safely state, without any fear of contradiction, that I have never met a
warden or jailer who has such mercy and charity.
A Jail "Miracle."
I shall speak now of a miracle of the prison cell. Several years ago the
great D. L. Moody was holding meetings in St. Louis, Mo. The Globe
Democrat announced that it was going to publish Mr. Moody's sermons. He
made up his mind that he would weave in plenty of Scripture for the
newspaper to carry into places that he could never enter. One night he
preached on the Philippian jailer, and next morning the paper came out
with a sensational headline, "How the Jailer of Philippi Was Caught." A
copy of the paper was carried into the city jail, and fell into the
hands of a notorious prisoner. This man was one of the worst characters
known to the St. Louis police. He was about forty years old at that
time, and had spent about twenty years in prison, and was then awaiting
trial on a serious charge. As he glanced over the morning paper, the
headline caught his eyes. Thinking that it was some jail news he began
to read it.
--------
This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our
faith,--1 John 5:4.
--------
God used it to convict him, and a sense of his responsibility before
God rushed upon him. There in his cell at midnight he prayed for the
first time in his life. On the following Sunday he talked with Christian
friends who held service in the jail, and was led into the light of the
gospel. From that night he was a changed man. The sheriff thought he was
playing the "pious dodge," and had no confidence in his professed
conversion. But when he came to trial the case against him was not
pressed, and he escaped through some technicality.
[Illustration: DWIGHT L. MOODY
Who sent the Gospel through the daily press that fell into the hands of
Valentine Burke. He was always interested in the lost man.]
Unexpected Good Fortune.
For some months after his release Burke tried to find work, but no one
would take him, knowing his past history. He thought perhaps it was
because of his ugly face. He went to New York and was taken in by a
member of the police force, who knew him, and who told him he would
shoot him dead if he abused his confidence.
Being unsuccessful in New York, he returned to St. Louis. One day this
man who had realized what the "enemy" had done for his life received a
message from the sheriff that he was wanted at the courthouse. He obeyed
with a heavy heart.
--------
Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver
thee.--Dan. 16:6.
--------
"Some old case they've got against me," he said, "but if I'm guilty I'll
tell them so; I've quit lying." The sheriff greeted him kindly.
"Where have you been Burke?"
"In New York."
"What have you been doing there?"
"Trying to find an honest job."
"Have you kept a good grip on the religion you told me about?" inquired
the sheriff.
"Yes," answered Burke; "I've had a hard time, sheriff, but I haven't
lost my religion."
"Burke," said the sheriff, "I have had you shadowed ever since you left
jail. I suspected your religion was a fraud, but I am convinced that you
are sincere, as you have lived an honest life, and I have sent for you
to offer you a deputyship under me. You can begin at once."
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Yea, he shall be holden up; for God is able to make him
stand.--Rom. 14:4.
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Tribute to Burke's Honesty.
This was in 1880. When Mr. Moody was preaching in Chicago in 1890,
Burke, who had not been off duty for the ten years, came to see him.
During all that time there had been many changes in the administration
of the sheriff's office, and they had changed every deputy but him.
Finally they appointed the ex-convict treasurer of the sheriff's
office. Mr. Moody preached in St. Louis again in 1895. A short time
before his visit an evangelist was called away in the middle of the
revival meetings. The committee wanted Burke to come and preach in his
absence, but the sheriff said he had just levied on a jeweler's store
and had not had time to take an inventory, and Burke was the man he
could trust to put in charge of it.
[Illustration: VALENTINE BURKE
Fac-simile of photograph taken for the Rogues' Gallery.]
[Illustration: VALENTINE BURKE
From a photograph taken in 1887, seven years after his conversion]
He was held in such confidence by the police that they did a most
unusual thing; they gave him a photograph they had of him in the Rogue's
Gallery. He had his photograph taken again in 1887, and in sending a
copy of this along with the original Rogue's Gallery photograph, to Mr.
T. S. McPheeters of St. Louis, to show the change in his features, Burke
wrote a note:
"Notice the difference in the inclosed pictures. See what our holy
religion can do for the chief of sinners." On the back of the Rogue's
Gallery photograph he wrote:
"He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of
the dunghill, that he may set him with the princes, even with the
princes of his people." (Ps. cxiii, 7, 8.)
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Buy the truth and sell it not, also wisdom and
instruction.--Prov. 23:23.
--------
This incident shows what the grace of God can do for a hardened sinner.
Not only can it save him, but it can keep him. Valentine Burke lived an
active, consistent Christian life in the position until God called him
home in 1895.
Visit to Nashville, Tenn., Prison
Mrs. Wilburn, of Nashville, writes of Mr. Herr's visit to the Nashville
prison as follows: It was my great pleasure as we reached the door to
find Brother Herr, of Louisville, Ky., awaiting admission. It was
raining, cold and dreary without, but he carried sunshine on the inside
of the prison to the sad prisoners. The large chapel was filled with
eager listeners and he received a most hearty welcome and all were
delighted to see their true friend Brother Herr. It was indeed a sight
to make angels rejoice to see how eagerly they drank in every word. I
believe many darkened lives from whom all hope had fled were encouraged
once more to look up. Hundreds of faces grew brighter as he told with
burning words how God had saved convicts steeped in many crimes, causing
judges in different states to set them free; when they were told that
Jesus had blotted out their past and made new men of them. At the close
of his sermon Brother Herr asked all who would pray when alone in their
cells that Christ would save them too from the power of sin, and
transform their lives as He had others, to hold up their hands; as quick
as a flash hundreds of hands white and colored were raised above their
heads and, oh, how our hearts rejoiced as we saw the hope in so many
lives. We are looking to God who giveth the increase to bless the seed
sown in those sad hearts, and earnestly pray that when the great harvest
day comes many of these men may testify that the sunshine of God's great
love entered their hearts on that dark dreary day in December.
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Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.--Isa. 52:11.
--------
CHAPTER SEVEN
DOES PRISON WORK PAY?
Who will ever know the vast number that attribute the first impulse to a
better life, formed while in the seclusion of a prison cell--alone with
God.
The world will never know how many, when sitting in judgment upon
themselves, have learned the great secret that it takes an _Omnipotent
Power_ to change the current of their lives, and give them deliverance
from the power of sin, and enabling them to go forth not to live a new
purpose, but a new life.
Many of these unfortunate ones, not remaining criminals from choice, but
because they have never known there was an antidote provided for the
deepest-dyed criminals, "a scarlet atonement for a scarlet sin," whereby
the power of evil possessing them could be eradicated from their lives,
and they no longer victims. While some do not seemingly heed the kindly
admonition given, yet we believe the promise of God will be fulfilled,
that "His word will not return void," and some time--somewhere--the
fruition of their hopes will be realized.
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Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil.--Eph. 6:11.
--------
[Illustration: THE LATE COL. MAT. RAGLAND
Who aided the Author in securing a pardon from Gov. Beckham for a young
man who is now at the head of a great firm]
If Mr. A. could speak for himself when 14 years ago he bowed in his cell
as a poor forlorn sinner, and surrendered himself to God, and has since
been testifying of his saving grace; Mr. B., after leading a criminal
life for years, but when touched by the mighty power of God, came forth
to become a preacher of the gospel, and has since been magnifying the
grace that brought his deliverance; Mr. C., a desponding infidel,
persuaded to believe there was efficacy in prayer, and in the atoning
blood of the Lord Jesus Christ; if the multitude of witnesses who have
been saved through the faithfulness of prison workers were known, the
verdict would be--_it pays_.
Louisville, Ky., February 15, 1912.
Dear Brother Herr:
When you handed me your little book "Lost and is Found" I had no idea
what a treasure you were placing in my hands. Undisturbed in my cell
tonight I read it through and wished for more. I read it the second and
third time, and your sermon so impressed me I read it the fourth time,
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Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues
of life.--Proverbs 4:23.
--------
Before I wandered away from my mother's teaching and fell into my awful
sin and disgrace, I had heard many sermons on the "Prodigal Son," but
none that in such a convincing way drives home the awfulness of sin as
does your description of this, to me, the dearest of Christ's parables.
What I like about you most in all your talks with the prisoners is this,
you never show a man how bad he is or how low he has fallen without
showing him how good he can become or how high he may rise, and it's
always in a way that appeals to the heart of the man.
God grant that while under your influence and in the knowledge of "your
way back to Christ" I and many of the lost ones within the prison may be
able to throw off the shackles of sin and return to our Father's love.
Your noble work among fallen men will never be known in its entirety in
this world, but in that to come God will surely number you among those
who have brought unto him a great harvest of precious souls.
May God bless you and your dear Christian wife in uplifting the fallen
ones, is the earnest prayer of one who desires your influence over the
remainder of his life.
Yours for a better life,
CURTIS.
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My foot standeth in an even place; in the congregation I will
bless the Lord.--Psalm 26:12.
--------
Louisville, Ky., Dec. 26, 1911.
Rev. Geo. L. Herr,
Jefferson County Jail.
Dear Brother Herr:
I want to thank you for the Christmas service which you held in the
chapel yesterday afternoon.
I was greatly helped in my own spirit and I was profoundly impressed
with the very evident influence of the occasion and your address upon
the hearts and spirits of all the other prisoners.
May God richly reward you in your labors of love for these people.
Faithfully yours,
HENRY.
The Work of a Prison Evangelist
By Geo. Wm. Wood
[From the Courier-Journal Nov. 17, 1912]
To the right-thinking man there can be but one answer to the question,
does the work of an evangelist pay? As well might we ask does the
beautiful life of a true Christian pay? As well might we ask the farmer,
as he carefully tills the soil and sows the seed and labors to
cultivate the grain, does it pay? What answer would you expect from the
shrewd business man of today should you ask him the question does it
pay, when he labors and advises to keep down expenses. He would promptly
answer in the affirmative. Let us bring the question closer home. Ask
the prisoner behind the bars, does it pay to respect the law? He will
answer yes. So for the question does the work of an evangelist pay
behind prison bars there can be but one answer--yes.
--------
Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly.--1
Ch. 19:13.
--------
Sitting tonight in our lonesome cell, bounded on three sides by blank
and barren walls of steel, through our two-by-six door, constructed of
massive bars of iron, there comes to us the conversation of our fellow
prisoners, as with head pressed close against the bars to catch the
other fellow's words, we listen to the talk of the men "committed for
crime"--men strong and healthy, who should be engaged in some honest
labor, but, instead, are "doing time" for a broken law. We had no idea
of the meaning of the words "doing time" until being placed behind these
bars, we took up the daily life of a prisoner, and with nothing but
"time" to look to, began the task of trying to be contented. We believe
from our own past ideas of prison life that very few of the outside
world have any conception of what the prisoner's life really is, or
what it means to be sentenced to a term in prison.
--------
No good thing will he withhold from them that walk
uprightly.--Psalm 84:11.
--------
[Illustration: JEFFERSON COUNTY JAIL, LOUISVILLE, KY.
Members of the International Prison Congress pronounced this prison the
model jail of the world.]
Judge Does Not Understand.
The judge who pronounces sentence upon the evil and unfortunate knows as
little of the meaning of the terms he uses in meting out punishment as
the mail clerk knows of the contents of the letters he handles at his
daily task. "Danger" conveys but little meaning to the mind of the
engineer who has never had a wreck. By the standard of freedom, a day in
prison is a year, and it is only those who mingle daily in our midst can
talk to the "man behind the bars," who can have a fair idea of what the
prisoner suffers daily in "doing time." The world that lies beneath the
bars is a strange world to the average citizen, the citizen blessed with
average good fortune. Prison life is a queer and twisted one, and a law
to itself.
--------
Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of
Christ--Ph. 1:27.
--------
But to return to the prisoners' conversation, of which we spoke.
Vile--yes, dear reader, this word does not convey to you the full
measure within the writer's mind. At times it seems that some have sunk
so low that all conception of honor and truth have passed entirely away.
No reverence whatever for such words as "mother, home or heaven" left
within their minds, for they are rendered entirely void of good thoughts
or honest ideas, having been so long filled with the one thought--crime.
Prison Record for Life.
Men who started on their "career of crime" as mere boys, with years of
youth spent in reform schools only to be developed into men of crime,
have prison records to follow them through life. Many of these men feel
that they have lost all hope of any but the criminal's life. Many of
them have been forsaken by family and friends. So to the man or woman
who is at all interested in the uplift of his fellow man, can you think
of any field where the labor of an evangelist is more needed than it is
among the men we have attempted to describe to you?
--------
Stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong--1
Corinthians 16:13.
--------
Then there is the paramount reason why the evangelist is needed. Men who
would not on the outside of prison give one minute of their time to
listen to the evangelist as he tried to persuade them to take a new
lease on life let him engage their attention by the hour as he shows
them the error of their way and points them to a better life. There are
those that listen to his talk and turn away in scorn to ridicule his
teaching. But as the days follow on, and the newness of the prison life
begins to wear away, they listen with more respect to the "man of God."
[Illustration: THE LATE HON. J. C. BOHART
of Chicago, one of the Author's main supporters while living in Chicago,
Ill.]
We have seen men behind the bars who never before bent their knee in
prayer. After listening to the evangelist's story of God and his love,
they go to their cells, and upon bended knees, beg for mercy and help.
Brother George L. Herr has taken the word of the Master into many of the
prisons of the United States, but the jails and penitentiaries of his
native State of Kentucky have claimed much of his time and attention. We
must confess when first coming in contact with him, our feeling against
him was bitter, we did not want his friendship nor his help, only
because we were angered by his denouncing our pet sins. But as days
lengthened into weeks, and weeks into months, the truth of his kindly
spoken words came home to us. Life was stripped of all its so-called
pleasure, with nothing but its disgrace and shame left to mock us,
having sold out to the "demon of crime."
--------
Why art thou cast down? Hope thou in God.--Psalm 42:5.
--------
Then we began to feel the need of his wise counsel and to realize the
good of having him among us. He was always ready and willing to help
each and every man, not only with advice and counsel, but in so many
substantial ways, trying to lighten the prisoner's burden and make his
life better and brighter.
He has also devoted part of his time to writing books. Those we call to
mind are "Light in Dark Places," "You Are My Prisoners," "The Life
Line," "Man's Worst Enemy," "Nothing Better," "The Missionary," "The
Bethel," "Lost and is Found," "A Glorious Rescue," and his new book,
"The Nation Behind Prison Bars," soon to be brought out. Hundreds of
thousands of these books have been sent broadcast over the world, and
through them great good has been accomplished. Well might he be called
the "Prisoner's Friend," for his desire to aid each and every man gives
to him this well-earned title.
Full of generosity, kind far beyond the ordinary meaning of the word,
always ready to forgive the aggressor and to forget the offense, he wins
his way into the hearts of wicked and violent men in a manner that makes
them his lasting friends, and turns their words of condemnation into
words of praise.
--------
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that
believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God
abideth on him.--John 3:36.
--------
We fancy, as we write tonight, while, for the moment, the stillness of
death has fallen upon the entire prison, we can hear his voice, as it
rings out in righteous indignation, through the prison corridors,
calling some man to account for his vile language or his taking in vain
the name of God.
Works Without Pay.
If you were to ask a prisoner to what church Brother Herr belongs he
would no doubt plead ignorance, as no faith nor creed is known in his
work among the men. He makes no distinction between chapel-goers and
non-attendants, and will do a favor for the worst man in prison as
readily as for the leader of the chapel quartet; but ask the same
prisoner, "Who is it that speaks to judge and the warden about the sick
mother who longs to see her imprisoned son before she dies? Ask him.
Who pleads with the Governor?
Who tries to soften the heart of the prosecutor?
Who provides shoes and clothing for the poor prisoners?
What unpaid messenger runs the errands of the prisoners?
Who reconciles the erring son in prison with his mother and father?
He will answer, "Brother Herr."
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I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way.--Psalm 101:2.
--------
Now, the average prisoner may be deficient in the matter of mental
balance, but he is not an imbecile. He is a better judge of character
and a keener observer than the more honest and commonplace fellow man.
By the same keen powers of observation that belong to the criminal type,
he notes that Brother Herr differs from many other prison evangelists,
for he helps without asking questions. He has no theory or dogma to
exploit, and he labors for the uplift of humanity.
Tribute to Jailer.
Much that we have written of this great work was made possible by Jailer
John R. Pflanz, who for the past twelve years has been at the head of
the Jefferson County jail. He is constantly laboring to better the
conditions of the prisoners and give to the people an honest
administration and progressive system of prison management.
To him Louisville and Jefferson County owe a great deal for the good
work accomplished among the criminals. Brother Herr says:
--------
Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good.--2 Ch.
19:11.
--------
"If such men as John R. Pflanz, of Louisville; John L. Whittman, of
Chicago; Co. E. E. Mudd, of Frankfort, and Col. Dan Bartley, of
Cincinnati, were placed in office for life the criminal world would
greatly decrease every year, instead of being on the increase."
[Illustration: HON. JOHN R. PFLANZ
Jailer of Jefferson County. A friend of the unfortunate.]
We have never heard of any prisoner complain of unjust treatment by him,
but on the other hand, many are the unfortunate men who leave this
prison to take their places in business again, because of assistance
given them by Mr. Pflanz.
His regular rounds through the entire prison are always hailed with
delight by the prisoners, as he is ever ready to hear their complaints
and remedy any existing evil. He listens to all the appeals for help by
the prisoners and leaves no unfulfilled promises.
His personal inspection of the "cell-house" and inquiries about the
health and general welfare of all the prisoners, make him always a
welcome visitor among the men.
Mr. Pflanz's desire to change the criminal into a respected citizen and
the assistance he gives to bring about this result proves his thorough
understanding, brought about by years of study and personal contact, of
how to deal with this class of our citizenship.
--------
Be strong and of a good courage; for the Lord thy God is with
thee whithersoever thou goest.--Joshua 1:9.
--------
Youtsey, Kentucky's Famous Prisoner
[Louisville Herald]
Henry E. Youtsey, sentenced to life imprisonment in the penitentiary for
his complicity in the murder of Governor Goebel, and at the present time
the most distinguished prisoner confined behind the cold, gray walls of
the State prison at Frankfort, has at last "got religion."
The man who has succeeded in reaching the heart of this man whose name
emblazened the front pages of newspapers from coast to coast almost ten
years ago, is the Louisville prison evangelist, the Rev. George L. Herr.
The medium he employed was a little pamphlet containing the simple story
of the reformation of one Dad O'Brien, an erstwhile scalawag who was
finally converted to a new life.
--------
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our
transgressions from us.--Psalm 103:11.
--------
Rev. Herr, who has carried the gospel into the cells of many a poor,
crime-stained wretch, not only here in Louisville, but in every
prison-house in the country and has accomplished a great amount of good
among the outcasts of society, recently received a letter dated October
16, 1909, which reads:
"I am delighted to learn that you visited all the cells today and left
in each one the tract, 'How Dad O'Brien Became Converted.' I have read
it, and it is simply an additional evidence of a truth that has long
been known to sincere evangelists like yourself to the effect that no
matter how hardened and steeped in sin a poor fellow may be, the love of
God can win him and Jesus can save him, and he can start life anew,
singing praises to his Redeemer, and winning the lives of his old
companions for the Master. I believe that the happiness of O'Brien's
latter years more than made up for all he suffered--for he enjoyed a
portion of the most glorious life that could be lived here below. When
you get into heaven, as you surely will, Dad O'Brien will be the
brightest star in your crown. Yours most sincerely,
HENRY E. YOUTSEY."
Practical Religious Work in County Jail
Dear Brother Herr:
Whenever I think of my confinement in the Louisville jail, a picture
arises before me in which I can clearly see in the main corridor in the
building, down the center of which extended a long table covered with a
snowy cloth, and then in charge of the Hon. John R. Pflanz, than whom
there never was a kinder-hearted jailer in all the world.
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Come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and
I will receive you.--2 Cor. 6:12.
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