The Nation Behind Prison Bars Part 7

Fac-simile of photograph taken for the Rogues' Gallery.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: VALENTINE BURKE

From a photograph taken in 1887, seven years after his conversion]

He was held in such confidence by the police that they did a most unusual thing; they gave him a photograph they had of him in the Rogue's Gallery. He had his photograph taken again in 1887, and in sending a copy of this along with the original Rogue's Gallery photograph, to Mr.

T. S. McPheeters of St. Louis, to show the change in his features, Burke wrote a note:

"Notice the difference in the inclosed pictures. See what our holy religion can do for the chief of sinners." On the back of the Rogue's Gallery photograph he wrote:

"He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill, that he may set him with the princes, even with the princes of his people." (Ps. cxiii, 7, 8.)

-------- Buy the truth and sell it not, also wisdom and instruction.--Prov. 23:23.

This incident shows what the grace of G.o.d can do for a hardened sinner.

Not only can it save him, but it can keep him. Valentine Burke lived an active, consistent Christian life in the position until G.o.d called him home in 1895.

Visit to Nashville, Tenn., Prison

Mrs. Wilburn, of Nashville, writes of Mr. Herr's visit to the Nashville prison as follows: It was my great pleasure as we reached the door to find Brother Herr, of Louisville, Ky., awaiting admission. It was raining, cold and dreary without, but he carried suns.h.i.+ne on the inside of the prison to the sad prisoners. The large chapel was filled with eager listeners and he received a most hearty welcome and all were delighted to see their true friend Brother Herr. It was indeed a sight to make angels rejoice to see how eagerly they drank in every word. I believe many darkened lives from whom all hope had fled were encouraged once more to look up. Hundreds of faces grew brighter as he told with burning words how G.o.d had saved convicts steeped in many crimes, causing judges in different states to set them free; when they were told that Jesus had blotted out their past and made new men of them. At the close of his sermon Brother Herr asked all who would pray when alone in their cells that Christ would save them too from the power of sin, and transform their lives as He had others, to hold up their hands; as quick as a flash hundreds of hands white and colored were raised above their heads and, oh, how our hearts rejoiced as we saw the hope in so many lives. We are looking to G.o.d who giveth the increase to bless the seed sown in those sad hearts, and earnestly pray that when the great harvest day comes many of these men may testify that the suns.h.i.+ne of G.o.d's great love entered their hearts on that dark dreary day in December.

-------- Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.--Isa. 52:11.

CHAPTER SEVEN

DOES PRISON WORK PAY?

Who will ever know the vast number that attribute the first impulse to a better life, formed while in the seclusion of a prison cell--alone with G.o.d.

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.

Many of these unfortunate ones, not remaining criminals from choice, but because they have never known there was an antidote provided for the deepest-dyed criminals, "a scarlet atonement for a scarlet sin," whereby the power of evil possessing them could be eradicated from their lives, and they no longer victims. While some do not seemingly heed the kindly admonition given, yet we believe the promise of G.o.d will be fulfilled, that "His word will not return void," and some time--somewhere--the fruition of their hopes will be realized.

-------- Put on the whole armor of G.o.d, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.--Eph. 6:11.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE LATE COL. MAT. RAGLAND

Who aided the Author in securing a pardon from Gov. Beckham for a young man who is now at the head of a great firm]

If Mr. A. could speak for himself when 14 years ago he bowed in his cell as a poor forlorn sinner, and surrendered himself to G.o.d, and has since been testifying of his saving grace; Mr. B., after leading a criminal life for years, but when touched by the mighty power of G.o.d, came forth to become a preacher of the gospel, and has since been magnifying the grace that brought his deliverance; Mr. C., a desponding infidel, persuaded to believe there was efficacy in prayer, and in the atoning blood of the Lord Jesus Christ; if the mult.i.tude of witnesses who have been saved through the faithfulness of prison workers were known, the verdict would be--_it pays_.

Louisville, Ky., February 15, 1912.

Dear Brother Herr:

When you handed me your little book "Lost and is Found" I had no idea what a treasure you were placing in my hands. Undisturbed in my cell tonight I read it through and wished for more. I read it the second and third time, and your sermon so impressed me I read it the fourth time,

-------- Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.--Proverbs 4:23.

Before I wandered away from my mother's teaching and fell into my awful sin and disgrace, I had heard many sermons on the "Prodigal Son," but none that in such a convincing way drives home the awfulness of sin as does your description of this, to me, the dearest of Christ's parables.

What I like about you most in all your talks with the prisoners is this, you never show a man how bad he is or how low he has fallen without showing him how good he can become or how high he may rise, and it's always in a way that appeals to the heart of the man.

G.o.d grant that while under your influence and in the knowledge of "your way back to Christ" I and many of the lost ones within the prison may be able to throw off the shackles of sin and return to our Father's love.

Your n.o.ble work among fallen men will never be known in its entirety in this world, but in that to come G.o.d will surely number you among those who have brought unto him a great harvest of precious souls.

May G.o.d bless you and your dear Christian wife in uplifting the fallen ones, is the earnest prayer of one who desires your influence over the remainder of his life.

Yours for a better life, CURTIS.

-------- My foot standeth in an even place; in the congregation I will bless the Lord.--Psalm 26:12.

Louisville, Ky., Dec. 26, 1911.

Rev. Geo. L. Herr, Jefferson County Jail.

Dear Brother Herr:

I want to thank you for the Christmas service which you held in the chapel yesterday afternoon.

I was greatly helped in my own spirit and I was profoundly impressed with the very evident influence of the occasion and your address upon the hearts and spirits of all the other prisoners.

May G.o.d richly reward you in your labors of love for these people.

Faithfully yours, HENRY.

The Work of a Prison Evangelist

By Geo. Wm. Wood

[From the Courier-Journal Nov. 17, 1912]

To the right-thinking man there can be but one answer to the question, does the work of an evangelist pay? As well might we ask does the beautiful life of a true Christian pay? As well might we ask the farmer, as he carefully tills the soil and sows the seed and labors to cultivate the grain, does it pay? What answer would you expect from the shrewd business man of today should you ask him the question does it pay, when he labors and advises to keep down expenses. He would promptly answer in the affirmative. Let us bring the question closer home. Ask the prisoner behind the bars, does it pay to respect the law? He will answer yes. So for the question does the work of an evangelist pay behind prison bars there can be but one answer--yes.

-------- Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly.--1 Ch. 19:13.