The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-03-17
A Sinner Converted.

A Sinner Converted.
To-day Darwin j. MeserOle, who was
recently tried and acquitted on charge of
murder, will be admitted into membership
in tne Plymouth Church of Brooklyn. the
society. at meeting held on Friday even
ing. having voted unanimously to receive
him on his profession of faith.
At this meeting the Rev. DR.. Abbott. the
pastor, read special report of the commit
tee which had examined the qualifications
of Meserole for membership. 1t was to the
effect that the young man was converted
to Christi last July while prisoner IN Ray
mOnd Street Jail awaiting his trial for MUIR
der, and that the evidence at the trial in
December showed that ''Mr. Meserole's
shooting was not only excusable, but was.
by every consideration of manhood. de-
manded." This view that the homicide
was justifable as measure of self defence
was taken also by the jury which acquitted
him. His fault" the report proceeds.
''lay not in the shooting, but in the previ.
Gus life which had brought him into the
circumstances that rendered the shooting
inevitably" for that life had been mot only
irreligiOus, but immoral" Having turned
from the error of his ways and Ito the new
life of faith in Christ" the report con-
cludes, it is the duty of the Church to re-
ceive him into fellowship. The genuine
ness of his present repentance and the sim
cerity of his faith, not the wickedness of his
past life. are to be considered.
This decision of Plymouth Church is I'm.
IN m t 6lv in cfrot acoOrdancn with Chris.
tian precept and example. Even if MeserOle
were guilty of murder. the obligation to
receive him on such evidences of repentance
and amendment, and such profession of
faith, would not be leSSened.
In the account of the CrucifXiOn in the
Gospel of St. Luke We read:
And there were also two Others malefactors,
led with Him to be put to death. And when they
were come to the place. which is called Calvary.
there they crucied Him, and the malefactors,
one on the right hand and the other on the left.
And one of the malefactors which we're hanged
| rallied on Him. saying. If Thou be Christ save Thy
self and us. But the other answering rebuked
him. saying. Dost not thou fear God seeing thou
art in the same condemnation? And indeed
| Justly; for receive the due reward of
deeds; but this hath done nothing amiss.
And he said unto Jesus. Lord. remember me when
Thou contest into Thy kingdom. And Jesus said
unto him. Verify. say unto thee, to-day shalt
thou be with Me in paradise.
On confession of his crime and profession
of his faith in the Christ. Jesus promised
that this rObber would be admitted into
heaven.
That is the spirit and doctrine of Chris
tianity, without regard to the gravity of the
crime committed. but with sole regard to
the faith and repentance manifested.
Hence condemned murdererS in all Chris
tian countries are allowed to receive the
miniStratOnS of religion as an obligation
imposed by Christianity. They are in
structed by priests and ministers. who tell
them that the offer of salvation through
Christ is extended to them no less than to
other men. provided that they obey its con-
ditions. AS st. Paul says. There is no
difference; for all have sinned and come
short of the glory of God; being justified
freely by His grace through the redemption
that is in Christ Jesus whom God. has set
forth to be Precipitation through faith in
His blood, to declare His righteousness for
the remission of sins that are past. through
the fOrbearance of Cod" IF any be in
Christ" the Apostle says, 'he is new
creature; old things are passed away; be-
hold, all things are become new"
That is the Christian doctrine, and under
it Meserole's admission to the Plymouth
Church was obligatory if he satisfied the
brethren that he was sin Christ" Even if
he had committed murder, his past would
have been blOtted out by his faith and re-
pentance. So far as the Church is con-
cerned, there is no difference" between
murder and other sins. Though man be
the chief of sinners. his faith and the grace
of God are as powerful to save him as if he
were the least of offenders.
| 1t is said that MeserOle has sold his seat
in the Stock Exchange and that he will
hereafter devote himself to the spiritual re-
demptiOn of discharged prisOners.-N. Y.
| Sun.