A Gift In Prison - Packet of 20 - KJV - No Imprinting

FROM THE FULL TEXT:

Some years ago, while conducting a series of meetings in Michigan City, I was asked to preach to the inmates in the State prison. I sat on the platform with the warden of the prison and watched the prisoners march in--700 men, young and old. They marched in lock step, every man's hand on the shoulder of the man before him. At the word of command they sat down. Among that number there were seventy-six "lifers," men who had been committed to prison for life.

After the singing I arose to preach, but could hardly speak for weeping. Disregarding all the rules of the prison, in my earnestness to help the poor, fallen men, I left the platform and walked down the aisle among them, taking one, and then another by the hand and praying for him. At the end of the row of men who were committed for murder sat a man, who more than his fellows, seemed marked by sin's blighting curse. His face was seamed and ridged with scars and marks of vice and sin. I placed my hand upon his shoulder and wept and prayed with and for him.

When the service was over, the warden said to me, "Well, Kain, do you know you have broken the rules of the prison by leaving the platform?"

"Yes, warden, but I never can keep any rule while preaching. And I did want to get up close to the poor, despairing fellows, and pray for them and tell them of the love of Jesus the Saviour. He came 'to seek and to save that which was lost. [Jesus] receiveth sinners, and eateth with them' " (Luke 19:10; 15:2).

"Do you remember," said the warden, "the man at the end of the line in the lifers' row whom you prayed with? Would you like to hear his history?"

"Yes," I answered, "gladly."

"Well, Tom Galson was sent ...