Help a man who is in trouble and manifest a care for his soul, even
though he is an enemy; it touches a tender chord of his hardened heart,
tends to loose the binding powers of sin, causing him to look up with
hope. Realizing the great neglect of duty toward them who are behind
the prison-bars, unable to help themselves in many respects, inspired
the writing of this volume. It was not the intention of the author
to write a thorough work on this subject, but to call attention to a
few facts concerning the prisons and jails, also the treatment and
privileges of the inmates, and thus awaken the people to a sense of
duty and the manifestation of a feeling of sympathy. The majority of
people have never visited a jail or state prison, consequently know but
little about them, and feel little, if any, responsibility on that line.
About two years ago the Gospel Trumpet Publishing Company of
Moundsville, W. Va., established a fund for sending out literature
free to the poor, to jails, prisons, and wherever most needed. As much
as ten thousand dollars’ worth of books, tracts, and papers have in
this way been sent out during one year to various parts of the United
States, Canada, Europe, and other foreign countries. Yet it seems only
a drop in the bucket, as it were, in consideration of what should be
done. It is our earnest prayer that the readers of this little volume
will at once put forth the greatest possible effort to properly supply
the prisoners and thus aid in bringing about a reformation in their
lives.
In order to show the result of some of the efforts put forth to supply
the prisoners with good literature and their appreciation of the same,
quite a number of letters from prisoners and prison officials have been
inserted. While these letters have quite a similarity, yet it is hoped
that their sameness will not destroy their interest in consideration
of the fact that thereby the prisoners from a broad scope of territory
have the privilege of giving expression to their feeling of gratitude
toward those who have thus manifested their friendship.
The names have been omitted of those who have written letters and
testimonies; however, they appear in full in the original manuscript
and are genuine. Only the serial numbers are given to those whose
biographies appear in the book. We are grateful for the kind assistance
of prison officials and prisoners who have kindly contributed. Further
communications, or letters, from prisoners or any one interested in
this line of work will be gladly received by the author. With an
earnest prayer for the salvation of every prisoner, I remain,
Yours in Him,
E. E. BYRUM.
Moundsville, W. Va., July 4, 1901.
_CONTENTS._