Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-09
STILL KEPT IN THE FOLD.
FORGER SMITHS NAME RETAINED ON
PLYMOUTH CHuRCFs ROLL.
A Notable Letter of Repentance From the
Convict While in the Tombs-Dr. Alb
bott Offers Resolution, and Sends a
Message of Sympathy to Sing Sing.

NEW YORK, Dec 8.-Forger Albert H.
Smith, although clad in the striped suit of a
convict and serving II years sentence for
forgeries, will obtain some little comfort in
his cell in Sing Sing, when he is informed
that he is member in good standing of
Plymouth Church, Brooklyn. His name is
to remain on the roll of membership, and
when he returns from Sing Sing, he may
resume his place among the other brethren.
The regular monthly business meeting of
Plymouth Church was held last night. An
inkling had got out of what was to take
place, so there was an unusually large at
tendance of the church members. Rev. DIR.
Lyman Abbott nrose and, holding a piece of
closely written paper in his hand, claimed
the attention of the gathering. DR.. Abbott
told of his Interview with Smith, and said
that he firmly believed that the criminal
had repented. He theE opened the piece of
paper held in his hand, and it proved to be
letter from Smith, which DR.. ABBOTT read
1t was as follows:
Dr. Lyman Abbott:
MY DEAR PAsToR-Will you kindly advise
me if my present position as an unworthy
member of Plymouth Church-what my duty
is toward the brethren? can. at the least but
express my bitter sorrow and sincere repent
ance for the crime have committed, and ask
you to make expression OF this to the proper
officers of the church.
NV daily prayer is for Gods forgiveness
and for grace to bear my deserved punishment
and humiliation. feel that He has brought
my heart back to Himself. He saw me slipping
away from my professions to the world of a
desire to lead Christian life, and has taken
this means of saving me. 1 see In this call to
bear this heavy cross and shame that have
vet an opportunity to serve Him and try to do
His will. trust have set my face in the
right direction. and ask for your prayers and
forgiveness. Very sincerely yours,
ALBERT H. SMITH.
Everything was hushed while DR.. Abbott
was reading the conyict's letter. 1t bore the
date of the day before he was sentenced to
Sing Sing for II years, and had been written
in the Tombs. When DIR. Abbott concluded
he produced another piece of paper which
proved to be a resolution, which read as fol-
lows:
Resolved, That this church, fully recognizing
the sin of Albert ii. Smith in the act Tor which
he is now suffering the legal penalty retain his
name upon the rolls in the faith that no man
more needs the watch and care OF a Christian
church than one who has fallen into sin, but
has sincerely repented of his sin and desires to
return to the way of righteousness and life.
Our message to our brother is that God par
doneth and absolveth all those that truly re-
pent and unteignedy believe His holy gospel,
and we commend him to the prayers of the
members of our church and to such special
officers OF spiritual aid as it may be possible for
the pastors or other officers of this church to
render to him.
w. B. Boorum and Thomas G. Shearman
seconded the resolution. No other remarks
were made. Deacon Blair put the question,
and without dissenting voice the resolu-
ton was carried.