Article August 24, 1899 Issue

Prison Work

R. E. Watres

IN November, 1897, I visited the county jail in Scranton, Pa., for the purpose of introducing Christian Science literature among the prisoners, and, if conditions were favorable, to do systematic work among them. A copy of the Journal was left with one prisoner and a short talk on the subject of Christian Science was listened to most respectfully. A visit the following week found another, who had read the Journal, interested and anxious to talk. He asked eagerly for another Journal and it was given him.

Feeling keenly my inability to meet the great need of these sin-stricken ones without divine help, I constantly turned to God for guidance and light. The words of the Mother's beautiful hymn, "Shepherd show me how to go," became my daily companions, giving me much strength and comfort, for I felt so plainly the necessity of binding "the stubborn will" in myself as well as others in order to do God's work aright.

I did not distribute the literature generally, but tried to let Truth work in its own way, and it was most encouraging to watch the growing interest, as one after another would ask to see me, or for something to read. For a long time previous the W. C. T. U. had been doing missionary work at the prison, and regularly each week religious papers and magazines were distributed by them and almost as regularly destroyed or thrown carelessly about the cells, very little of it seemingly being read. Not so with the Christian Science literature. This was read and reread, calling forth favorable comments. Excellent care was taken of it; very little being soiled or marred, and almost none destroyed.

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