Steve P. Holcombe, the Converted Gambler Part 15

MY DEAR OLD FRIEND: You do not know the pleasure your letter gave me, I have wanted to write you ever since my return, but did not know where a letter would reach you, nor do I know where to direct this, but suppose I can get your address from Will. I was at the Mission last night, and missed you sadly. We all missed you in many ways. Your good, hard, common horse sense is sadly needed. It is the same old story; we never appreciate a man until it is too late. I used to think I could pick many flaws in your management of the mission work, but I have now come to the conclusion that you can't be downed in that line, and hereafter I shall not even think a thought against your management. Last night we had some ignoramus to preach, and his grammar and ways of expressing himself were (to say the least) tiresome; but we had testimonies afterward, and I said to myself, "Well, Brother Steve is away, and I have been on the quiet lay for a long time; I think, for the sake of Christ and old Steve, I will give a red-hot testimony right from the shoulder," and I did. I was followed by Hocker in a like strain, and others chiming in, we made the welkin ring from turret to foundation-stone. But the banner-bearer was not there; so the good intended to be done fell short. Only one stood up for prayer. But never mind, we will have our old veteran leader with us soon, when we will unfurl our battle-flag anew and carry terror and dismay into old Beelzebub's camp. I think if our winter campaign is well organized, there will be no "Indians on the warpath next spring." I miss you and want to see you so bad, that you may give me a hundred lectures and I won't shirk. Your true blues are all holding fast. Your Old Guard is a true and tried one. I think they all can be depended on both on dress parade and under fire. Your family are all well. May our heavenly Father bless you, my dear friend, both here and hereafter. Your sins have been great; but oh, what would I not give to know that, after life's fitful fever is over, I would be permitted to occupy a seat in the beautiful land of the blest alongside of you. Truly your faith has made you whole. Good-bye, and once more, G.o.d bless you.

Your sincere friend,

P. B.

FROM A CONVERT.

ATLANTA, GA., February 3, 1885.

_Dear Brother Holcombe:_

Your letter of December 17th was received in due time. Your postal card was also received a few days ago. I have no lawful excuse to offer but pure procrastination, from time to time, for not answering. You are not forgotten by me or my wife and daughter. We often speak of you, and the question is often asked, "Will he come and see us this year and hold another mission meeting?" You did so much good in Atlanta. The meetings were kept up until the bad weather broke us up; they were well attended nearly every night, and the good seed you sowed germinated; and, by Brother Barclay's good tilling and the a.s.sistance and the goodness of G.o.d, has brought forth much fruit of repentance; and, thank G.o.d, we all bless the day He sent you to us. If your Mission managers could see the great good you accomplished while with us, I do not think they would say no to your making Atlanta another visit; and we look forward to the day as not being far distant when you will do so. I am trying my best to live right. I know I am changed; I feel very different from what I did before you visited us. You have known me fifteen years; and you know how bad and sinful I was, and how dissipated. I have not even wanted a drink of anything since your visit. You know I told you I had put my foot on the serpent and I intended to keep it there. I do not go with any of my old a.s.sociates who drink or who visit bar rooms. I select good company; I keep up the family altar, and we are a happy little family now. Can you appreciate that you saved one of your old lost friends by your good work? When I met you and saw and heard of the great blessing G.o.d had bestowed upon you and your dear family, I set about obtaining the like blessing for myself; and I feel in my heart that I have received it. G.o.d has been very merciful to me and blesses all my undertakings and I am so thankful for all of His kind mercies. Brother Barclay told me he wrote you a few days ago, and I suppose he gave you all the news. I have not been to the mission Sunday-school for some time on account of the bad weather, and you know I live a long way off. But, G.o.d willing, I shall go next Sunday. My wife and daughter join in much love to you and your family, and wish you a happy and successful year in the Master's cause.

Yours truly, ---- ----.

FROM AN OFFENDED GENTLEMAN.

LOUISVILLE, KY., January 13, 1887.

_My Dear Sir:_

Your letter surprises me. You came to me unintroduced; I was glad to see you, and, I hope, treated you with the consideration which I think your merit demands. You again approached me to-day. Tonight I received a letter from you which is to me offensive and impolite. I am not coming to your place, and I will thank you to abate your interest in my behalf. I believe in your work, and wish you success; but I hope you will let me alone. My self-const.i.tuted friends have done me more injury than _even_ my own indiscretions. Very truly,

To Rev. Steve P. Holcombe. ----- -----.

FROM A GAMBLER.

FEBRUARY 4, 1884.

_Mr. Steve Holcombe, Esq., Lewisville, Ky.:_

DEAR FRIEND: I take my pen in hand to drop you a few lines, as I haven't heard of you for a long time, I learnt from a friend, of your whereabouts, and that you had forever Retired from Gambling, I want to acc.u.mulate a few hundred dollars and Retire from the Business in the future, and as we have long Been friends, I hope you will not Refuse giving me your sure system of winning at the Game of Poker. From your friend,

DAVID W. MILLER,

_Ridgeville, Randolph Co., Ind._

849 SEVENTH ST., LOUISVILLE, May 28, 1888.

_Rev. Steve Holcombe:_

DEAR SIR: I have a large family Bible, which has been in my family a number of years. You will do me a personal favor by accepting it as a souvenir of my late son, Charles A. Gill. It was through your Christian instrumentality and kindness that my dear son embraced his Saviour and died a Christian.

Hoping that G.o.d will add many stars to your crown, I am your sincere friend,

HANNAH GILL.

Two more Bibles will be given you by the same hand for distribution.

H. G.

FROM A CHRISTIAN BROTHER.

MEMPHIS, TENN., May 6, 1887.

_My Dear Friend and Brother Holcombe:_

Your card well received, but I have been so busy that I have waited for a time to write to you. I am in good health and have a good situation, thank G.o.d. Am always alone. My children in Switzerland are well. When I pa.s.sed through Louisville, as I wrote you from New York, I wished I had been able to stop for twenty-four hours, but had a through sleeper to Memphis, and could not stay over. I heard of your great trial lately. Hope G.o.d did sustain you, and that good will come out of it for your soul. The more I live, the more I am separated from this world.

My body is in it, but my mind and spirit are longing for a better state, where evil shall not be present, within or without. The Bible becomes clearer to my soul every day, and with the grace of G.o.d I hope to come to the end a faithful and obedient child of the Almighty Father in heaven. I suffer very much mentally; it is a constant agony. I am absolutely, completely broken down in my own will; have given up entirely all worldly pleasures; have no pleasure except in doing the will of G.o.d the best I can. My old enemy, myself, with my pa.s.sions and self-indulgence, I pay no more attention to. May G.o.d use me according to His good will, and make me so as to be worthy of His service. Everything of this world has been taken away from me; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity" is my daily bread. I often wish to be in Louisville. Maybe I shall return there later, to have some Christian friends around me. I have here $150.00 a month, and the finest situation that can be wished in my line of business. What are you doing? I suppose always the same--taking care of the lost and neglected. Your reward shall be great, as you come nearer fulfilling the Master's teaching than brilliant preachers who do not touch the burdens of poor sinners. How is your family, especially your sweet little daughter? I hope you are all well. This world is nothing but a tremendous deception to all who are attached to it; everything is corrupt, and has the sting of death and sin. It is a constant warfare with evil and evil forces around you. It is only worth living for the good we can do to others. I can not understand at all the joy that some find in it, except in doing entirely, to the best of your ability, the will of G.o.d. There is surely no other source of life in the universe. I am writing now to dear Brother A. A few months ago he wrote to me. He, also, has had great sorrows. It is very strange that alone pain and suffering can make us wise and pure in heart. How antagonistic are the ways of G.o.d and those of men? Absolutely opposed in all things.

Oh, let us be true to G.o.d, even unto death, cutting mercilessly all that is worldly and carnal, so as to live for the spirit and not lose eternal life. My dear brother, please do pray for your lonely brother, that G.o.d may bring His presence into my worried soul and help me in the battle. The enemy is very powerful, and shows no mercy. His mission is to destroy and to lie, and he knows how to do it. May G.o.d bless you and keep you forever.

Your true friend, ---- ----.

FROM SAM P. JONES.

CHICAGO, ILL., March 16, 1886.

_Rev. Steve Holcombe, Louisville, Ky.:_

DEAR BROTHER HOLCOMBE: Yours of March 10th received. I thought you were wise enough to know, when you wanted to plant yourself in permanent quarters, that the devil would do his best to prevent it. The devil don't like you anyway; but keep your equilibrium--G.o.d is with you; and He is more than all that can be against you. I have just pa.s.sed through the most terrific storm of criticism almost of my life; and thank G.o.d I have witnessed in Chicago, within the last twenty-four hours, the grandest triumph of the Gospel I ever saw. I wish you could be here a few days and see the power of G.o.d, and rejoice with us in the work.

I enclose an article, which you can take to the _Courier-Journal_ if you like.

Kindest regards to your loved ones and all the brethren, and may G.o.d's blessing be upon your work.

Fraternally yours,

SAM P. JONES.

FROM THE SAME.

GIBSON HOUSE, CINCINNATI, OHIO, June 13, 1886.

_My Dear Brother Holcombe:_