Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1874-05-14
CORRESPONDENCE.
Letter from James Canterbury.
ONO PENrrENTIARY,
Sunday evening, May Sd, 1874.
For the GalIipolis Journal.

ONO PENrrENTIARY,
Sunday evening, May Sd, 1874.
For the GalIipolis Journal.
Mr.. NASH: To-day has been one of un-
usual and remarkable sadness to the
inmates of this institution, at the thought
of parting with our worthy Chaplain,
whose memory will be retained until
memory's stars shall have set forever.
and who by his assiduous kindness, has
become great favOrite with all the pris-
oners. Mr.. Newton, after an able ser
mon from Matthew, 25th chapter, 56tn
verse, closed his services here for the
present, with the benediction. He has
held this responsible position for seversl
wears, and has faithfully and diligently
discharged his whole duty toward Gm
and man. When he entered this instt-
tuition as Chaplain, there was nothing
in the way of religious instruction, ef-
cept the simple formality OF preaching
and a small Sabbath-schOol. Since tht
time he has so preached Christ, and HIN
crucified, that many of those under NE
care have been led to the foot OF the
Cross and have there confessed and f,r-
saken their sins and sought and received
forgiveness through the merits and nj
tereession of a Crucified Redeemer, an
are now living honest, upright and COZ
sistent Christians, and are benefit to tie
community in which they live. In ado
tion to this, large and interesting SAB
bath-school has been thoroughly Ad
successfully organized; also lage
PRAYER and Association meeting-ofa at
least 400 men-has been organized. N
this number about 275 have made piD-
lie profession of their faith in Chrit,
and have ioined the Y. NJ. c. Al
Prison ClI~-eh. The remainder fe
seekers. Prayer has also BEEN estat>-
lished in the workshops every morning.
Through his instrumentality many hSe
been. induced to abandon life of WIKI
edness and crime, and have avOuchd
the Lord Jehovah to be their God, he
! Holy Spirit to be their Sanctifyer ad
Guide, and are now living, not for then
selves alone, but for the honor and %
; ry of Him who suffered and died in tfir
stead.
Last summer when the cholera vas
. raging in our midst he was in the hs-
pital preparing the living to live, ad
the dying to die; in short, he has l.
bored with and for the men, either N
his Office or in the yard, from the tile
they were unlocked in the morning "a
til they were locked up at night.
To convince man that you are his
true friend you must first gain his co..
fidence-this is done by kindness (not "
cruelty.) This, Mr.. Newton has sur
cessfully accomplished. On all oca-
siOns, in and under all circumstances,
he always has a word of kindness and
encouragement. He remembereth dlr
frame, He knOweth we are but dust.
How true the maXim-a friend in ned
is friend indeed. This our Chapldn
has been TO one and to all. Is Their a
fiend in the fathOmless depths of the n
fernal regions that would not love and
adore such a man? Can Democracy
place in his stead a man that can excel
him?
Mr.. Newton has labored in this field
four years, during this time 1855 have
made a public profession of religion: OF
this number 247 have gained their liter
ty (and the majority of them are living
faithful to their covenant vows.) Sme
have died, who in the agonies of death
gave the strongest evidence of the gen.
uineness of their faith.
Our new Chaplain is the Rev. Nj
Ferguson of Guernsey county, Ohio
The text to which have alluded was
the latter clause of the verse, viz. 81
was in prison and We came unto me.''
The Chapel was crowded to-day with
visitors. After the sermon the Rev
Mr.. Byers formerly of Riggs Chapel
Gallia cOunty,) delivered an able prayer
Those prayer meetings to which l have
alluded are conducted by the prisoners,
of which | have been faithful listener
but have never uttered a syllable.
In the above | have given correct
stHt-rr-'.. of Mr. LNeYtan,s-l -lahors f-ss-
| sincerely wish my circumstances were
such as would allow me to give cor.
rect statement of the conduct of other:
who are and have been connected with
the prison.
/ cannot close this without returning
thanks to the. Hon. L. A. Stone, of Gal
lipolis, for kindness. | was in prison
and he came unto me. Gallia county
could have sent no better man to the
Halls of Legislation than Mr.. Stone.
Have 1 not represented Gallia county
long enough in this institution? Since
my term the Hon. Joseph Bradbury and
Hon. E. A. Stone have represented said
county in the House of Representatives
and the Hon. w. Nash, in the Senate
These Hon. gentlemen have taken al
least $1,000 from the State Treasury
while l have added over $500 to the
State Treasury. Who has been of the
most benefit to the State?
Now, l earnestly ask the citizens Of
Gallia county to relieve me, or elect an
other man in my place. l will writ,
again at some future day.
Respectfully,
l JAMES CANTERBURY,