Remarkable Conversion and Experience of George H. Colgrove.
Among the others who were saved that fourth day of November, 1888, at
Waupun, Wis., was the very remarkable case of Geo. H. Colgrove. Years
afterwards the chaplain said of him, "I regard him as an ideal--one of
whom you would expect this report: 'If ever there was a good Christian
man on earth he is one.'" At one time he had three Bible classes in
prison each week--one in English and two in German--and was the means
of the accomplishment of much good in the conversion of prisoners.
[Illustration: GEO. H. COLGROVE.]
HIS OWN STORY.
The story of his life and conversion is given, as nearly as possible,
in his own words, but as found in two different statements--some
particulars being given in one that were not in the other--in order to
make the account as complete as I can.
It is very difficult for one in prison, especially, to write of
themselves without giving to strangers the impression of either
vanity and conceit on the one hand or of craft and deception on
the other. Therefore, it is with considerable hesitation that I
write. Yet my greet indebtedness to "Mother" Wheaton, who was
chosen of God as the agent through whom His wondrous work should
be made manifest to the world in my salvation, as also of many
others, has at last led me to make the following statement:
Just on the verge of manhood, at the age of nineteen, I obtained
some _infidel literature_ of the mild stamp, yet scholarly and
persuasive withal, containing no harsh criticism of Christian
people and principles. This aroused my interest and admiration
and led to my obtaining more of a like nature, until under their
combined influence my youthful mind was entirely surrendered to
such doubts and disbelief as they advocated.
This was the pivotal point in my early life from which I started
down the deceitful road that leads from peace, happiness and
honor into the depths of sorrow, infamy and despair. Having thus
imbibed the subtle poison of infidelity, I soon became blinded
and indifferent to the rights of my fellowmen and to the enormity
of violating divine law.
BURGLARY AND MURDER.
From this low plane of morality it was easy to enter the path of
crime; and this I did, following the precarious calling of
burglary for five years. This dark way ended in the midnight
gloom of a murderer. Detection, arrest and conviction followed in
rapid succession, soon bringing down upon me the crushing weight
of a "life sentence." So that on a cold wintry night the officers
of the law delivered me within the portals of a living tomb.
Four dark, hopeless, weary years succeeded. Yet the Lord in His
great mercy had not forgotten me; and when all the world deserted
me, then He in His loving kindness took me up and His favor was
manifested through the instrumentality of "Mother" Wheaton.
During the early years of my incarceration no words could portray
my intense and bitter hatred of Christianity and anything
pertaining thereto. Feeling that I had sold my soul to the prince
of darkness, it enraged me to be reminded of a better life, or a
possible Heaven.
Burning with the fires of hatred and revenge toward those whom I
knew had unjustly deceived and wronged me, my only desire was to
escape from here even long enough to rush upon my enemies and
hurl their souls into eternity, and then follow them immediately
if need be. I continually planned and schemed for the
accomplishment of this purpose, and had a plan of escape well
defined and was making arrangements to put it into execution,
when one bright and beautiful Sunday morning it was announced
that a lady preacher was going to hold services in the chapel
that day.
Though I did not often attend church, yet on this occasion I
swore some big round oaths that I would go up and hear the lady
talk.
That was the morning of November 4, 1888. The beautiful sun that
shines alike on mansion and cottage, palace and prison, shone as
though a special degree of radiance had been granted to light a
benighted soul on its way out of darkness into light. But I
entered the chapel with cold indifference, drawn only by
curiosity--at least so far as I knew; but results proved that God
was leading. I awaited developments; _and they came_. Our prison
chaplain introduced "Mother" Wheaton, whom I had never seen
before, and announced the services as "entirely in her hands."
She gave us a short, earnest, impressive address; then she and
the sister who came with her sang "Meet me there."
During the singing I heard an accompanying strain, low and
inexpressibly sweet, the like of which I had never heard nor
imagined.
The two sounds harmonized, yet were distinct, but oh, how lovely!
Words fail to convey the most distant idea of their soothing and
attractive power.
The thought flashed through my mind, "That is delicious music to
fall upon ears that have listened to the sound of murderous
guns."
Suddenly and with all the vividness of continuous lightning
dispelling dense darkness, revealing all surrounding objects
distinctly, the awful depth and blackness of my iniquitous career
blazed up before my mental view, like a clear and definite
painting of each act in my wicked life--portrayed on canvas by a
master hand and set in clearest rays of the noonday sun. And at
the same time there was given an assurance of forgiveness, if
accepted then.
Surprise, consternation and intense fear came with this
revelation of myself to myself, as my depraved spiritual
condition was, for the first time, fully realized. Also as
distinctly and positively it was granted me to know that _my last
opportunity_ for divine favor was before me. Accept and be saved
or reject and be _eternally lost_! Such was the alternative.
Although every nerve thrilled in rebellion against Christianity
and a thousand obstacles seemed to intervene, rendering a change
in my course of life impossible, yet I dared not refuse that
stern, terrific ultimatum, "_Your last opportunity_," and before
its mighty mandate my proud, headstrong, sin-burdened soul
_surrendered unto Jesus of Nazareth_.
I wished to fly from the room, but could not. I felt frightened
at the power which was mastering me, and thought in a confused
way of the ridicule which would be heaped upon me, of my intended
escape, and of revenge upon my foes. Ah! what? Revenge? No, no
revenge now. No, no. That was all gone. The evil desire had thus
suddenly been removed without my knowledge, and in its stead
there reigned in my heart and in the depths of my soul a feeling
of forgiveness and peace, both between them and myself and
between myself and my God.
I said, "Surely the Lord has visited me this day; for I came in
here a devil in human form, and now my dark sins are forgiven and
I am free. Glory to God!"
The chaplain and warden were nearly thunderstruck to learn that
the low, miserable, worthless wretch, the hopeless vagabond,
Colgrove, had been brought to the foot of the cross; still they
must have entertained but little hope of my remaining in the
straight and narrow path that leadeth unto life. How could they?
They had not heard that strange music which had floated in on my
soul. They could not feel the awakening which was permeating and
ringing through the corridors of my heart, nor could they
perceive the realizing sense of divine favor which was so clear
to my own consciousness.
That very week it was impressed on my mind that I must at once
commence the study of the Holy Scriptures for work in the cause
of God and devote the remainder of my life to leading my
fellowmen, and especially prisoners, into the light of Calvary. I
said, "What will it all amount to--I a friendless prisoner,
doomed for life?" An answering whisper came, "Friendless, with
Jesus for your friend? Study the Word." So in blindness, with
fear and trembling, doubts and misgivings, I took from my shelf
in the prison cell the neglected, despised and dust-covered Bible
and commenced studying the Word to the best of my ability, with
none but God to direct or assist me except a hasty explanation
now and then from the chaplain as he passed on his hurried rounds
through the cell rooms.
I immediately destroyed the implements of destruction and escape
which I had made during two years previous to my conversion.
Instead of dirks and saws, my hands now grasped the Bible and the
cross; and thanks be unto Jesus of Nazareth, they still retain
their hold, and I believe with ever increasing strength.
The way thus far has been rendered more pleasant by the hand of
the Lord than I then thought possible amid such dark
surroundings. With an ever realizing sense of my unworthiness I
have been kindly led in the way of life and am eleven years
nearer my eternal Home; while in my soul there is the "peace of
God which passeth all understanding" which is an additional
evidence of the faithful care and guidance of Jehovah. During the
last decade the motto of my life has been, as through future
years it shall ever be (Isaiah 26:4): "Trust ye in the Lord
forever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength."
I know not whether earthly freedom will ever be mine, but I do
know that, if it is His holy and righteous will, it will be given
me; and I know that it matters little, for earthly joys must soon
fade away, and down at the close of the earthly journey Jesus is
waiting for me. And with my weak and faltering hand laid in His
strong and mighty one I shall walk through the dark waters of the
Jordan of death, and with Him kindly leading His rescued child we
shall enter with joy and eternal thanksgiving the beautiful "city
whose maker and builder is God."
The following extracts from letters written me at different times
after his conversion will, I believe, interest the reader:
Waupun, Wis., Sept. 5, 1891.
Mrs. E. Wheaton:
Dear Christian Friend: No news received since you were here has
afforded me so much pleasure as the announcement of your return.
It was through your earnest work that I was converted. When you
came here before there was, I presume, no more sinful, hopeless,
hardened, miserable wretch inside these walls than myself. When I
entered the prison chapel that Sabbath morning, November 4, 1888,
I for one came to observe, sneer and laugh. But while you were
singing that glorious anthem, "Meet Me There," power from above
opened my spiritual vision to see the horrible condition of my
soul, and so enabled me to realize my great need of divine favor.
I thank God and will bless His holy name forever that in His
infinite wisdom and kindness He brought me inside these walls and
sent you, His chosen instrument, to lead my wandering
sin-darkened soul into the path that leadeth unto life eternal.
Amid the trials, cares and vexations of the passing days I often
look up to the blue vault of heaven's dome and rejoice at the
thought that the flying moments and hastening hours are bringing
me nearer, ever nearer to the blessed hour when I shall meet
Jesus face to face and clasp His rescuing hand, never from Him to
part. Ah, never to part! Thanks unto God most high.
May the Lord ever bless you, my dear spiritual Mother. Good-bye.
G. H. C.
* * * * *
Waupun, Wis., Oct. 29, 1891.
My Dear Spiritual Mother:
Your kind letter most gladly received. I am surprised that our
boys do not write more frequently to you. They often inquire as
to your whereabouts and health and ever have a good word for you
and your work. Even many who do not care for their soul's
salvation speak favorably of Mrs. Wheaton.
God knows how much your letters cheer me and brighten the prison
gloom. After twenty years of infidelity, with all its direful
train of evils, leading on from bad to worse, the prison gate
threw its protective barrier between society and one who had
become almost a devil in human form, thus showing that a just God
had taken account of my iniquitous course and had said, "Thus far
and no farther." Then followed four years of hopeless misery,
borne with the sullen stolidity of despair, while in thought,
intent and purpose I sank lower and lower into the horrible
cesspool of criminality, and farther and farther away from God.
Then, in His infinite mercy, He sent you with the message of
salvation, which He crowned with His invincible power of
conviction and a realization of my lost and hopeless condition.
My prayers shall ever be with you, dear sister, and if I might
send a message by you to all the prisoners from the pine-shadowed
shores of Maine to the far Alaskan mountains it would be this:
"Ye captives, look aloft to the Star of Bethlehem, and whatever
betide, do not fail to grasp the hand stretched out to you from
Calvary." Hoping to hear from you soon and praying God to ever
bless you I remain,
Yours for God and humanity,
G. H. COLGROVE.
* * * * *
Waupun, Wis., Sept. 4, 1892.
My Dear Mother:
How many, many times I have thanked our kind Father above and
praised His Holy Name for sending you to our prison gate on that
November night in 1888. Three years and ten months ago today the
radiant light of Calvary, fresh from the throne of the Infinite,
came, through your ministrations, down into the dark recesses of
my sin-burdened heart and crime-laden soul, while mingled with
the music of the sweet hymn you and your companion were singing
the heavenly strains of an angelic accompaniment so entrancingly
and irresistibly soothing and lovely that my hardened heart
melted like frost before the noonday sun.
Can you believe that I stayed to that after-meeting when every
nerve in my body thrilled to get up and run out of the chapel?
Yes, I desired to flee; yet an irresistible power restrained me.
I know now it was Satan urging me to flee away from there; for
he, of course, readily understood that he was in danger of losing
an active member from his minions of evil. But thanks be unto
Jehovah, who ruleth over all, Satan failed. God and His servant
held the field and a soul was redeemed from death. Glory to God
forever and ever. Amen.
The years from that time have been so pleasant and bright, though
spent where sorrow, misery and gloom were on every hand, as I
journey on to our beautiful home everlasting, which Jesus has
gone to prepare.
"Filled with delight, my raptured soul
Would here no longer stay,
Though Jordan's waves around me roll
Fearless I launch away."
"When peace like a river attends on my way
Where sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, thou halt taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul."
"When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing his praise
Than when we first begun."
Yes, since your first visit here my bark of life has been
"standing away" on her new course over the sea of life, and she
is now nearly four years nearer the heavenly harbor, where
destructive gales of temptation will never sweep the white sails
of purity from the "masts of purpose," nor break the "yard arms"
of effort, nor rolling breakers of iniquity dash her upon the
rocky shore of eternal ruin.
Mother, please give my kindest wishes to all who are helping you
in the great work which Jesus established while on earth and
which He left for us to continue until the resounding trump and
advancing angel hosts proclaim His return to our earth to claim
His own and crown the redeemed. When the sullen and long silent
graves shall release their victims and the long absent fleet of
the lower ocean shall again whiten the seas with their snowy
sails and bring their passengers and crews to join the vast
congregation assembled before the judgment seat of Christ.
Ever yours,
G. H. C.
* * * * *
Waupun, Wis., Jan. 14, 1895.
Dear Mother:
Your kind and most welcome letter very gladly received. It is
ever one of my chief pleasures to hear from you.
There was a man here by the name of William L., who led a very
godless life, being extremely profane. During the past summer he
was transferred to the prison hospital. On September 4 I was
placed in charge of the sick ward as assistant steward, and I
found this man L. in here when I took charge of this department.
He had been a bitter enemy of mine for several years, as he was
utterly opposed to Christianity, and he tried to utterly
disregard me. I continued to treat him kindly, which was, of
course, a Christian duty which we owe to our Heavenly Father, and
in a short time he grew into the habit of calling on me for
favors, and as he sank lower I spent the night with him. One
evening he spoke of you and said: "Oh! I wish I could hear
'Mother' Wheaton sing one of her sweet hymns."
During three days and nights he continued to speak of you. The
last day on which he mentioned you was in the morning about 8
o'clock. While sitting in his chair beside the bed he said very
earnestly and emphatically: "I would give a dollar to hear
'Mother' Wheaton sing one of her sweet hymns just now--right
here and now."
About midnight that night he sat in his bed looking upward for
some time in silence and then dropped his head in a most dejected
manner and in mournful tone exclaimed, "No, no, no." The intense
sadness of his manner made my heart ache for him. After that hour
he appeared to have given up all hope. The death chill came on
while he was in the rocking chair, and he asked me to assist him
into bed and send for the prison physician. He expressed himself
well satisfied with the treatment he had had while sick, and
then, seeing it was too hard work for him to talk, he relapsed
into silence, while I offered a silent prayer for the departing
soul.
I write this explanation because of the intense desire he had to
see you and hear you sing once more.
The Christian Endeavor still exists by the power and blessing of
God, and my Bible class is continuing and some good has been
accomplished through its instrumentality.
Rev. B. has left us. Our new spiritual guide and counselor is
Rev. Simerville, an earnest Christian, whose influence bids fair
to lead many hitherto careless ones to turn their footsteps in
the straight and narrow path that leads to life. The beacon light
to Calvary cheers us on every day to our eternal home. Meet me
there. Good-bye, Mother. God bless you now and ever.
G. H. COLGROVE.
* * * * *
Waupun, Wis., Nov. 28, 1895.
Dearest Mother:
Your kind and welcome letter gladly received. Brother Albert
wrote you yesterday and I sincerely hope the invitation extended
to you by the chaplain and contained in Albert's letter, will be
promptly acted upon and that we shall soon behold your face among
us once more and again hear the songs of Zion fall from your
lips.
Albert is librarian and the chaplain's assistant, while this
child is assistant steward at the hospital; thus we shall be able
to meet you frequently if you will spend a couple of weeks with
us, and a forty-day month can be used to good advantage in Waupun
and visiting among the bad boys like us, and your many good
friends in this locality.
The Lord has given us a Christian man for warden and I can tell
you, dear Mother, we find that the warden, the chaplain and the
Lord God Almighty make a strong combination. If "Mother Wheaton"
will come and join them the quartette will be complete and this
prison can receive such a baptism of grace that his satanic
majesty will hate the very name of Waupun.
God's blessing ever be yours and hoping to meet you once more
this side the golden gate,
I am your spiritual son,
G. H. COLGROVE.
The following short extract is from a letter to a brother who had
become interested in Brother Colgrove and had written him:
Waupun, Wis., April 30, 1897.
Mr. H----, Dear Christian Brother.
Your kind letter received, and I most sincerely hope it may be
preliminary to a long continued and beneficial correspondence. It
will ever be a pleasure to hear from you, so please write when
convenient, and I will do as well as my adverse surroundings will
permit.
I am pleased to learn of the continued successful work of dear
"Mother Wheaton," and it is a source of great encouragement to me
to meet and converse with Sister Kelley. We shall undoubtedly
have her for a spiritual leader when our toil-worn "Mother" has
been summoned to her rest and reward by the great Master.
Please write soon and often to
Your friend,
G. H. COLGROVE.
* * * * *
Waupun, Wis., Oct. 25, 1897.
Dear Mother:
Your kind and most welcome letter gladly received and the
unexpected photo was a very delightful surprise. A thousand
thanks. I have many, many times wished I had a picture of the one
whom God selected as my helper to lead me from the dark valley of
despair in which I was then dwelling up into the radiant light of
Calvary.
November 4th next will complete nine years of the homeward
journey since Jesus set my face Zionward, so we are nine years
nearer the heavenly shore and from the watch tower of the golden
city the beacon light beams bright and fair, welcoming us into
the port of peace. Our duties are pressing, time is flying, the
whistle and signal bells are sounding, and I must close for this
time.
Kindly and sincerely yours,
G. H. COLGROVE.
In 1897, as indicated in the two following letters especial effort was
made to secure Brother Colgrove's pardon, which I believe would have
been successful but for lack of wisdom on the part of some of his
friends. As it was Brother C. was doomed to spend the remainder of his
life in bondage.
Waupun, Wis., Oct. 10, 1897.
Dear Mother:
When you were here you offered to call on the Governor of
Wisconsin in my behalf. I thank you a thousand times for that
kindness.
Since you were here I have been promoted to the position of
prison librarian. That places me in the Chaplain's office, and it
is the position occupied by the Washburn banker when you were
here.
I have received a letter from Mrs. Worcester in Natal, South
Africa, lately. It was just thirty-five days in coming through.
It was intensely interesting. One of our boys died last night and
two life members have died since you were here. One was a
Christian.
Dear Mother, the enclosed card shows date, locality and offense.
I have been here over twelve years, and have a clear prison
record. My Christian work you are well versed in, as you were
God's chosen instrument for my conversion. Nine years of
Christian life on Nov. 4th next.
If possible please inform me when you will be in Madison, and may
our Heavenly Father bless you, and crown your effort with
success. My papers are all in the executive chambers at Madison.
I have recommendations from many parties, and from my trial
judge, Hon. A. Scott Sloan. My jury did not support my
application, but the judge did. He is now dead, but he gave me a
splendid letter, and it should be just as effective. I shall have
to ask you to wait for your reward, until freedom comes to me,
and then you will not be forgotten. I hope Sister Kelley can
accompany you on your Madison trip.
I received a letter from your friend Miss Josephine Cowgill,
Jerusalem, with several cards of Palestine flowers; those that
grew in Mount Olivet I have framed and they are hanging in our
office.
I am on duty from 5 a. m. to 9 p. m.
Sincerely and kindly yours,
G. H. COLGROVE.
* * * * *
Waupun, Wis., Nov. 7, 1897.
Dear Mother:
Inclosed please find copy of letter just received from Executive
Clerk. It will be useful perhaps as a reference when you reach
Madison. The entire recommendation from my judge is there as is
stated herein. My judge is now deceased. A letter received today
from ex-Chaplain T. J. Brown, now of Lancaster, Wisconsin,
informs me that he will gladly meet you at Madison, and assist
you in any way possible. One of our officers is also making
arrangements with a Madison party to join you at that time. So we
seem well favored and I regard it as indicative of divine favor,
for all the present participants are Christians and we may
therefore hope for especial favor from our heavenly Father.
The Lord be with you in all your ways. As ever,
Sincerely yours,
G. H. COLGROVE.
The enclosed letter read as follows:
Executive Chamber, Madison, Wis., Nov. 4, 1897.
Mr. G. H. Colgrove, State Prison, Waupun.
My Dear Sir: I have looked up the matter about which you wrote me
on Oct. 21st, and find there is a letter from Judge Sloan among
your papers. This letter says, among other things: "If it be true
that Mr. Colgrove has behaved himself well during his
imprisonment and has thoroughly reformed, I think he ought to be
pardoned."
Yours truly,
WM. J. ANDERSON, Private Secretary.
* * * * *
Waupun, Wis., May 1, 1901.
Dear Mother and Sister:
Your kind letters of 24th ult, duly at hand, and as you wrote in
unison, I hope this companion letter will be acceptable. I am
pleased to learn that your book work is progressing and will soon
be launched upon the restless sea of activity, and accomplishing
good work under the divine blessing, leading souls into the light
that never shall fade while Eternity rolls its unending years.
Sorry that so much sickness and suffering has fallen to the lot
of each of you, but rejoice that it is passed and can not assail
you again in this world, and in the world to come "There shall be
no more pain; for the former things are passed away." There, the
cheeks which we here beheld pale with suffering and tear-stained
by sorrow, will be mantling with the rich glow of everlasting
health and radiant in the matchless loveliness of deathless
bloom. A refreshing rain has broken a long drouth here, and the
world looks lovely and sparkling in the golden sunlight this
beautiful May morning. As we behold the face of the earth
beautified by the hand of God, it is a source of regret that all
this harmony of nature, this smiling peace and bloom, is marred
and clouded by the dark stain which iniquity has brought into
this fair world; and the sad, stern fact confronts us, that "The
dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty."
But it is true. Peace in its entirety, and purity in divine
perfection, are fled from this world, and we cannot possess them
in full until we have passed beyond Jordan's cold wave and
through the dark portals which intervene between this
sin-darkened land and the glory crowned hills of Immanuel's Land.
But it is a soul-cheering fact that we are daily and hourly
nearing that blest clime where sin and sorrow can no more cast
the cloud of estrangement between us and the Divine Master who
arose triumphant over sin and death and in His eternal majesty
and power has gone to prepare for our home coming.
Though our barque of life may be tossed by violent seas of
strife, and meet with disaster in various forms, so long as we
know that Jesus is awaiting us in the Harbor of Peace we are not
dismayed by the howling blast nor raging billows of earthly
storm, but relying on His unfailing promise we keep in mind the
coming greeting of the great Master and remember
"By cool Siloam's shady rill
How fair the lily grows;
How sweet the breath beneath the hill
Of Sharon's dewy rose."
Yes, Mother, I too am glad and thankful that the Lord sent you to
Waupun and into our chapel on that glorious autumn morning, Nov.
4, 1888. Surely the good work then accomplished has not been
extinguished, although Satan has exerted himself to cast dark
clouds of misunderstanding, strife and contention over it all.
But the light of Calvary shines amid the gloom, the heavenly
sheen of the cross of Christ sheds a halo of undying and
imperishable glory over all, that like the pillar of fire that
led the hosts of Israel through the wilderness, will lead and
sustain each weary heart, until we arrive on Jordan's banks, and
raise the song of everlasting triumph, as we view our eternal
home.
With kind regards to each, and best wishes for your happiness and
welfare, I remain,
Sincerely and kindly yours,
G. H. COLGROVE.
The following letter from a dear sister who is deeply interested in
prison work is inserted here because of its reference to Brother
Colgrove:
Minneapolis, Minn., Dec. 19, 1900.
My Dear Mother Wheaton:
I cannot tell you how very glad I was to hear from you; and to
know that you have been blest all along the way, is indeed good
news. Some one asked the question, "What is the best thing that
can be said of a friend?" Many answers were given, one good one
being "He rests me," but the best answer was "He inspires me."
This can be truly said of you. No one more than yourself inspires
me to live a true Christian life. I do want to be ready at all
times to serve Christ.
"Just ready to do His bidding,
If only I do His will.
Then I will be ready to meet him
When shadows flee away
Ready to serve Him perfectly
When dawns eternal day."
Last week we had another meeting at the Soldiers' Home. You
cannot imagine how we missed you. So many of the sick men
inquired for you. One said if you would only come back he would
shout for joy. Of course it made me very happy to know that they
had received such a blessing from your talk. This same man said
he had prayed for you every night.
The young man that called for you to come out to see him in the
jail was sent to St. Cloud for two and a half years. The poor
colored man was sent to State's Prison at Stillwater for five
years.
The strangest thing has happened since the last time Mrs. ----was
at Waupun. Mr. Colgrove's wife, whom he had not heard from for
twelve years, has been to see him. His young lady daughter, whom
he thought dead, is living. Is not that precious news? I am sure
Mr. Colgrove must be the happiest man inside of these walls just
now. Had a good letter from S. yesterday.
I have Christmas cards for all of the women and some for the men
in the prison. Must say good bye.
Your sincere friend and sister in Christ,
GERTRUDE M.
From an editorial written by Brother Colgrove while editor of the
Christian Endeavor Department of the prison paper published at Waupun,
we clip the following:
Perhaps our uninformed friends may infer that we advocate the
abolition of all punishment in penal institutions. Not at all,
brother; nothing so absurd. But we do claim and will maintain to
our dying hour that punishment should be judicious, and only when
the culprit will not heed any humane treatment nor be influenced
by admonition.
When punishment and imposition are used at the mere caprice of
some low down scoundrel, instead of discretionary treatment, at
the behest of a man of sense, reason and upright principle, the
effect has ever been, and will ever be, to develop the worst
traits inherent in the nature of the individual whom the laws
have already pronounced unsafe, and when released, the
consequences of that development, are going to fall on some
innocent and unoffending member of the law-abiding class. When we
consider the vast amount of mischief which one criminal can
accomplish in an incredibly short space of time, have we not
cause to be thankful that all over our land are self-sacrificing
souls, brave men and women, who are determined in the face of all
opposition, ridicule and every evil, to use every possible means
within their power, to elevate and reform all of the criminal
class, who may by any means be led from the old path of sorrow
and misery to themselves and danger to the peace and well-being
of their brother men?
Men and women who will place in the hand of the prisoner the
Bible, in exchange for the revolver, dagger and bottle? The
citizen in his quiet home, who is unacquainted with the prison
systems of the various forms which are being used in different
states, depends entirely upon the laws of the land to secure him
in the peaceful possession of his accumulated earnings. But
experience proves that human law alone and unassisted by higher
power _is not sufficient to guard the home from intrusion and
desecration by those who have no regard for right principles_.
The man who has criminal tendencies, and is not striving to
restrain them in conformity to divine law, will laugh the human
power to scorn, and trample the law of man under his feet
whenever there seems an opportunity of financial gain thereby.
_The man who has been led to observe and rightly regard the
divine law will have no occasion for inducement for infringing on
the laws of the land._ Therefore these reformers, both clergy and
laity, _are striking at the very root of crime, when they lift
the fallen out of the slough of vice and iniquity_, and _turn his
face toward the higher life and the city "whose maker and builder
is God."_
During the fall of 1903 I received several letters telling me that
Brother George Colgrove could live but a short time. In December,
1903, I visited again the prison at Waupun. I found Brother Colgrove
in the Prison Hospital, very weak in body, but peaceful and resting in
the Saviour's love. Once more he related to the young sister who was
with me the wonderful story of his conversion; and how for over
fifteen years he had been kept by the power of God, saved and filled
with love for God and souls. We knelt and prayed with him and sang his
favorite hymns and as I bade him farewell he said, "Sister, if we
never meet on earth again I will meet you in Heaven."
That was our final parting. Brief notes from the chaplain and warden
informed me that Brother Colgrove died February 19, 1904, and that
funeral services (an unusual thing) were held in the prison chapel
February 21. The warden's letter contains this testimony. "He died a
Christian."
Bless God for his sustaining grace that is sufficient even amid the
trials of a prison life and enabled this one of his children to prove
true to God for so many years, inside of prison walls!
O how wonderful is the power of God to seek and to save that which was
lost!
[Illustration: SMELTER AND WORK-SHOPS, CHESTER, ILL.]