A desperate race against time, with a man’s life as the stake, was won by a few seconds in Georgia recently. In a prison at Reidsville, an out-of-the-way corner of that State, was a man named Jacob Leggett, who had been convicted of murder, and whose execution was fixed for May 13th. On the morning of May 12Th, the Governor received a communication which satisfied him that the execution ought not to take place. He therefore signed a reprieve, and sent it to the prisoner’s lawyer, asking him to deliver it to the sheriff. The lawyer, realizing that he had not a minute to spare, set out immediately. The first twenty miles of his journey was through the swamps and lowlands of Liberty County, and the remaining twenty miles in Tattnall County lay through dense pine woods — a bad prospect for an all-night ride. On the swiftest horse to be had the lawyer rode at a furious speed, but the country was bad and there were many delays. He was still some miles from his destination when the sun rose, and the lawyer began to despair.
He urged his tired horse to a final effort, and at last dashed into the crowd assembled to witness the execution. The noose was around the man’s neck, his arms were pinioned, and the sheriff, ax in hand, had gone below to cut the rope. The lawyer gave a loud shout, and waved the reprieve. The sheriff dropped his ax and read the official order. When the, condemned man heard the news he seemed paralyzed for a moment, unable to realize that his life was given to him. Then, the noose being removed from his neck, he dropped on his knees, and, with tears, poured out his thanks to God.
He did not hear the news with indifference or incredulity, as men do who, in danger of an infinitely worse fate, listen to the message of pardon and eternal life which ministers of the gospel deliver to them (Rom. 5:1818Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (Romans 5:18)).