USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > History of the Albany penitentiary. > Part 10
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renewing of his soul. Some months after he left the city for his home, he wrote to the Chaplain, expressing his earnest thanks for the instruction and advice he here received. He said : "It has caused a blessed change in my feelings, and in turning my mind from the evil way in which I have gone. It has been the means of my leaving that way and seeking the salvation of my soul. I hope I continue to live in the fear of our Lord Jesus Christ."
He added : "I have a brother in his thirteenth year, who was almost as wicked as myself. I have endeavored to show him the evil which fol- lows such wickedness, and have persuaded him to cast off the chain which binds him to the adver- sary. Now, instead of roaming the fields on the Sabbath, we see him going to church."
B. Was a young man of robust frame, and determined will, and had been notorious in the place of his residence for his unblushing wicked- ness. He was sentenced to the Penitentiary for six months. Soon after his incarceration he heard a sermon from the text: "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him
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shall not perish but have eternal life." This truth, it is believed, was blessed by the Holy Spirit to the renewal of his soul. From that time he became, in the estimation of those who watched over and conversed with him, an altered man. His spirit was subdued and chastened. His former conduct was deplored. He was thankful for his confine- ment. The Bible and religious books were his delight, and were diligently read. His interest in divine service was strong and abiding. His reli- ance on Jesus was intelligent and entire, and his hope of salvation appeared scriptural and sound. His conduct as a prisoner was very commendable, and he left the Penitentiary determined by divine help to serve the Lord.
C. Was of English birth, and about twenty years of age. His unsettled disposition led him to wander to different parts of the world, to mingle with dissolute companions and conse- quently to feel that the way of transgressors is hard. He listened attentively to the faithful pro- clamation of the truth, sought conversation with the minister, and disclosed a heart painfully dis- appointed by Satan and the world, oppressed with a consciousness of guilt, and fearful before God.
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His past life presented so dark a scene and sug- gested such painful forebodings, that he shrunk from the review. Bitter were his denunciations of himself, and the course he had run, and mournfully did he speak of wasted mind and opportunities.
Still the dishonor he had done to God was not so deeply felt; and there was much self-dependence mingled with his expression of hope. Again and again he was reminded of the importance of hav- ing a well grounded hope, shown what that hope is, and warned against trusting in any but Jesus. At length it pleased the gracious Spirit to lead him, as we trust, to see the heinousness of sin, as committed against a righteous and beneficent God, and the utter ruin and helplessness it brings on man. On his perception of these truths, he ex- claimed with astonishment: "How mistaken I was! Now I see that Jesus is all !"
After this several months elapsed before the expiration of his sentence, during which time his conduct as a prisoner merited commendation. On his release, he sought a residence in a Christian family and soon after joined the Congregational church in -
Not long after the commencement of the war in 1861, he joined the army and honorably discharged
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his duties as a soldier during the three years for which he enlisted. The following letter addressed to the Chaplain, will show the spirit he cherished in February, 1865 : ,
"My Dear Mr. Dyer :
I know it will do your kind heart good, when this reaches you, to hear from one in whom you have taken so great an interest, and for whom you have done so much, and I assure you that, although my long silence might well cause you to think that I had forgotten you, yet many times when the pressure of duties and surrounding temptations have led me to neglect, and almost forget the Savior whom, in days gone by, you taught me to love; the remembrance of those teachings have led me back to think of you, and calmly look the evil in the face, and turn with fresh resolve and courage to battle against them.
"I speak of this that you may see that the bread you cast upon the waters will return, although it might be after many days, and the seed which you sowed broad cast will spring up at sometime, even though in many cases it bears no fruit.
" Many times, a word, an old familiar hymn tune, or a text of scripture has brought me back
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in imagination to the place where I first heard you preach, and the thought of it has humbled me. No, I have never forgotten you, sir, or the word which I heard you preach, nor do I think it pos- sible for me ever to do so; and whilst I am speak- ing of this, I will just mention, what I think is an illustration and a proof of the power of religious training.
"It is conceded by all, that here, in the army, is the place where a man's true character is brought out, and I fully concur in the opinion ; therefore we would think that it is just the place for one who not only professes to be godly, but acts up to it, to be reviled; yet I can assure you, sir, that I never knew a single instance, where a truly good man was jeered or reviled at, since I have been in the army, but on the contrary, he is always re- spected and trusted, and that too, more amongst the privates than the officers. Another thing, tracts, religious papers, etc., are in most cases read with avidity, and a favorite pastime, at least in our regiment, is to sing hymns.
"This, I think, is the result of early religious training, which to say the least of it, can have no other influence but for good; for I can say, that I have to meet the first true Christian yet, who was
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a coward, or has ever been amongst the skulkers in the rear, in time of action. I never knew the power of Christianity before I came in the army.
"This evening is a dark, rainy evening, and being in my tent alone reading, I laid the book down and looked over my 'Christian account' for the past month, which left me all debtor, my 'faith' even counting 'nothing,' being 'without works.' During my reverie, the thought came into my head, what would Mr. Dyer say if he could see me as I see myself? from this I had to look, where I know you would have pointed me, and ask what does Christ think of me, who sees better than I do myself? The thought, you might well know, abashed me, but I have learnt to think less of myself than I used to, and since I came in the army I have determined to know no defeat but when defeated by sin, to buckle on the pro- mises, and renew the contest with still greater vigor.
"One thing I have found that I lack most, is stability of purpose. Oh, how I wish I had the constant, stubborn determination, which General Grant shows he has, then I should not so often wander from Christ! And now, Mr. Dyer, I would ask you, when, in your closet, you are alone
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with Christ, O wrestle for me, pray that he will give me that tenacity of purpose, to cling to him through all this surging sea of life, that hereafter we might meet all safe from those storms !"
D. On his release from the Penitentiary, called on me for conversation, and to solicit aid to take him home. Some time after, he returned the money, saying: "You will remember me as the poor individual who called on you some time since for advice, and whom you so generously assisted. Accept my grateful thanks for your kindness. I have delayed writing to you so long only because I could not repay your friendly loan. In temporal things my condition is low indeed ; but I thank God, I can say and feel 'I am less than the least of all his mercies,' and that where sin abounded, grace doth now much more abound.
"The vows of a Christian profession have been on me for twenty-five years ; but the circumstances in which you knew me gave me a surprisingly clear and minute remembrance of the past, and forced me to taste the bitter dregs of long forgot- ten sins. Oh, how nauseous to memory were the sweet morsels of a careless, sinful life! I strive to feel grateful for the mercy that has spared me,
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and that has, to some degree, renewed my hope. My frozen heart sometimes thaws a little, but often, I fear, there is more of selfish satisfaction in it than melting gratitude.
"The first discourse I heard you preach was from the text, 'Men ought always to pray and not to faint.' That was to me like a flood of sunshine, and sent my fainting heart with renewed courage to the throne of grace. Another was from the text : 'All Scripture is given by inspiration of God;' and that gave me renewed confidence in the sure word of prophecy. Others seemed to be special messages of mercy to my soul. Indeed, mercy has marked all the path of my way- wardness.
"' Oh! to grace how great a debtor, Daily I'm constrained to be - May that grace, Lord, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to thee.' "
E. A young man who had grievously wandered from the path of virtue, but had been hopefully con- verted by the blessing of God, on the instruction received, said, after his liberation : "I have thought of your kind instructions a thousand times, and will never forget them till my heart shall cease to
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beat. They have often deeply affected my mind. There have been times when my conscience has upbraided me with the severest reproaches. I have been led to review my past life, and to reflect on the sinfulness of my conduct in abusing every privilege, in opposing the dictates of conscience, and in so long persisting to walk in the way of transgressors when I found it so hard. I saw that my sins were as the sand on the sea shore innu- merable, and I thought there was no mercy for such a sinner as I had been. These reflections agitated my mind from day to day, till my heart was truly awakened to a sense of my situation as a sinner before God. Then the truths I had learned in the Sunday school came afresh, and with power to my mind. I was enabled to go as a poor sinner to Jesus for pardon and grace. trust- ing alone to his mercy and committing my soul to his care. My Bible is now my chosen compa- nion, and the books, tracts and papers you have given me, have been of great use. I shall have to bless God for them through eternity. I must say that I never found true happiness till I fled for refuge from the wrath to come, to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world. O, that as I have sinned much, I may love the
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Savior much, and serve him wholly; and may I hope, that all my sins are buried in the ocean of his love, so that they may be no more found forever!"
F. The following letter was unexpectedly re- ceived from a young man who gave evidence of saving benefit from the services to which he referred :
"It is in accordance with the dictates of my heart, that I address these lines to you, and con- fessing my unworthiness before God, I desire with heartfelt gratitude to bless him for preserving my life, and for showing me by his Spirit and word the way of everlasting life through the mediation of his dear Son. I express to him my warmest thanks for your earnest efforts to instruct my mind, to lead me to Jesus, and to make me content and dutiful in my present unfortunate situation. You have at different periods poured on my heart a flood of consolation, from the pre- cious encouragements of the gospel, and have clearly shown me by scripture and my own expe- rience the connection which exists between sin and suffering, and the effects of a disobedient and profligate life. By your unwearied exertions the
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word of God is no longer a sealed book to me, and for these and every other act of kindness I have experienced at your hands, I feel sincerely grate- ful. While I lament my former misconduct, and misfortunes, and trust I have abandoned the vices, previously indulged, I earnestly implore divine grace to enable me to submit in a proper manner, and do all things as unto Christ."
G. Another individual, who was hopefully res- cued from the destructive path of sin through the blessing of God on the religious services attended, said : "I thank God that he has opened my eyes to see my sins, and led me to seek his favor while it may be found. When I think of my past trans- gressions, I bless him I am not in hopeless misery. It makes me shudder to think of my course and danger. How very thankful I ought to be ! 'O, Lord, I will praise thee, though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me ! Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and song.' Oh, it is heaven in the soul of a poor sinner, deserving eternal misery, to be able to say and feel without hesitation, 'God is my salration !' I do thank and praise his holy
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name that he has opened a way for me to be saved. Through his mercy I can say with the hymn :
"' Yes, though of sinners I'm the worst, I cannot doubt thy will ; For if thou hadst not loved me first, I had refused thee still.'
"My wish and prayer is, that I may always be found meek and humble at the Savior's feet. I do hunger and thirst after righteousness, and trust that God will enable me to show forth his praise. I feel my ignorance and weakness, but I look with hope to Jesus. I sincerely thank him for the great good I have received through your instru- mentality. I trust through grace to persevere in this good way, and I believe I shall have cause to praise God to all eternity for the favor here received."
H. It was early on a pleasant morning during the summer of 1862, an individual called at the Chaplain's house and expressed a particular desire to see him. Some surprise was felt when the message was delivered, and curiosity as to the object of so early a call. On meeting him he
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stretched forth his hand in a very cordial manner, and indicated, by his hearty shake, unusual warmth. Not being immediately recognized, he said, with somewhat of disappointment, "You do not remember me!" And it was so, for when before seen it was in the Penitentiary attired in a convict's dress, whereas now his appearance and deportment were every way respectable.
He then mentioned his name, and said, "I have not an hour to stop in Albany, but I have longed to see you, and I felt I must if possible do so; for the preaching I heard, and the counsels you gave me at the Penitentiary, made, by the blessing of God, an impression on my mind which can never be effaced and for which I trust I shall praise him to all eternity. On leaving that place I went to- where I found immediate employment, and am now comfortably settled. My family which was broken up is now together. My wife is a Christian woman. We are both members of the church, and have hope of interest in Christ. Life has altogether changed with me, I am now happy, and I wanted to tell you and thank you for your kind endeavors to lead me to Jesus."
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I. Was a young man of good temper, generous heart, and respectable connections. But fond of company and social gratification, he fell into vice and crime, and was sent to the Penitentiary. Through the influence of friends he obtained a pardon for his first offense which seemed to increase his boldness in siu. He was soon after convicted again for the serious offense of grand larceny, and was sent to the Penitentiary for two years. During his confinement there this time, it pleased God to bless the preaching of Christ to his soul. He evidently became a changed man, and when he left that Institution it was with the firm determination to live a Christian life.
The Sabbath after his return home, he went into the Sabbath school, and not long after was received as a member of the church. In the course of a few months the conviction gained an ascendency in his mind that he ought to prepare for the gospel ministry. After a thorough exa- mination of his motives by his pastor and other friends, he was encouraged to do so. He was introduced to the seminary in to prepare for college, which, being done, he left with the expectation of soon entering on his collegiate course. A clergyman who was daily conversant
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with him during that period, says : "He was a diligent student, and, as a Christian, more than barely exemplary. Indeed he was a model of con- sistency and won the regard and esteem alike of teachers, and his fellow students. Ever intent on doing good, cheerful and communicative, he found ready access to all, and left a deep impression of the fervor and sincerity of his own piety, even on those who were not moved to imitate it. No one who knew him and was conversant with his daily life, doubted of his being a disciple of the Master whom he professed to serve.
" When the Tenth, or as it was subsequently called, the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh regi- ment was called into service, he, with three fellow students determined, under a conviction of duty, to join it for the defense of the country. Speak- ing of this in a letter to a friend when at he said, 'I do not think I did it rashly. For some time before I expressed my feelings to any one, my mind was exercised in regard to enlisting. I had fears lest I had caught enthusiasm from my fellows, instead of its being a sense of duty from God. Finding no light thus, I went to the Rev. Messrs. who spoke in favor of it; then, after getting the consent of my mother, I enlisted.
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Until now I have not regretted the step I have taken. Although my plans have been often thwarted, yet my duty seems to be in this direc- tion. The field here presented for labor to the Christian is great and trying. I feel it, and to some extent have had experience of it. Four ministerial students, with several students for other professions, are in the same company. Will you pray for me, dear sir? Also I would have the prayers of those with whom I used to meet, and take sweet counsel together.
"' After I return, if I do, I hope eagerly to resume my studies for the glorious work of the ministry, which seems more precious to me, and much more to be sought after. Pray for us that we may not become corrupted, but that we may do good, and honor the religion of Christ.'"
He was never permitted to return home. His military duties in connection with his voluntary religious service for the benefit of others were too much for his strength. His body sunk under the pressure, while his spirit joyfully arose to glorious service on high.
J. Was among the prisoners who were brought here, in 1862, from Washington. He was an
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intelligent and well informed young man, and the only son of an estimable colored preacher. His parents diligently sought to bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, but he fear- fully set at nought all their counsels, and despised their reproofs. His father was anxious to give him a good education, and prepare him for the ministry, but he was determined to pursue a course of folly and sin. He did so, and became awfully bold and hardened in impiety. He said : "I cannot describe my wickedness, in characters black enough. I was the companion of the worst class of men." At length he was arrested for crime, and sentenced to the Penitentiary for two years and six months. But, it is grateful to add, that while paying this penalty to the law of men, God graciously made him, as there is good reason to hope, the possessor of spiritual freedom and life. This occurred within a few months of his coming here; and from that time till the expiration of his sentence he was a most exemplary prisoner, a diligent student of the Bible, and a cheerful Christ- ian man. While he naturally desired release, it seemed to be chiefly that he might do something to repair the moral injuries he had inflicted on others.
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The knowledge of this change excited the most gladdened feelings in his aged father's heart. He said in a letter to the convict son : "I take my pen to transmit a few lines to let you know that although you are the son of misfortune, and have caused me to shed many a tear, and have many an aching heart, you are, notwithstanding, my son, my only son. Upon you I had fixed my future hopes. Respecting you I had thoughts like these : I thank God for the gift of a son. I will strive to bring him up to honor. I will educate him and prepare him for whatever sphere God may call him to. But I thought, as I had but one son, my preference, if it were allowed, would be that after I was gone to my grave he might perpetuate in honor my memory by going through the land, holding up a risen Savior to a ruined world. This is what I ask of you, and what I have asked God to grant if it be his will. Should I realize this before I die there will be no other earthly good I shall desire. Then, old Simeon-like, I shall depart in peace.
"Dear son, there is not anything which could have given me so much joy as to hear of your conversion. May God give you grace to stand to the end of your life. When I read your letter I
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was overcome with joy. I thought to myself, can it be so ? Oh ! is it so? Thank God for the return of my only son. Now, inasmuch as you say you have passed through this great moral change, strive to let all with whom you have to do see it in your life and conduct. Read the word of God, and walk by it, then you will do well, and be sure of heaven."
Some time after his return home, where he was lovingly received, he wrote to the Chaplain, say- ing, I rejoice to tell you that I am still striving to enter in at the straight gate; and I feel, and trust, that by the help of my Father who is in heaven I shall yet adorn the doctrine of God my Savior, and walk worthy of the gospel. Pray for me that I may be led in that way which shall the more conduce to the glory of God and the good of his kingdom. I have experienced what you told me about the temptations of Satan. I have found truly that he is sometimes transformed into an image of light. Pray for me, dear sir, that I may take the whole armor of God; fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life. That in all things I may act for eternity, and become a chosen instrument in God's hand of honoring him. This young man has since joined the church, of
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which his father is the pastor, and continues, so far as we know, to honor his profession.
K. Was also a prisoner sent from Washington to the Penitentiary. He was a young man, the oldest son of highly respectable and devotedly pious parents. He was the child of many prayers, and had been trained with much care. But while in the army he yielded to temptation, and sub- jected himself to the penalty of the law. After he had been incarcerated about twelve months, during which time he had been frequently ad- dressed on the subject of personal religion, he one day said to the Chaplain, whom he saw conversing with a sick man. "I shall be glad to have some conversation with you, if you please, sir, when disengaged."
The opportunity was soon given, and in an intelligent and decided manner he expressed the hope that he had experienced that change which had been so often urged upon him, and which the scriptures designate as "born again of the spirit." On being asked what were the grounds of his hope, he referred to the spiritual light which had beamed on his mind; to the different views he now had of sin, of his moral state, of the Bible, of Jesus,
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and of religious duties. He said, that notwith- standing all he had heard and read, these subjects were dark to him before ; but now the truths and duties of religion were clear and attractive. He wondered he had not seen them so before, was astonished at his own blindness, and condemned himself on its account. He denounced his pre- vious impenitence and impiety ; and in answer to the question, if he would accept of liberty was it offered on the condition that he should live as he had done, he said decidedly, "I would not."
This young man, some months after, was par- doned; and, in a letter, subsequently received, his father spoke of him thus : "I have been intending for some time past to write you, but a pressure of cares and labors has prevented me until now. I do not regret the delay, however, since it enables me to speak with increasing confidence respecting the change which we hope and believe has come over my son. I have felt that the test of time, and of actual contact with temptation, was neces- sary to establish my confidence. He still appears well. He has been steadily at work the whole time since he came home. I told his employer frankly his past history, and he seemed willing to take him notwithstanding. He goes to work
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