The Nation Behind Prison Bars Part 9

-------- Be strong and of a good courage; for the Lord thy G.o.d is with thee whithersoever thou goest.--Joshua 1:9.

Youtsey, Kentucky's Famous Prisoner

[Louisville Herald]

Henry E. Youtsey, sentenced to life imprisonment in the penitentiary for his complicity in the murder of Governor Goebel, and at the present time the most distinguished prisoner confined behind the cold, gray walls of the State prison at Frankfort, has at last "got religion."

The man who has succeeded in reaching the heart of this man whose name emblazened the front pages of newspapers from coast to coast almost ten years ago, is the Louisville prison evangelist, the Rev. George L. Herr.

The medium he employed was a little pamphlet containing the simple story of the reformation of one Dad O'Brien, an erstwhile scalawag who was finally converted to a new life.

-------- As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.--Psalm 103:11.

Rev. Herr, who has carried the gospel into the cells of many a poor, crime-stained wretch, not only here in Louisville, but in every prison-house in the country and has accomplished a great amount of good among the outcasts of society, recently received a letter dated October 16, 1909, which reads:

"I am delighted to learn that you visited all the cells today and left in each one the tract, 'How Dad O'Brien Became Converted.' I have read it, and it is simply an additional evidence of a truth that has long been known to sincere evangelists like yourself to the effect that no matter how hardened and steeped in sin a poor fellow may be, the love of G.o.d can win him and Jesus can save him, and he can start life anew, singing praises to his Redeemer, and winning the lives of his old companions for the Master. I believe that the happiness of O'Brien's latter years more than made up for all he suffered--for he enjoyed a portion of the most glorious life that could be lived here below. When you get into heaven, as you surely will, Dad O'Brien will be the brightest star in your crown. Yours most sincerely,

HENRY E. YOUTSEY."

Practical Religious Work in County Jail

Dear Brother Herr:

Whenever I think of my confinement in the Louisville jail, a picture arises before me in which I can clearly see in the main corridor in the building, down the center of which extended a long table covered with a snowy cloth, and then in charge of the Hon. John R. Pflanz, than whom there never was a kinder-hearted jailer in all the world.

-------- Come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and I will receive you.--2 Cor. 6:12.

But that table and its delicious burden: Turkey after turkey, four of which weighed more than twenty-five pounds each, with all the tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs, including dressing, cranberry sauce, etc. There were oysters fried, and oyster soup, with crackers and celery. And what an array of cakes! As I remember, there were chocolate and caramel, layer and black ones, in short, almost every kind of cakes and pies known to the culinary art.

Then there were bushels of oranges, apples and mixed nuts, and for a time all of us forgot about stone walls and iron bars, for what a merry time we did have discussing that repast!

-------- For G.o.d so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.--John 3:16.

Whence came all of those good things? Why, the little man who has so often walked a square or two further in the rain to buy one banana more for a nickel for some poor prisoner, and who has worn out more shoe-leather in helping unfortunate men in durance vile than any other man in Kentucky: the Rev. Geo. L. Herr, affectionately called "The Little Missionary," made personal calls on the wealthy and charitable merchants in the city of Louisville, soliciting this food and dinner in the name of humanity, and may G.o.d richly bless all those who helped him make it such a grand success.

HENRY E. YOUTSEY.

Praise for Prison Evangelist

[Courier-Journal]

To the tributes that have been paid to the Rev. George Herr, after filling the pulpit of the Clifton Baptist church, of Louisville, the Rev. James A. Clark yesterday added a testimonial, in which he praised the prison evangelist for work which he considers "little short of wonderful."

"It gives me pleasure to add my testimonial to the many I have seen concerning the work of the Rev. George Herr as prison evangelist," says the Clifton Baptist church pastor. "Three times I have heard him tell the simple gospel story of Jesus and his love. He has a message few preachers have, and tells it with power and effect. He has a message the world needs to hear, because it is an example of the power of G.o.d to save to the uttermost.

-------- My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.--Prov. 1:10.

"Mr. Herr has had a wonderful, but costly experience, which fits him peculiarly for the special work among prisoners. From a wealthy man, living in a mansion, sin blindly led him to poverty, robbed him of his money, property and friends; but G.o.d came into his life and now he rejoices that he is a child of the King.

"George Herr is doing a work little short of wonderful. He deserves the co-operation of the Christian brotherhood, and I take pleasure in commending him."

Sermon in State Prison

Rev. Jos. Severance, Chaplain, says in the Courier-Journal:

One of the most remarkable meetings in the annals of the prison was held in the chapel of the penitentiary at Frankfort, Ky., Sunday morning.

George L. Herr, of Louisville, a friend of Chaplain Severance, was present and spoke from the fourth and twelfth verses of the 103rd Psalm.

The sermon was a strong appeal to the men for grat.i.tude to G.o.d for the rich provision for the redemption of the race and urging them to accept the mercy of G.o.d and allow him to remove their sins from them "as far as the East is from the West." The chapel was crowded to the doors, and during the sermon that lasted for an h.o.a.r no one moved and none went out.

-------- My feet were almost gone, my steps had well nigh slipped.--Psalm 73:2.

At the close of the sermon the gospel invitation was given and a total of forty-two men came forward, some to confess faith in Christ (of these there were thirty-seven) and others to renew their vows. Hundreds asked for prayer in their behalf. Among those who came were some of the hardest men in the prison and more noted for insubordination and disobedience than for piety and morality.

But the Chaplain believes that the per cent. of those who remain true is as great among prisoners as among those outside.

Bro. Herr knows the prison work as few men do. He is a man of large sympathy, and having had an experience of fifteen years as an evangelist knows how to reach the hearts of the men. He has the entire confidence of both prisoners and officials and is always given a most hearty welcome by all.

The baptism of the thirty-seven men who made confession Sunday will be attended to next Sunday morning. Mr. Herr will return to the baptism.

-------- Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me.--Matt. 25:40.

Revival Stirs Up Inmates

[Courier-Journal]

The Rev. George L. Herr preached yesterday at the Frankfort penitentiary for the Rev. Joseph Severance, who was filling another engagement.

Several hundred men and women asked for prayer, and fourteen confessed Christ and were baptized in the prison pool in the afternoon by the chaplain, a.s.sisted by the Rev. C. R. Hudson and the Rev. Herr, prison evangelist.

The prisoners in the Frankfort penitentiary were again blessed by a visit from Bro. Geo. L. Herr, the Louisville prison evangelist, who came unexpectedly to us. It was doubly fortunate, for the reason that Bro.

Jos. Severance, the chaplain, was absent from the city and therefore could not fill his appointment.

-------- He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of G.o.d.--John 3:18.

Bro. Herr read that most beautiful 37th Psalm, which is replete with comfort for those who are in dire distress and in need of consolation, placing special emphasis on those pa.s.sages which teach patience and faith in "The G.o.d who is mighty to save and strong to deliver."