p. 12 | PRISON WORK by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 14, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 40.

PRISON WORK.

By Editor

THE following letter is from Brother H. Clay Griffin, secretary of the Arkansas tract society. It was designed for the Missionary Echo, organ of the California society, but we deem it worthy of a larger circulation than that afforded in the Echo, and therefore give it a place here:—

VAN BUREN, Ark., July 29, 1893.

DEAR ECHO: Under the heading “Prison Work” in a recent issue, you ask if others are doing anything in this line of work. We have been visiting the jail at this place once a week since the 1st of September last. Three have given their hearts to the Lord. Two of these were acquitted. One was sent to the State prison for four years. He accepted our doctrines and would keep the Sabbath if he was free. I have sent him over 1,000 pages of tracts, which he distributes among his fellow prisoners,—taking them up and giving them out to others. He reports quite an interest in the prison to know the truth.

One of the men in the prison here said: “You have no idea how it cheers us up for you to come. All appreciate your visits from the bottom of our hearts. And if ever you are put in prison and we can reach you, we will visit you.” He said to tell the Echo for him that the people of all other denominations who visit the jail walk through and gaze at them as though they were wild animals, never so much as speaking to them, much less shaking their hands and singing and praying with them.

We have had some good meetings with them. Hard-hearted men, when cut off from the world, will take an interest in religion if presented in the right way. We take from three to eight young ladies of our church with us to these meetings, and generally a few of the brethren go and take a part in the exercises.

I have just received a letter from Brother J. D. Kessee, the one who was sentenced for four years. He is now at Spadra in the coal mines; he would appreciate a letter from any of the brethren or sisters, and would distribute tracts or papers if sent to him. If any should write to him please inclose stamp, paper, and envelope, as he is a poor man and can only write as the material is furnished.

There is a great deal we could tell you that is encouraging in this branch of the work, but the best way to obtain this knowledge is to get it by experience—by visiting the prison and cheering up the inmates.

The letter from Brother Kessee, above referred to, breathes a true Christian spirit. There is no complaint of his lot as a prisoner, or any attempt to create an undue sympathy in his own behalf. Brother Griffin sends us the letter, from which we take the following extract:—

I am trying to become stronger in the cause every day, and I don't know how to express my gratitude for the interesting reading I have received from your hand and through you from others. And I praise the Lord when I see the interest some of my fellow prisoners have taken in the Sabbath question and other items of interest in the papers and tracts. If you send me more I hope and believe I may use them to the advantage of the Master's cause. Direct to Little Rock, care of R. W. Worthen.