One day a man of about my age came to me and said he wanted to see me alone. I took him on one side and he told me a story that would make almost any man weep.
He was in a good position—a leading businessman of the community, and he had a beautiful wife and children. He was ambitious to get rich fast. He decided to make a forgery. He made some false money and pretended that it was real. In order to cover up that act, he committed other guilty acts and then he fled. He was a fugitive from justice, and he said: "I am now in the torments of hell. Here I am, away from my family, and a reward has been offered for me in my city. Should I go back?"
I said, "I don't know. You had better go to God and ask Him. I would not like to give you advice."
You could hear him sob all over that church. He said, "I will go to my room and I will come and see you tomorrow at one o'clock."
The next day the man came to me and said, "I do not belong to myself, I belong to the law. I must give myself up. I do not care for myself, though it will disgrace my family, but if I don't I am afraid I will lose my soul."
Eventually I got a letter from him. Some have said that I ought to read it to the convicts in the State Prison. This letter may keep some man from falling into the same trap and bringing sorrow and gloom upon his loved ones. Let me read this letter to you, Dear Brother: When I said goodbye to you, you said: "When it is all over, write to me." I wrote in December, and I thought then that it would soon be over, but the State was not ready to try me, and I was let out upon bail till April Yesterday my case was disposed of, and I received sentence for nineteen years."
(The letter continues to say that he went to his home to see his wife, but he did not want his children to know he was there as it might get out among the neighbors. After his wife put the children to bed, he peeked into their room, but could not speak to them or kiss them. Wasn't that hard? And you tell me sin is sweet! There is that man who loved his children as you love yours, and he did not dare to speak to them. Oh, how sad! how bitter sin is. Pray that God may open the eyes of the blind. Christ came for the recovery of sight to the blind. I hope every sinner will get his eyes opened and see that sin is bitter and not sweet. A time comes when you must leave this earth)
"Now I am in my prison cell, clothed as a convict. It is all over with me. Pray for me that I may be strengthened. Pray for the loved ones at home; my dear parents and brothers and sisters, and my dear wife and children. And I ask that the attorney, who was very kind to me may be prayed for, that he may become a Christian. If it is not asking too much of anyone can you please write to me care of penitentiary in Jefferson City, Mo.
" I pray that your labors may be blessed, and when you preach, warn men to beware of the temptation of doing evil; warn them to beware of the ambition for wealth. Prayerfully and tearfully yours."