OUR GOSPEL SERVICE AT SAN QUENTIN PENITENTIARY.
By Chas. T. Everson
HAVING received a cordial invitation from the chaplain of the prison, the Rev. C. Drahms, to occupy the regular service in the chapel, we were able to take advantage of the privilege thus accorded us the first Sunday in June. I was accompanied by a male quartet from the Oakland church, composed of Brethren Winslow, Gould, Drake, and Lemos. The chaplain met us at the entrance, and conducted us to the chapel. The surroundings of the prison are beautiful, but the inside, with its cold gray stone walls, is not so inviting. As we entered, the prison choir was practising a selection for the service. The chapel is a large hall used exclusively for public meetings, both religious services and other meetings. It is well seated with comfortable benches. The platform is neatly arranged. It has as a background bunting of various hues, on which are inscribed in large letters the words, "Christ Is Risen." When the hour for meeting arrived, the men came in, one closely following another, till the chapel was full. The chaplain was very kind, giving the service entirely over into our hands, with no restriction on the speaking or singing. The service began at 9:30, with a selection sung by the prison choir. Our quartet then sang a few selections, that were listened to with evident pleasure. After a prayer, the quartet sang again that beautiful song that never grows old, "Nearer, My God, to Thee," to a new and beautiful tune. The Scripture lesson was from Mark 5:1-20. The quartet sang again, and then followed the sermon. It gives one a curious sensation to stand before 600 men, all in stripes, and tell them of the power of God to save whosoever will come, "be they bond or free." It was indeed strange to think that in whatsoever face I looked, my eyes rested upon a man to whom the State of California had denied his liberty as being unfit to be at large. And yet I spoke to them with the utmost confidence in God's ability to help them. For, while I knew many were hardened in sin and crime, still I know we have a mighty God, with whom nothing is impossible. The congregation showed a great many intelligent faces of persons who might have been a power for good in the world if their talents had only been dedicated to God. But there they were, some for five years, some for twenty-five, and some were doomed to spend the rest of their days within those dreary stone walls.11 I took as the subject of my discourse the man of the tombs, as recorded in Mark 5:1-20. I showed that if Jesus was able to deliver from the power of Satan a man whom the powers of darkness controlled to such an extent that he could not use his own voice, and one who murdered every one that he came in contact with, he was certainly able to save any man in the chapel; for no one present had sunk as low as that. It did not take months to save a soul, nor long prayers, but it could be done in an instant, and without even an audible prayer being offered. Jesus, seeing a soul with a darkened mind and a broken-down body, groping in despair, longing for rescue from his fearful condition, was moved with compassion, and immediately set the struggling soul at liberty. To-day the same Jesus is yearning to break the bonds of sin and set at liberty every captive. A man that has Jesus enthroned within his heart, altho in prison, is in a far better condition than any man outside of its walls without the power of God in his life. For, altho Paul was free, yet, rather than give up his hope in Christ, he was willing to suffer imprisonment in a dark Roman dungeon, and at last lose his life. He would rather live in prison with Christ than live outside without Christ. After the sermon we had a short testimony meeting, in which the prisoners took part with wonderful freedom, and the testimonies resounded with the ring of hearts touched by the power of God. The chaplain remarked to me that they were all good, as the daily lives of the men were in accordance with the testimonies they gave. One man testified that he had found the Lord in prison four years before, and altho behind the bars, yet he was a free man in Christ Jesus. Another said that he was converted ten months before in the Oakland jail. Our brethren held a service in this jail every Sabbath, and were instrumental in this man's conversion. So jail work pays. Another said: "I am a changed man. Three years ago the truth made me free. I accepted Christ in this prison, and the way grows brighter." And thus the testimonies ran. Two raised their hands, signifying a desire to start to live for God, while others asked an interest in our prayers. After the service I had the privilege of shaking hands with the men, and I was asked by them to come again and speak to them. Several said they had received good from the meeting. We distribute 250 copies of the Helping Hand at the prison every month, and much interest is manifested in this paper, as shown by the remarks of both the chaplain and the men. After the service several men whose terms were soon to expire, came to me and expressed a desire to come to the mission, and get on their feet again, and live different lives. One said that he had been a Christian four years, having found Christ in prison. His term would end in just a few weeks, and he desired to come to the mission and be baptized, that he might do all that the Lord has enjoined upon His followers. There are many hopeful cases in this prison, and among prisoners in general, and we desire to see the work for them go on with increased zeal. The Spirit of God was present in a large measure at this meeting. One of the brethren remarked that it was the most powerful meeting he had attended for a long time. An elderly lady, Mrs. Goes, who was acting chaplain of San Quentin penitentiary for many years, and who has perhaps the most influence with the men of any one who goes there, was present at the service, and spoke to one of our Oakland ministers of the "remarkable service we had at San Quentin." We feel thankful to God for the privilege of ministering unto those in prison, and would give Him all the praise. Any of our friends who feel disposed to help in this grand work can send the Helping Hand for a whole year to one of these poor, lonesome men for twenty-five cents. Send the money to the Helping Hand Mission, 641 Commercial Street, San Francisco.
CHAS. T. EVERSON.