Part 39 (1/2)

San Quentin, Cal.,

Sept. 13, ----.

My dear Friend Mother Roberts:

I received your letter of the 4th inst. and was very glad to get it, and will try and drop you a line in answer now, although there is not much in the way of news. I am much better now and am working outside around the warden's house, where I can get plenty of fresh air; so I think the time will pa.s.s much more pleasanter than if I was on the inside of the prison walls. I had quite a siege of sickness (pleuro-pneumonia the doctor p.r.o.nounced it), but I am getting better all the time and think soon to be entirely strong again.

I think often of the kindness you showed me while I was in ---- [a county jail], and I will never forget it or the advice you gave me. You started me on the right path to heaven, and I do pray to G.o.d that he will lead the rest of the way so that when I stand before him on the judgment-day he will claim me as one of his own children. There is one thing that worries me: my mother is quite sick, and writes me that she does not expect to live to see me set at liberty, but I pray to G.o.d to spare her until I am free and able to prove to her and every one else that I am a true child of G.o.d and worthy to take my place amongst honest Christian men. Don't think I can ever forget you, and my thoughts are with you when my words are not.

I will close now, hoping that G.o.d will take care of you, which is the prayer of your friend,

A---- G----.

FROM A RECLAIMED WIFE.

San Francisco, Cal.,

Dec. 3,----.

Dear Mother Roberts:

You don't know how glad I was to receive your kind and loving letter.

Yes, I can praise G.o.d this very day for his loving-kindness and tender mercy. Yesterday I gave a testimony to some poor souls at San Quentin, and you don't know how much good it did them. Three gave their hearts to G.o.d. All that I am praying for now is that Jesus may make me a s.h.i.+ning light for souls that know him not. There was one prisoner that knew me in my life of sin, and he told the others that I looked ten years younger....

Oh, may G.o.d forbid that it may ever be so again; for when I think how he has s.n.a.t.c.hed me out from the pit of h.e.l.l, oh, how I love my Jesus more and more, dear Mama Roberts!...

What G.o.d has done for me, surely he can do for others. _I only wish I could turn this wicked world upside down and make it new again_. In one of the Psalms I read, ”My soul hath kept thy testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.” May it always be so.

Mama Roberts, I will soon get a letter from Lucy. You don't know how I love to get her letters. I a.s.sure you that when I get blue I take and read one or two lines that her gentle hand has written, and it does me good.

Now, tomorrow night, you know, is prayer-meeting night, and I know you won't forget me. Pray that I may, by the grace of G.o.d, do some poor soul good by telling them of _the life that I led for twenty and one years_ [drink, etc.]...

I will close with love from one that dearly loves you and who will always pray for you. I remain as ever,

Yours in Christ, E---- K----.

P.S. My husband wishes to be remembered to you. I hope that you will come to see me soon. Write soon.

FROM A THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD SINNED-AGAINST CHILD.

Dear Mama Roberts:

I am learning about Jesus day by day. I hope you are well and strong.

The Lord will help you....

My little chick is growing, and its mother is showing her little chick to eat....

Pray for me. I am praying for you, too.

From your dear, F---- E----.