have to be a Christian or behave himself; and Mrs. Penn sent me a small
revised Testament and begged me to read it. At first I laid it up and
would not read it. I don't remember of ever reading a whole chapter in a
Bible up until that time in my whole life; and at last, by her begging
me in every letter to read my Testament, I began to read it, and started
out with a resolution to read it through, and after I began to read, I
became interested in it, and the more I read it the deeper I became
interested in it, and God's Holy Spirit began to work in me, and I began
to pray. At first it seemed that I was afraid that God would not answer
my prayers, but still something made me pray anyway, and it wasn't long
until I was praying to God every night from one to three times, from the
depths of my heart. I had taken his name in vain ever since I was a
child, and I asked him to make me quit taking his name in vain, and
after a day at my work, and when I would curse God, I would think of my
prayers, and then at night when I would go to my cell, I would let my
thoughts wander over a day that had just passed, and I could tell after
reflecting that I hadn't cursed so much that day. And little by little
God removed that evil spirit, cursing, from me, until one night when I
went to my cell and my thoughts wandered over the day that had just
passed, and not an oath had I uttered, and I was happier than ever
before, I fell on my knees on the hard stone floor, and thanked God for
His goodness and for removing that swearing away from me.
Quits Smoking Cigarettes.
"I had smoked cigarettes for at least fifteen years and I quit them. I
was full of revenge and hatred, and I cried aloud to God in my lonely
cell to redeem my soul, which He did, and it wasn't long before I was a
friend to everyone and praising God for full and free salvation. He has
made a new man out of me. The Holy Spirit is like a fever, and it is all
and all before a man gets right with God. Condemning and deceitful
spirits will rise up in a man, but all we have to do is to ask God and
he will remove them all; to live a true Christian life is the
straightest life that anyone ever tried to walk. It is a great warfare.
I read and study my Bible and have learned a great deal about God's word
since I joined the church, a few short months ago, under a great, good
and noble man of Frankfort by the name of C. R. Hudson, and I love him
as a very dear brother. There is not a man in all this world that I hold
the least bit of malice against, and before I got right with God I had
revenge in me against many.
Warns Young Men.
"Young men, as you read this, from one who has done many and great
wrongs, take warning; shun evil companions and don't do as I have done
in days gone by. Don't be led astray by older heads, for the man that
will advise you to do a wrong is not your friend; but I could not see it
that way. God has given me a new mind and I know as well as I know that
I am living that religion is true, real and no fake, as I once thought.
Has Been Born Again.
"I was raised on a Bluegrass farm in Madison County, Kentucky, and my
parents were as good a father and mother as ever lived; but my father
died while I was young and I went from bad to worse, committing crime
after crime, and I am guilty of the charges against me, but God has
forgiven me of every wrong I ever did. Why won't the Governor? All the
punishment that I will ever have to go through with will be on this
earth, for God has forgiven me of every wrong and I have a clear
conscience now, for I have been born again. There are so many men in
prison that trample the lowly God under foot to try and gain their
freedom in that way, and I hope that no one single person that reads
this will think that I am making mockery of God's love, for I am sincere
with God, as I used to be with Satan. I wish that every paper in the
whole world would publish this so that it could have a chance to touch
the hearts of many sinful men; I long to tell the story to young men,
from East to West, from North to South, how God redeemed my soul.
Refers to Scriptures.
"We have organized a Bible reading circle here in the prison which is a
grand and good work. Now I refer you to some Scripture which I hope
everyone will read carefully, and it will show you how God will forgive
a man for the crime of murder and for all crimes except one.
"Read Exodus ii., 11, 12, 13, 14, 15; II. Samuel xi. and xii.; Ezekiel
xviii., from 20th verse to end of chapter; Jeremiah xxxiii., 8, 9;
Mathew xii., 31; Luke xv.; Acts vii., 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60; Acts
viii., 1 to 7; 16, 17, 22; Galatians iii., 24.
"I ask for the sincere prayers of every good Christian in this whole
world; pray for me, that I may be true to God the rest of my life. When
I was repenting my whole face would draw and I could feel the hot,
burning love of God in my whole being. I am in prison, maybe never to
hear the birds sing or the rippling of the water again, a free man, but
I say unto you that I am a free man in Jesus; I have found a friend that
sticks closer than a brother. People, let your light shine, for I
believe that there are many diamonds in the rough. I am yours in Jesus,
"CURTIS JETT ."
Christian Endeavor at Frankfort Prison
Frankfort, Ky., Penitentiary.
Rev. Geo. L. Herr,
Prison Evangelist,
Louisville, Ky.
Dear Brother Herr:
As you have been so kind to me and have asked a somewhat detailed
account of Christian Endeavor work in this prison and my connection with
same, it is my pleasure to comply, especially as you do not visit us
as often as we would like and cannot see for yourself all that goes on.
[Illustration: HENRY E. YOUTSEY
The Author knows of no man behind prison bars in whom he is more
interested than Henry E. Youtsey.]
When I commenced my life sentence here, February 6th, 1901, I fell in
love with our Christian Endeavor Society at first sight, and in all
those 104 months I have only missed about 15 meetings, due to
unavoidable causes. I was ill for three months with malaria and could
not go at all.
During the early days of my imprisonment our membership at its best
averaged about 100, but during the summer months when the boys were
given their choice between the open air of the yard and attendance at
the meetings the average was less than 20.
In the summer of 1905, and at the instance of Mrs. M. B. R. Day, of
Frankfort, I organized and managed a memorizing contest in which a
number of prisoners learned and recited verses of scripture, and I
obtained a number of handsome Teachers' Bibles and other presents which
were given to them as prizes on Thanksgiving day. I continued this work
for the three following summers, and in all forty-five prisoners learned
and recited a grand total of 33,332 verses, (over four times as many as
are contained in the New Testament), which is an average of 741 verses
per man. The men studied so hard that some of them injured their eyes,
and it was thought best to discontinue the work for a while.
I was Corresponding Secretary of our Society for about two and one-half
years, and last December I was elected its President by the largest
majority ever given any candidate for the office.
I started in to raise our membership to two hundred, and succeeded in
getting it as high as one hundred and sixty-six. It was also my desire
to have better attendance during the hot months, and I used every means
I could think of to make our meetings attractive, and I was frequently
both pleased and surprised to count from sixty-five to seventy, more
than three times what it used to be. Some of our members being delicate
are in great need of all the fresh air they can get and remain in the
yard all day Sundays in pretty weather although their hearts are with
us.
A part of our pledge binds the members to carefully read the Bible every
day, and I wondered how they were going to keep that pledge without the
Bibles, so I set to work again writing letters in every direction, and
almost before I knew it our Ky. C. E. Societies sent us 50 Bibles, and
Miss Mary B. Rohrer, of Franklin, Pa., sent me 150 of the prettiest
Bibles you ever saw; they have flexible, over-lapping backs,
red-under-gold edges, maps, and other helps. This is the most
magnificent present we have ever received from outside parties, and
besides all these, the Prison Commissioners offered us 100 more, which
we could not use. One thing that has impressed me very forcibly is the
fact that the Christian people outside are ready at all times to shower
blessings upon us, and all we have to do is to ask for them.
At the suggestion of Bro. Jos. Severance, our splendid Chaplain, I
numbered the Bibles and gave them out to the members, keeping a careful
record of them, and the men were instructed to return the Bibles to the
Society on leaving the prison, and although about a score of our members
have gone out since then we have only lost one Bible, which speaks
volumes for their honesty.
A few Sundays ago I proposed that the Society set apart a small sum of
money for prizes, and that all the members who wished to do so would be
invited to write compositions on the subject, "What Christian Endeavor
has done for me." Nine brothers entered this symposium, and their
compositions signed, "Amo Rolo, Sunflower, Rhododendron, Laurel, Merry
Heart, Happy Bird, Mizpah, and Christian, aggregate about 7,500 words,
and make fine reading; Bro. Severance was appointed Judge.
This summer I organized a little band of workers who go with me to the
hospital every Sunday, where we hold little services of song, prayer and
Bible reading at the bedsides of those who are ill, and I have found
great joy in this work.
We have had some splendid C. E. meetings, the best ones being those when
the Senior and Junior societies of the Frankfort Christian Church and
the Epworth League of the Methodist Church united with us. Of course, we
could not go to them, but they came to us, and gave us rare spiritual
and intellectual treats. The music was specially beautiful.
Quite recently I assisted Bro. Severance in re-organizing a Bible class,
of which I am Secretary. We are studying Moninger's "Training for
Service," and have 52 members. Splendid progress is being made. So you
see my hands are pretty full, and when Sunday night comes I am about
ready to drop in my tracks. Of course, it is all voluntary, and I do not
have to turn my hand over if I do not want to.
I am going to add a "Soul-winners Department" to our C. E. Society for
the purpose of assisting Bro. Severance in the conversion of the men,
but I am in some doubt as to how to proceed as there is no chance to get
at the men in the winter time. However, I am determined to find
opportunity somehow.
We have a new Superintendent of Prison C. E. work, in the person of
Miss Georgia Dunn, of Marksbury, Ky. She is the most energetic little
Christian lady I have seen in a long time, and our society will surely
hum this winter under her guidance, as we are all very proud of our good
little sister.
January 1st, I commenced to read my Bible through, at the rate of three
chapters each week night, and five each Sunday night, in order to get
through by December 31st, but I read more than that and finished up
three months ahead of time. Although I have read the good book
constantly during the last eight years, this is the first continuous
reading to completion that I ever did.
I have enjoyed Bro. Severance's sermons very much and I believe there is
nothing that thrills and inspires me with enthusiasm like fine
preaching, and right here I am going to tell you something which you
must keep under your hat; one Sunday Bro. Severance was unexpectedly
called away, and asked for a volunteer to fill his place, and I was
delighted at the opportunity, and although I could not fill it I
"rattled about in it," for about 30 minutes, and one dear fellow
accepted the gospel invitation and joined the church. As soon as my
sermonette was over quite a number of friends crowded around me and
showered congratulations on me. This was a temptation to try again, and
the next time three brothers joined the church, and that pleased me
immensely, you know.
I have many good friends in Louisville, including Dr. Powell, of the
Christian Church; Dr. T. M. Hawes, of the Highland Presbyterian Church,
whose C. E. Society sent us $7.50, and, say, there is a pastor after
God's own heart. Give them all my love when you see them, and say to
them that while I am ashamed of the sins that brought me here I am
trying to leave foot-prints that I will be proud of in the great day of
judgment.
The Christian Endeavor Societies of Newport, Paris, Winchester and
Lexington have helped us wonderfully. Lexington is the principal center
of Christian Endeavor activity, from my point of view, and I have an
especially warm place in my heart for those societies.
How is Mr. John R. Pflanz getting along? He is another whom I love, and
I hope that he will get every office that he goes after.
Be sure and give my kindest regards to your most excellent wife; she is
certainly a queen among women.
Trusting that I have not tired you, and that you will excuse my
remissness in failing to write sooner, I am,
Most respectfully yours,
H. E. YOUTSEY.
Capital Punishment
The following forceful expressions regarding capital punishment by Gov.
Geo. W. Hunt, of Arizona, are in exact keeping with the thoughts of the
author. "Thou shalt not kill" applies to governments, corporations,
societies and individuals alike.
Capital punishment is simply the commission by the State of an act which
is regarded as a horrible crime if committed by an individual. One man
must not kill another man, but several men vested with official titles
can hold a conference and send a soul to eternity. The State says: "You
must not kill; but if you do, I will kill you." This theory of a State's
power or duty owes its origin to the lowest class of barbarians in the
early history of the world. Their logic, if it may be called that,
sprang solely from a spirit of revenge. The idea that a legal execution
would deter others from committing murder probably never occurred to
them. Their crude minds did not rise above the thought that the victim
should be avenged, and that adequate vengeance could be found only in
the hangman's noose or the guillotine.
There are a thousand other practices originating with barbarians which
the footsteps of civilization and progress have crushed. But capital
punishment, the worst heritage of the dark ages, lingers with us,
betraying one of the spots in humanity where the veneer of civilization
is thin. I am inclined to think that the spirit of revenge still is the
ruling motive back of the legal execution, even though pleas are made in
its behalf which barbarians never thought of. They could not very well
think of such punishment as a curb to more murders, for even they could
not help seeing that the beheading and quartering of offenders had no
such effect. The legal execution has no such effect today, a fact which
any fair-minded man will recognize after proper investigation. And if
that plea falls down, as it does and must continue to do, what defense
of the legal killing of our fellowman is left us? The moment we are
convinced that the number of murders is on the increase, or does not
decrease, in spite of the rope and electric chair, we will have to
justify capital punishment on some other ground. What is that other
ground, if it is not the old savage impulse of meting revenge--a species
of revenge, at the last analysis, confers no good whatever upon society
as a whole, and is of no consolation or comfort to the family circle
most affected by the original murder?
Arizona has taken most advanced ground upon social and economic
questions, and while the old territorial law, permitting capital
punishment, is still on the statute books, it must be remembered that
statehood has been in operation less than a year, and that the first
State Legislature was overwhelmed with work during the comparatively
short session prescribed by the Constitution. I am confident that public
sentiment in Arizona is opposed to capital punishment. During the
special session of the Legislature, which will be held early in 1913, an
effort will be made to repeal the old law. If the Legislature is too
busy to give the matter attention, or is disinclined to assume the
responsibility, the initiative provision of the State Constitution will
be invoked, thus putting the question square up to the people. I have no
fears for the outcome. Arizona citizenship has proved itself too
intelligent to lag behind the advanced thought and progress of
civilization.
GEO. W. H. HUNT,
Governor of Arizona.
Indiana Reformatory
Inmates Subscribe for Pipe Organ
Each one a Carnegie in proportion to his ability to give, a majority of
the 1,204 inmates of the Indiana Reformatory yesterday voluntarily
contributed toward the purchase of a pipe organ for the handsome chapel
of the institution, the total offerings approximated $900. When the
contribution cards were checked up by the Rev. W. E. Edgin, chaplain of
the reformatory, he was surprised at the generosity shown by the
inmates. The individual sums given ranged from 25 cents to $35.
When Gov. J. Frank Hanly was a guest at the Reformatory recently he was
asked by Mr. Edgin as to the best plan to pursue to get from Andrew
Carnegie a contribution sufficient to buy a pipe organ. Gov. Hanly
replied that this sum could be raised in Indiana, and he started the
list with $100. It then occurred to Mr. Edgin to ask voluntary
contributions from the inmates, and permission was given by Supt.
Whittaker. Cards were left in each cell, with blanks for subscriptions,
but it was distinctly stated that all offerings should be entirely
voluntary. A great many of the inmates bring money with them to the
Reformatory, and this, with that which they earn by overtime work, which
is considerable, is credited to them.
When the success of the offering was learned the inmates were as much
pleased as Chaplain Edgin. The new organ soon will be forthcoming.
* * * * *
PROGRAM.
Indiana Reformatory Chapel Services.
Sunday, April 14, 1907.
March--"Camp Organ" Narovec
March--"Steel King" St. Clair
Musical Selection.
Paraphrase--"Melody in F" Rubenstein
Doxology.
The Lord's Prayer.
I SHALL BE LIKE HIM.
When I shall reach the more excellent glory,
And all my trials are passed,
I shall behold Him, O wonderful story!
I shall be like Him at last.
Cho: I shall be like Him, I shall be like Him,
And in His beauty shall shine;
I shall be like Him, wondrously like Him,
Jesus my Savior divine.
We shall not wait till the glorious dawning
Breaks on the vision so fair,
Now we may welcome the heavenly morning,
Now we His image may bear.
More and more like Him, repeat the blest story,
Over and over again,
Changed by His Spirit from glory to glory,
I shall be satisfied then.
Prayer.
Piano Solo J. S. Hathaway
Selection--From "Romeo and Juliet" Gounod
THE VIRTUE OF SHAME.
Confession is a duty too little regarded even by many Christians. Some
men are ashamed to confess that they have done wrong. Sir John Lubbock
says: "It is well to be ashamed of yourself if you are in the wrong; but
never be ashamed to own it." The Bible says: "Confess your faults one to
another."
CONQUEST.
Creation's heir, the world, the world is mine.--Goldsmith.
All things are yours.--Paul.
The world is mine. I hold no title-deed
To one small acre, yet have all I need,
And should Dame Fortune proffer me her store
I could not linger wistful, at her door.
Unfortunate is he beyond compute,
Whose love of fortune makes his conscience mute.
I will not look to fortune. I will do
My best, though small that best to her or you.
All things are mine. I walk with firmer tread
Than Caesar at his best; for I am led
By mightier One than Fortune or than Fate,
And I shall conquer all things, soon or late.
All things? Yes, all. Then well may Fortune frown,
And clutch with trembling hand her imperial crown.
I will stoop to conquer. I will rise
And climb the rugged path where duty lies.
Sermon Geo. L. Herr
Benediction.
March--"Boston Press Club" Rollinson
March--"Yankee Grit" Holzman
"CLING TO THE BIBLE."
Tis the anchor of hope and the lamp that gives light,
Tis the star that will shine thro' your life's darkest night,
If you follow its guidance, you'll always be right,
So cling to the Bible and walk in its light.
To neglect, reject or doubt the Bible in any particular is but an
entering wedge to spiritual apathy. The "Bible tinkers" of this or any
other age have been men whose hearts are cold and whose soul saving
powers were limited.
To obey the Bible, will lead to a perfect salvation, make possible a
victorious faith, surmount the difficulties of life and gain an
"inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled and that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you."
Watson says, "The Bible is a rock of diamonds; a chain of pearls; the
sword of the Spirit, a chart by which the Christian sails to eternity,
the map by which he daily walks; the sun dial by which he sets his life;
the balance by which he weighs his actions."
The
Bible
contains
3,566,480
letters, 810-
697 words, 31-
175 verses, 1,189
chapters, and 66
books. The longest
chapter is the 119th
Psalm. The shortest
and middle chapter the
117 Psalm. The middle
verse is the 8th of the 118th
Psalm. The longest name is
in the 8th chapter of Isaiah.
The word "and" occurs 46,627
times; the "Lord" 858 times. The
37th chapter of Isaiah and the 9th
chapter of the 2d book of Kings are
alike. The longest verse is the 9th of
the 8th chapter of Esther and the shortest
verse is the 35th of the 11th chapter of
John. In the 21st verse of the 7th
chapter of Ezra is the alphabet. The
name of God is not mentioned in
the book of Esther. The model
prayer is the 17th chapter of
John. The 13th chapter of
1st Corinthians is the
most practical.
It Contains
Knowledge
Holiness
Wisdom
and Love
The Tree of Life and Knowledge
"DO YOU KNOW THE WORLD IS DYING FOR A LITTLE BIT OF LOVE?"
Practical results are happy homes, husbands and fathers restored to
their families, wives and children made happy, multitudes rescued, and
the world made better.
The magnitude of this work will never be known until Eternity's records
are disclosed. Little did we think twenty years ago that so humble a
beginning would be attended with such remarkable results.
Rev. Herr holds a unique position in the evangelistic field. He is
considered the greatest evangelist among prisoners in the United
States.--Louisville Herald, May 17, 1909.
When you help the missionaries, you help the poor fellow in trouble.
When you help those in trouble, you help yourself, and when you thus
help the missionary, the outcast, and yourself, God will help you.
OUR MOTTO:
"Seeking the lost."
"Helping the helpless to help themselves."
All along life's pathway there are men and women in need:
Go and help somebody just now.
With a word of kindness or a loving deed,
Go and help somebody just now.
Dear Friend--Our country is taxed with a burden of thousands of
prisoners. These people are crippled, not in body, not in mind, but
almost always in morals, which is the most serious. It is to help or
recover them that we are giving our lives. Our labors have not been in
vain, as the testimonials will show you. We want you to "hold the rope
while we go down into the pit," by subscribing for our support and
transportation in this work of prison evangelism; and in so doing you
become the benefactor of a submerged class.
May we not hope to have your check to help in this concerted effort? I
am,
Yours sincerely,
GEO. L. HERR,
Louisville, Ky.
* * * * *
--------
"He that hath the Son, hath life, and he that hath not the Son
of God hath not life."--1 John 5:12.
"How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?"--Heb.
2:3.
"For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world
and lose his own soul?"--Mark 8:36.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and
all these things shall be added unto you."--Matt. 6:33.
--------
GET REV. HERR'S NEW BOOK.
Entitled "The Nation Behind Prison Bars," for your good; but chiefly for
the good of others.
The nation behind the bars is an interesting nation, a pitiful nation, a
needy nation. Help them and interest yourself in them by buying and
reading this book.
"You have a superb record."--Rev. Horace G. Ogden, D.D.
"He has wide experience on both sides of the line."--Rev. H. C.
Morrison, Editor Pentecostal Herald.
"His labors are abundantly blessed."--Rev. Joseph Severance.
"The large number who have been helped by hearing your message will be
still further benefited by reading your book."--Rev. Albert J. Steelman,
Ph.D., Chaplain, Illinois State Penitentiary.
"You and your good wife were father and mother to the prisoners."--John
R. Pflanz, Jailer.
"George L. Herr is not the man to do anything in an ordinary way."--Rev.
D. J. Starr, D.D., Chaplain of Columbus, O., Penitentiary.
"His work among prisoners has been very successful, and through his
efforts many erring creatures have been induced to reform."--Charles F.
Grainger.
Transcriber's Notes
Table of Contents
(Practical Religious Work in County Jail)
Pratical changed to Practical.