A Gift In Prison (NKJV)

Some years ago, while conducting a series of meetings in Michigan City, I was asked to preach to the inmates in the State prison. I sat on the platform with the warden of the prison and watched the prisoners march in—700 men, young and old. They marched in lock step, every man’s hand on the shoulder of the man before him. At the word of command they sat down. Among that number there were seventy-six “lifers,” men who had been committed to prison for life.After the singing I arose to preach, but could hardly speak for weeping. Disregarding all the rules of the prison, in my earnestness to help the poor, fallen men, I left the platform and walked down the aisle among them, taking one, and then another by the hand and praying for him. At the end of the row of men who were committed for murder sat a man, who more than his fellows, seemed marked by sin’s blighting curse. His face was seamed and ridged with scars and marks of vice and sin. I placed my hand upon his shoulder and wept and pray