Two Prisons by Clara Edna Rosecrans

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Feb 18, 1913

Two Prisons

By Clara Edna Rosecrans

There is a strange old legend Told of a long gone time— Told of a day quite vanished, Told of a far-off clime. True it may be in portion, True in the lesson taught; Big with eternal issues, Fearful with soul-life fraught.

Shut in an iron prison— Ages long gone by— Doomed to a life of terror, Doomed in that cell to die; Seeing the walls come nearer— Nearer, more near each day— Knowing they were remorseless, Somber and cold and gray.

Feeling sure death approaching, Watching with wide, wild eyes, Torture of anguish nameless, As the winged hour flies. Inward the walls come slipping— Caught in their fearful thrall; Death ends the pain of living; Man becomes part of wall.

Such is the strange old legend: Prisoner in iron cell— Untold death, still living, Tortures of damned in hell. Now—in the time we're living— Such is the fate of some; Caught in an iron prison— Held by the power of rum.

Knowing that death comes nearer— Horrible! fiend-enthralled! Watching with wild eyes bloodshot, Hopeless and more appalled. Only ONE man in legend, Only ONE life to go— Millions in rum's foul prison, Fated to sorrow and wo.

Only ONE death in dying— Innocent heart and hand— Hope of a resurrection; Life that was pure and grand. Sad in their fearful contrast, Thus the two prisoners stand, One in the cold, dark ages, One in a Christian land.

Hopeless, helpless, imprisoned, Rum-walls hold one fast— Walls that crush out manhood— Utter destruction at last! O, let us rise and save them, Hurling the walls each way! Samson, our country needs you; Come to our help, we pray.

Anguish of wives and children Manhood with demons fraught, Bartered for hell and madness— Those whom Christ's blood hath bought. Out with the dreadful monster! Rum and its fiends of hell! Temperance, queen of our nation, Ever with us shall dwell.

Jesus, Thou mighty Saviour, Open the prison wide! Liberty, life, and blessing, Enter a mighty tide! So shall the stain be canceled Of ages as dark as night; Land of a pure, true manhood Filled with sweetness and light.

Life Boat Mission, Springfield, Missouri.