to the prisoners, it may be because the Lord knows that you are not prepared to be a light to these men, so let the jailer have the papers to hand out, and then seek the Lord all the more earnestly for a better preparation. Copies of The Life Boat can be secured for this purpose for two cents each. Address 28 Thirty-third Place, Chicago.

DAVID PAULSON.