Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1882-09-15
PRAISE the LOAD. +"

ISpnNAroLrs, ISp, Sept 18th, 1882.
Dear Interior.
/ omitted in my last, to tell you Of the
best meeting we have had in indianapolis.
OF course II was in the penitentiary. You
know my hobby. SO smile II you like. II
was glorious meeting, all the same. AZ
| wrote before, Indiana has two peniten-
tiariea, at opposite extremes Of the state'
Jacksonville on the Ohio river, and Mich
igan City on Lake Michigan. At the Cap
ital there is a we'll conducted Female "Re-
formatory," containing about 200 inmates,
and there the services am writing about
we're held. | can not speak too highly Of
the excellent management Of this institu-
ton. "Aunty Smith," the efficient head
Of the establishment, has that wonderful
mixture Of frmness, common sense, kind
ness Of heart, and best Of all, piety, that is
seldom found in single personality. Two
Of her assistants are "higher lite" chris
tians, who have the good Of the Reforma-
tory inmates at heart, and labor for some
thing more than salary. speak Of these
because they are attendants on our meet
ings, and personally known. The others
are, / doubt not, good and competent.
About one-third Of the prisoners are Grim
inals, the others, girls and children; the
latter numbering 20 or 80, at guess. Our
congregation was gathered ia the neat
chapel Of the establishment and we were
at once impressed with the large proper
ton Of good faces that confronted us. Some
were beautiful. Very few really hardened
looking countensnces among them. A sim
gle look at our congregation was enough to
awaken profoundest pity and sympathy,
and IL ever we sang and preached for souls,
we did IL that day. Only one day like IL.
and that was the memorable Sunday in
the Frankfort penitentiary. After nearly
an hours sermon, we gave the invitation TO
confess. A row Of side seats was first fill
ed with coniessors, and then as they came
forward very rapidly the chairs we're, with
out design, hurriedly arranged for them,
facing the congregation. As row after
row was placed, the number Of non-con-
fessors dwindled until, after a little ex-
hortation the last one came forward, and |
for the second time in our experience the
entire congregation was won. A "clean |
sweep" for Jesus. PRAISE THE LORD.
And now their faces were all turned in
exactly the opposite direction from their
position when | began to address them.
The LORD enabled me to make point
Of this, in exhorting to a thorough change |
Of life, in living as saved ones.
1t was very Undesirable scene. Ger
tainly one never, neuer 10 be forgotten.
Again was the dear LORD present to "heal
all that had need Of healing" Imagine
our joy. IVA confessed the dear Name.
This was really the turning point of the
Indianapolis meeting. After that "break
down." the progress was steady and unin-
il not as rapid as impatience
demanded.
The afternoon meetings continue full Of
interest, and many step over into Cansn
Tally. We occupy the basement Of the
Meridian st. Church p. NJ. and Park The
tire at night. To date there have been
}95 confessions Of Jesus for the souls Sal
Eation or restoration; $40 anointed for
bodily healing and 45S confessions of
christians for an advance in the Divine
ife. close in haste to catch the mail.
Ever in Jesus. GEO. o. BARNES