Prisons and Prayer Part 44

The following brief extract is from a report of a service on the train as we were in company with a number of delegates on their way to the Convocation of Prayer at Baltimore, in January, 1903:

We left Indianapolis at 3:05 p. m., Monday. After we started Mother Wheaton, who was with us, started up a song, then went to the front of the car, and standing in the aisle she began preaching to the people. She moved down the aisle still preaching, taking about ten minutes to come through the car. This she did several times, then went through the dining and palace cars. As she told of her prison work, how G.o.d could save criminals, we could see tears come into the eyes of the pa.s.sengers. A U. S. marshal sitting near us became much affected, and made inquiry of Brother S. B. Shaw who the woman was, and said he knew what she said was true, and said he desired to be saved. A wealthy Mexican on the train, whose wife had recently died while he was on a trip to Europe, was also brought under conviction, and would have Sister Wheaton take dinner in the dining car; also had Sisters Wheaton and Shaw take a berth in the sleeper at his expense. I must not forget to tell you that Brother Shaw gave us an excellent talk standing in the aisle of the car.

FAVOR THE R. R. CO.

I sometimes have an opportunity to do a kindness for the R. R. Co., in return for the many favors they do for me. At one time I reached the railroad station at Fort Worth, Texas, before my train arrived. While we were waiting for a Santa Fe train, an old lady who was evidently not in her right mind and who had been sent by friends to go alone to other friends who lived at a distance, of her own accord tried to climb over one train to get to another and was injured. The injury was caused by her own mental condition and through no fault of the railroad men.

Before she left us, I wrote a little message of love and put it into her hand bag with my name and address on it. In a few days I received the following letter from her attorneys.

Fort Worth, Tex., November 21, 1898.

Mrs. E. R. Wheaton, Tabor, Iowa.

Dear Madam: We conclude from a kind and sympathetic letter you wrote to Mrs. Harper, the old lady who fell from the platform at the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway depot at Fort Worth, Tex., on Friday night, the 11th day of November, that you likely saw the old lady fall. And perhaps you can tell us how she came to fall and who else saw her when she fell. Mrs. Harper has employed us to sue the railroad company for said injuries. She claims that she walked off of the platform where there were no railings and fell between two freight cars left standing on the track, left so far apart that she could see the railroad car she wanted to board between said opening so left. Will you please write us all you know about the matter, and who else saw it, if any one, and where such person or persons live if you know. By doing so you will greatly oblige,

Yours truly, WYNNE, MCCART & BOWLIN.

In reply I a.s.sured them that it would be utterly unjust to bring suit against the railroad company--giving them the facts as far and as fully as I knew them. I learned later that this ended the contemplated suit.

CHAPTER XVII.

Street and Open Air Work.

THE MASTER'S QUESTIONS.

Have ye looked for my sheep in the desert, For those who have missed their way?

Have ye been in the wild waste places, Where the lost and wandering stray?

Have ye trodden the lonely highway, The foul and the darksome street?

It may be ye'd see in the gloaming The print of My wounded feet.

Have ye wept with the broken-hearted In their agony of woe?

Ye might hear Me whispering beside you "'Tis the pathway I often go!"

My brethren, My friends, My disciples, Can ye dare to follow me?

Then, wherever the Master dwelleth, There shall the servant be!

Many are the shocking sights and sad experiences I have witnessed in street and slum work. I have endured hardships and privations, suffered arrests and ridicule, and faced many dangers. But withal, the glorious victories have been many and precious souls have been saved:

I might give copies of many permits to hold open air services received in the earlier years of my labors, but perhaps these would not be of interest or profit, so I give only a few.

PERMIT TO PREACH ON BOSTON COMMON.

CITY OF BOSTON, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.

Under Chapter 42, Section 11, of the Revised Ordinances, permission is hereby granted to Mrs. Elizabeth Wheaton, to conduct preaching service on the Common on Sunday, October 27, 1889, subject to the directions of the Superintendent of the Common, who will a.s.sign a location.

THOMAS NAST, Mayor.

October 22, 1889.

STATE OF LOUISIANA, MAYORALTY OF NEW ORLEANS.

City Hall, 11th day of December, 1886.

Permission granted to Elizabeth Wheaton and Agnes Hill to preach the gospel at such localities within the city of New Orleans as they may select; provided that in so doing they are careful not to interfere with the private rights of individuals or those of corporations granted them under munic.i.p.al ordinances or the statutes of this state. By order of the Mayor.

E. L. BOWER, Chief Clerk.

MAYOR'S OFFICE.

Jacksonville, Fla., December 29, 1886.

Permission is hereby granted E. Wheaton and a.s.sociates to preach the gospel within the city limits at such places as they may select; provided the streets and sidewalks are not obstructed and the rights of private property are not disturbed and there is no violation of City ordinances or statutes of the State.

P. MCQUAID, Mayor.

Galveston, Tex., Jan. 20, 1888.

To Whom It May Concern:

Permission is hereby granted to the bearer to hold religious services on the streets anywhere within the corporate limits of the city of Galveston, and the police authorities will lend such protection as is necessary to enforce order at such meetings.

R. L. FULTON, Mayor of Galveston.

Office of Chief of Police, Denver, Colo., June 23, 1888.

To any Police Officer:

This woman has permission from the Mayor to hold services on the street.

M. HENNY, Chief of Police.

Sacramento, Cal., Aug. 24, 1888.