The Nation Behind Prison Bars Part 15

An earthly minister of heavenly happiness.

A friend is like ivy--the greater the ruin, the closer he clings.

One who to himself is true, and therefore must be so to you.

The same to-day, the same to-morrow, either in prosperity, adversity or sorrow.

One who guards another's interest as his own and neither flatters nor deceives.

One truer to me than I am myself.--Exchange.

-------- Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.--Ps. 19:14.

"Another Chance I Crave"

[Courier-Journal]

Austin, Tex., Dec. 2.--(Special.)--Jake McKinney, who was serving a life term in the State penitentiary at Rusk for the murder of Robert Walker in Jones county seven years ago, has just received his pardon from Gov.

O. B. Colquitt on the strength of an appeal for liberty in the form of a poem that he wrote and sent to the Governor. This poetic application was turned over to Mrs. Colquitt by the Governor and it was upon her recommendation that McKinney was given his liberty. McKinney was twenty-four years old at the time of his conviction. During the last four years of his imprisonment he was editor of the prison newspaper, the Alcalde Chronicle. He attended night school while in the penitentiary. His poems and articles in the little newspaper that he published attracted much favorable attention. His pardon application reads in part as follows:

Another chance, 'tis all I ask, In freedom's sun again to bask; To hear the voice of loved at home, And amid familiar scenes to roam.

What saith the Scripture? Is it wise To gain a world and lose the prize Of future Joys of Him above, Who came to save because of love For sinful men imprisoned here In sin's corrupted atmosphere?

Another chance to know the life Beyond the cruel prison strife, Where Beauty, Truth and Culture reign, And pleasure comes from Labor's gain; To see the golden sun at dawn Spring forth to kiss the rural lawn, Wet with the kiss of midnight dew, And brightens to a gorgeous hue, To please the eye of all mankind.

A gift of G.o.d to man so blind, Another chance to show the world That darkness hid my flag unfurled; That flame of ingenuity Burns brightest where the darkest be; As all is not as some would tell; "A soul defiled and booked for h.e.l.l."

Another chance I crave of thee, Oh, Governor, but feel and set me free!

Make the conditions what you may, I will live up to them every day; I have no friends to plead for me, Dear Governor, can't you set me free?

Most sincerely JAKE MCKINNEY.

[Ill.u.s.tration: JUDGE AARON KOHN

One of the greatest criminal lawyers of the American bar

There is none in this world who has been a greater friend in my sorest need.]

Letter from the Late Col. Will S. Hays

Editor, Poet, and Song Writer

My Dear Rev. Geo. L. Herr: It is a pleasure to express the sentiment of pure friends.h.i.+p I have for you and for the Christian work in which you are now engaged. Knowing you from boyhood, I am free to say you are one of G.o.d's chosen ones to do his will and work, and heaven never had a more faithful representative than yourself. May your words and works in the Master's cause result in adding souls to the kingdom of glory, and may G.o.d and the angels watch over and guard you through life is the prayer of your friend,

WILL S. HAYS.

-------- The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.--Ps. 19:7.

The Late J. P. Scheider

Captain of Police

I have met him at all times and in all places, from the palace to the prison, striving to better the conditions of his fellowmen. At the same time serving our Lord in such a n.o.ble manner as to attract the attention of the least appreciative person. He has taken for his duty the task of working princ.i.p.ally among the criminal cla.s.ses that frequent our city prisons, and to my personal knowledge has done more to benefit the inmates than any other man of his vocation. Oh! how far more pleasant this life would be if the world was full of just such n.o.ble, good-spirited men as my friend George L. Herr, whom I know to be serving our G.o.d in the most appropriate manner known to mankind.

Respectfully, JOHN P. SCHEIDER

Profanity Shows Mental Deficiency

[Louisville Herald]

The habitual user of profane and indecent language was mercilessly flayed by Bishop Charles E. Woodc.o.c.k, of the Episcopal Church, at the Board of Trade noon-day Lenten service yesterday, where in the course of his sermon the Bishop p.r.o.nounced the profane man to be intellectually deficient, corrupt, morally and wholly unchristian.

"No gentleman will use profane language; it is only the low-born and vulgar-minded person who will do so," declared the Bishop. "No man who believes in G.o.d and in G.o.d's commandments can be profane."

Among other things stated by the Bishop of a like nature are the following:

"The profane man in G.o.d's eyes is on the same plane as the murderer or thief. He violates the ten commandments."

"Swearing, aside from being sinful, is low, vicious, vulgar and most reprehensible."

"The man who is well thought of in a community is nine times out of ten the man who does not curse."

-------- Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy G.o.d In vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

[Ill.u.s.tration: RT. REV. CHAS. E. WOODc.o.c.k, D.D.

Episcopal Bishop of Kentucky]

"The profane man is in many cases and in most cases the man who will steal, slander, lie and violate the every commandment of G.o.d."

In beginning his sermon the Bishop spoke of the work of the noon-day Lenten services. He said in part: