The Nation Behind Prison Bars Part 1

The Nation Behind Prison Bars.

by George L. Herr.

Foreword

Gathered within these pages are recitals of scenes and incidents in a field of existence fortunately unfamiliar to the majority of our readers. The subject has been handled without any attempt to embellish the hard facts or gloss over the cruel details--the paramount desire upon the part of the author being an endeavor to show the crying necessity for a constant, earnest labor among the unfortunates who are shut away from G.o.d's suns.h.i.+ne; whom G.o.d still loves, despite their sins of omission and commission. If the perusal of this volume brings to the reader a belief that the cause is worthy, that labor in this field brings a reward which amply compensates for the time and effort expended, the author will rest in the knowledge of a duty well performed. There has been no effort at exaggeration in presenting these sketches of daily experiences among the outcasts of society, no straining for effect, no striving to paint word pictures that may touch the heart. It is simply the story of everyday life in the field of the prison missionary's labor, and is given to the public with a fervent prayer that G.o.d, in His infinite wisdom, will instill in the hearts of our readers a feeling of charity toward those whose burden is almost greater than they can bear.

Faithfully, G. L. H.

Commendation from Louisville Ministers

Louisville, Ky., Jan. 27, 1910.

To His Honor Judge Muir Weissinger, Judge of the County Court, Jefferson County, Ky.

Dear Sir:

The undersigned Ministers of the Gospel in the city of Louisville, being members of the Ministerial a.s.sociation, do hereby recommend to your Honor the appointment of the Rev. George L. Herr, a regular ordained minister of the gospel, as Chaplain of the Jefferson County Jail, in accordance with Part 9, Sections 627-632 Russell Statutes, 1909, inclusive.

The Rev. Mr. Herr is thoroughly well qualified to fill the position of Chaplain at the County Jail, he having for seven years previous to the enactment of the present law given up his time and money in this n.o.ble work, without compensation from any source whatever, either state, county or city, as the present Jailer of Jefferson County and many other will testify.

R. D. SMART, Pastor Broadway Methodist Church.

CHARLES R. HEMPHILL, Professor Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

W. N. BRINEY, Pastor Broadway Christian Church.

W. J. CLARKE, Minister Clifton Church.

A. R. KASEY, Pastor Clifton Crescent Hill Methodist Church.

S. G. Sh.e.l.lEY, Pastor Jefferson St. Methodist Church.

THAD. S. TINSLEY, Pastor Third Christian Church.

W. F. IRWIN, 4th Ave. Presbyterian Church.

E. B. PATTERSON, Pastor Trinity Church.

W. R. HENDRIX, Pastor Methodist Temple.

J. T. RUs.h.i.+NG, Pastor Virginia Ave. M. E. Church, South.

D. B. GREGORY, Pastor Woodland Pres. Church U. S.

G. W. NUTTER, Pastor Parkland Christian Church.

B. F. ATKINSON, Pastor Rivers Memorial M. E. Church, South.

C. F. WIMBERTY, Marcus Lindsay Memorial.

CHAS. A. HUMPHREY, Pastor Portland M. E. Church, South.

J. D. SIGLER

E. L. POWELL, Pastor First Christian Church.

S. H. LOVELACE, Pastor Oakdale Methodist Church.

C. R. CROWE, Pastor Highland Park and Hill Street.

T. R. KENDALL, Lander Memorial Church.

T. L. CRANDELL, Dumesnil M. E. Church.

C. E. CARTER, Asbury M. E. Church.

ARTHUR W. BROOK, M. E. Church, South.

W. B. BEAUCHAMP, Pastor Fourth Ave. M. E. Church, South.

J. R. McAFEE, West Broadway M. E. Church, South.

Story of the Life of Geo. L. Herr

The Rev. George L. Herr, prison evangelist, has received from Chicago his book ent.i.tled "The Story of His Life," by Edward De Alma. Mr. Herr distributed 100 copies yesterday in the Jefferson County jail, and the men received them with great eagerness. Mr. Herr will place the story in all penal inst.i.tutions. A letter from the Rev. James M. Taylor, complimenting the book, says: "I have read with soul-stirring interest the sad, heart-rending experience of Brother Herr, and the miraculous deliverance by the grace of G.o.d; how, by a life of sin, he squandered a fortune; how G.o.d found him and gave him deliverance; the romantic way in which his G.o.d-given companion entered his life and how they are being used, perhaps, as no other persons to-day in helping those behind the bars. This story will warn the reckless, encourage the 'outcast,' and put a desire in the hearts of thousands to lead better lives."

--_Louisville Courier-Journal_

The Rev. Paul, of Meridian, Miss., says: "The story of Brother Herr's life, 'Redeemed from the depths of sin to the mountain top of salvation,' is a thrilling narrative, published as a warning to the fallen."

The Rev. J. B. Foote, chaplain of the Onondaga county penitentiary, in New York, acknowledging receipt of the life story of Mr. Herr and thanking him for it, states in his letter that he will use the book in his preaching in prison.

When asked if prison work paid, Mr. Herr said: "Who will ever know the vast number that will attribute their first impulse to a better life, formed while in the seclusion of a prison cell, while reading this book.

The world will never know how many, when sitting in judgment upon themselves, have learned the great secret, that it takes an omnipotent power to change the current of their lives and give them deliverance from the power of sin, and enabling them to go forth, not to live a new purpose, but a new life."

In 1909 Mr. Herr published 150,000 sermons, books and tracts.