The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-11-23

FRoM THE GEORGIA PEKIrENTIARY. We are
happy to lay before readers, especially tho
personal friends OF the imprisoned missionaries,
the following letter from DR.. Bntler, 10 one of
The secretaries of the American Board
GEORGIA PESiTEETIARY, Oct. 1G, 1881.
Mr., Darid Greene: Dear Sir--On the 18th
sf last month"; as you have already learned, |
was brought TO trial, and the next day senienc.
cd Ia tour years Imprisonment in this place at
hard labor. Iarrived here on the 29d Since
that Time my health has generally boon as good
as ] commonly enjoy. have been able TO la
Dor every Gay, and hope may continue to be,
during my time Of service. 1t would be a great
trial to be afflicted with sickness here
| have formerly been told, that there was no
need of nv going TO the penitentiary ihnt it
was easy for me 10 avoid it if i would and
some have even told mo SO since have been
here Others | have been informed have said
the same ! would by no means compare my
self with any Of those mentioned below bu:
YOU will doubtless understand my meaning
! Nehemiah might have gone into the temple if
| he would. Shadrsch and his companions might
have wurshippcd the image of Babylon If they
would Daniel might have ceased to pray for IL
season, if he would. But not TO pursue this
train of thought farihcr,--ihey could no: con-
scentiously comply with these requirements
Others in similar circumstances could not con-
scirntiousy comply with requirements. How.
svcr easy it nigh, appear to Others could not
cunscicn'iousy comply with requirements which
wonld bave kept me from this confinement
And now, dear SIR. have 10 say, that through
the goodness Of God have vet had enough 10
support me; have had even more thun | on
ticipated. And am firmly led to believe that
any man come tending for the rights of conscience
and the liberty Of spreading the gospel will al.
ways find strength given him frGm above
Whilstin confinement, havemany happyhours,
some OF the happlest of my life. am also con.
vinced " that nathing is TO be feared where the
love of the Father is found nothing is painful
where the love of Christ is exhibited nothing
is sorrowfn where the Holy Ghost dis,ils its
heavenl, rejoicings."
Though am in apparent distress, arn not
cast down though am troubled, am not for
saken and though my body is imprisoned, my
soul is at full liberty. this precious liberty Of
soul it is OF more value than liberty of body,
than the society of the nearest and dearest
friends yea, II is of more value than life itself;
the enjoyment OF rubies, and all the riches of
the world are not to be compared with il.
He:e find communion with G cd more precious
than in any other place for here il is the source
ofmy enjoyment. Being cut off from the yari-
Gus enjoyments Of life, why is il not reasonable
that there should be great additional ENJOYMENT
in God, even that enjoyment which will ill un
the vacuity occasioned by the priyations Of
other snjoymepts. hope am now and shall
ever be thankful for the enjoy ments of this
place. have religions books TO read Inn,
confined by night in building with ifty.eight
others; we occnpy two rooms connected 10.
gether by pair of stairs. have worshipped
every evening, when | read in the Bible, OK
hort and sing, before prayer. Sometimes am
occupied for hours in answering questions on
religious subjects. There are two or three of
our number have some Hopes are really pious ::
though their fruits must decide their true state
Several have solemnly resolved to rehounce
their profanity, and othor acts of wick edness.
1t is not too much TO say, there is a religious
feeling manifested by number Of prisoners.
hope we may be instrumental of good to these
unfortunate convicts, / think we have general
ly their respect and confidence and their acts
of wickedness they studioualy endeavor TO con-
cea from Us. Here find the infdel, the uni
versalist and strange as it may seem, the self
righteous. One man came to me the other
day, after had had conversation with him, and
he had acknowledged his wckedness, and sale !,
! have one favor to ask of you; have resolv
ed to plead with God for forgiveness, and pray
until die; and wish you to pray for me, as
vile, wicked, and wretehed a creature as per-
haps ever lived; your prayers may be of great
service to me-" A few days since my family
was well and the school in operation MIR. Ross
and Mr.. Lavander had written TO Mrs Butler
that they would supply her with any thing she
needed. Mrs. Butler and family were in good
spirits, and things in operation as usual at the
station. Your obedient servant,
Il ELIZug BUTLER