CHAPTER VI.

In conclusion it will not be out of place to glance for a moment

backward and to call attention definitely to some plain facts.

Mr. Holcombe inherited from his parents a diversely perverse and bad

nature. Already in his childhood he was cross, irritable, spiteful. In

his boyhood his temper was savage and revengful. In his manhood he took

the life of a fellowman. He inherited the love of drink from his father,

who was a confirmed drunkard before the child was born; and the child

himself was drunk before he was twelve years old. He was given to

sensuality from his boyhood.

His education was not good--as far as the educating power of daily

example goes, it was bad, positively bad, continually bad. His

associations outside of home were, for the most part, of the worst sort.

His boyish companions were given to gambling, pilfering, fighting, and

in all these things they called him chief. But the companionship of boys

did not long satisfy him and already before he was fifteen, he drank and

gambled with grown men in the bar-rooms of the village.

He had an impulsive sympathy for helpless suffering when it was before

his eyes. He had a vague, faint fear of the Power that makes for

righteousness, so that in his youth he made three or four ineffectual

efforts to get the mastery of his evil nature and to become better. He

provided well for his family in meat and drink and the like. He was

generous to his friends. When this is said, about all is said on that

side. Apart from these things he gave himself up for forty years to the

indulgence of all his passions without let or hinderance from parental

authority, domestic bonds, fear of God or regard for man. So that the

adverse power of evil habit, strengthened by forty years of indulgence,

was superimposed upon the moral helplessness of an inherited bad nature

made worse by bad education and bad associations.

Such he _was_. The preceding pages have described in part what he _is_.

And only in part. The uttermost details of the purity of his life since

October, 1877, could not be stated without violating delicacy any more

than the uttermost details of his sinful life could be uncurtained

without injuring the innocent and offending the public. The candid

reader will bridge for himself the past and present of Mr. Holcombe's

life. These are the facts. And these facts are freely and fully

recognized by all classes of the community in which he lives his daily

life. Thousands of eyes have watched him for years and no one has

detected any immoral practice or act or found any fault of a serious

nature in him.

Candor requires us to say that he is sometimes over-sensitive, that he

has his own views as to the best methods of conducting his work and is

sometimes a little domineering in carrying them out; that he sometimes

uses unnecessary harshness in his public addresses in dealing with the

sins and shortcomings of people, especially of the converts of the

Mission, a thing which is probably due to his over-anxiety for them;

that he has not yet learned economy and the best way of conducting his

financial affairs, and that owing to his own former wicked life he would

be a trifle too severe in the control of his family but for the good

sense and prudent firmness of his wife. But these are minor matters and

when they are said, about all is said on _that_ side.

And Mr. Holcombe has come to occupy a unique and commanding position in

the city of Louisville. All classes respect him, all classes look up to

him and people from all classes seek his counsel and aid in certain

emergencies.

Mothers in distress over the sins of their sons, sisters in sorrow over

the dissipation of their brothers, wives in despair over the wickedness

of their husbands, all these go to Steve Holcombe for advice, comfort,

encouragement and help; and when they can not go, they write; sometimes

from distant places, as far away as Canada. The ministers of Louisville

refer to him those extreme cases which they meet with in their ministry,

and which they feel his experience and his knowledge of the ways and

temptations of dissipated men enable him to handle, as a letter from Dr.

Broadus and one from Dr. Willits, elsewhere reproduced, will show. And

the dissipated men themselves, the drunkards, the gamblers, the outcast,

the lost--all these feel that Steve Holcombe is their friend, a friend

who has the willingness and the power to help them up, and they go to

him when they are in distress or when they awake to a sense of their

wretched condition and desire to rise again. And through his

instrumentality many a one _has_ risen again, and to many a mother,

wife, sister, family, has come through him a resurrection of buried hope

and joy.

And those gamblers who have never yet come to distress or to religion

regard him with admiration and affection. The following letter from Mr.

A. M. Waddill, one of the leading sporting men of the South, was written

in answer to an inquiry as to how Mr. Holcombe is looked upon by the

gamblers:

LOUISVILLE, KY., August 13, 1888.

_Rev. Gross Alexander_:

DEAR SIR: In writing of my friend, Steve P. Holcombe, I will

say that his adoption of the pulpit has not lowered him in the

esteem of his former associates--the gamblers. Far from it.

They are his admirers and his friends, and, when they have the

funds, are as willing supporters of his work as any. They can

not show him too much respect and can not exhibit a more

profound love than is shown him every day by some one of his

old companions. He has wielded a wonderful influence over them

for good, both here and elsewhere, and has made many converts

from their ranks, who could not have been influenced probably

by any other minister of the Gospel. I myself have been, I am

happy to say, wonderfully benefited by the influence of his

benevolent character.

Very respectfully yours,

A. M. WADDILL.

The esteem in which he is held by the leading business men of the city

is shown by the fact that the Board of Directors of the Mission is

composed of such men as John A. Carter, J. P. Torbitt, L. Richardson, J.

B. McFerran, R. J. Menefee, J. T. Burghard, H. V. Loving, Arthur Peter,

John T. Moore, J. K. Goodloe, P. Meguiar, C. McClarty, W. T. Rolph, John

Finzer, with P. H. Tapp as Treasurer.

He has the confidence and esteem of the officers both of the city and

State, and he has a large influence with them.

The Mayor, the Chief of Police, and the Judges of the Courts recognize

his usefulness, his ability and his efficiency by co-operating with him,

as far as may be, and by adopting his views and suggestions as to the

treatment of criminals charged with lesser crimes and misdemeanors.

The Governor, J. Proctor Knott, readily granted pardon to the only man

for whom Mr. Holcombe ever asked it, and the testimony of this now happy

man is given in this volume.

Not only is Mr. Holcombe thus in honor and demand at home; he is in

demand all over the country. Until it came to be known that he would not

leave his own work in Louisville, he was constantly receiving requests

to attend or conduct meetings of one sort or another in all parts of

Kentucky and in several other States.

Year before last, in the summer of 1886, he was, by appointment of the

Governor of the State, a Commissioner from Kentucky in the National

Convention of Corrections and Charities at Washington.

In the fall of 1887 he attended, by request, the Convention of Christian

Workers of the United States and Canada, in the Broadway Tabernacle in

New York City, and made two addresses, both of which are printed among

his sermons in this book. He was appointed a member of the Executive

Committee of that body, in which capacity he now serves.

But not only in direct results has the power of God been manifested

through this instrument. Mr. Holcombe's conversion and work have had the

effect of quickening the faith and zeal of all the churches of the city.

It has not only drawn them nearer together in fostering and furthering a

common enterprise into which they entered of their own motion, and

without solicitation, but it has revived the languishing faith of all

classes. Not only has the Gospel saved Steve Holcombe and others, he

(let it be said reverently and understood rightly) has, in one sense,

saved the Gospel. Many had lost faith in it. They thought it was an old,

worn-out story. It had lost its novelty and vitality, and it had not the

power it claimed to have. Its achievements were not equal to its

pretensions. Some of the men who have been brought to a better life

through Mr. Holcombe's instrumentality have said that, though they did

not, out of respect for other people, publish the fact, they had lost

all faith and were, at heart, utter infidels. Some of them continued to

attend church and to give to the church of their means, and to give

respectful attention to the preaching, but it was out of deference to

relatives or respect for custom, or for mere Sunday pastime. But the

conversion of Steve Holcombe, and the life he was living, arrested

their thought, awakened inquiry and revived their faith, and many of

these have been saved.

The conversion of these has in turn resulted in the conviction of others

and so the stream has broadened and deepened. As Mr. Holcombe says in

one of his addresses, "There is naturally in the minds of men a doubt as

to the truth and divinity of the religion which fails to do what it

proposes to do, and so in times of religious deadness men lose faith and

unbelief gets stronger and more stubborn while they see no examples of

the power of the Gospel to save bad men. But when bad men have been

reached and quickened and made better through the Gospel, and this

continues year after year, then the tide turns, and faith becomes

natural and easy not to say contagious and inevitable."

These effects have demonstrated the reality of conversion in opposition

to the view that it is an effect of the excitement of the imagination.

"One hears," it is said, "the narration of the experience of others who

claim to be converted, and he works at himself till he works himself up

to the persuasion that he also has got it." But, as one of the converts

in narrating his experience said, "Imagination could not take the whisky

habit out of a man. It never did take it out of me. But the power of

this Gospel which Steve Holcombe preaches has taken it out root and

branch."

Another thing is shown also by the history of this work. A distinguished

minister said once, "We must get the top of society converted and then

we may expect to reach the lower classes." Mr. Holcombe, on the

contrary, in accordance with the example and words of Jesus and of Paul,

of Luther and of Wesley, has given his time and labor primarily and

largely to the lower classes and the lost classes, and through these he

has reached also the higher classes, exemplifying again what was said by

the most apostolic man since the Apostles, that the Gospel "works not

from the top down but from the bottom up."

If you should ask what is the explanation of Mr. Holcombe's success, it

may be answered that it is due to three things. The extraordinary change

which has taken place in his character and in his life arrests attention

and produces conviction.

In the second place is his intense and pitying love for those who are

not saved, and especially for those who, besides being most utterly

lost, are, either by their own suspicions and fears or by the customs

and coldheartedness of society, or both, shut out from all sympathy and

opportunity. He has a very mother's love for poor, sinful, struggling

souls, and he shows this not in words only or chiefly, but in service.

Some account has already been given from one of the Louisville papers

concerning his rescue of a man who had been drunk continuously for

twenty-three years. To have preached temperance and morality and duty to

this wild and degraded man would have been useless, to have _told_ him

of the love of God would, perhaps, have been no better. But when this

far off love of God took concrete form in the person of Steve Holcombe

and was brought nigh and made real in his brotherliness and gentleness

and patience and service, it proved stronger than a twenty-three years'

whisky habit and to-day this man, who lately dwelt apart from men like

the man among the tombs and who was possessed by the demon of drink so

that no man could bind him with bonds of morality or duty--this man is

to-day clothed and in his right mind. And though he has not fully

apprehended the way of salvation, he says, yet a transfiguration has

taken place in him which is little short of miraculous. He says also

that he has got some light on the question of personal religion. He is

thoroughly honest and will not claim or profess what he has not. He says

a man who has always gone slow in everything else can't go fast in

getting religion.[1]

[1] This man has, since the above was written, been brought into a clear

experience of conversion, and is now a clean and happy Christian man.

In the third place, Mr Holcombe's success is due to the character of his

preaching. It is the simple Gospel, wherein two points are continually

made and emphasized, the reality and tenderness of God's love for sinful

men, even the worst, and the absolute necessity of regeneration and a

holy life. Both these great truths he illustrates with fitness and force

from his own life and that of the men who have been converted under his

ministry. His sermons are so striking in their directness and

simplicity, and so helpful withal, that some of them have been

reproduced in outline in the present volume, and the reader who has

never heard him may get some idea of his preaching from these, and, it

is hoped, some profit as well.

Whatever men may say, the fact remains that when the Gospel is preached

on apostolic conditions, it has still apostolic success.

In 1886, when Rev. Sam P. Jones was holding a meeting in Cincinnati, he

said of Mr. Holcombe:

"Mr. Holcombe's work is finer than anything done since the death of

Jerry McAuley. He is fully consecrated to the work of rescuing the

perishing and saving the fallen. Hundreds of men, dug by him from the

deepest depths of dissipation and degradation, are to-day clothed in

their right minds. Some of the most efficient Christian men have passed

through his Mission, at No. 436 Jefferson street, in Louisville. I feel

that in helping Steve Holcombe, I shall be able to say, at least: 'Lord,

if I did not do much when I was on earth, I did what I could to help

Steve Holcombe, the converted gambler, in his mission work among men who

never hear preaching, and to whom a helping hand is never extended.'

"There are mighty few men like Steve Holcombe to take hold of poor

fellows and bring them back to a purer and better life."

In 1888, during a great temperance meeting in Louisville, Mr. Francis

Murphy said of Mr. Holcombe:

"Of all the noble men I know, he is one of the noblest, and Louisville

may well be proud of the grand, big-hearted Christian man, who, in his

quiet, unassuming manner is doing such a world of good here."

Mr. D. L. Moody, during his great meeting in Louisville, in the months

of January and February, 1888, said of Mr. Holcombe:

"I have got very much interested in a work in your city conducted by a

man you call Steve Holcombe. I don't know when I met a man who so struck

my heart. I went up and saw his headquarters and how he works. He is

doing the noblest work I know of. I want you to help him with money and

words of cheer. Remember, here in Louisville you make so many drunkards

that you must have a place to take care of the wrecks. Steve Holcombe

rescues them. Let us help him all we can."

And Mr. Holcombe's work is not done. He is in the vigor of life, with

fifteen or twenty years of life and service, God willing, before him. He

is only beginning to reap the results of these ten years of study and

these ten years of Christian living and working. He knows the Gospel

better than he ever did before, and he preaches it better. He knows

himself and God better than he ever did before, and he lives nearer the

Source of Power. He knows men good and bad, better than he ever did

before, and he deals with them in all states and stages more wisely and

successfully.

He is of that nervous and Intense temperament which can not rest without

getting something done, and he is always doing something to advance his

work. And though so intensely in earnest, he is singularly, it is not at

all too strong to say, entirely free from fanaticism. He is in high

esteem, with large influence at home and abroad, and this he does not

prostitute to selfishness, but uses for usefulness.

And, best of all, he has tokens, not a few, in the form of discipline on

the one hand, and success on the other, that God is guarding and guiding

his Life and Work.

[Illustration: THE UNION GOSPEL MISSION.]

LETTERS.

TO HIS FIRST PASTOR.

LOUISVILLE, KY., November 6, 1883.

_My Dear Brother_:

Our meetings continue in interest. Last night the Holy Ghost was

with us in great power. At the close of the talk, we invited

backsliders to come forward and kneel. Six responded. Then we

invited all others who wanted to become Christians to come

forward and nine others responded, most of them the most

hardened sinners in the city. I am sure nothing but the power of

God could have lifted them from their seats. Men who have fought

each other actually embraced last night. Continue to pray for

us.

Yours,

S. P. HOLCOMBE.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., November 19, 1883.

_Dear Brother_:

Last night about two hundred persons were present, most of them

non-churchgoers. About forty stood up for prayers. And oh, such

good testimonies, no harangues but living testimonies as to what

God can and will do for those who will let him.

Yours truly,

S. P. HOLCOMBE.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., November 21, 1883.

_Dear Brother_:

How grateful I am to you for all your kindness God alone knows.

I may and do lack education and refinement, but I will not allow

myself under any circumstances to lack gratitude. The results of

our meetings prove to me that it is the work of the Holy Ghost.

Of course, I could hardly believe you would come to Louisville

even for a little while and not come to see me, one who has cost

you so much of time and care. There was a time when I could not

have stood it. But thanks to God I am now above letting small

things or great things upset me. Give my love to your dear

family.

Yours truly,

S. P. HOLCOMBE.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., February 3, 1884.

_Dear Brother_:

How I do wish you could have been where you could have looked in

on us last night. The room was full. They had to be turned away

from the door. And they were so anxious to hear the glad

tidings. No carpet, nothing to deaden the sound and yet you

could have heard a pin drop. All the churches are feeling the

results of our work. Yesterday G. H. joined the Christian

church. He seems to be a thoroughly converted man, if I know

one. P. D., whom you know, came in here about a week ago under

the influence of liquor. Said "I am an infidel and a drunkard.

Pray for me." We did pray for him. He has been coming ever

since. He is now perfectly sober and says he was never so moved

before. These are two out of many cases.

Yours truly,

S. P. HOLCOMBE.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., February 7, 1884.

_Dear Brother_:

Your kind favor received. P. D. comes every night and sometimes

speaks. He is not drinking. He says he can not believe. He does

so pitifully and pleadingly ask for the prayers of Christian

people. He is in earnest. Pray for him.

C. T. testified last night. He was a schoolmate of yours. He

said: "For the last five years, when I would meet Brother

Holcombe, I would say to myself: 'I wish he would say good day,

and pass on.' But he would not. He generally had something to

say about the way I was living. Of late, every time he has met

me he has invited me to the Mission. I would promise to go, but

went, instead, to some bar-room, until I wound up by losing my

position, being sent to the work-house, and being left by a

loving wife. Two weeks ago he met me again, and this time I kept

my promise. I have been coming every night since, and have not

touched liquor since, and by God's help I do not expect to do so

any more. I enjoy the meetings so much. The two hours I spend

here seem so short."

G. H. never misses a night. He is in the room with me now

singing, "Happy Day, When Jesus Washed My Sins Away." And he is

happy. Although in the last four years he has spent thirty

thousand dollars in riotous living, and although his wife has

left him, he said to me: "Brother Holcombe, I believe I am as

happy as I ever was in my life." I asked him, why? He said:

"Because I have something which I never had when I had wife,

child and money. I have the forgiveness of sins and the

friendship of God."

I said: "You will have to watch the devil or he will get you in

his power again."

"Yes," he replied, "the devil told me when I first began to come

to this Mission that I was too mean, and my heart was too dead

ever to get religion; but I fought him on my knees and I got the

victory. I know how hard it was to get, and by the help of God I

am going to keep it, whether I ever have wife or child or money

again."

Pray for me, that I may make no mistake in my difficult work.

Yours, as ever,

S. P. HOLCOMBE.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., February 13, 1884.

_Dear Brother_:

I did just what you suggested; though I was disappointed I did

not show it. God is helping me to give up my preferences. I am

trusting in the Lord, and sweetly singing

"Oh, to be nothing, nothing,

Only as led by His hand;

A messenger at His gateway,

Only waiting for His command."

I am willing to preach on the streets, at the Mission, at Walnut-street

church, or I am willing to be door-keeper--anything for Christ.

So you heard that I am improving in preaching. Well, I do believe that I

shall yet learn how to preach.

I had a letter requesting me to go to Nicholasville to preach. But I can

not go. I feel I have a little, humble work to do in Louisville, and I

am going to do it. The mission men are all doing well. Though to you I

may seem very weak, I am to them what you are to me. Yours, etc.,

S. P. HOLCOMBE.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., May 1, 1884.

_Dear Brother_:

Yours to hand. I do not think you negligent. I know you love me,

and I know you love the cause of Christ for which I am laboring,

and I know you will do all you can to help me to help it. I am

surprised, not at what you don't do, but at what you do do.

I suppose you saw in the paper what a handsome thing they did

for us in the way of giving us a fifty-dollar parlor set, a fine

Brussels carpet, a large walnut book-case and many other

articles, including a fine portrait of dear Brother Morris.

Even for this donation and for all the love shown me by these

good people I am indebted to you. "Jesus must needs go through

Samaria" to save the woman at the well. You must needs be sent

to Portland church to save and instruct and guide Steve

Holcombe. This morning I prayed nearly an hour before breakfast,

and it was lucky for me I did. Something came up at noon that

would have completely upset me, but I was fortified and

withstood the temptation successfully.

I am improving every way. My health is better, my memory is

better. I can read my Bible more profitably than ever and I can

pray better.

God grant you may have good health, length of days and all of

this world's goods that may be good for you.

S. P. H.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., May 23, 1884.

_Dear Brother:_

Yours of the 16th to hand. God is so good to me. Certain

temptations have come to me lately and I could not have borne

them but for His help. I talked at the church last Sunday night

in the absence of Dr. Messick. I felt so humble, it seemed a

privilege to be treated shamefully that I might have an

opportunity of showing that a Christian can give up his own

rights for the good of others. I have grown in grace since you

showed me the necessity of secret prayer and of getting so well

acquainted with God that he would become more real to me than my

own father ever was.

You have seen in the papers poor D. T.'s attempt at suicide. But

God has spared him yet another season. He will recover. Pray for

him. May God bless you and strengthen you and keep you is the

prayer of

Your friend and brother,

S. P. HOLCOMBE.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., July 23, 1884.

_My Dear Brother:_

Yours received this A. M. I am so pressed for means I can not

now buy the book you speak of, but will do so as soon as I can.

I am _taking time_ to study. I am getting much better acquainted

with God and the better I know him the more I love him.

Yours in love,

S. P. H.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., July 25, 1884.

_Dear Brother:_

The men are all doing tolerably well. The attendance at the

meetings is increasing. Sunday-school holds up well. My great

desire now is to be able to study the Bible better. The more I

think of what you have been to me, the more grateful I feel. I

wish I could in some substantial way show you how I appreciate

your care. But God will reward you.

Yours, etc., S. P. H.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., July 30, 1884.

_Dear Brother:_

The Bible is becoming very sweet to me. I can study it all day

long and not get tired. I am sure the Holy Ghost is helping me.

I have read the book you gave me. It is very helpful.

Brother Davidson has gone to housekeeping. He has his son and

daughter with him. Oh, the love and power of God. Praise His

name!

S. P. H.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

CHICAGO, ILL., September 5, 1884.

_Dear Brother:_

Yours of the 2d to hand. Think of you? The sun may forget to

shine, but poor Steve Holcombe can never forget the man who has

done so much for his soul. Never has a day passed since my

conversion that I have not prayed God's blessing on you, your

family and your work.

Well, Chicago is a great city, a grand field for Christian work.

I find many earnest Christian men and women laboring for the

Master. I am not idle either. I talked four times last

Sunday--three times on the street and once at a Mission.

I am having a royal time, sailing on the lake, riding on

street-cars, taking in the town. I wish you were here.

God bless you always. STEVE.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., July 1, 1885.

_Dear Brother:_

Yours of June 25th received. I do hope you will get Brother

C.[2] those books to sell. These men must have employment. They

can not live, as some Christian people seem to think, on

promises. It is all right to say, "Oh, let go and trust in the

Lord," to a man who knows the way, but it is all not right when

it is said to a poor struggling gambler, who, in faith, is as

weak as a baby. I know of Brother L.'s troubles. My heart goes

out to him. All well.

Yours, S. P. H.

[2] A converted gambler.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., May 15, 1885.

_Dear Brother:_

Since writing my card this morning I have learned that D. McC.,

the boss Nashville gambler, and an old partner of mine, is

attending Sam Jones' meetings. I want you to go to see him.

Don't be afraid to go right up to him and introduce yourself.

Tell him you and I are old friends, and that I love him, and

requested you to see him. But you know better how to approach

him than I can tell you. But you must see him. Take Sam Jones to

see him. Visit him at his home, with Sam Jones. He is worthy of

concentration. If you can get him converted, he will be a power

for good. Most of your members know him, I guess. If you don't

like to call on him, alone, get some of them to go along and

introduce you. May God help us save poor D. McC.

Yours,

STEVE.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., December 20, 1887.

_Dear Brother:_

Your favor to hand. I have had a terrible battle with self, but

by the grace of God I have come out conquerer. I praise God now

that I had the struggle, because it has enabled me to realize

the emptiness of all that is earthly. It has convinced me that

to depend on men is "like a foot out of joint." I make more

miles toward my haven of rest during a night of storm than in

days of calm weather. Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy

New Year, I am as ever,

Your friend and brother in Christ,

STEVE P. HOLCOMBE.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., December 29, 1887.

_Dear Brother:_

Yours was received a few days ago. Yes, I thank God I am almost

rid of my love of praise. I am willing to do the dirty and

disagreeable work and let others have the picnics and the

praise. "Who am I that I should be a leader of the Lord's

people?" But I confess I did not get to this point without a

struggle. How I did have to wrestle with God. He showed me the

envy that was in my heart, that is my jealousy of any one who

did more work or had more attention paid them than I had. But

glory to God I hope I am rid of it at last.

Yours,

S. P. H.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., January 26, 1888.

_Dear Brother:_

Yours just received. I hardly think it would be worth while to

ask Mr. Moody to visit our Mission, as his time is so completely

occupied. I think our work is as much thought of as ever. It is

quiet but I think deep. I have kept it out of the papers,

because too much newspaper notoriety is calculated to cause a

poor little-brained fellow to exaggerate his own importance. And

then there is such sweetness in the work when you are sure it is

not for praise but for Christ. I am afraid that many of us on

analyzing our hearts will find first, self; second, self; and

almost all for self in one way or another. May God deliver me

from self.

Yours as ever,

STEVE P. HOLCOMBE.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., July 10, 1888.

_Dear Brother:_

Your letter to hand. There is nothing so comforting as true

friendship. Alas! how little of it there is in this world. Happy

the man who can claim _one true friend_. I know a man that has a

true friend. I am that man and you are that friend. How do I

know it? You are so faithful in telling me the truth about

myself and showing me my faults and mistakes. Who but a true

friend that had your best interest at heart would have written

such a letter as this last one from you? I want you to know that

while I loved you much before, I love you more now. I have been

going through the fire lately, but I think I shall come out all

right. Doesn't God sift a fellow? I believe I can say I rejoice

in tribulation. I find I can not expect to be understood in this

world or always have sympathy, but I do expect, if "I meekly

wait and murmur not," to find it is all right in my Father's

house.

Your friend and brother in Christ,

STEVE P. HOLCOMBE.

* * * * *

TO S. P. DALTON (one of the converts).

LOUISVILLE, KY., July 17, 1883.

_My Dear Brother Dalton:_

Your good letter to hand. It is, as you say, so sweet to be

bound together by the ties of Christian love, and there is no

tie which binds men more closely than the religion of Christ. It

breaks down every barrier, and all are alike to the true

Christian man; rich, poor, halt, lame, blind, there is no

difference. And the Christian is happiest when he is denying

himself to help others.

In order to convince the world of the truth and power of our

religion, our own standard must be very high. We must deny

ourselves of things which in themselves would be innocent, but

which, if practiced by us, would lessen our influence for good.

And how comforting to think that if we _suffer_ with Him, we

shall also reign with Him. The suffering comes first, the

humiliation first, the toil and weariness first. Yes, we may

_expect_ troubles and crosses here, but we leave it all behind

when we enter within the gates into the city. I thank God that

your heart has been changed and that you have tasted of the

powers of the world to come. I am glad you find more pleasure in

my poor company and lame words than in the follies and

friendships of the world. Hoping for you all good things, I am

with much love,

Your brother in Christ,

STEVE HOLCOMBE.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., July 23, 1885.

_Dear Brother Dalton:_

Your letter from the great Falls is to hand. It is very

gratifying to me to know that in the midst of so much excitement

you could and did think of one so humble and obscure as myself.

I have been at the Falls and have seen many wonderful and grand

things, but the most beautiful thing I have ever seen is an old

hardened sinner picking up his grip-sack and bidding the devil

farewell forever. And, praise the Lord, that is my privilege

almost daily in the dear old mission. Though the weather is very

hot, we have glorious meetings; new converts testifying almost

nightly. Two professional gamblers have just been converted. One

of them was one of the sweetest conversions I ever saw. The old

converts are nearly all doing well. Don't grow, cold, but be in

some work for the Master every day, and you will not miss the

time or regret the service. God bless you.

Your friend and brother in Christ,

S. P. HOLCOMBE.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., April 17, 1886.

_Dear Brother Dalton:_

Yours of the 6th to hand. We have purchased the property for our

new home, and we shall move in in about a month. Our work is

moving like a thing of life. It was never so prosperous before.

I wish you could be here to work with us. Sister Clark is in her

glory. She is one of the grandest Christian women I have ever

seen. Nearly all the converts are doing well.

Yours,

S. P. HOLCOMBE.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., November 15, 1886.

_Dear Brother Dalton:_

I receive no letters that touch my heart more deeply than those

I receive from you. Our work is more quiet now. The papers do

not notice it so much, but we are doing a good work. It is now

more among the unfortunate business men of the city some of

whom, were fallen very low. Some who have recently been

reclaimed are now first-class business men. The old converts are

all right and doing well, but they don't stand by me in the work

as I wish they would. Oh, for "consecration and concentration."

That is my motto.

My married daughter has got one of the best of husbands and I

think they are the happiest couple I know. The rest are all

well. I hope you will be blown back this way by some favoring

breeze, so we can have your help in our work.

Yours,

S. P. HOLCOMBE.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., January 6, 1887.

_Dear Brother Dalton:_

Our work is going on grandly again. You can see from the papers

I am kept as busy as a bee. You must know from the number that

come that my time is all taken up in nursing them. Hence, I can

not write long letters, however much I would like to.

Hope to see you soon.

Yours,

S. P. HOLCOMBE.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., October 28, 1887.

_S.P. Dalton, Cleveland, Ohio:_

DEAR BROTHER DALTON: Yours of the 17th is received. I am glad

you are an active worker in the church, and that they have shown

their appreciation of you by making you a steward in the church.

I believe you will render a good account of your stewardship.

The main thing for you to guard against is _care_. Remember,

always when you think you are too busy to pray in secret, read

the Bible, go to the meetings, etc., what Jesus said to Martha:

"Thou art careful and troubled about many things."

I am trying to be a faithful servant. God is blessing my humble

efforts. The converts are sticking and the work is growing. Most

of the converts are prospering in business. Some that were in

the gutter are now making from fifty to two hundred dollars a

month.

Your friend and brother in Christ,

S. P. HOLCOMBE.

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., May 11, 1888.

_Dear Brother Dalton:_

Yours of the 9th to hand. Glad to hear of your continued success

in business. You are a great man, but a man who is so prosperous

in business must keep his eyes open.

Remember to give to the Lord all that belongs to Him of every

dollar you earn. John Wesley's motto is hard to improve on:

"Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can." And oh!

what sweetness there is in giving. Never get too busy to do some

Christian work. We have just had Murphy at Louisville, for a

month.

Good-bye,

STEVE P. HOLCOMBE.

* * * * *

[3]LETTERS TO MR. HOLCOMBE.

[3] A few of the letters to Mr. Holcombe have been selected out of

several hundreds.

_Mr. Holcombe:_

I have heard and read so much of your influence and prayers for

men leading dissolute lives, that I am going to ask you if you

won't find my husband and stay and pray with him until he is

saved. The other night, when he was drinking very hard, he

appealed to me to send for you to pray for him. He has much

confidence in your prayers, and believes in your life; I have

often heard him say so. He has a noble, loving disposition, and

forgiving; so you need not be afraid of offending him. His whole

heart would forever offer thanksgivings for his delivery from

drink; for it is that that he prays for. I have thought that,

perhaps, God intended salvation to come to him through you; and

how earnestly I pray that it may. So much has been done, and so

many prayers offered for him, won't you please, at your next

opportunity, find him and talk and pray with him? You would make

a miserable, lonely woman's life happy again. We have been so

happy together, so congenial, so well mated; and if God will

answer all our united prayers, happiness will return to our

hearts tenfold. Oh, Mr. Holcombe, pray the prayer of faith, and

my heart will ever turn in grateful acknowledgment to God for

making you the humble instrument of my much-loved husband's

salvation. Won't you go now immediately and wrestle for and with

him in prayer?

Believe me, most earnestly, your co-worker in prayer for his

salvation.

MRS. H.

* * * * *

BIRMINGHAM, ALA., May 12, 1888.

_Dear Brother Holcombe:_

I hope you will not think hard of me for asking you to write

once more to my husband. I feel so confident it will stir up a

remembrance of his conversion. Oh, brother, don't give up

helping me. Try to save my husband. It nearly kills me to see

him come home full of the destroying thing called whisky; and it

seems to have such a strong hold on him. All the imploring I can

do will not change him at all. I have grieved until my life is

almost grieved away. But oh, God will surely hear my cry after a

while. If I could give my life to save my husband's soul, I

would willingly, yes, gladly, do it. Brother Holcombe, what do

you think about this plan? If you can get one of the converts

whom my husband knows, and one who has been a great drunkard, to

write a friendly, brotherly letter to him, don't you think that

might do some good? Oh, I have thought of so many plans and ways

to try and get him back to the Lord. I am sorry to say that the

city of Birmingham is the most wicked place I have ever seen; so

few Christians, and they are not working. I do fervently hope

God will send some one here who is like yourself, not ashamed to

work for the lost. I hope you will write, Brother Holcombe. Pray

for me; and oh, do ask all the friends there to pray for my

husband.

Mrs. P.

* * * * *

LOUISVILLE, KY., December 3d.

_Brother Holcombe:_

Will you ask the prayers of your people in behalf of my

skeptical son-in-law. He is a talented man, but he is using his

influence against his best friend. My poor child is suffering

the penalty for marrying an infidel. If I dared tell you how

desperate the case, I am sure your heart would be troubled to

its depths. Do pray that this man may be led into the light of

the Gospel, and become a better husband, father and citizen.

A SUFFERING MOTHER.

* * * * *

BOWLING GREEN, November 10, 1884.

_Mr. Holcombe:_

Will you please go and see my son L., and try to persuade him to

live a better life? He has great faith in what you say. When you

wrote to him last spring he seemed very much affected, and said

to me. "That is one of the best men in the world." Oh, for

heaven's sake, pray for him. If you can go and talk to him,

advise him to leave Kentucky and go away off and reform his

life. If he comes back here, _danger awaits him_. I feel sure

you can influence him, for he believes you are sincere. He is

not mean and sinful at heart, but oh, the accursed demon Drink

causes him all his trouble. If he could get some respectable

work and some one to encourage him and lift him above his

darkened life, I believe he would be all right. He has relatives

there, but they are the last to apply to for assistance. He is

in jail in your city now. God only knows the pang it causes me

to say he is in jail. He was such a good Sunday-school boy and a

good Templar. Is it possible that he is to be lost? I can't yet

give up all hope. While my Father in heaven has so sorely

afflicted me, I can't help believing that after awhile the

change will come. Oh, how I wish Brother Morris could go to him

to-day. He took more interest in him than any one else ever did.

Please do what you can. I know God _will hear your prayer_ and

help you to save him. Yours with a mother's aching heart for her

boy,

---- ----

* * * * *

CHICAGO, May 24th.

_Rev. Steve Holcombe:_

MY DEAR FRIEND: I have just received a letter from my son, who

has almost ruined himself and broken my heart by his

intemperance. I have been always praying for his reformation,

but felt almost hopeless, as he would not go to church and

seemed hardened, and I know very well he could not rely on his

own strength and would not look to a stronger arm for help. Do

you know when I received a letter from him to-day making a full

confession of all his past course, and saying he had been to

hear you and asked for your prayers, I could not realize it? How

we are surprised when God hears us. I write this to thank you

for anything you may have said to help him, and to beg you to

follow him with your prayers and advice. Oh, won't you try to

help him all you can? It will be a hard battle with him, poor

fellow, as he has been for some time indulging freely. Will you

look after him as much as you can and if he should fall, help

him up? I am praying for you and your work, and have been doing

so for a long time. Your friend,

MRS. P. W. M.

* * * * *

WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

_Dear Mr. Holcombe:_

Will you please come out to my home on Third street in the

morning as early as you can? I dislike to trouble you in this

way; but I am in great trouble with Mr. L. He has been drinking,

and I feel that you can be the means of bringing him back to

God. I have prayed with him, and done all I could for him. I

feel crushed to the earth with this deep sorrow and

mortification. Don't let him know that I sent for you. He is

quite sick to-night. Pray that God may sustain us and lift us

out of this deep dark sorrow, and cast out the demon that seems

to possess my poor dear husband. God bless you, our dear good

friend, and keep us all this night.

Sincerely your friend,

MRS. L.

* * * * *

LOUISVILLE, KY., April 12, 1888.

_Rev. S. P. Holcombe:_

DEAR BROTHER: It is with grief in my heart I must write you

again. Mr. L. went on a business trip three weeks since, but

fell into bad company, and has been on a protracted spree. He

came home last night utterly discouraged--will not even try to

pray again. I am almost discouraged myself; can only wait and

trust. I think if you could make it convenient to call to see

him to-day, perhaps God will put words into your mouth that will

help him. I leave it with you; and would not ask you to leave

your duties, except I know your willingness to work for the

Master. He will not know that I have sent for you. Oh, help me

to pray that God will help my husband.

Your friend,

MRS. L.

* * * * *

OCTOBER 28TH.

_Friend Holcombe:_

I am locked up, and go to the work-house this morning. Oh, can

anything be done to help me; I want to become a different man.

Try and save me.

Truly, ---- ----

* * * * *

CITY WORK-HOUSE, November 1, 1882.

_Rev. Stephen P. Holcombe:_

DEAR SIR: You kindly requested me to write you in event I

reached the conclusion that under a change of condition I might

become a different man. My knowledge of your own career inspires

me with more confidence than anything that has ever fallen under

my notice. Coupled with the impression made upon me by the

sermon on Sunday afternoon, I firmly believe if you will come

and see me, and allow me to state to you fully my convictions as

to your ability to make a sober man of me, you will do one of

the greatest and noblest acts of your life; and, in keeping me

from the slavery of drink, rescue one who has suffered, and who

has caused, and now is causing, much suffering to others. I

stand ready to unite with you in any manner you may suggest, and

pray God Almighty to bless you.

Truly, ---- ----.

* * * * *

CITY WORK-HOUSE, November 2, 1882.

_Friend Holcombe:_

When I penned the few lines to you yesterday, I had to do it in

so short a space of time, that in all probability I omitted to

state specifically why I desired to see you. Heretofore, I have

never entertained any settled plan of operations to restrain my

appetite for liquor other than the mere will power I deemed in

my own possession and control, and, as a result, would

invariably find myself in the very midst of violating every

previously conceived resolution. Your kindness in pointing out a

course of discipline and conduct, and extending to me a welcome

among those who have made, and who are making, successful battle

against the great destroyer of happiness, awakened within me an

entirely different current of thought; and when I stated I would

unite with you in any manner you would suggest, to effect the

object in view, I meant it with all my heart and mind; and I

appeal to an all-wise and merciful Creator to attest the

sincerity of my declaration in this matter. Again, my resolve is

to attend strictly to any suggestions you may make. The accursed

appetite has beggared me. I do not ask charity from any mortal

toward me. I am not deserving of either sympathy or pity; and

while the embracing of the cause of religion and temperance can

not of itself work reformation, it places a man in a position

where he can climb upward and go forward, instead of forever

traveling the broad way that leads to destruction. Holcombe, I

want to redeem myself. I only crave this one last opportunity,

and if God will help me no man shall ever know of me using

either intoxicating drink or profane language as long as breath

is in my body. When released, I do not want to be idle a day. I

have mouths to feed whose entry into this troubled life is

chargeable solely to me. I will work for a dollar a day to do my

duty towards them. Judge W. L. Jackson, Judge H. H. Bruee, Gary

B. Blackburn or Major Tom Hays, would, I am sure, put in a good

word for me; and Judge Price himself, I think has some hope for

me. I had a violent chill to-day, and am in the hospital

department, and my fingers are somewhat stiff from researches in

the geological department.[4] Hence this cramped writing. Come

and see me, and do not give me up as hopeless.

Truly, ---- ----.

[4] He means the rock-pile.

* * * * *

BOWLING GREEN, KY., March 27, 1888.

_Rev. Steve Holcombe:_

DEAR SIR: I am so much obliged to you for the kind letter you

were pleased to write me. You no doubt think ere this that the

seed has fallen on stony ground, and, perhaps, among thorns; but

I can assure you that I made up my mind when in your city to

lead a different life, and to devote the remainder of my life to

the service of my God. I have so often thought of you, and have

wished to see you. Pray for me, and I do hope we may meet again.

If ever convenient, call and see me. Our doors will be open,

yes, wide open, to you. Thanking you again for your remembrance

of me, I am, yours truly,

----.

* * * * *

SICK BED, February 5th.

_Dear Christian Brother:_

I have a tenant in a little house, a grocery, on Sixth street,

right next to the First Presbyterian church, who is a fearfully

wicked man, a common drunkard, and steeped in sin; and I come to

you to-day to beg you to seek him out and try to rescue him. He

has four or five little motherless children, whose lives are

full of the bitterest sorrow; they are so dirty and unkempt that

the public school teacher had to send them home. They are under

no control; have no one to train them for God, and ought to be

where some one would save them from themselves and ruin. When I

leased my house to him, he was a very handsome, well-to-do man;

young, apparently honest, paid his rent regularly, and had a

very nice little wife, who has since died--I think with a broken

heart. Will you not look him up at once? Or, if you are too full

of other cases, will you not get some one of your workers to try

to lead him back to good paths? He is a very desperate case, I

know, and seems almost past saving now; but you know God's grace

can reach any heart. I would lay this poor dissolute creature,

lost to all sense of honor, shame or manliness, on your soul, my

brother, and beseech you, for Christ's sake, for the sake of

these poor motherless children, whose souls are worth saving for

Christ, do try to bring your influence and your prayers for

God's help, to this miserable man's case, and see if you can

help. If he is past God's mercy--and I can not believe

that--will you not see what can be done for the little ones?

The oldest boy is a bright little fellow, and may become a great

light in our Father's work. I hear that this man has been to

hear Mr. Moody. I do not know if it helped him. Will you not

send after him, and try to get him to go to-night? I will meet

you in prayer there for him.

In bonds of Christian friendship,

JENNIE CASSEDAY.

* * * * *

ALEXANDER'S HOTEL,

LOUISVILLE, KY., May 30, 1888.

_My Dear Mr. Holcombe:_

I am struggling as hard as ever a poor wretch did against my

appetite for liquor. I have asked the good Lord to help me

overcome the habit, but I feel that my prayers amount to

nothing. May I ask you to ask the Great Controller of us all to

give me strength to overcome this habit? Save me, or help save

me, I beg and implore you. Please give me your prayers.

---- ----.

* * * * *

OCTOBER 16, 1887.

_My Dear Steve:_

Your kind favor of the 7th instant reached me in due time. I

was, of course, delighted to hear from you, and inexpressibly

glad to hear of the improved state of your health. I also note

with much pleasure what you say in regard to the pleasant and

extensive trip that you have just finished. It gratifies and

pleases me beyond expression to know that the people of

Louisville are at last awakened to your worth, and are willing

to manifest some substantial recognition of the same. "All

things work well for those who love the Lord." I believe the

quotation is correct. Oh, had I continued in the way you pointed

out to me, how different my situation and circumstances would

be. Instead of being broken in health and bankrupt in purse,

separated from all that I love and hold most dear, I would be, I

am sure, what I was while I was endeavoring to lead a Christian

life--a happy husband and father and a respectable citizen. Oh,

Steve, my dear friend, I am wretched, miserable, broken hearted.

When I reflect upon what I was and what I might have been, and

consider what I am and how little I have to look forward to, I

simply get desperate. But I will not weary you with my troubles.

As regards myself and habits, I may say, without exaggeration,

that I am in better health and my mode of living is plainer and

more regular than it has ever been. I rise every morning between

four and five o'clock, and retire between eight and nine. My

food is of the plainest and coarsest kind. My companions are, I

regret to say, cowboys. You know, I presume, what they are, so I

will say nothing about them. I neither drink nor smoke; I chew

tobacco very moderately, and expect to quit that. I suffer

terribly at times for the want of congenial company. You must

excuse this effort, as I am surrounded by a lot of boys who are

making a terrible lot of noise. Give my love to all of your

family. God bless you, my dear Steve. Pray for me and mine.

Your friend, ---- ---- ----.

* * * * *

NOVEMBER 2, 1887.

_My Dear Steve:_

Your letter of the 27th is before me. It is just such a letter

as I expected--so full of sympathy, love and good, wholesome

advice. I wish it were possible, or, rather, expedient, to

listen to your advice and return home, for I am heartily sick

and tired of the life I am now living. Don't you know that my

life out here reminds me, in a measure, of your western

experience? Of course, I am not subjected to the hardships and

deprivations that you were forced to undergo. But, as far as

bodily comfort and companionship are concerned, I must say that

your experience must have been rather "tough," if it was worse

than mine. Now, don't misunderstand me, I have plenty to eat,

such as it is, I have a fairly good bed, in a fairly good room.

My companions are, as you know, cowboys. That they are rough and

all that, goes without saying, but let me tell you, my dear

friend, I have received better treatment and more consideration

from these wild, half-civilized cowboys, upon whom I have no

earthly claim, than I ever received from some from whom I had a

right to expect, if not fair treatment, at least some

consideration. The people one meets out here are always willing

to give a fellow a "white man's chance." When you write, tell me

something about the dear old Mission and its workers. What has

become of Davidson, Peck, Booker and all of the boys? I would be

extremely sorry to hear that any of them had forsaken the narrow

for the broad way. The dear old Mission! What a train of happy

memories is connected with it. I almost forgot to inquire about

Clay Price. Tell me about all of them. I am about to change my

quarters. Don't know where I will go. You had better wait until

you hear from me again before answering. With much love to

yourself and family, I am, as ever,

Your friend,

---- ---- ----.

* * * * *

DECEMBER 10, 1887.

_My Dear Steve:_

Your letter, or rather note, of November 29th, reached me in due

course. You advise me to keep up a brave heart. Steve, old

fellow, my heart is broken. I know you will smile and shake your

head; but I honestly believe that if there is such a thing as a

broken heart, mine is broken. Haven't I suffered enough? Well,

how is the Mission getting along? I noticed in the

_Courier-Journal_ the other day that George Kerr had been

reclaimed. Well, well, who would have thought it? I know him

well. He is a fellow of some parts. If he can only keep sober,

he is abundantly qualified to do well. Write me something about

the boys. I would be mighty glad to hear good reports of them.

Have you seen the ----s lately. Give them my regards when you

see them; and remind them for me, that they are in debt to me a

letter. They and you, old fellow, are about all the friends I

have left. What a sad commentary upon human nature is the

mutability of so-called friendship! When I was prosperous, I had

all the friends I wanted, and more, too. Now, I can count them

upon the fingers of one hand. Ah, well, I suppose it has been

the same time out of mind; I am not an exception. Now, Steve,

write me a long letter, and tell me all the news.

Very truly your friend, ---- ----.

* * * * *

FROM A CONVERT.

KANSAS CITY, MO., May 30, 1888.

_Rev. Steve P. Holcombe, Louisville, Ky.:_

Yours received. Would have written sooner but I have been away

and busy. I have been at Fulton, Mo., since the tenth instant.

Brother Jones left Monday morning. I tell you I just had a

glorious time. Steve, I love the work! and God is blessing me

wonderfully; everything is prosperous; business is getting

better; my health is getting better. In short, everything is

just glorious. Of course, I feel gloomy sometimes; but, blessed

be God, he will not allow us to be tempted above that we are

able to bear; and, with every temptation there is a way of

escape. I feel just that way. Every time temptation comes to me,

I flee to God for help, and I never yet failed. I have gone into

this for life; and, God helping me, I will stick. I have not

tasted drink of any kind since about January 9th, and I tell you

I was a slave to it. I never think of drinking now; my thought

is all in a different channel; bless God for it. Our little

mission is gradually growing, and we hope for grand things from

it. Pray for us. Brother Morris wishes to be remembered to

yourself and family. I am a member of his church, and I love

him. He is a grand man. I am going to Chillicothe, Missouri, the

12th of June--Brother Jones will be there for ten days. Give my

regards to all who know me; and tell them I am trusting Jesus

for everything. May God bless you in your good work. I shall

never forget you. Write as soon as convenient.

Your friend and brother,

HARRY CHAPMAN.

* * * * *

FROM A CONVERT.

CHICAGO, July 21, 1884.

_My Dear Brother Steve:_

Your kind postal of the 21st to hand this P. M. I must really

beg your pardon for having neglected your cards; but I have no

excuse to offer. It has been nothing but carelessness. I was

absent from Chicago a week with my friend D., and had a very

pleasant time. It is probable that he will start into business

in Chicago. He will know in the next few weeks. The Lord has

taken wonderfully good care of me since I have been here,

although on one or two occasions I have had to do with only one

meal a day. He has blessed me all the time. He has kept me

cheerful through all, and I feel to-day that I am nearer to Him

than I have ever been. I have put myself into His hands

unreservedly, and I feel that He is taking care of me. Yesterday

I got a letter from my brother. He asked me to pray for him, and

I shall certainly continue to do so as long as I live. Whenever

you see him, speak to him about the salvation of his soul. I

have written to him about it, and he wants to try and become a

Christian. Pray for him. Sunday I saw Dr. S. He is better

dressed than I ever saw him. I notice he wears the Murphy ribbon

in his button-hole. I am glad he is looking so well. This was

the first time I had seen him for weeks. Steve, there is only

one thing lacking to make my happiness complete, and that is to

have my mother think more favorably of my reformation. I have

written to her twice, and she has not even deigned to answer. I

feel, however, that the Lord will bring this about all right. As

to my getting into a situation, it will be some time yet, as

business hardly ever starts up here until about September. Then

the Lord will put me into something permanent, I know. The

captain is indeed happy with his family reunited with him. He

ought to shout God's praises from morning till night; but he is

not the only one that can shout--_my_ heart is forever full.

Neither hard times, nor anything else, can keep me down as long

as I have Jesus with me. I must close; it is time to go to

convert's meeting. My prayers are for you and the Mission. I

humbly ask you, as well as all the good Christians there, to

pray for me. May God bless you and yours.

Your brother in Christ,

FRED ROPKE.

Remember me to Mrs. Holcombe and the rest of the family, as well as to

all inquiring friends.

* * * * *

FROM THE SAME.

CHICAGO, August 3, 1884.

_Dear Steve:_

Your kind letter to hand. I feel ashamed of myself for not

answering your letters more promptly. It does my heart good to

think that you at last have confidence in me, and that my going

to Chicago must not necessarily round up in my going to hell. It

seems to me, although I have not been in the service of our

glorious Master as long as you have, yet I have, or rather had,

more faith in His power to keep me than you had; but your remark

has often been recalled to my mind. Do you remember saying "that

if I went to Chicago, I was certainly bound for hell?" Was this

charity or placing much faith in God's word? Well, let the

matter drop. I have just come home from a glorious meeting. Oh,

how I thank God this morning for a lightness of heart and a

buoyancy of spirit that lift me above surrounding trials and

troubles! I am poor in purse; but, bless His holy name, I am

rich in promises and faith. My temporal affairs are not in a

very prosperous condition, but notwithstanding all this, I have

the confidence He will take care of me. He has done this in a

wonderful manner to this time, and He certainly has not changed

since I have become one of His. Captain Davidson keeps me pretty

well posted as to your meetings. I am glad they are well

attended. The Lord willing, I will be with you on a visit this

coming winter, and I will bring a friend. You will then see in

what style they conduct their meetings here in Chicago. I have

as yet received no answer to my long letter to H., but I praise

God that my humble words have set him to thinking. My prayers

ascend to heaven daily that he may be saved. Your friend, Frank

Jones, is here in Chicago. I saw him once on Clark street, but

had no chance to talk to him. This has been some two weeks ago.

Remember me in Christian love to the Millers, Captain Denny,

Dalton, Ben Harney, Tom Watts--in fact, all; but especially give

my regards to Mrs. Holcombe. Don't forget Mulligan, and my

prayers are that God may bless you as abundantly as he is

blessing your brother in Christ,

FRED ROPKE.

* * * * *

FROM A CONVERT.

LOUISVILLE, KY., September 12, 1887.

_Rev, S. P. Holcombe, New York City:_

MY DEAR OLD FRIEND: You do not know the pleasure your letter

gave me, I have wanted to write you ever since my return, but

did not know where a letter would reach you, nor do I know where

to direct this, but suppose I can get your address from Will. I

was at the Mission last night, and missed you sadly. We all

missed you in many ways. Your good, hard, common horse sense is

sadly needed. It is the same old story; we never appreciate a

man until it is too late. I used to think I could pick many

flaws in your management of the mission work, but I have now

come to the conclusion that you can't be downed in that line,

and hereafter I shall not even think a thought against your

management. Last night we had some ignoramus to preach, and his

grammar and ways of expressing himself were (to say the least)

tiresome; but we had testimonies afterward, and I said to

myself, "Well, Brother Steve is away, and I have been on the

quiet lay for a long time; I think, for the sake of Christ and

old Steve, I will give a red-hot testimony right from the

shoulder," and I did. I was followed by Hocker in a like strain,

and others chiming in, we made the welkin ring from turret to

foundation-stone. But the banner-bearer was not there; so the

good intended to be done fell short. Only one stood up for

prayer. But never mind, we will have our old veteran leader with

us soon, when we will unfurl our battle-flag anew and carry

terror and dismay into old Beelzebub's camp. I think if our

winter campaign is well organized, there will be no "Indians on

the warpath next spring." I miss you and want to see you so bad,

that you may give me a hundred lectures and I won't shirk. Your

true blues are all holding fast. Your Old Guard is a true and

tried one. I think they all can be depended on both on dress

parade and under fire. Your family are all well. May our

heavenly Father bless you, my dear friend, both here and

hereafter. Your sins have been great; but oh, what would I not

give to know that, after life's fitful fever is over, I would be

permitted to occupy a seat in the beautiful land of the blest

alongside of you. Truly your faith has made you whole. Good-bye,

and once more, God bless you.

Your sincere friend,

P. B.

* * * * *

FROM A CONVERT.

ATLANTA, GA., February 3, 1885.

_Dear Brother Holcombe:_

Your letter of December 17th was received in due time. Your

postal card was also received a few days ago. I have no lawful

excuse to offer but pure procrastination, from time to time, for

not answering. You are not forgotten by me or my wife and

daughter. We often speak of you, and the question is often

asked, "Will he come and see us this year and hold another

mission meeting?" You did so much good in Atlanta. The meetings

were kept up until the bad weather broke us up; they were well

attended nearly every night, and the good seed you sowed

germinated; and, by Brother Barclay's good tilling and the

assistance and the goodness of God, has brought forth much fruit

of repentance; and, thank God, we all bless the day He sent you

to us. If your Mission managers could see the great good you

accomplished while with us, I do not think they would say no to

your making Atlanta another visit; and we look forward to the

day as not being far distant when you will do so. I am trying my

best to live right. I know I am changed; I feel very different

from what I did before you visited us. You have known me fifteen

years; and you know how bad and sinful I was, and how

dissipated. I have not even wanted a drink of anything since

your visit. You know I told you I had put my foot on the serpent

and I intended to keep it there. I do not go with any of my old

associates who drink or who visit bar rooms. I select good

company; I keep up the family altar, and we are a happy little

family now. Can you appreciate that you saved one of your old

lost friends by your good work? When I met you and saw and heard

of the great blessing God had bestowed upon you and your dear

family, I set about obtaining the like blessing for myself; and

I feel in my heart that I have received it. God has been very

merciful to me and blesses all my undertakings and I am so

thankful for all of His kind mercies. Brother Barclay told me he

wrote you a few days ago, and I suppose he gave you all the

news. I have not been to the mission Sunday-school for some time

on account of the bad weather, and you know I live a long way

off. But, God willing, I shall go next Sunday. My wife and

daughter join in much love to you and your family, and wish you

a happy and successful year in the Master's cause.

Yours truly, ---- ----.

* * * * *

FROM AN OFFENDED GENTLEMAN.

LOUISVILLE, KY., January 13, 1887.

_My Dear Sir:_

Your letter surprises me. You came to me unintroduced; I was

glad to see you, and, I hope, treated you with the consideration

which I think your merit demands. You again approached me

to-day. Tonight I received a letter from you which is to me

offensive and impolite. I am not coming to your place, and I

will thank you to abate your interest in my behalf. I believe in

your work, and wish you success; but I hope you will let me

alone. My self-constituted friends have done me more injury than

_even_ my own indiscretions. Very truly,

To Rev. Steve P. Holcombe. ----- -----.

* * * * *

FROM A GAMBLER.

FEBRUARY 4, 1884.

_Mr. Steve Holcombe, Esq., Lewisville, Ky.:_

DEAR FRIEND: I take my pen in hand to drop you a few lines, as I

haven't heard of you for a long time, I learnt from a friend, of

your whereabouts, and that you had forever Retired from

Gambling, I want to accumulate a few hundred dollars and Retire

from the Business in the future, and as we have long Been

friends, I hope you will not Refuse giving me your sure system

of winning at the Game of Poker. From your friend,

DAVID W. MILLER,

_Ridgeville, Randolph Co., Ind._

* * * * *

849 SEVENTH ST., LOUISVILLE, May 28, 1888.

_Rev. Steve Holcombe:_

DEAR SIR: I have a large family Bible, which has been in my

family a number of years. You will do me a personal favor by

accepting it as a souvenir of my late son, Charles A. Gill. It

was through your Christian instrumentality and kindness that my

dear son embraced his Saviour and died a Christian.

Hoping that God will add many stars to your crown, I am your

sincere friend,

HANNAH GILL.

Two more Bibles will be given you by the same hand for

distribution.

H. G.

* * * * *

FROM A CHRISTIAN BROTHER.

MEMPHIS, TENN., May 6, 1887.

_My Dear Friend and Brother Holcombe:_

Your card well received, but I have been so busy that I have

waited for a time to write to you. I am in good health and have

a good situation, thank God. Am always alone. My children in

Switzerland are well. When I passed through Louisville, as I

wrote you from New York, I wished I had been able to stop for

twenty-four hours, but had a through sleeper to Memphis, and

could not stay over. I heard of your great trial lately. Hope

God did sustain you, and that good will come out of it for your

soul. The more I live, the more I am separated from this world.

My body is in it, but my mind and spirit are longing for a

better state, where evil shall not be present, within or

without. The Bible becomes clearer to my soul every day, and

with the grace of God I hope to come to the end a faithful and

obedient child of the Almighty Father in heaven. I suffer very

much mentally; it is a constant agony. I am absolutely,

completely broken down in my own will; have given up entirely

all worldly pleasures; have no pleasure except in doing the will

of God the best I can. My old enemy, myself, with my passions

and self-indulgence, I pay no more attention to. May God use me

according to His good will, and make me so as to be worthy of

His service. Everything of this world has been taken away from

me; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity" is my daily bread. I

often wish to be in Louisville. Maybe I shall return there

later, to have some Christian friends around me. I have here

$150.00 a month, and the finest situation that can be wished in

my line of business. What are you doing? I suppose always the

same--taking care of the lost and neglected. Your reward shall

be great, as you come nearer fulfilling the Master's teaching

than brilliant preachers who do not touch the burdens of poor

sinners. How is your family, especially your sweet little

daughter? I hope you are all well. This world is nothing but a

tremendous deception to all who are attached to it; everything

is corrupt, and has the sting of death and sin. It is a constant

warfare with evil and evil forces around you. It is only worth

living for the good we can do to others. I can not understand at

all the joy that some find in it, except in doing entirely, to

the best of your ability, the will of God. There is surely no

other source of life in the universe. I am writing now to dear

Brother A. A few months ago he wrote to me. He, also, has had

great sorrows. It is very strange that alone pain and suffering

can make us wise and pure in heart. How antagonistic are the

ways of God and those of men? Absolutely opposed in all things.

Oh, let us be true to God, even unto death, cutting mercilessly

all that is worldly and carnal, so as to live for the spirit and

not lose eternal life. My dear brother, please do pray for your

lonely brother, that God may bring His presence into my worried

soul and help me in the battle. The enemy is very powerful, and

shows no mercy. His mission is to destroy and to lie, and he

knows how to do it. May God bless you and keep you forever.

Your true friend,

---- ----.

* * * * *

FROM SAM P. JONES.

CHICAGO, ILL., March 16, 1886.

_Rev. Steve Holcombe, Louisville, Ky.:_

DEAR BROTHER HOLCOMBE: Yours of March 10th received. I thought

you were wise enough to know, when you wanted to plant yourself

in permanent quarters, that the devil would do his best to

prevent it. The devil don't like you anyway; but keep your

equilibrium--God is with you; and He is more than all that can

be against you. I have just passed through the most terrific

storm of criticism almost of my life; and thank God I have

witnessed in Chicago, within the last twenty-four hours, the

grandest triumph of the Gospel I ever saw. I wish you could be

here a few days and see the power of God, and rejoice with us in

the work.

I enclose an article, which you can take to the

_Courier-Journal_ if you like.

Kindest regards to your loved ones and all the brethren, and may

God's blessing be upon your work.

Fraternally yours,

SAM P. JONES.

* * * * *

FROM THE SAME.

GIBSON HOUSE,

CINCINNATI, OHIO, June 13, 1886.

_My Dear Brother Holcombe:_

I received your message sent by Brother Cleveland. I would like

you to come over about the middle of next week. I think we will

have some of the slain of the Lord for you to look after by that

time. Our meeting moves off gloriously. I have never seen a

better start anywhere. Thank God for the prospect of a glorious

victory in this wicked city. The house is packed day and night,

and the preachers and people stand shoulder to shoulder with me.

Love to your family. Affectionately,

SAM P. JONES.

* * * * *

FROM REV. DR. WILLITS (Warren Memorial Church).

_Mr. Steve Holcombe:_

DEAR SIR: The bearer, Ch. H., is a stranger to me; but he will

tell you his story. It is the old story of fight with appetite,

and you will be better able to advise him than myself.

Truly yours,

A. A. WILLITS.

* * * * *

FROM DR. JOHN A. BROADUS.

MARCH 23, 1885.

_Dear Brother Holcombe_:

The bearer is Mr. B., once a merchant in Richmond, Va., fallen

by drinking habits, separated from wife and children, _lost_. He

spoke to me after sermon yesterday morning, and came to my house

this morning. He does not ask immediate relief, having some

money; but wants to find employment, and thinks he can stop

drinking. He is evidently an intelligent man, and earnestly

desirous of regaining himself. He used to be an Episcopal

communicant. Now, if you can in any way help Mr. B., I shall be

exceedingly glad.

Your friend and brother,

JOHN A. BROADUS.

* * * * *

The following letter is from one of the converts whose

testimony is given elsewhere, but it is interesting as an

independent account given soon after his conversion.

LOUISVILLE, KY., January 28, 1884.

_Rev. G. Alexander_:

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: The few brotherly words you spoke to me during our

short acquaintance, and your kindness toward me, a poor drunken outcast

at the time, will ever be remembered. Often I make inquiries of Brother

Holcombe regarding you and your health. At his suggestion, I write you

and give a brief history of my life, in hope it may encourage some poor

fellow whom you are seeking to save for a better life, and give him

renewed courage to battle against sin; and for the glory of our Saviour

Jesus Christ.

My father, as a wealthy man, determined to give his children the benefit

of a good education. With this end in view, he left my younger brother

and myself in Germany in 1864, after a visit there with the family. We

stayed until 1867, when we returned to Louisville, I to enter the

banking house of Theodore Schwartz & Co. With them I stayed until 1869,

when my father became bondsman for the sheriff, Captain John A. Martin.

Out of courtesy, Captain Martin made me, although only nineteen years of

age, one of his deputies. From that time I date my downfall. Money

flowed in freely; and, being young and inexperienced, I spent it just as

freely, if not more so. In two years, at the age of twenty-one, I was

considered about as reckless a young man as there was in the city. My

father was always proud of his oldest son, and indulged me in almost

everything. The habit of intemperance was gaining a sure hold; and when

he died, in 1872, I was considered by some a confirmed drunkard.

Gradually I sank lower and lower, until I became what I was when you

first saw me eight months ago--a poor miserable outcast from society,

and a burden to myself and friends. I was forsaken and despised by all.

I shudder to think that my life should ever flow in the same channel

again. During all these years of dissipation I wandered all over this

country--from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, and from the Atlantic almost

to the Pacific. I drifted aimlessly with no other object in view but to

gratify a terrible longing for strong drink. I had been in the city but

a short while when I heard of Brother Holcombe's efforts to redeem the

fallen. Having known him before his conversion, curiosity led me to

listen to him. During all this time I knew and felt that a day of

reckoning would come, but whenever such thoughts entered my mind, I

dismissed them, as they made me tremble at the very idea of having to

give an account of the misdeeds of a wasted life. On the 25th of last

June I was passing up Jefferson street, and heard singing in the

basement at No. 436. My first impulse was to turn and go away, as I was

in no suitable dress to go into a place of worship. Then the thought

came into my mind, "This is Steve Holcombe's place; I'll go in and see

what it looks like." Thank God, I did go in. The songs of those

Sunday-school children awakened chords in my heart which I thought had

died long ago. Tears came into my eyes, and then and there I vowed, if

by God's help salvation was possible for me, I certainly would make the

trial. Glorious have been the results. That evening I heard Brother

Holcombe once more; introduced myself to him and promised him I would

attend evening service, which I did.

From that day to this I have been growing in grace. The Lord has blessed

me wonderfully. My worldly affairs have prospered; and, what is worth

more than all the world to me, I am continually happy. Nothing disturbs

my peace, and I allow nothing to interfere with it. My trust is in my

Saviour; He has promised to care for those who trust Him, and I have

implicit faith in that promise. My old appetite and desires are all

taken away and I find pleasure and joy in things that in former years I

considered ridiculous.

Very truly yours,

FRED ROPKE.

TESTIMONIALS.

CAPTAIN EGBERT J. MARTIN.

I was born in Louisville in 1842; was educated in New York and Virginia;

served in General Lee's army during the war on the staff of my uncle,

General Edward Johnson. The only commission I received was received on

the third day of July, 1863, at the battle of Gettysburg.

My first drinking commenced in Georgia, where I was planting rice with

General Gordon. That was in 1867. I did not drink during the war at all

except that I might have taken a drink occasionally when I met with

friends. My uncle would not permit liquor about his headquarters. On

leaving Georgia, I went to New York, and went into business. I acquired

quite a reputation there, and had a good income. My periodical drinking

continued, however, and each year became greater and greater. Nothing

was said about it for seven years and a half. I would not drink around

my place of business. When I felt the spell coming on me, I would quit

and go off, and be gone seven or eight days, and be back to business

again when I had straightened up, and nothing was said about it; but the

thing will increase on a man, and, of course, with each succeeding year

the habit became stronger, and the intervals shorter.

I conceived the idea that a change of climate would do me good. Visits

to the mountains seemed to benefit me, and I thought I would go West,

and the change would effect a cure. I went to Colorado, made friends

there, went into business, and was successful. I was married to my wife

in Denver, Colorado. I believed as my wife did, that my drinking was a

matter under my control. I had been leading an aimless life, with no

family ties; and after I was married, I thought a strong effort on my

part would stop it. I wanted to get back to salt water again, and have

everything in my favor; and the next morning after we were married, I

started for California. I was very successful there. I was in a short

time made special agent of the California Electric Light Company, at a

salary of three thousand dollars a year. They wanted to make a contract

with me for five years, giving me three thousand dollars a year, if I

would bind myself not to drink during the five years. I found it was not

such an easy thing to quit drinking. I consulted physicians there. There

was a doctor in Oakland who said he had a specific for drunkenness; and

he gave it to me. The result was that when I wanted a drink, I threw the

medicine away and got the drink. What I always wanted, and tried to get,

was something to take away the appetite for drink. There were times when

I had no more desire for drink than you or any other man; but when it

seized me, it seized me in an uncontrollable way, and I would drink for

the deliberate purpose of making myself sick and getting over it as

quick as possible. I knew it had to be gone through with, and I drank

until I made myself sick.

I never attended to business when I drank liquor. I never mixed up my

business affairs with my drinking. Everybody I had anything to do with

knew I was thoroughly reliable. I never lied about being drunk. I never

said I was sick or had the cholera infantum or anything of that sort.

Everybody who employed me knew as much about it as I did.

When my little boy was born, I felt a sacred duty was imposed upon me;

and I tried to encourage my ideas of morality. I had always been a moral

man, and, although an infidel, had never sought to break down the

religious opinions of any one, because I had nothing to give them

instead. My rationalism satisfied me. It was a belief, an opinion, with

which I was willing to face my Maker, because I believed I was right. I

believed in the existence of a Supreme Being, but I did not believe that

the great Ruler of the universe thought enough of us insignificant human

beings to interest Himself in our affairs. I did not believe in the

Christians' God. There in Virginia I had been surrounded by members of

the church. Everybody was either a Baptist, a Methodist, or a member of

some other denomination; drunkards and saloon-keepers and all belonged

to the church. They could do wrong and afterward go straight to church.

That kind of religion disgusted me, and that kind of religion confirmed

my skepticism. I wanted to get away and I even planned to go to

Australia. After my little boy was born, I stayed sober for six months,

and then I commenced drinking again. I did not conceal the truth from

myself. I said, "You are false to everything that is manly; you are a

disgrace to yourself." I decided to go back to Virginia (my wife had

never been there) and settle up a lawsuit I had pending in the courts.

But after a short stay in Virginia I had an offer to return to New York

and go to work, and went to New York; and after I had been there a

month, I received a dispatch stating that a compromise had been agreed

upon without consulting me at all. I went back to Richmond and rejected

the compromise.

A decision was made in my favor, but the case was taken to the Court of

Appeals. I had used up everything I had in litigation; and when, at

last, I got a telegram that the Court of Appeals had reversed the case,

and we had lost everything, it just broke me down. It took me more than

a month to realize that it was a fact--I could not get it into my head;

and it broke me down completely. I loved my wife and I loved my child,

and was troubled about them, and for the two years I was fighting these

Virginia gentlemen I was in a state of high excitement. I had nothing to

do except to worry, and I drank more than ever in my life. I said, "My

God! it is awful. I have lost everything. I know I am a drunkard; it is

no use denying it, because the appetite is on me all the time." And many

a time I threw myself down in the woods and sobbed aloud if Fate would

have mercy on me. I had given up all hope. I thought the good fortune

which had followed me all my life would never return. I had sent my wife

off; so I had lost her, too. She went to her sister's, in Ohio; and I

arranged that my mother should remain at the old place. I wrote to a

cousin of mine whom I had not met since the war. He used, frequently, to

come to our home, a delightful and healthful place, thirteen miles from

Richmond. I thought I would write him that I desired to get out of

Virginia, and had not the means, and would make Louisville my objective

point. So I wrote him, but received no reply. I wrote to another man,

stating the circumstances--that I wanted to get out of Virginia and go

to work; but I received no answer from him; and I came to the conclusion

if I wanted to get out of Virginia I would have to walk. I had secured

my wife and child, and as for myself it little mattered what befell me

or how I fared.