Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Through the kindness of a lady in California a few copies of your
paper, the Gospel Trumpet, have found their way into this prison (Santa
Fe, New Mexico). Each copy has been met with a hearty welcome, and
well read. This prison has about 230 men behind its walls. About one
hundred of these men can read the English language, and are in need of
the true gospel. If any of God’s children who read this feel that they
would like to send a few copies of the Trumpet, or tracts, or any other
spiritual literature to this prison, the writer will take pleasure in
distributing the same.
I am happy to say that I feel the effects of the many earnest prayers
that are rising daily in my behalf. I am a condemned man and have been
lying under a death sentence for over thirteen months. My case will be
disposed of in August, and I need the prayers of all God’s dear people.
Brothers and sisters, pray for me. I have many friends and loved ones
praying that it may be God’s will to give me my liberty next spring.
Will every one who may read this join us in this prayer, and always
close with “God’s will be done.” Dear ones, I am only in one of God’s
schools, and his great Spirit gives me strength to rejoice with all my
sad trouble. I was placed in this dungeon April 4, 1899, and have not
seen a star since. Oh, I know they would look beautiful! The sun never
reaches my little palace; but I am happy to say, “There is sunshine in
my soul to-day.” Have not been sick an hour since here. All the praise
to my dear Savior. I am expecting to get my case reversed in August, am
putting my trust in higher power than man. “If God be for us, who can
be against us?”—Rom. 8:31. I know that I have the prayers and sympathy
of every one that loves Jesus Christ and his cause, and when my case
is decided I will let you all know the verdict through the Trumpet. My
enemies are many, and I will ask you all to remember them daily, in
your prayers. I love their souls, and my earnest prayer is that I may
meet them all in heaven. Reader, meet me at Jesus’ feet.
W. B. H., Box 426.
Territorial Prison of Arizona.
Yuma, Ariz., Nov. 17, 1900.
Dear Sirs: Our honorable superintendent gave me your letter
accompanying some books and tracts you sent to the prisoners in the
Territorial Prison at Yuma, Arizona, a few days ago. As it happens to
be my misfortune to be one of the number incarcerated in this place, I
take pleasure in writing you and telling my experience of what Jesus
can do for a man behind the prison-walls. Like many others behind the
prison-bars, no doubt, I enjoyed the blessing of being brought up in
a Christian community, but had never been brought to the realization
of the fact that I needed the protection of a loving Savior to guide
me through this life, and like the prodigal son I thought I could take
care of myself. But like so many hundreds of others that take no heed
to their earlier training, fell into bad company, which finally led to
the cause of my misfortune that placed me behind the prison-walls.
At first the thought of being in prison, and loved ones at home, almost
drove me wild. The days were too long, the nights too long; I could not
content myself with reading, and could scarcely work. I thought I was
the most miserable man on earth, and almost wished I could die. Finally
I concluded to try to read the Bible. I had scarcely looked in a Bible
for nine years, much less read a single chapter. So I secured a Bible
and began at the first chapter of Genesis, and read a few chapters at
leisure hours. I would mark the place where I left off and commence
there when I had another opportunity to read. The more I read the more
interesting it became; so I finally read it through. By the time I
read it through I had become so interested I would take the Bible to
the cell with me at night and read till the lights were turned out,
and I concluded to read it through again and take more time in reading
and try to get a better understanding of it. Before I got through the
second time I was convicted by the Spirit of God. I realized that I was
not only a convict, but a sinner. I accepted Christ as my Savior, and
have been trying to serve him ever since.
It has made a new man of me. The days and nights are now not too long,
and I can work as though I were drawing a salary. The Bible is the
most precious book in the world to me, and the longer I serve Christ
the more I am determined to serve him the remainder of my life. My
prayer is that every man behind the prison-bars may accept Christ as
their Savior, while in prison; for if they wait until they get out, the
temptations are too great and the chances are against them. My advice
to my fellow convicts is to read the Bible; if it is not interesting
at first it will become interesting; it will broaden your minds, it
will make better men and women of you, it will help you to bear your
burdens, and may be the means of saving your souls.
I thank you for the books and tracts, and assure you they will be read
and appreciated by quite a number of the men here, and trust God will
bless you in your efforts to lead fallen men to the Savior.