The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-10-23

We nave received. for publiessioD,
the. following touching letter from Mr..
E. 4, Stokes: :aaccompanied by.a pri-
yate 4Ste e1prsssivs eg bis in.essst Ii
religiSSns and morai issubieots. Surely
sil Ao fe.a twill invoke. ton behalf
Of the writer. those spiritual blessings
whioh. from his prison cell, he gene
rously calls down on others. It is not
the least interesting incident connected
With the remarkable revival now in
the Marion Street Methodist Church,
that it has produced this humble and
feeling tribute to the power of true
religion:
''HAvE FAITH IN GOD" AND "QuENcH
NOT THE SPIRIT"
To Req. ". d. Kirkland. Pastor of
Marion Street M. E.. Church, South:
Though on siok bed and in prison,
where I have been for thirteen (l3)
months, feel constrained TO write yon
few words expressive of the JOY of
my heart On reading in the PHOENIX,
of last Tuesday, your well-timed an.
nouncement of the revival of religion
in Columbia. We are told by Christ
himself that ''joy shall be in Heaveu
over one sinner that repenteth more
than over ninety and nine just persons
which need no repentance. If this is
so-if the angels, arch.angeis and saints
made perfect who stand continually
boiore God rejoice at tho repentance
Of one sinner, how much more ought
we. who are in this vale of tears, re-
joice over the repentance aud conver-
sion of fifty (50) immortal souls in
South Carolina.
You may not know me, but have
visited your church, as I have visited
almost every church in the beautiful
city of Columbia; and I have hoard
you preach, and appreciate the bold
and fearless manner you have in pub
fishing the Gospel of Peace. (May
God always open your mouth boldly to
declare His truth.) am an humble
member of the Protestant Episcopal
Church of the United States, and
love my church and honor its
great antiquity, yet. at the same
time. I do 30 much admire and COM
mend your cordial invitation to
other denominations to join your
church in carrying on the glorious
work already begun in your midst. I
welcome, also, your kind and earnest
request to "Ohristian people every
where, to pray for the SUCCESS of these
SERVICES" and although, as 1 said be-
fore, am only an humble lay member
of my church. and that, too, in prison,
I feel that You and yonr flock are not
ashamed for your invitation to extend
to my cell. The Bible tells US that the
Lord heareth the groa aing of the pri.
soner. and trust God will hear my
prayer for the SUCCESS of your labors,
for, since reading your communion
ton, I have not ceased to earnestly
supplicate the throne of mercy. May
God greatly bless your united efforts
in the cause OF Christ. is my prayer.
Religion is not only blessing in
itself to the individual possessor
thereof, but it is on essential prerequi-
site to every we'll regulated family,
community or State, for righteous
ness exalteth nation, but sin is re-.
prosoh to any people," Jesus Christ
loves the people Of South CarolinA-
men, women and chiidren-but We do
not love Him or obey Him as we
should. Let this no longer bo the
case, but let us pray that the good
work 80 auspicionsly begun at the ca.
pital of the State proceed until every
family ard every individual, from the
mountains to the sands of the sea-
shore, shall rejoice in the salvation OF
God. [ am, in sincerity and truth,
your brother in Christ,
EDWARD +. STOKES
A prisoner of the Judiciary of South
Carolina, and u prisoner of Jesus
Christ.
Cell No. 1, State Prison. Greenvilie,
South Carolina, October l6, 1874, A.
D.