The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-08
PHILIP MARTIN.
A Story of a Pardoned Convict, with Moral

By Rev. James Bic Leud, d. D.
Some years ago a scene occurred in one of our
large penitentiaries, which those who witnessed
are not likely ever to forget 1t was Thanks
giving day, and along with others, the writer
was invited to take part in some exercises which
to be held in the prison chapel The
chapel was large room capable of seating
twelve hundred and on the occasion referred to
every seat was filed. To see twelve hundred
prisoners, all together, and all dressed exactly
alike-gang after gang marching into the chapel
and all watched closely by their guards-was
indeed sight to behold. Some of the men were
quite young, and some were quite old but most
of them We're men in middle life. They were,
taken as whole, an Unlocking and most re-
pulsive set-for crime had left its mark upon
them. and their character was depicted in their
countenances. Here and there, however. one
could see face SO agreeable that it seemed the
very picture of goodness and innocence.
Among that crowd of convictS there was
man named Philip Martin Although he had
been in prison long time. he was still young
TO look al him no one would suspect him OF be.
ing murderer. But he was In moment or
anger. and most likely when under the influence
of strong drink, he, when not yet twenty years
of age, struck his fellow workman foul blow
and killed him. For this crime he was tired
and convicted, and he sent to the pen1ten-
tiary for life. If he ever hoped for a pardon,
that hope was dead for he fully expected to re,
friends took an interest in him. and they inter
ceded with the Governor in his behalf; and the
Governor. after inquiring into the case. found,
or thought he found, good reasons for extending
to him executive clemency. He resolved to
pardon him, and he sent the pardon to the
warden of the prison, with the request that IL
should be handed to the prisoner on IbanksglV-
ing day. The warden-a man OF sterling char-
acter and of sllcndid executive ability, good,
God fearlng, stalwart Christlan-Just such
a warden, if he could be found. as every
haVe-cOQcelVed
that it would be wise to hand Philip Martin
his pardon In the presence of his fellow prs.
knowledge of the convicts Not one of them had
the slightest idea of what about to take
place. AS for Philip, the thought of being par
doned that day never once crossed his MIND
The opening exercises quite simple. One
or two hymns were sung, passage of Scripture
was read. prayer was offered, then few re-
marks from some visitors, and then came the
event of the day-the warden's address and the
bestowment of the pardon The wardens words
were few but we'll chosen. He knew his audience
and he dealt with them accordingly. 1t was
Thanksgiving day and he had pardon to be-
stow. and he utilized these facts most admirably
Without attempting to quote his words when
thing like this: Il have now good piece of
news to tell you" Of course every eye was
fixed upon him and every ear was open Indeed
the silence was almost painful 1.-The Cover
nor" he continued, has seen fit to send par
dom the cheers of the prisoners at the mention
of pardon" were such that the wardens voice
'.for one of your number 1T is proper that
should say" he added. that the prisoner to
whom [ will in a moment or two hand this
pardon knows nothing about it. He never ex-
pected it. He does not expect it now He
like others among you, was sent here for hte
He has been here a long time, and he has had
other idea than that within the walls OF this
prison, he must live and die But am glad
and when | mention his name l am sure you,
too. will be glad that henceforth he will be free,
and that this Thanksgiving day has brought to
hiroS blessing Then
great tenderness. the good warden said: "Boys.
there are twelve hundred of you here, and |
have only one pardon to distribute among you
Eleven hundred and ninety zine of you, there
fore, will be disappointed. know your feelings
at this moment flor all the prisoners were weep
ingl, and 1 sympathize with them. But when Il
mention the of the prisoner to whom the
Governor has sent this pardon, think each one
of you will say: We'll, next to myself, that IS
the man who ought to have pardon And
now, in the name of the Governor of the State.
l take great pleasure in handing this pardon to
Philip Martin" There were cheers and
joicings every hand, but Philip Martin never
moved pardon for him! The thing seemed
impossible! He had given up all idea OF that
long ago. The thing is mistake. he thought,
warden, this pardon is for you. The Governor
has sent it to you. Come and take it," The
astonished Philip then realized the situation.
He quickly and, coming forward to the
platform, he took the pardon in his trembling
hand, and with the big tears rolling down his
cheeks he said THANK you Major. Thank
i
never expected it. God knows | never expected
it! Oh, thank God am pardoned." As Philip
uttered these words there were cheers plenty
Yes and there were tears. too, in abundance
nor were the tears that fell confined to the eyes
of the convicts. They fell from other eyes,
thick and fast, tears of joy over the one who
was pardoned and tears of sympathy and of
sorrow over those prisoners, who, being deeply
moved, were weeping bitterly.
But having received his pardon, what did
Philip Martin do! Well, strange to say after
pyn fhqnkS q
back and took his seat among the convicts.
That is to say he acted as if he were still pris
free, and as really citizen of the Common
wealth was the Governor who pardoned him.
He sat there only a little while. however, for
soon the audience was dismissed, and the great
crowd of prisoners went back to their prison
cells and to their prison drudgery; but Philip
did not go with them He had done that for
fifteen long years, but now he remained behind.
and along with the visitors he walked out of the
prison chapel thankful and happy free man.
In few minutes the convicts clothes-those
ugly stripes he had worn long-were taken
off ard flung aside. and instead he was dressed
from head to foot in a bran new suit of citizens
clothes. AS he came out of the dressing room
his appearance was so changed that one would
hardly recognize him. He looked like another
man, and he talked and acted like another man.
and in fact he was, as it were. new man AT
ter receiving the congratulations of his friends,
and getting from them hearty God-speed. with
a smiling face and a happy heart, Philip Martin
walked away from the prison, let us hope never
to return
Having witnessed such a scene, it would not
be strange if minister of the gospel should find
in it some lessons and suggestions.
!. 1t should make him devoutly thankful. for |
example, that the ambassadors of Christ are !
commissioned to offer full pardon to every |
true penitent. What if enjoined to |
preach gospel which offered pardon to only |
one sinner in thousand! How unspeakably |
sad that would be! Thank God it is far other |
wise. For every minister of Christ-whether |
he breaches to a hundred, or to thousand, or |
to ten thousand, or to only one-is authorized to |
say to each and all: The gospel is for you; be- |
lieve in the Lord Jesus Christ and repent of |
your sins. and you will be surely pardoned, for |
there is room in Christ's loving heart. and there
is room in His holy heaven for every believing |
penitent
2. This, too. suggested: That the quality |
Of pardon and the joy which comes from the |
knowledge of its possession is just the same
whether the sinner finds it most unexpectedly |
and. it We're. bY accident. whether he [