Conversion of Desperate Prisoners Prevents a Terrible Mutiny.
During the fall of 1888, I was deeply impressed that I should visit
the state prison at Waupun, Wis. Following the guidance of the Spirit,
I reached the place, after a long journey, on the evening of November
third. A dear Christian girl was with me. It was a lovely moonlight
night and as we came to the prison, the yard was plainly visible
through the heavy iron grating. My companion called my attention to
its beauty but my heart was heavy and I could only reply, "Sister,
pray! O do pray! There is something awfully wrong here--some danger
pending--something terrible!"
The officers of the prison welcomed me heartily and the chaplain said:
"I am glad you have come and shall be pleased to have you take the
service tomorrow morning." (It was Saturday.) His wife entertained us
during our stay and after taking us to their own rooms he said:
"There's a man here who is a terror to both the officers and
prisoners. All are afraid of him. Neither kindness or punishment seems
to affect him. I wish you could do something to help him." My reply
was: "I cannot do anything, but God can." And earnestly did I look to
God for help.
The next morning a heavy burden still rested upon my heart and I
prayed God to go before me to that prison chapel and lead the meeting
Himself and give me the right message. Nor did I plead in vain, for
many souls were that day deeply convicted of sin and some were
blessedly saved as was clearly manifested a little later.
After the sermon my friend and myself sang a hymn and this was greatly
used by the Spirit in connection with the sermon in reaching the very
depths of hearts. It was the custom to hold an after meeting for
thirty minutes, but those who wished to remain were expected to secure
cards or tickets, granting permission, on the previous day. That
Sunday the chaplain said: "All who wish to remain to this service can
do so without a card, as these ladies are here."
A hardened looking criminal (whom I afterward learned to be the one to
whom the chaplain had referred the night before) arose to retire with
a few others. I went to him at once and took him by the hand and urged
him to stay, but he said: "No, they don't want me here. This meeting
is for good people and I am too bad to stay." But I pleaded: "No, you
stay--we want you to stay. I want you to stay." And then he said:
"Well, I'll stay for your sake," and sat down. The meeting progressed
under the power of the Lord and many arose to say that they had been
very wicked but were sorry; and if God could and would forgive them
they would lead a different life and be good men. Some told how their
dear old mothers were good and had prayed for them and that they
wanted us to pray for them and they would serve the Lord.
I noticed that many of the men as they arose glanced furtively at the
man to whom I have referred and that he sat looking at each one as he
spoke and evidently had great influence over the other prisoners. At
last he arose and said, "Men, don't be afraid of me. If there is any
good in this religion you are talking about, go ahead and get it. I'll
stand by you and nobody shall say before me, 'There's your praying
man' or 'There's your hypocrite.' I can't be good--I'm too far
gone--but I'll stand by the men who are going to do right." All were
evidently deeply impressed by his words. As he sat down I went to him
and taking him by the hand, I said, "God loves you and He wants to
save you and to help you to live for a better world than this." Again
he insisted, "I'm too far gone! It's too late for me to try to do
right! There's no hope for me," but still I pleaded with him to return
unto the Lord--that there was still mercy and pardon for even him--and
that he would yield to the Holy Spirit's pleading and become a
Christian. He was evidently very deeply convicted of sin and soon
arose and with deep feeling he said, "Men, you know what I have
been--watch me from today and see what I will be;" and as he sat down,
the prisoners cheered.
Fearful as to what the outcome might be and somewhat doubting his
sincerity, the chaplain quickly closed the service and ordered the men
to their cells. They obediently left the chapel, but truly God had
wondrously wrought that day in the hearts of many of the most noted
and hardened criminals. In the afternoon we went, in company with the
chaplain, from cell to cell singing, talking, and praying with the
men. The chaplain took me to the cell of the man who had given so much
trouble--a man who had taken several lives, and there he gave his
heart to God and was converted.
PLAN OF THE MUTINY.
After all the prisoners had been locked in the cells and the officers
had gone to their homes or rooms, only a few guards remaining on duty,
he sent for the warden to come to his cell and requested to be taken
out into the prison yard. At first the warden refused to do so because
of his being known to be such a dangerous character. Still he
insisted, saying that he had something to show him. The warden, who
had been an army officer and was a very brave man, was only partially
convinced but finally consented saying: "I'm not afraid of you--one
wrong move and you're a dead man. I have had enough trouble with you.
I will take you into the yard, but beware!"
Well armed, he marched the man into the yard. There the prisoner led
him to the extreme end, and taking away some dry leaves and boards he
said to the warden, "Look in." The warden did so and, O, what a sight
met his eyes! There, in a hole, were knives, guns, and other weapons!
Staggering back he exclaimed, "My ----, where did you get those
things?" "It don't matter where I got them," replied the prisoner,
"but take me back to my cell and then take away these weapons. I
intended to liberate the prison tomorrow morning and would have done
so if that woman had not come and preached here today. I am a changed
man now."
How he got those weapons was a mystery, but he had been long years
planning an escape, and had chosen some of the most daring of his
fellow prisoners (both those inside and others who had gone out) to
aid him! Whether he could have succeeded or not, doubtless many lives
either of officers or prisoners or of both would have been lost had
the attempt been made. But God wrought so mightily that instead of
lives being lost precious souls were saved. Several were converted
that day who are still living noble Christian lives. Others may be,--I
leave that with God. I do not know whether the leader is still living
or not, but have heard that he was dead. At any rate he served his
long sentence and claimed to be still a Christian when he left the
prison.
HAVOC OF SIN.
Among the many who were converted during that Sunday morning service
in 1888, was a very amiable, intelligent, refined-appearing young man,
still in his teens, who was serving under life sentence. He was a real
"mother's boy," so young and so small that after his conversion I used
to call him my little son. He belonged to one of the best families of
the state. His father was a physician and a classmate and friend of
the governor. For the sake of his broken-hearted parents, as well as
his own, and being satisfied that he was really innocent of the crime
of which he had been convicted, I began to pray earnestly for his
release. But the case dragged on and though he was pardoned some years
later, it was not until after his father died broken-hearted and the
mother's health had failed under her weight of sorrow and an aunt had
gone insane.
During his imprisonment I at one time visited his poor mother in her
home. Oh! what havoc sin had wrought! What sorrow! For though I
believe him entirely innocent of the crime for which he was condemned,
his conviction was the result of his being led astray by evil
influences and associates.
Oh, that I could warn young men of the dangers of bad company, and
that I could warn parents of the dangers of discouraging their
children in waiting upon and serving God.
When this boy was quite young, he wanted to become a Christian and
engage in work for souls, but his parents thought it would be a
disgrace, as they were aristocratic, but alas! what snares had the
enemy set for him, from which he might have entirely escaped, if they
had encouraged him to be true to God.
I received many letters from him while he was in prison and quote from
two of them. We have not heard from him for years but trust that if
alive he is still living for God and Heaven.
Waupun, Wis., July 7, 1895.
Dear Mother, "In His Name":
Since my last letter to you several things of interest have
transpired. My attorney went to see the governor and then came to
see me. We went over some evidence, and at last I convinced them
that I alone can untangle the skein of false evidence.
I located a Mrs. N. and she gave an affidavit which would have
cleared me at my trial. She said she felt that she had been the
cause of all my suffering, but that she went to LaCrosse at the
time of my trial and was met at the train by a detective, who
told her if she wanted to keep out of serious trouble to take the
first train out of the city, and she did so. I expect to soon
have another witness to corroborate her statement. Then if I can
locate the sister of the deceased and get her evidence I will
have a sure case against those who perjured themselves to send me
here.
Yes, I have placed all my life in God's hands and have begun my
work here; but, being a convict, I am much hindered. Therefore,
in order to do a more abundant and faithful service, I desire my
freedom. If I get it, I will try and enter the Moody Institute
and take a course of training for the work. Mrs. K. is anxious to
have me do so.
Our chaplain will preside over our Christian Endeavor Society. I
recently sent out my report to be read at the Boston convention
in session the 10th inst., and I ventured, in the light of all
events, to place the following motto over our penitentiary:
"Wisconsin Prison for Christ" for the coming year, and by the
time of the next convention, I hope to be out to represent the
Christian Endeavor boys.
Brother H. told me of a song you sing. "Some Mother's Child" is
the song. Will says it is simply sublime and I ought to have it.
Such songs turn the mind back to home and to the memory of fond
parents and loved ones. Such pieces are always very sacred to me.
God bless you and spare you for many years to come, that you may
continue to be a Mother to the prisoners of earth. Write me when
you can.
I am your loving little son, "In His Name,"
ALBERT.
* * * * *
Waupun, Wis., Nov. 27, 1895.
My Dear Mother:
Your excellent letter duly at hand. Both Brother Colgrove and I
were surprised, for we had concluded that God in His infinite
love and wisdom had carried you home.
I am at work here in the official building, in the office of our
dear chaplain. Brother Colgrove is in the hospital across the
hall from our office. I have talked with the chaplain about your
coming, and he says to tell you to come and stay two weeks. He
would like to have you spend two Sundays, and in the meantime we
will no doubt, under the present warden, be able to secure the
evenings during the week for a series of revival meetings.
Lovingly your son in the work,
ALBERT.
* * * * *
Guilt comes not, thundering on the wings of time,
With vice-distorted feature and the leer of crime,
But like enchanting vision from a pagan dream,
Or softly echoed cadence of a whispering stream,
She steals upon us gently, with ever-changing art,
And usurps an empire--the waiting human heart!
Her outward form is beauty, her voice with Passion tense,
She only craves the privilege to gratify each sense;
All apparent pleasures 'round her path are spread,
But, alas! you seize the flower to find its fragrance fled;
But still pursuing, row with bated breath,
You clasp her to your bosom and--embrace a death!
Then, conscience stricken, you the wreck survey,
And with shuddering horror--humbly kneel to pray;
While the pitying angels on their pinions bear
The ever sacred burden of repentant prayer,
And almighty love descending reasserts control,
And mercy in the guise of grace has won a human _soul_.
--_A Prisoner._